Bessie Agnes Kotek

Thursday, January 28^th Bessie’s private funeral mass will be live-streamed for those who wish to be a part of the service from home.  Please click here to view the video of the Bessie’s funeral.

Bessie Agnes Kotek passed away on January 15, 2021 at the age of 101.   She was born on January 2, 1920 on the family farm west of Beroun to Frank and Agnes Smetana, both of Bohemian heritage.

Bessie, the youngest of siblings, Mary, Agnes, Rudy and Ann, grew up on the family farm.  After Bessie left the farm in her late teens she worked in various caretaker positions. On June 23, 1942 Bessie married Kenneth Kotek at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City.  They were married over 70 years and lived most of that time on a farm east of Pine City.  They had three children Leslie, Larry and Marilyn.

The farm initially had pigs, chickens, horses and milk cows but evolved into a strictly dairy farm. They were hard working partners on the farm, working long hours on outside chores. Bessie was very fond of all the animals on the farm.

Bessie and Kenneth had a large vegetable garden which was grown much like today's organic gardens. The abundant produce was canned and frozen. Crates of pears and peaches from the store, apples and currents from their orchard, strawberries and blueberries were also canned and frozen.

Bessie was a fine seamstress and was still sewing into her 90’s.

She was a fantastic cook and baker and was known for her many Czech specialties.  The season of Christmas and all its traditions were very important to Bessie and Kenneth. Her Christmas cookies were deliciously prepared and special to family and friends. In latter years, Bessie and Kenneth enjoyed visiting the Czech Republic and were able to converse in their second language.

Bessie listened closely to what people were saying to her and responded thoughtfully to them.

She and her kindness will be very much missed.

Bessie is survived by her sons: Les (Margi) Kotek of Champlin, Dr. Larry Kotek of Vadnais Heights; grandchildren: Eric (Gretchen) Kotek of Crystal, Sarah (Joe) Favour of St. Louis Park, Nicole (Jeff) Pazahanick of Bloomington, Bridget (Matt) Menke of Golden Valley; great-grandchildren: Ryan, Ethan, Jacob, Alex, Carter, Andrew, Max, Charlie, Oliver, and Rhett.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth; daughter Marilyn; three sisters: Agnes, Ann, and Mary; and one brother Rudy.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a private family Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM; Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. The Mass will be live-streamed for those who wish to be a part of the service from home.  A future celebration over food is planned when it is safer to congregate.  Bessie will be interred Thursday, next to Ken, in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery of Pine City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.FuneralAndCremationService.com