Marie A. Brcka

Marie A. Brcka, 92, of Britt, Iowa, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 at her home in Britt, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Sept. 16, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt with Fr. Jerry Kopacek and Fr. Dennis Miller as concelebrants.  Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan, Iowa.  Memorials may be directed to the family or Hospice of North Iowa.  

Marie Ann Brcka, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Kudej) Kopacek, was born Dec. 31, 1920, the 11th of 12 children, on a farm southeast of Britt.  She attended the rural school near her home.  On Jan. 9, 1940, she married George Brcka at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan.  They made their home on a farm southeast of Britt where they raised their five children.  In 1972, they retired from farming and moved to Garner and five years later to Clear Lake.  In 1997, they built a new home and moved to Britt.  Marie was a devoted wife and mother, a wonderful baker, and always a gracious hostess in her home.  She took great pleasure in caring for her flowers and gardens, she lovingly made numerous comforters and quilts for all members of her family, and she shared hundreds of hand sewn potholders and embroidered tea towels with family and friends.  

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt and a former member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake.  

Marie is survived by her five children, Janice Cink of Wesley, Iowa, Kenneth (Kathy) Brcka of Golden Valley, Minn., Dale Brcka of West Des Moines, Barbara Brcka of Britt and Diane (Leroy) Siebel of Cedar Falls, Iowa; 19 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George, April 21, 2001; a granddaughter, Pamela Brcka; a son-in-law, Dennis Cink; and her siblings, Helen, Francis and Arnold Kopacek, Mildred Wellik, Lillian Chizek, Vincent Kopacek, Agnes Rayhons, Blanche Paca, Raymond Kopacek, Vivian Formanek and Evelyn Kopacek. 

Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt was in charge of arrangements.