Barbara J. Kolinek

Barbara was born on January 16, 1941, in Granger, Texas, to Albert and Regina Dykowski Hyzak. She grew up in a close-knit Catholic family and carried those values of faith, family, compassion, and service throughout her life.

Barbara was proud of her Czech and Polish heritage and remained fluent in the Czech language throughout her life. She loved dancing to polka music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Through mutual friends in the Johnnie Bohac family, she met the love of her life, Walter Kolinek. What began as friendship through dances and community gatherings blossomed into a lifelong romance, and they were married on January 9, 1966.

Together, Barbara and Walter shared more than sixty years of marriage. Their lives were centered on faith, family, hard work, and a commitment to helping others. In her younger years, Barbara enjoyed spending time at the lake and was an enthusiastic water skier despite never learning to swim. She possessed a wonderful sense of adventure, a quick smile, and a determination that carried her through life's many blessings and challenges.

She enjoyed a successful career in banking, serving as secretary to three bank presidents and two vice presidents. Following her recovery from breast cancer, she joined her husband's insurance agency, where she worked for five years.

Barbara later managed the Prague Market Gift Shop in Pflugerville until her retirement in 2012. To support the business, she traveled to the Czech Republic, to purchase authentic merchandise. She treasured sharing Czech traditions, culture, and heritage with customers, friends, and family.

Proud of her Czech heritage, Barbara especially cherished the many trips she and Walter made to the Czech Republic. Their first visit came shortly before the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over the years, Walter made about 45 trips and Barbara joined him on four of them. Together they purchased merchandise for their Old Prague Market business in Pflugerville, working closely with their dear friend, Miroslav Sovadina, who helped coordinate shipments of Czech goods to Texas. Through Miroslav's friendship, they were welcomed into homes throughout the country, made lifelong friendships, and experienced the true culture and hospitality of the Czech people. Barbara's ability to speak Czech helped forge lasting relationships, and the friendships they formed enriched their lives in countless ways. Even today, Walter remains in contact with Miroslav's family, a lasting reminder of how one friendship changed their lives for the better.

Barbara faced life's challenges with courage and grace. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, she underwent a mastectomy and remained cancer-free for the remainder of her life. She later endured two lumbar spine surgeries with the same resilience and positive spirit that inspired those around her.

Barbara never met a stranger. She was known for her warmth, generosity, and remarkable ability to remember people she had met years earlier. Whether through church activities, community organizations, business ventures, or family gatherings, she made lasting friendships wherever she went. Those who knew her will remember her gentle spirit, warm smile, deep Catholic faith, and willingness to help anyone in need.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Regina Hyzak; her sister, Sister Thadine Hyzak of the Sisters of Divine Providence; her brother, Albert "Sonny" Hyzak; her sister, Mary Lee Gorubec; and her sister, Marjorie Meier.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Walter (WC) Kolinek; her sons, Charles Kolinek and wife Kim, and Larry Kolinek and wife Traci; her grandchildren, Justin Kolinek and wife Emily, Reeve Kolinek, and Kaylynn Kolinek; her great-grandson, Lucas; her sisters, Sister Barbara Lynn Hyzak, Paula Hajda, and Rita George; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whose lives were enriched by her love and friendship.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to the caregivers, medical professionals, and hospice staff who provided Barbara with compassionate care and comfort.

Barbara's faith guided her throughout her life, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Immediately after burial, please join us for Barbara's favorite meal at the

KC Hall

2201 East Fourth Street

Taylor, TX, 76574

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Brooke Clanton for all the care and support she provided to Barbara for the past year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests prayers in Barbara's memory or donations to St. Mary’s Catholic School of Taylor.