After 105 years and 6 months of an incredible and fulfilling journey of life and faith on earth, Alice Mary Zaloudek passed away peacefully in the comfort of her own home on March 1, 2011, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his heavenly kingdom. Alice was blessed to have received the Catholic Sacrament of last rites on Feb. 28th by Father Dan Letourneau - with her daughters, grandsons and caregivers by her side. Born to John and Anna Sklenar Srajer in a log cabin in Yale, Okla., in 1905, Alice's life was filled at an early age with rich and historic memories of childhood. Her father, John, had made the Oklahoma Land Run in 1889 and staked his claim on the Yale farm. She was the youngest of five children - who all preceeded her in death. Her sisters Vlasta Srajer and Eliza Kerbs, brother Frank Srajer, and another infant brother all had vivid memories of looking out of the windows of their log cabin home to the faces of Indians peeking inside - most of whom were friends of their father John, and had helped him build his log cabin. When Alice was 18 months of age, in 1907 - after Oklahoma had celebrated Statehood, John Srajer relocated his family to Tampa, Kan. She walked to a 1-room country school house where she learned the English language - and spoke it during the day. At home, her parents taught her their native Czech language, which she spoke fluently around her family. She was among 8 graduates of Tampa High School where she walked 4 miles daily to and from school. Following high school graduation, she taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and American/Kansas history at Belton School - grades 1 through 8. Alice met Tony Zaloudek at a Polka dance in Marion, Kan. At the age of 22, Alice married Tony on May 9, 1927, at St. John Nepomucene Bohemian Catholic Church in Pilsen, Kan. Their wedding was an "all day affair" - with Mass, dinner, supper, and an evening dance. Kolaches were served to all the guests. Following their marriage, Tony and Alice returned to Oklahoma where he farmed with his father near Kremlin, Okla. Life was hard, but they lived happily and simply. They were blessed with the "at home birth" of their first baby girl in 1930, but devastated when Patricia Lavon (Patsy) died at 18 months of age. They were later blessed with two other daughters, Mary Ann on March 6, 1933, also born at home, and Judith Marie on April 16, 1938. Alice was a hardworking farm wife and mother. She gave endlessly to her daughters and worked tirelessly for her husband and family. She saved her chicken's "egg money" to provide music lessons for both Mary Ann and Judy. As a family, they attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid, Okla., - where she had her daughters baptized, confirmed, and later married. After living and working 46 years on their Kremlin farm, Tony began to suffer poor health. Tony and Alice moved to Enid in 1972. At their Enid residence, Tony died in 1975 at the age of 72. They were happily married and devoted to one another for 48 years. Alice lived independently by herself in her home in Enid until the age of 101. She lived life fully, enjoying her family, an abundance of friends and church. She managed her own business affairs, with the trusted advice of special friends David Trojan, Bill Andrew, Ross Dillon and Bert Mackie. She was patriotic, a perfectionist and deeply devoted to her faith. With her dear friend, the late Marjorie Gau, she traveled to 36 different countries on 4 continents. One of her proudest moments was an audience with Pope John Paul II while visiting Rome, Italy. She brought back over 100 rosaries that were blessed by the Pope. She proudly gave them to family and friends. Alice and Marjorie traveled through every state in the Continental United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii. Following Marjorie's death, Alice then escorted her grandchildren on several cruises throughout the Mexican Riviera and to her favorite destination - the Hawaiian Islands. Alice voted in 21 Presidential elections and was the oldest living Garfield County resident at the time of her death. Her life endured World Wars, the Great Depression, and the evolution of travel from covered wagons to the space age. She was recently recognized as the oldest living fan of Oklahoma State University. She loved attending all of her grandchildren's sporting events. She traveled all over the state to attend these events well into her eighties. She graciously made ceramics, knitted, crocheted, and sewed baby