Obituaries
Anna Elizabeth (Matika) Harakal went to heaven on February 24, 2025, several months before her 105th birthday. Soon after she was born in Czechoslovakia, her father John left for America to work in the Pennsylvanian cement quarries to save money so Anna and her mother could join him. Unfortunately, her mother died before Anna's second birthday. Anna went to live with her grandmother until she was 12.
That was when her father, who she had never seen since she was a baby, sent for her to join him in America. She sailed alone in steerage for 24 days to Ellis Island to meet her father who did not know her and whom she never knew.
At age 21 she married John Paul Harakal and together they had 3 children: Paul, former superintendent of Penn Crest School District, Thomas, a graduate of Temple University Medical School, and daughter, Joann Lester, who taught for over 30 years in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.
The things that made Anna happiest were her family, her Catholic faith, and being an American citizen. A calling period will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. at St. John Fisher RCC. (formerly St. Andrews RCC)1229 3rd St., North Catasauqua, PA. A Catholic mass celebrating Anna's life will be held in the church at 11 a.m. Interment to follow in the church cemetery located at Hunter and Calvary Streets, North Catasauqua.
Online memories and condolences for the family may be shared at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua is entrusted with the arrangements.
Previous Events
Visitation
1
Mar
1229 Third Street
N. Catasauqua, Pa 18032
Funeral Service
1
Mar
1229 Third Street
N. Catasauqua, Pa 18032
Cemetery Details
Location
N.Catasauqua, Pa
