Gladys was born on April 13, 1925 to Joseph Frank Wanja and Mary (Kasper) Wanja in Woodsboro, Texas. Gladys graduated from Garwood High School in 1942. On Sept. 13, 1947, she married Albert Washington “Jack” Rau, Jr. who preceded her in death on Nov. 16, 1976.

Gladys worked for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator and as a records clerk for the Colorado County Court House in Columbus for many years. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Mary Queen of the Snows #1588, St. Anthony Catholic Church Altar Society, the VFW Auxiliary and Docent Magnolia Home Tour.

Gladys loved visits from family and friends with coffee, cake and kolaches around her kitchen table and listening to the Polka hour on the radio. Gladys loved playing dominoes, bingo, bonanza, the harmonica and cooking family dinners with dewberry pie for dessert.

Gladys is survived by her four sons, Douglas James Rau and wife Rhonda of Katy, Texas, Allan Joseph Rau and wife Cleta of Columbus, Texas, Thomas Wayne Rau and wife Diane “Sissy” Rau of Columbus, Texas and John Ray Rau and wife Vicki of Houston; 7 grandchildren, Stephanie Rau Crawford (Robert), Joel Rau (Jessica), Jamie “Ritchie” Rau (Christine), Tyler Rau, Cheyne Solesbee (Katie), Alexis Rau, Lindsey Rau and 5 great grandchildren, Jagar Rau, Jase Rau, Vivienne Solesbee, Janson Rau and Jennings Rau.

Gladys was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Frank Wanja, mother Mary (Kasper) Wanja, sisters Gertie Harry, Margie Kuhn and Dorothy Mae Fink; and brother Edgar Wanja.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas with Deacon John Glueck officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Catholic Daughter rosary at 1:15 p.m.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus, Texas.

Pallbearers are her grandchildren Joel Rau, Jamie “Ritchie” Rau, Cheyne Solesbee, Tyler Rau and great grandchildren Jagar Rau and Jase Rau.

Gladys will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, P. O. Box 669, Columbus, Texas 78934 or Court Mary Queen of the Snows #1588, P.O. Box 331 Columbus, Texas 78934.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.