Yukon native Marie Cecilia Parizek Feuerborn passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 16 after her nearly 99 years of life.
The daughter of second generation Czechoslovakian immigrants, Marie was born on Feb. 13, 1924, on the family farm three miles north of Yukon. Marie loved the town of Yukon and the beautiful view of the Canadian River valley looking south from her home. She remained a resident of Yukon for nearly her entire life.
Marie’s early life was characterized by hard work, faithful sacrifice, patience and trust. Life on the farm wasn’t easy, but Marie was ever grateful, saying that she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Education was important to Marie. She attended the Emerald Valley one-room school house north of Yukon for her primary education. Marie completed her high school education in Yukon, graduating in 1941. All of Marie’s children likewise graduated from Yukon High School.
Marie met her future husband, Fred Feuerborn, during Sunday Mass at St. John Nepomuk. Fred asked Marie’s father if he could drive her home. Marie’s father, Frank C. Parizek, agreed. Fred was recently widowed with six young children. After Marie and Fred were married, their union was blessed with eight additional children, giving the Feuerborn family a combined household of 14 children and two busy parents.
Her unwavering faith in “the Good Lord and the Blessed Mother” strengthened her as decades-long matriarch of the Feuerborn family. Faith, family and food drove all of Marie’s decisions. She embraced her Czechoslovakian heritage. Czech was the first language spoken in the Parizek household. Marie and her mother spoke Czech nearly exclusively throughout her mother’s life. Marie was a gifted baker and cook, always crediting her mother for her skills in the kitchen. Her Magic Chef double oven baked thousands of delicious kolaches. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter were festive celebrations marked by her kolaches, roast duck and her signature dressing – a Czechoslovakian cultural tradition.
Marie was a lifelong active member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church. Eleven of Marie and Fred’s children graduated from St. John’s School; beginning with son Carmen in the very first graduating class of 1956 and ending with son Don in 1979. Marie was an active member of the Altar Society and PTA. She never missed Sunday Mass and in her later years attended daily Mass, with the Friday school children’s Mass bringing the most joy to her heart.
Marie is survived by her daughters, Katie (Yukon, Oklahoma) and Mary (Honolulu, Hawaii); sons, Patrick (Dallas, Texas); Tom and wife Debrau (Grapevine, Texas); and Mike and wife Linda (Hayes, Kansas); and step-children, Phyllis Rackley (Yukon, Oklahoma); Anita Johnston (El Reno, Oklahoma); and Carmen and wife Betty Feuerborn (Mt. Royal, New Jersey); sister-in-law, Irene Parizek of Yukon; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents; brother, Martin Parizek; children, Judy, Bob and Don; and stepchildren, John, Fred and Joanne Dollar; as well as many beloved cousins of the Maca family.
Marie’s family would like to thank the staffs of Ranchwood Nursing Center and Frontier Hospice for their caring support. A heartfelt special thanks goes to Kristie, Shannon and Irma for their unwavering kindness during Marie’s final months; and to Gena for always helping Marie look her very best. Thank you to Mike Beaucourt and Stephen and Debra Moore for ensuring Christ’s Real Presence in Marie’s life each Sunday. You are all heroes.
Wake service and rosary will be Sunday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Nepomuk in Yukon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in honor of Marie’s life at St. John Nepomuk at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23. Marie will be interred at the Yukon Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Marie’s name may be made to St. John Nepomuk Catholic School or Mount Saint Mary’s Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. Requiescat in Pace.
Online condolences may be signed at http://www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.
