Mary Lee Zitek was born on December 3, 1937, in Wahoo, Nebraska, the daughter of Anton and Lillian (Tvrdy) Benes, and passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 9 days.

Mary Lee grew up on the family farm near Touhy where she attended Wahoo Catholic School and graduated from Valparaiso High School with the Class of 1955. She worked at Russell Stover Candies in Lincoln for several years. Mary Lee was united in marriage to Marvin Zitek on September 17, 1960, at St. Vitus Catholic Church in Touhy, Nebraska. To this union seven children were born. Marvin and Mary Lee began farming in the Ulysses area for the next 45 years. In her free time, Mary Lee enjoyed playing cards (Pitch), gardening, baking and cooking. She was known for her delicious homemade sausage pizza, kolaches and rolls. Mary Lee was also gifted at crafting, sewing and upholstering. Marvin and Mary Lee took dance lessons and loved going to polka dances together. She was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses where she served on the Altar Society for several years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; grandson, Jim Zitek; brother, Larry Benes.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her seven children: Denise Zitek, David City, Gary and wife, Allison Zitek, Ulysses, Sandra and husband, Paul Mueller, Seward, Linda and husband, Dan Burke, Adel, IA, Karen Zitek, Omaha, Ron Zitek, Ulysses, Dan and wife, Kristina Zitek, Nortonville, KS; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; nieces,  nephews and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Mary Lee.