Margaret Jirak receives senior citizen's award
80-year-old woman continues a tradition begun 63 years ago
Margaret Jirak of rural Tampa has received the Marion County Grand Gardener award from North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging.
Along with other county winners, she was recognized Sept. 16 at a public ceremony at the Bicentennial Center in Salina.
Gardening always has been a part of Margaret's life. She and her late husband, Leo, began gardening together after they married in 1940.
They sold small quantities of produce at the farm, and Leo trucked it to Marion Saturday mornings, where they developed many regular customers.
The couple raised 12 children — seven boys and five girls. As the family grew, their garden grew.
When Leo died more than six years ago, son Ron took over and expanded the truck gardening operation. Jirak Produce has become familiar throughout a large area of central and north central Kansas.
Leo's death didn't deter Margaret from her life's passion. At age 80, she continues to garden. She has vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers.
With the help of grandchildren, she makes it her responsibility to continue to sell fresh produce at Marion every Saturday during the growing season.
The extended Leo Jirak family now includes 37 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Margaret isn't afraid of modern technology. She uses a computer to keep in touch with her family. Twice a month, she e-mails a family newsletter, keeping members up to date with the latest family happenings.
Margaret loves her home and plans to continue gardening indefinitely.
The plaque she received as grand gardener contains the following poem, a philosophy of life which continues to sustain her from day to day:
Our life, it seems like a garden,
Where the seeds of our lives have grown.
Joys and sorrows sprouted up together,
And many challenges we have known.
Never backing away from the seasons,
Or spending time to worry and fret,
We have faced the daily weedings,
And loved our lives without regret.
