Margaret Martha Mastek Jirak passed away Sept. 6, 2010, at St. Luke Hospital, Marion, at the age of 87, following a brief illness.
She was born Feb. 22, 1923, near Tampa, the daughter of Vincent and Maria (Floch) Mastek.
She attended grade school and high school in Tampa. She often told of her accomplishment of winning the Marion County Spelling Bee.
Margaret was united in marriage to Leo S. Jirak on Nov. 20, 1940, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Tampa, by Father Frank Huslig. They spent their married life on a farm east of Tampa for 56 years. Their marriage was blessed with 12 children.
Her Catholic faith was the center of her life. Margaret faithfully prayed the rosary daily and was devoted to an hour of Eucharist Adoration for 16 years. She was a member and officer of Tampa Altar Society and Newton Council of Catholic Women. For many years she was a catechist at Holy Redeemer.
She was a Marion County master gardener. She enjoyed making a variety of Bohemian dishes and her specialty was kolaches.
Margaret was an avid collector of magnets and clocks. A fond memory for Margaret was visiting her mother’s homeland, France, in 1975, with her five sisters.
Margaret was also a member of the Jolly Workers EHU, Christian Women’s Club, Sunflower Senior Citizens, St. Luke Auxiliary, foods project and community leader for Tampa Triple T’s 4-H Club, and a substitute bus driver for her husband, Leo.
Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo in 1997; her parents; brothers, Albert and Joseph; and sisters, Sanine, Madeline, Marcelle, and Frances.
She is survived by her children, Marie and husband Bill Davis of Yulee, Fla.; Florence and husband Bob Rahn of Hillsboro; Francis and wife Mary Jirak of Tampa; Irene and Garry Horine of Silverthorne, Colo.; Leonard and Linda Jirak of Hartford; Rita and husband Jesse Brunner of Tampa; Ann and husband Tom Collins of Williamsburg; Mike and wife Glenda of Glade; Ron and wife Rose Jirak of Tampa; Steve and wife Vickie Jirak of Ramona; Mark and wife Theresa Jirak of Atchison; and Greg and Jackie Jirak of Oakley. Margaret is also survived by one sister, Agnes Bina of Marion.
She leaves behind 42 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The Mass of Resurrection will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church-Holy Family Parish, Tampa, celebrated by grandson, Father John Jirak and con-celebrant Father Hien Nguyen.
A rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer, Tampa, followed by an all-night vigil.
Margaret will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Tampa.
A memorial fund has been established for the Tampa Ambulance Service in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Marion KS 66861.