Violet Zrelak, 81, Albert Lea

Published 9:04 am Sunday, November 3, 2013

Funeral services for Violet L. Zrelak, 81, of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday at Bayview, and also one hour prior to the time of the service on Tuesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Vi died on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Society.

Violet Zrelak

Violet Lucinda Zrelak was born on Dec. 12, 1932, in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Rudolph and Kathrine (Kolarich) Livada. Vi grew up on a farm in Hookston, Pa. She graduated from West Allegheny High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Akron University. On Nov. 24, 1954, Vi was married to William S. Zrelak at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Akron. Vi worked as a Keypunch Operator for Wilson & Co., and as a secretary for Gordon Electric, MLS and Christ Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Church of St. Theodore where she was active in the choir and the Women’s Guild. Vi was an Albert Lea Civic Theater patron, a board member of the Salvation Army, a Civic Music patron, and had received the Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club. She volunteered for the Cancer Society, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Help Line Service and the Salvation Army Thanksgiving baskets and Giving Tree programs. Vi enjoyed embroidery, was an avid reader and followed the Minnesota Twins. She liked antique collecting, going to all of her grandchildren’s activities and watching her husband play golf.

Survivors include her children Therese (Milo) Thorstenson of Clarks Grove, Patricia Zrelak of Corpus Christi, Texas, Stephanie Zrelak of Maui, Hawaii, and Joseph Zrelak of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren Matthew (Shannon) Gordon of St. Paul, Samantha Gordon of Los Angeles; brothers Rudy (Dorothy) Livada of Hookston, Pa., Michael (JoAnn) Livada of Burgettstown, Pa., and Bernard (JoAnn) Livada of Paducah, Ky.; sisters Anne Speicher of Monaca, Pa., and Margie Aten of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother-in-law Tom Jenior of Elk River; sisters-in-law Marilyn (James) McCafferty of Akron, Ohio, and Kathy Zrelak of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Zrelak, son-in-law, Randy Gordon; brothers George Biscan and Emil (Gloria) Biscan; sisters Elizabeth (Tony) Pivac and Mary (Cramer) Gamble; brothers-in-law Ed Speicher, Dick Aten and Jerry Zrelak, and sister-in-law Ruth Jenior.