Ursula Mrazek Vann, 85, died on June 22, 2024, at her home in Huntsville. She was born in Aussig, Germany on March 14, 1939, to William A. and Berta (Richter) Mrazek, and came to the United States at the age of 8, first to Fort Bliss, TX, and then to Huntsville.
She graduated from Huntsville High, and the University of Alabama. After a brief career at NASA, Ursula became a potter. She studied with many well-known teachers and attended workshops and conferences refining her craft. Her pottery was featured at a number of galleries in the Southeast, and she participated in many craft shows over the years.
Ursula was predeceased in 2013 by her husband J. Wheeler Vann. She is survived by two daughters, Kelley Vann Johns (Derek) and Cecily Vann; and by five grandchildren, Sarah Johns (Chris Johnson), Benjamin Johns, Michael McSurdy, Harriet McSurdy, and Eloise McSurdy. She is also survived by extended family and good friends.
Visitation will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Drive, Huntsville.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 14509, Huntsville, AL 35815, or to Penland School of Craft (https://penland.org/), P.O. Box 37, Penland, NC 28765-0037.
