Obituary of Mark Chytracek

Mark Chytracek, a longtime Director of Student and Residence services at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, October 9, 2015. Mark will be remembered as a man who loved strongly, cared deeply, and gave the best hugs. His impact on students' lives over the past 33 years has been as continuous as it has been profound. He was seen by many as a model father figure. Mark loved athletics, and could often be found in the gym watching practices or games or at fundraisers for the Augustana Vikings. His Sundays consisted of going to church with his family, and then watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings. The thing that Mark loved the most on this earth was his family. He was a wonderful example of how to be an attentive, romantic husband, as well as a caring and devoted father. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Brandi; children Jon (Angela) of Camrose, Amanda Chytracek (Will Au) of Edmonton, David (Jessi) of Calgary; grandson Noah; two brothers Tim (Laura) Hatfield of Wisconsin, Greg (Michele) Chytracek of Wisconsin; and sister Karen (David) Stankiewicz of Wisconsin. Mark was predeceased by his parents Gerald and Joan, sister Jackie Zander, and daughter-in-law Julia. A Celebration of Life Service was held in Camrose at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the University of Alberta - Augustana Campus gymnasium with Rev. Craig Wentland officiating. Members of any Augustana choir, past or present, were invited to participate in an honorary choir that will perform "Standing on Holy Ground" early in the celebration service. If family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will gratefully be accepted for The Mark Chytracek Endowment for Leadership and Community Engagement, which will support on an ongoing basis at Augustana both student awards and programming initiatives inspired by Mark's example. For information on how to contribute, please visit http://www.augustana.ualberta.ca/giving/how.html