My life was good. I can’t complain
Download image
Marta Heczko nee Krypczyk was born on November 24, 1931 in Pruchna (Cieszyn Silesia). Her parents, Catholics from Pruchna, had a large 27-hectare farm. Marta and her brothers and sisters had to do farm works. Before an outbreak of World War II, she completed the first grade of Polish primary school and then attended German school in the years 1939-1945. Marta’s father was soon after encroachment of German army enlisted into Wehrmacht and sent to eastern front. He has never returned, the family only got a laconic information about his death and searching performed by Polish Red Cross was not successful. Due to approaching front, Krypczyk family evacuated to Hażlach, where they stayed for 6 weeks. Her house in Pruchna was completely destroyed and burnt down. Mother, grandmother and six children were taken in by neighbours. After the war, Marta completed seventh grade of Polish school, however, she did not continue her education due to numerous family obligations. On April 7, 1951, Marta married Erwin Heczko. After their wedding, they moved to Skoczów, where Erwin worked as a driver: initially in Powszechna Spółdzielnia Spożywców and then in an iron foundry. Five of six of their children were born in Skoczów: Gustaw, Marian, Henryk, Edward and Krystyna. 11 years later, Erwin and Marta decided to return to Pruchna and build a house at Marta’s patrimony. Their youngest child Bogusława was born in Pruchna. Her husband still worked as a driver, for last dozen or so year in Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacji Samochodowej. He died in 2006. Marta has 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, she still lives in Pruchna.
