Obituary of Marlene Kontek

Marlene Diane Kontek of Devon, formerly of Sherwood Park, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015 at the age of 71 years. Marlene Diane Kontek was born on October 7, 1943 in Camrose to Ben and Frieda Kabush. Marlene grew up in the Bawlf area where she worked hard on the homestead attended school and took part in 4H. She played ball and participated in track and field where she excelled and won many ribbons. Her first job was at the age of 16 at the Camrose Bus Depot, then Champions restaurant until she met and married her husband Ben on February 3, 1962. Ben and Marlene lived in the Bawlf area where their two children were born a daughter Shelley on November 12, 1962 and son Kevin December 25, 1964. Work took them to Edmonton and eventually Sherwood Park where they raised their family. Marlene worked for Safeway, Franklin's Inn, Canadian Tire and Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park. Her husband Ben worked out of town quite a bit so Marlene became very efficient maintaining and fixing things around the home. Marlene was a devoted mother to her children. She spent much time taking them to hockey, soccer, ball and enjoyed watching them play sports. Marlene enjoyed bowling, she bowled in a ladies Tuesday night league as well as a mixed Friday night bowling league with her husband Ben for years. She made it to many bowling tournaments and leagues and won many trophies and prizes. She also enjoyed nature and the great outdoors spending many weekends and vacations camping with family and friends leaving many great stories to remember and share. Once they became empty nesters Ben and Marlene began to travel a bit with friends and family. When her husband Ben of 39 years passed in 2001, Marlene began to spend lots of time with her sister Theresa and they became good friends spending much time together. She was grateful for family and friends and enjoyed her time with them. Marlene is remembered for her special touch with children and seemed to always calm a crying baby. She formed many special bonds with the children in her life, which will be remembered and treasured. Marlene made the best of every situation and was thankful for each and every day. In her final years Marlene settled in Devon Alberta with her daughter Shelley and Ken. She enjoyed being outside taking care of things in the yard and spent much time in the summer with the plants and flowers. She loved animals and helped care for the cats in their home. Her compassion and love for animals led to pet sitting and she cared for each of them as if they were her own. Marlene was a caring person and touched the lives of many. She was a very strong woman with a great love for life and always made the best of any situation. She was loved deeply and we are thankful for our time shared with her and the memories. You will be deeply missed. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Shelley Kontek (Ken Hein) of Devon, and sisters Theresa Panas of Edmonton and Sonya Hunsperger of Palm Springs, California; as well as her nieces, nephews, close friends and relatives. Marlene was predeceased by her husband Benedictine "Ben", and son Kevin. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2015 from St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church (5010 48A ave Camrose, Ab) with Rev. Nilo Macapinlac officiating. Interment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, or to the Edmonton Humane Society.