Frances Salak
March 10, 2014
Frances Salak, age 92, of Ankeny, Iowa, died on March 10, 2014, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
Frances was born on June 5, 1921, in Polk County, Iowa, daughter of Mike and Anna Podnar. She was second oldest of seven children and was raised on a farm in Carney, Iowa. After graduating from Woodside High School, she and sister, Mary Lou, played on various radio stations in the Midwest, where she met her future husband George Salak. She married George Edward Salak, April 22, 1946, at Visitation Church in Des Moines, IA and they settled in Schuyler, Nebraska. In November 1948 they moved to Carney, Iowa with two daughters and resided there all their married life.
During her life, Frances was a member of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church, Catholic Daughters, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the Croatian Fraternal Slavic Center. Her many interests included playing guitar and singing. She volunteered her talent to entertain the residents of Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny. Frances also loved to cook, made wonderful baked goods, gardened and preserved the produce. She was a very welcoming person and always entertained friends and family in her home. Frances was always very proud to be the mother of ten children and she made it a priority to care for her family first.
She is survived by her six daughters and two sons: Mary (Phil) Butler of Altoona, IA, Linda (Michael) Brodell of Ankeny, IA, Carolyn (Jeff) Lemm of Davenport, IA, Kathleen Salak of Johnston, IA, Nancy Salak of Altoona, IA, Teresa Salak of Ankeny, IA, John Salak of Des Moines, IA, and Jeff (Kelly) Salak of Forest Lake, MN; ten grandchildren (Elise, Herbie, Stephen, Sylvia, Emily, Andrew, Kiefer, Brenna, Niav and Keagan) and three great-grandchildren (Tahtiana, Everett and George); sisters, Mary Lou Smalley of Des Moines, IA, Margaret Yori of Ankeny, IA and Jo Ann Elwell of Ankeny, IA; and sister-in-law, Elaine Podnar of Ankeny, IA. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, George; sons, James and Joseph; parents, Anna and Michael Podnar; sisters, Rosie McKeehan, Ann Podnar and brother, Rudy Podnar.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 East First Street, Ankeny; with burial to follow at Oralabor Cemetery. The family will greet friends Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. also at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church or Mercy Hospice Johnston in loving memory of Frances.
Condolences for the family may be offered online at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Rebecca Heck
03/16/2014
So sorry for your loss. Aunt Frannie will be greatly missed. She was a very special lady.
Brett St John
03/12/2014
Teresa
I am very sorry for your loss!
Steve Ratay
03/12/2014
Kathy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Lean on all the wonderful memories you had with your Mom.
Steve & Deb Ratay