RICHARD ZELENKA

1925 - 2014

Richard Zelenka, beloved husband of Gladys Zelenka, passed away in Taber on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at the age of 89 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Monday, October 6, 2014 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Mokwadi Paymann T'dere Basele officiating. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Gladys, he is survived by their three children Jim (Diane) Zelenka of Taber, Fred (Darlene) Zelenka of Lloydminster and Cheryl (Ron) Merkl of Taber; grandchildren Amanda Zelenka (Charles Charlton), Erin Zelenka, Clayton (Carmen) Zelenka (their children Kenny and Danica), Krystle (Shawn) Metcalfe (their children Lilliana and Gabriel), Serena Zelenka (son Luke) and Kelly Cardinal. He is also survived by his brother Dennis (Julia) Zelenka; sisters Mona (Ray) Ganton, Rene Colombo and Marilyn Zelenka; brother-in-law Bill Molnar and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Julia (nee Kiss) and Amil Zelenka; sisters Louise Molnar, Isabelle Dorion, Kay (Bud) Day and brother-in-law Keith Colombo.
Richard was born in Taber on July 14, 1925. He grew up on the family farm south of Taber. Richard married Gladys Houdek on September 12, 1952 and together they raised three children, two sons and one daughter.They lived on a farm for ten years before moving into Taber. Richard worked as both a heavy duty mechanic and as a farm labourer.
Richard started school in a one room country school. In the winter, the children were transported by a team of horses in a sleigh. His final grades were completed in Taber. He worked on the farm from an early age. When old enough, Richard drove his sisters to town. With eight siblings in his family, many happy memories were shared together. Sunday gatherings out on the farm, at his parents home, were special times.
Richard always kept busy. He took great pride in the upkeep of his yard, as gardening held a special interest for him. He loved woodworking. (both indoors and out), making a variety of things, among them, clocks, lathe articles and several pieces of furniture.
Richard was busy in the community as well, participating in the Alberta Moose Association, the Wadena Gun Club and the Royal Canadian Legion. Within the Moose Association, he held offices locally, provincially and internationally. He joined the Taber Moose Lodge #927 in 1960 and served in several chairs. This Lodge later amalgamated with the Lethbridge Moose Lodge #792. In 1986, he went to Chicago where he received the highest degree of merit in the Moose Association, the Pilgrim Degree of Merit.
Among Richard’s many interests are a love of travel, playing crib, horseshoes, dancing, camping, fishing, calling bingo, playing cards with the boys and also spending time at family gatherings. Richard will be dearly missed.
If friends so desire, memorial tribute’s in Richard’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 204, 2323 - 32 Avenue NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6Z3 (www. diabetes.ca) or to the Alzheimer Society, 402, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9 (www.alzheimer.ca).