Zlatic (nee Ruzicka), Mary

Mary Zlatic (nee Ruzicka), Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away peacefully on Friday August 26, 2022, while surrounded by loved ones, who expect that she went immediately to Heaven, having earned direct passage after 96 years of love, laughter, and caring for everyone around her. There, she joins her beloved husband, Frank G. Zlatic, who passed away in 1987. She is also reunited with her parents, Joseph and Filomena (nee Pavlickova) Ruzicka, and her brother, Rudolf (Rudy) Ruzicka.

Mary’s long life is celebrated by her seven children: Michael J. (Carol), Milton, Mark, Mary (Don) Vogel, Marty (Dee), Margaret (Jim) Winkler, and Shelly (Rob) Kohlmann, who are convinced for good reason that she was the best mother in the world. She is also fondly remembered by her 13 grandchildren: Michael Richard (Amy), Steven (Kelly), Angie, David (Meghan), Brie (Chris) Nieberg, Paul (Alison), Michelle (Ryan) Miller, Clare (Tony) Blankemeyer, Marty (Paige) Winkler, Margaret Vogel, Demery, Dan Winkler, and Joe Kohlmann. She is adored by her 12 great-grandchildren: Zoe, Joe, Mark, Jane Miller, Alex Miller, Will, Olivia, Maeve, Louie, Evan Miller, Noah, and James. Countless extended family members—including many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews—are also grieving her loss.

Frank and Mary raised their seven children with loving discipline and unconditional support. Each child has a treasure trove of vibrant, happy memories. Her quiet acceptance of everyone in her sphere matched her sparkling wit and humor. The people who married into her family quickly learned to love her as much as her own. She laughed a lot, especially at herself, and anyone nearby couldn’t help but join in. She surrounded herself with friends, maintaining relationships throughout her life that began in kindergarten. Her home was often filled with the sounds of Cardinals baseball, lively conversation, and gregarious children. She had a servant’s heart, continually giving of herself, her home, and her resources to help others. She loved nothing more than when her house was packed with family members who traveled to St. Louis from afar, joining the hometown crew for holidays and celebrations. For Mary, there was always something to celebrate.

She also loved Steak ‘n Shake hamburgers “with the crispy edges,” and there wasn’t a piece of chocolate in the world she’d turn down. Although she always generously shared her chocolate, she was known to tuck the really good boxes away for herself. Her “goodie drawer” was legendary, and raided by children young and old who also discovered the “goodie annex,” the nearby freezer that always held frozen sweet treats. She adored music and theater, enjoying years of Fox Theater and Muny productions and decades of family sing-alongs around her piano. She watched her ultra-competitive family play games, multiple generations crowded around a Battling Tops arena on her living room floor or with spoons and decks of cards around her kitchen table, laughing at how hard the players worked to win games of little to no consequence.

Mary’s greatest legacy is leaving a tight-knit family of people who love and care for each other, who continue to gather for celebrations, who laugh every chance they get, and who don’t take themselves too seriously (except during a game of spoons). She was the much loved and admired matriarch of a sprawling family, and she will be spoken of and remembered with affection, reverence, and awe for generations to come. How blessed and lucky we are to have had her in our lives. May she rest in peace, and may her gifts continue to be shared with others.

To honor Mary, Masses are preferred or donations can be made to St. Wenceslaus Parish. The family expresses gratitude for the compassionate care afforded by SSM St. Clare Hospital-Fenton, Mercy Rehab Hospital-Chesterfield, Manor Grove-Kirkwood, and Mercy Hospital-St. Louis.

Visitation at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois (Affton) Friday, September 2, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral from Kutis Funeral Home Saturday, September 3, 8:15 a.m. to Saint Wenceslaus Church, 3014 Oregon Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118, for 9 a.m. Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.