Mary Antionette Pekarek was born on June 13, 1928 in Dwight, NE; to Anton and Antonia (Mojzis) Truksa and passed away on July 21, 2013 in Seward, NE; at the age of 85 years, 1 month and 8 days. Mary was the youngest of 8 children. She grew up on farms in Butler County. She attended Seward County-District 41 grade school and graduated from Seward High School in 1945. On April 26, 1949, She married Lad Pekarek at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight, NE. They lived on farms near Bellwood, Ulysses, Valparaiso and Dwight. Mary was a homemaker but she also worked at City Cleaners and MetroMail both located in Seward. The couple retired from farming and moved into Dwight. Mary was a past member of the Dwight Assumption Parish, Assumption Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, gardening and canning/freezing fruit and vegetables, growing flowers (especially peonies and irises), cooking/baking (especially baking kolache, rolls and Christmas vanocka). Mary is survived by 8 children; sons-Jerome (Norma) Pekarek, Jim Pekarek, daughters-Loretta Pekarek, Jean Jasnoch, Patricia (Lew) Keller, Mary (Dave) Brady, Anita (Bern) Kozisek, Teresa (Daryl) Behrends; 11 grandchildren (and spouses) Cathy Fleming (Dan Martin), Shannon (David) Drudik, Corey (Lynn) Jasnoch, Kelly (Geri) Jasnoch, Allen (fiance Danielle) Keller, Ryan (Katie) Pekarek, Ross (Katie) Pekarek, Adam (Jammie) Pekarek, Matthew Pekarek, Will Brady and Kody Brady; 2 step-grandchildren Greg (Megan)Kozisek and Ranae Smith; 17 great-grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren; numerous nieces/nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband- Lad; daughter-in-law Polly Pekarek; granddaughter - Lauren RaNae Pekarek; parents - Anton and Antonia Truksa; brothers (spouses)- James, Stanley (Mary) Truksa, Tony (Nadine) Truksa, Joe (Gladys) Truksa, Jerry Truksa; sisters Anne and Antoinette (Ed) Baustian, spouse's parents Joe and Aloysia Pekarek, brother-in-law Ray (Lucille) Pekarek. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Mary.
