Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek

Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek

Elaine BicekElaine Laurece Martin Bicek, age 90, died at her home in Tracy on November 5, 2013.  A graveside cremation service will be held late Spring of 2014.  In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family would love to hear your stories and remembrances of Elaine on the Tracy Area Funeral Home guest book website www.stephensfuneralservice.com or by mail to the family home at 205 E. Craig Ave., Tracy, MN  56175.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek was born in Green Island, Iowa on February 1, 1923 to Theodore and Laura Martin.  She grew up on the farm in Iowa along with two sisters and a brother.  Growing up she spent many weekends at barn dances throughout the area as her parents were accomplished musicians who played the violin and piano.  She graduated from LaMoille, Iowa High School at the age of seventeen, worked for two years at an engineering firm, then went on to major in business at Iowa State University where, at a “mixer”, she met Ernie Bicek, a veterinary student. After teaching high school business for two years in Clinton and Dubuque, Iowa she married “Doc” Bicek in 1947 and joined him in his veterinary practice in Tracy where they worked as a team.  She ran the business and he took care of the animals.  Folks said she knew as much about the veterinary practice as her husband.  While raising four children, among other things, she volunteered as a Cub Scout leader and Campfire leader, and had a huge vegetable and flower garden.  After her husband passed away in 1992, she continued her avid interest in bird watching, flower and vegetable gardening, and beekeeping.  In her sixties she became a dedicated volunteer EMT with the Tracy Ambulance Service serving for over 20 years.  Throughout her life she was well known for making dozens of pans of caramel rolls, bread, cookies, and candies for church bazaars and other fundraisers.

She is preceded in death by her sisters and brother, husband, Ernie (1992) and oldest son, Ken (2009). She is survived by children Chuck (Susan) Bicek of Boise, Idaho, twins Diane (David) Schnelli of Springfield, Oregon and David Bicek of Bemidji, MN, and Ken’s fiancée, Debbie Shambour.  She had eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

4 thoughts on “Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek”

  1. So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Always remember as a young girl getting to go along with my dad to the vets office and we would talk to your mother along time! Also so enjoyed seeing her working outside. Many times on my drive to town she was out working on her garden or in her flowers. Just won’t seem the same without her in the house.

    My Sympathy to you all.
    Bonnie [Edwards] Buysse

  2. Chuck, David & Diane. Your Mom was always my “in town Mom” growing up. I looked forward to those times I was able to spend the night in town or at the lake with Chuck. So glad I got to talk with her in Oct. when I passed thru Tracy. She will be missed.
    Bless her memory.
    Dave

  3. So sorry to hear, of the passing of Elaine. She was a great friend to Chet and Elaine, and a good teacher to the Erickson boy’s. I always enjoyed looking for arrowheads with Ernie, as well as listening to Elaine tell me the name of some weed, or bird. May God Bless Elaine.

    My Sympathy to Chuck ,Dave and Diane
    Blake Erickson

  4. My heartfelt condolences. I have such fond memories of cub scouts and loads of other mischief around the Bicek household. I rarely came to Tracy that I didn’t stop in to see your mom and spend some time. Of course she always had something she wanted help with. You know the type of project. Pick up some of the walnuts or help me get some beans from the garden or can you move this to the basement? She never changed and I always felt very comfortable with that feeling. I remember your mom giving me instructions on how to take care of the office and client calls when I stayed at the house while she and “the kids” went to the World’s Fair in Seattle in 1962. Big job for a 13 year old but she made me feel great with the confidence she had in me. She was always ready to give someone more responsibility as her way to get the best out of them. I could probably write a book of all the wonderful memories of Elaine and Ernie and all the Bicek family. Although I live in Maryland now, I was just up deer hunting in northern Minnesota with my brothers Blake and David and some sons and grandsons and without even having heard this news, the Bicek family came up in discussion. It usually does when we get together as we all have fond memories. Yes, I’m sorry Elaine has passed but my life has been better for having known her.
    Bless you all,
    Eric (Barry) Erickson

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