Bernadette Sobotik Bludau passed away at the age of 91 on May 1, 2025.  She was born September 27, 1933, in Hallettsville, Texas.  She was the fourth child in a family of seven to Louis Sobotik and Frances Sitka Sobotik.  She grew up in the St. Mary's community near Hallettsville and attended Brown School until 8th grade.  She was an active member of The Catholic Daughters of Americas, Christian Mothers, Red Hat Society, Extension Homemakers, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

In November 1951, Bernadette married Frank Bernard Bludau Sr., and together they raised three sons and four daughters.  Her life's devotion was to her family as a dedicated homemaker and loving mother.  She was a constant supporter of her children's endeavors, whether cheering them on in sports, band, or 4-H. For many years, she coordinated the Sacred Heart PTC strudel bake.

Bernadette learned to bake from her mother and became a passionate baker.  She generously contributed to numerous communities bake sales and silent auctions throughout the years.  Her talented baking earned her numerous first-place awards at the Hallettsville Kolache Fest and other kolache festivals in the surrounding area.  In 1996 she was named the Hallettsville Kolache Granny.  While serving as the Kolache Granny, she taught kolache-making classes and for the first time put her recipes into writing.  Baking was Bernadette's way of showing love, and she was always excited to try new recipes.  She often felt the need to make "just one more dessert" for family gatherings, and it was not uncommon for an entire table to be dedicated to her sweet creations at holiday celebrations.

Family favorites included Bernadette's award-winning kolaches, pigs-in-a-blanket, yeast rolls, and dewberry pie.  Her husband, Frank, especially loved her cookies, while the grandchildren looked forward to her "2 Cups" chocolate candy, caramel popcorn, and Texas Trash.  She also had a passion for gardening, using the produce to preserve food for church picnics and future family meals. In her final years, the joy of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immense happiness.

Bernadette loved to travel.  She especially enjoyed road trips with her husband, Frank, when visiting his army buddies in Iowa.  She also cherished trips with friends to a variety of destinations, always enjoying the scenery and the company.   She found simple pleasure in shopping and exploring different grocery stores, always on the lookout for new ingredients to incorporate into her baking.

Bernadette is survived by:  six of her seven children, Frank Bludau Jr. & daughter-in-law Darlene Anders Bludau, Shirley Bludau & son-in-law Fred Michael Grimes Jr., Tony Bludau & daughter-in-law Joyce Janak Bludau, Stephen Bludau & daughter-in-law Renee Bonorden Bludau, Audrey Bludau Poche & son-in-law James Poche and Brenda Bludau Youngblood & son-in-law Jon Youngblood; grandchildren, Frank Bludau III, Eric Bludau, Tiffany Bludau Bennett, Sarah Kallus Lesiker, Chad Bludau, Jessica Kallus Vines, Jennifer Kallus Penn, Christa Bludau Spring, Paige Youngblood Harris, Clay Youngblood, Drew Poche and Luke Poche; 17 great-grandchildren; and brother Norbert Sobotik & his wife Betty

Bernadette was preceded by:  her husband Frank Bernard Bludau Sr.; daughter Frances Bludau Kallus; grandson Tyler Bludau; her parents; and siblings, Alice Sobotik Bludau, Louis Sobotik, William Sobotik, Frannie Mae Sobotik and Ben Sobotik.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center and Patricia Williams for their compassionate care and to Hospice Care of South Texas for their support during this difficult time.

The family invites family and friends to join them on Saturday, May 3, for visitation from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., followed by a rosary at 9:00 a.m. and The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 400 East Fifth Street, Hallettsville, Texas 77964. Officiates: Rev. Christopher Bediako, Monsignor. John C. Peters, Deacon Mike Tankersley. Pallbearers: Frank Bludau III, Eric Bludau, Chad Bludau, Drew Poche, Luke Poche, Shane Lesikar. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers , the family requests memorial donations be made to Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart School, Hospice Care of South Texas or the donor's choice.