Mary Ann Vanecek

June 18, 1930 - February 27, 2020

MaryAnn Vanecek, age 89, of Tabor, SD died February 28th, 2020 at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville, Missouri. MaryAnn was born on June 18th, 1930 in her parent’s home near Tabor. Her parents were James Arthur and Mary Magdeline (Kreber) Barger. MaryAnn grew up living on various farms in Bon Homme and Yankton Counties. She attended Breezy Hill and Elm View Country Schools and when time to receive her first communion, attended St. Wenceslaus Elementary in Tabor. She graduated from Tabor High School and then went on to Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota. After attaining her teaching credentials, she taught in two one room schools near Tabor. On April 11th,1950, she married Alvin Vanecek at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. She became a full time farmer and she and Alvin farmed together for the next 66 years. They raised cattle, dairy cows, hogs, chickens, ducks, and an occasional lamb. She was an avid gardener. MaryAnn took great pleasure in farm life. Together they raised 4 children, Jeannette Hisek (Dennis), Odessa, MO, Dianne Vanecek, Lakeland, FL, Kenneth Vanecek (Ev), Tabor, SD, and James Vanecek (Wendy), Navarre, FL. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. MaryAnn was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary of Tabor. She was very involved in the American Legion’s project of making sure all children in Tabor could receive Red Cross Swimming lessons. She was also an avid kolache baker, lover of all animals, and an “outdoor” girl. Grandchildren loved to go stay on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa in the summer. Neighbors, friends, and relatives would often stop by to visit and have a fresh cup of coffee and some baked goods! She was known as the family storyteller and she passed down valuable history about the family every time her children would visit. She was the true strong matriarch of her family. MaryAnn was proceeded in death by her husband, Alvin, her parents, 3 brothers, Howard, Norman, and Donald, sister, Elizabeth Peterson, and granddaughter, Cheryl Westbrook. She is survived by her 4 children, sister Patricia Schroeder of Loveland, IA, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of MaryAnn’s life will take place at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on April 11th at 10:30AM followed by the internment of ashes at the Z.C.B.J. Cemetery. A lunch will follow at the American Legion Hall all located in Tabor, SD. A celebration of her life will also be held at the Meyer Care Center in Higginsville, Missouri on Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 in the Community Room.