Gladys Frances Burkhalter, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, passed away on July 29, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 88. She was born on July 19, 1937, in Zabzikville, Texas to Minnie and Robert Ruzicka.
Gladys was known for her exceptional culinary skills. As a great cook, she had a passion for reading cookbooks and creatively mixing and matching recipes to craft her own unique dishes. Her kitchen was a creative space where family and friends enjoyed her delicious meals.
She loved to garden and canned her own vegetables, preserving the fresh flavors of her harvest to share with those she cared about.
When she was younger, she enjoyed roller skating and spent many hours on her skates. One day, while out skating, she took a fall, on purpose, in front of a handsome young man she had her eye on. He came to her aid quickly and would become her husband. That moment marked the beginning of a beautiful relationship built on care, support, and love.
Family was the cornerstone of Gladys’ life. She cherished her loved ones and devoted herself to close relationships, creating a warm and loving home for all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 60 years, Lonnie Lowell Burkhalter; son, Darryl Lynn Burkhalter, and brother, Calvin Bobbie Ruzicka. Gladys is survived by her sons, David Wayne Burkhalter (Diana) and Lonnie Scott Burkhalter; grandchildren, Carina Cortez, Christin Tonkel, Scarlet Burkhalter, and Shane Moon; great-grandchildren, Malea Cortez, Addison Cortez, Gracie Tonkel, Elyse Tonkel, Aaron Moon and Alex Hopkins; son-in-law, Bruce Sturgill, and sister-in-law, Raenelle Ruzicka; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A celebration of life will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 2102 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, Texas, 78232. A reception will follow the service.
Gladys will be interred privately at a later date with her loving husband at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
