Alfred W. Dolezal passed away Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Brookstone Acres in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Visitation will be Tuesday 5-7 p.m. There will be a 7:00 p.m. vigil service at the church. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard will be in the All Saints Cemetery.

Alfred was born on September 10, 1929, in Elsie, Nebraska to Joseph Dolezal and Hermina (Kudlacek) Dolezal. The family soon returned to Butler County and Alfred was raised in Garrison. The family later moved into David City and Alfred graduated from David City High School in 1948.

Alfred entered the U.S. Navy in 1950, serving on the U.S.S. Wright as a seaman. After completing his service in 1954, he came back to David City and returned to work at Zeilinger Hardware.

Alfred married Christine Shemek at St. Vincent Catholic Church on February 19, 1955, in Osceola, Nebraska. Five children were born to the couple.

Alfred’s long career in the grocery business began in 1956 with Hinky Dinky in David City. Employment with Hinky Dinky took the family to Lincoln, Norfolk, Fremont, Falls City and then to Columbus in 1962. On April 7, 1968, Alfred, along with his business partner Joe Gdowski, opened Joe and Al's IGA in Columbus. Following the retirement of Joe Gdowski, Alfred’s son Steven Dolezal became a partner in the grocery business and later when Alfred retired in 1996 the business continued under the ownership of Steven and Tamara Dolezal.

In retirement Alfred worked at Country Shadows Golf Course, Elks Country Club, Menards and Apogee Retail. Alfred and Christine also enjoyed twenty winters with “snowbird” friends in Bullhead City, Arizona.

Alfred is survived by his wife Christine, his son Dr. Joseph Dolezal (Patricia) of Centralia, Washington, daughter Jean Landkamer (Richard) of Wichita, Kansas, son Steven (Tamara) of Columbus, and son James of Columbus.

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Sarah Dolezal of Seattle, Washington, Laura Dolezal of Vancouver, Washington, Anthony Dolezal (Tara) of New York City. Jessica Dominguez (Eddie) of Wichita, Kansas, Lisa Gaskamp (Nathan) of Northborough, Massachusetts. Rebecca Chlebeck (Tom) of Northbridge, Massachusetts. Teresa Spencer (Sterling) of Wichita, Kansas, Monica Simon (Jacob) of Wichita, Kansas, and John Landkamer of Wichita, Kansas. Joseph Dolezal (Kelly) of Murrieta, California and Tyler Dolezal (Allison) of Columbus, Nebraska. He is also survived by twenty-one great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alfred is also survived by his brother Anton Dolezal of David City, Nebraska and his sister Rita Moser of Overland Park, Kansas.

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Louis and Stacia Shemek, his brother Ladislav Dolezal (Jeanne), brother Herman Dolezal, sister Agnes Kobza (William), brother-in-law Kenneth Moser, and sister-in-law Betty Dolezal. Also preceding him in death were infant son William Raymond Dolezal, brothers-in-law Alois Shemek (Clara), Martin Shemek, Albert Shemek (Helen), Lawrence Shemek, and Eugene Shemek (Peg), sisters-in-law Helen Gondringer (Alfred), Louise Shemek, and Leona Schreiner (Walter).

Alfred was a long-time member of St. Isidore Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 938, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3704, and American Legion Hartman Post 84. Alfred was a member of the Nebraska Retail Grocers Association Board for many years.

Alfred had many hobbies including drawing, painting, and carving. He enjoyed many sports excelling at bowling, shooting pool, and trap shooting. He was an avid golfer earning five holes-in-one over the years. At age 92 he earned the title of “golfer of the year” and could still frequently shoot under his age, with scores as low as 85. He liked to remind people that he had a “golf twin” as Arnold Palmer was born on the same day in 1929.

Important to Alfred’s daily routine was praying for every family member by name, including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, his friends and former employees.