Agatha Cecelia Vavrek passed away in Grande Prairie, AB, on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the age of 91 years.

Agatha was born in Webster, AB, on September 2, 1933, to John and Barbara Grotkowski. She was the second youngest of eight children. As a young girl, she enjoyed playing ball as well as picking mushrooms and berries in the pasture with her brothers. She also enjoyed spending time in the house watching her mother cooking, cleaning, and knitting socks and mittens. At a young age she was given responsibility for much of the housework and for helping with the meal preparations. Mom and her brother Alphonce were also responsible for building morning fires in the schoolhouse and for packing water in preparation for the school day.

At the age of 15, Mom began cooking at her father’s lumber mill. One day, our dad received a piece of Mom’s homemade apple pie at the mill, and the “spark” began. After a very short courting period of four months, they knew they were meant for each other. Mike and Agatha were married on September 4, 1949. Together they raised six children.

They took great pride in all the facets of farm life. In addition to growing bountiful grain crops, they also raised a variety of farm animals. Mom could always be counted on to go into town for spare parts or to bring lunch and dinner out to the field. She was also thrilled to be able to drive the combine; even the time she went the full round with her unloading auger turned on. Or the day, when she proudly reached the grain truck to unload her hopper, she was shocked to find that the hopper was empty. We teased her for years, saying “there went your Bingo fund”.

Mom took great pride in gardening, yard work, canning and baking. There were always fresh treats and goodies ready to be served up for unexpected company. Her hospitality was endless.

Mom and Dad were involved in the community in many ways. Mom was a very avid curler, and her love for curling led her to many provincial play downs. In addition, she and Dad put in countless hours volunteering their time for a variety of community services.

Dad passed away in 2004, after 55 years of marriage. After that, Mom’s love of socializing led her down a new path, where she became known as the “Demo Queen of Grande Prairie”. She loved interacting with the customers as much as they enjoyed interacting with her, as they sampled the goodies of the day.

Mom’s faith was a huge part of her being, from start to finish. She was a member of the CWL for over 65 years and served on the CWL executive in the Sexsmith Catholic Church.

After 17 years of tending her well-manicured yard in Grande Prairie, she moved to a senior living complex. Even at the age of 90 years, her passion for farm life and for riding in the combine continued. It was a true highlight of her day to see the canola come into the hopper. She would proudly refer to it as “Black Gold”.

Agatha will be greatly missed by her son Larry; daughter AnnMarie, daughter Joyce (Bruce), and son Mike (Mel). She leaves behind an additional legacy of thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service will be held for Agatha on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church (10404 102 St). There will be a luncheon following the service.

Memorial donations may be made in Agatha’s memory to the Mike Vavrek Memorial Fund c/o the Northwestern Alberta Foundation by

Cheque to:

200, 11330 – 106 Street

Grande Prairie, AB

T8V 7X9

Or Online: https://cfna.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1046)