Tributes

Fay Dell (Loest) Wilks, 89, went home to be with the Lord on January 11, 2026. She passed away peacefully with the love of her life by her side, Hugo Wilks. After seventy-one years of marriage, they remained inseparable to the end. Because Fay Dell and Hugo never planned a formal honeymoon, Hugo describes their marriage as a never-ending honeymoon grounded in honesty, love for one another, and working side by side. Their loving and enduring marriage is a testament to unconditional love and faithfulness to one another. Fay Dell, along with her husband Hugo, raised four wonderful children she loved so deeply, Steve, David, Danny, and Sandra. Fay Dell was the center of her family. Her loving and nurturing ways touched the lives of all her family and friends. Whether it was sharing a meal, celebrating holidays, attending church, square dancing, or watching the dance recitals and numerous sporting events of her children and grandchildren, she cherished her time with family. Her grandchildren often joked about who was Grandma’s favorite because she made each grandchild feel so special. She loved and was so proud of each of her eleven grandchildren, Jennifer, Keith, Neal, Patrick, Danny Ray, Michelle, Lisa, Brian, Jessica, Eric, and Jeffrey. Fay Dell can be considered our own “Martha Stewart”. She had an innate gift for cooking, canning, baking, sewing, quilting, gardening, and crafting. She is best known for her chewy pralines, tapioca pudding, and Swedish tea ring dessert. She gave so much of herself to her family as well as her church when she would oversee the annual rummage sale. She greatly enjoyed a good garage sale. She was an incredibly hard worker. She worked tirelessly to create a home that all would enjoy and feel welcomed, cooked numerous meals, hosted family celebrations and reunions, worked in the country at Goliad, and helped maintain and rent numerous rent houses. Fay Dell had a love for basketball and softball, having played both sports in high school. She was the catcher for her high school softball team. She was also an avid Spurs fan, cheering them on, win or lose. She especially enjoyed watching the playoffs with family as the Spurs competed for the championship. Fay Dell was a seasoned traveler having visited all fifty states, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. She took numerous roads trips with her children, traveled with her grown children and grandchildren on family adventures, and accompanied Hugo on his business trips because they always enjoyed each other’s company. She was known to travel on road trips with great snacks and a jug of sweet tea. Born on February 11, 1936, in Goliad, Texas, Fay Dell lived a life filled with deep devotion to her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Berthold and Frieda Loest, her brothers, Kenneth, Clifton, and Clyde Loest, her eldest son Steve Wilks, and her cherished grandson Neal Hudson. We take comfort in firmly believing they are joyfully reunited in heaven through Jesus Christ. Fay Dell is survived by her devoted husband of seventy-one years, Hugo G. Wilks, Jr., her son David Wilks and daughter-in-law Katy; her son Danny Wilks, Sr., and daughter-in-law Shirley, her daughter Sandra Hudson and son-in-law James, her daughter-in-law Denise Odam (Blu), her grandchildren Jennifer Brown (Randall), Keith Wilks (Kellyn), Patrick Wilks (Alicia), Danny Ray Wilks (Sam), Michelle Kraus (Matt), Lisa Gallo, Brian Wilks (Sara), Jessica Govan (Jay), Eric Hudson, and Jeffrey Wilks (Tiffany). She is also greatly blessed with nineteen great grandchildren and one more due in September. The Wilks family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Neela Patel, Heart of Texas Hospice, the staff of Lynridge Assisted Living, and family and friends for their love and support. Her contagious smile, her love for life, her strong spirit, and calm gentle soul will be deeply missed and never forgotten. As Jesus greets her into His heavenly kingdom, we have the hope she will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21.

Tributes

Fay Dell Wilks

February 11, 1936 - January 11, 2026