Nov. 1, 2024, was a day of mourning for the town of Medford. For on that day, Alice Smrcka passed away.
Alice, who had just turned 77 the day before, was the owner of Smrcka’s Dairy Snack at the crossroads of U.S. 81 and State Highway 11. Known for her homemade burgers, onion rings, pies, old fashioned cherry limeades and more, she was loved for her food and friendly face in Northwest Oklahoma.
Smrcka’s had been in her family since 1958, and following her older sister’s terminal illness and at her mother’s insistence, Alice returned from her teaching arts job in San Antonio, Texas, to care for them and run the business.
Which she did until mid-October, then shut the restaurant doors and put up signs that said “closed” without a projected re-open date. Residents and travelers were confused and concerned until on Oct. 29, Alice addressed it on a Facebook forum.
“The Snack is so much a part of my life and family. … I hope to organize my collections instead of the tumble stacks they are in now. If you see me working inside, give me a shout and I’ll make you a cherry limeade,” she wrote. “I need to work to keep the wheels of my mind lubricated with creative thoughts and solutions!”
Alice lamented about being closed for the previous two weeks, but said she was temporarily closed as she was finally “taking time to go to the doctor and get some aging body parts fixed. Maybe add a zerk or two for my knees.” She added she was repairing things around the restaurant and giving the business a paint job.
No matter the circumstances surrounding her death, Alice was a beloved figure in the community who was bringing smiles even in her last days.