blankets, dresses and costumes for many friends and family alike over the years. She enjoyed being in her yard and growing beautiful flowers. She enjoyed playing a variety of card games - and loved to laugh, but also enjoyed winning. She belonged to numerous card clubs and looked forward to entertaining these guests in her home. She loved to shop whether it be for pretty sparkly clothes, jewelry, gifts or groceries. She enjoyed seasonally decorating her beautiful home, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons. She was an avid collector of Angels, which is truly fitting, as she was our angel on earth and now an angel in heaven along with her beloved Tony and her baby daughter Patsy. Her radiance shined brightly when she was surrounded by her family around her Christmas tree. Her loving patience and generous nature was a gift she shared with all. She was very compassionate, caring and humble, carrying herself with much pride and dignity. She served as the Grand Marshall of the Cherokee Strip Celebration Parade when she was 100 years old, and in the same year was honored at a birthday party with over 500 guests in attendance. At this party she was awarded citations from President George W. Bush, Governor Brad Henry, and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin. She was recognized by Willard Scott of the Today Show and also local T.V. stations. Then acting Mayor Ernie Currier presented her with a plaque declaring Aug. 22, 2005, Alice M. Zaloudek day in Enid. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, and the St. Francis Xavier Altar Society. She was blessed to have wonderful caregivers in the last 4 years of her life, all of whom were so loyal and faithful to her needs. Following an initial eight month stay filled with many special memories with her mother, Alice's daughter Mary Ann, with the help of longtime devoted friend and caregiver, Mary Krehbiel, coordinated Alice's 24/7 care with Yolanda Sanchez, Yolanda Ybarra, Joanne Zelenski, Jo Ann Peterman, Jo George, Janet Proctor and Sandi Meyers. Pat Haymaker delivered Communion every Sunday. Alice and her family were all so thankful for the efforts and genuine love shown by these ladies. Over the last four years, Alice's medical care was coordinated entirely through the warm comfort of her own home, as Dr. Michael Rickman, Dr. James Mabry, and Dr. Michael Peck - managed any developing concern with their kind and supportive visits. She made a bevy of friends among nurses who routinely visited as part of her home health care network. She was so appreciative of all of her health care providers - and routinely thanked them for their efforts. Through her years of faithful worship at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid, she and Tony were blessed with many friendships of the resident clergy - Priests. Among her dear friends were Father Marvin Leven, Father Paul Gallatin, Father Lowell Stiefferman, Father Bruce Natsuhara, Father Dan Letourneau, Father James Mickus, Father Kevin Ratterman, and Deacon Tony Crispo. She watched and listened to mass on TV, and said her prayers and rosary daily.
Her smile, strong faith, positive attitude, thoughtfulness, kindness, generosity and love will be cherished and treasured in our hearts and minds forever. She was a very unique, classy and special lady in every respect. Alice leaves behind a family who will dearly miss their loving mother, Grandma Alice and "GG", most notable are her two daughters, Mary Ann Iven and husband Gene of Pond Creek, Okla., and Judy Zaloudek of Enid, Okla. She was very precious to each of us. Alice had five grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren who all adored her. Among them are Dr. Val Gene Iven, his wife Angela and children Austyn Shayann and Carson Eugene of Stillwater, Okla., as well as Van Shea Iven of Oklahoma City, Okla. Darin Anderson, his wife Jennifer and children Parker Anthony and Lauren Marie of San Antonio, Texas. Kevin Anderson of Washington, D.C., and Shanin Wilburn and her husband Bryan - with children: Ainsley Mercy Marie, Asher Allen, Aydan Chapel, Avalon Nevaeh Faith, an!
d Archer Gabriel Quin of Dallas, Texas. She was very fond of special nephews, Warren Kerbs and wife JoAnn of Oviedo, Fla.; Bill Gau and wife Susan of Midland, Texas, and the late Jim Zaloudek and wife Linda of Kremlin, Okla., two surviving sister-in-laws Tillie Srajer Hein 102 of Tampa, Kan., and Varina Zaloudek 97 of Enid, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews whom she admired.
