LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

Vlasta Greer

July 26, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

Vlasta Ann Greer, 89, peacefully passed away with her family gathered around her on July 26 at North Woods Village in Kalamazoo. Vlasta was the daughter of Czechoslovakian immigrants, Martin and Elizabeth Chlebana. She spent much of her childhood helping her father run his grocery store on Gibson St. in Kalamazoo, handling everything from stocking shelves, translating Slovak to English to assist her dad with customer communication and often transporting the family's daily earnings to the bank using a little red wagon. Vlasta was born on November 30, 1931 in Kalamazoo. Like her husband, John, she enjoyed walking, biking, playing tennis, boating, playing cards, gardening and relaxing by the lake. She also enjoyed mushrooming with her family, camping and anything outdoor related. Most of all, she loved to cook and bake her Czechoslovakian delights, including cabbage rolls, poppyseed and cabbage noodles, kolac and roczki. It was a labor of love to cook for her family and friends, often doing so at various weddings, holiday gatherings and church functions at St. John Bosco, including her commitment to St. Rita's Guild. Vlasta married John on June 6, 1953, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo after he served in the Korean War. Like John, she was a voracious reader and crossword puzzle lover, reading several books per month for most of her life and the daily Kalamazoo Gazette. When they weren't enjoying the fresh air and water at Eagle Lake, they made countless trips to the family cabin John built up north in Freesoil. They also took a large family trip to Horne Srnie, Czechoslovakia, to visit relatives deep in the mountains. She loved visiting the old country to be with family and speak to them in the beautiful Slovak language. Completely glued at the hip, Vlasta and John worked together at the family business (Douglas Avenue Food and Beverage) for many years. One of their favorite pastimes was socializing with friends and neighbors on their front porch at Eagle Lake. A devoted Catholic, Vlasta enjoyed all aspects of the church community at St. John Bosco in Mattawan. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Greer, her parents, Martin and Elizabeth Chlebana, and her brother, Ignatius Chlebana (Marge). She is survived by her children Kreg Greer (Christine) of Marquette, Mark Greer (Carolyn) of Kalamazoo, Michele Greer of Kalamazoo, Cris Greer (Anita) of Jenison and nine grandchildren Kreg (Nancy), Devin (Alexandra), Anastasia (Matt), Connor (Jade), Aaron (Caitlin), Anna (Meado), Joey, Andy, Hayes (Ashley), and four great grandchildren Miles, Caiden, Mina, Martin. The family will hold a Catholic mass at St. John Bosco in Mattawan at a future date (announcement to come). Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to St. John Bosco Church. Please visit Vlasta's online guest book leave a personal message or memory of her at https://www.langelands.com