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Alma Schalek

Jan. 11, 1920-May 28, 2020

CANBY — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private family Mass of Christian Burial for Alma Schalek, 100, of Canby will be held at the St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno. Burial will be at the St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery in Wilno. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Hendricks is entrusted with the arrangements.

She passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at the Hendricks Nursing Home in Hendricks.

Alma (Jerzak) Schalek was born Jan. 11, 1920, in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, to Michael and Rose (Chlopkowiak) Jerzak. She was the third of four children, her siblings were Harry, Floyd, and Donnie. Alma was a lifelong member of St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She attended District 46 country school in rural Ivanhoe until the 8th grade.

On Sept. 28, 1943, Alma was united in marriage to Lawrence W. Schalek, at St. John Cantius Church. It was natural to Alma when she and Lawrence began farming. She was her Dad’s right-hand when she was a girl absorbing everything he would teach her. She and her Dad would farm the land with their team of horses and she loved caring for the livestock as it made her happy and gave her a sense of accomplishment. For two years, when she and Lawrence moved their family to Marshall, Alma became the head cook at the Eastside Elementary school, where she shared her second talent, feeding the hungry. They then returned to farming, making their home in Marble Township where she continued to live until, June 2019 when she moved to the Hendricks Nursing Home until her time of death of 100 years, 4 months and 17 days.

Grandma Alma loved her family, but she truly loved everyone she had the pleasure to feed at her table. “Eat, eat, eat,” were words she chimed as she could prepare a four course meal out of an empty fridge, while the guests would sit and visit. It was her way of making us feel her love. Cooking with love was her super power. While she was cooking you felt the meaning behind her actions, which taught sharing, forgiveness and understanding. “You never know what people are going through,” she’d often say, “but if you feed them and listen you can change their day.”

The more the merrier. Playing cards, dancing a polka in the kitchen to the Chmielewski’s, or just a “short” visit with friends, were Grandma’s idea of fun. She also had talents that few knew about; she was the queen of animal husbandry on the Schalek Farm. She could get any cold, weak or sick animal to suck, eat and will them to live. “You have to make them believe they can do it!” she would demand. “Never ever, ever give up!” were the words she’d holler to all of her grandkids, as she clenched her fist and pounded the air.

Alma is lovingly remembered by her children: daughter-in-law, Barb Schalek of Ft. Myers, FL, son, Dan (Marsha) Schalek of Canon City, CO, daughter, Bonita Lade of Canby; her grandchildren: Tracy (Tim) Roche, Wendy (Bill) Sterzinger, Amanda (Ryan) Horner, Sarah (Steve) Bednark, Carrie (Mac) Valan, Kyle (Beth) Lade, Alyson Jensen, Troy Lade; her great-grandchildren: Abigale, Emily, Elizabeth & Olivia Roche, Jacob & Lucas Sterzinger, Kendra & Kole Horner, Morgan, Lily & Madeline Bednarek, Kayden & Cash Valan, Brodi & Macy Lade, Tally & Brooklyn Jensen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike & Rose (Chlopkowiak) Jerzak; her husband, Lawrence; her son, Duane; brothers, Floyd, Harry and Donnie Jerzak; her special grandson, Tony Laleman and nieces, Geraldine Sterzinger and Roseanne Eastman.

Blessed be her memory.