Elsie Dolesh

Elsie Dolesh, 99 years and 5 months passed away peacefully on February 11, 2017 with Brian, Arlys and Kendra at her side.
She was born Elsie Alexandria Zacek on September 14, 1917 in Stanton County, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Anna (Podany) and Vencil Zacek who both immigrated to Ellis Island from Bohemia. She moved to Clarkson, NE and attended school there, graduating in 1935 with a certificate to teach a small country school south of Leigh, NE. In 1937, she was married to Edward Dolesh and they rented several farms before settling down on a farm south of Clarkson, NE. They became parents of three children, Arlys in 1939, Larry in 1942 and Brian in 1958. In 1958, they moved to Columbus, NE and Elsie was employed at Becton Dickinson from 1960 to her retirement in 1982. She was a member of St. Anthonys Catholic Church and the oldest active member of the Becton Dickinson Alumni Assn.
Elsies biggest joy was her family and grandchildren. She was always busy with school activities of son, Brian, grand-sons, Rodney and Lonny and grand-daughter Kendra. Visiting son, Larry and Cheryl and her grand-children, Matt, Rhonda, Bethany and Megan in Las Vegas was something she looked forward to a lot and she did a little gambling there too. Many Thanksgivings were spent there with family masses at the Dolesh home. Family meals at her home were the best times we had. She was always cooking for everyone to enjoy eating her home cooking and family favorites. Every week there were fresh kolaches and cinnamon rolls in pans for us to take home after work. Christmas was a big thing for her, presents and more presents for everyone. Her big lighted Santa Claus was always on her front porch. Every Valentines Day she awoke to a large Valentine heart on the table from her husband, he never forgot. Family always got cards and candy too.
In 1986, her husband, Edward passed away. She remained in the home baby-sitting for grand-daughter, Kendra. She had a big garden and many flowers with the help of son Brian who was on call for bat control or lawn mowing or snow scooping. She was an avid horse race fan and loved driving to Grand Island and Atokad. Finally, she spent most of the time at Columbus races picking daily doubles. Lucky Too.. Some bus trips to casinos were also enjoyed. She made a lot of friends easily and enjoyed visiting and talking. Following a surgery, she moved into an assisted living facility which she liked a lot and was a second home. She was very proud of her Czech heritage and enjoyed Czech polka music.
In 2007, Elsie celebrated her 90th birthday with a surprise party in Las Vegas at son, Larrys home with his family, family from Columbus and friends from Las Vegas. She was thoroughly surprised and enjoyed the day with all.
Elsie will be dearly missed by her children, Arlys Wehrer, Brian Dolesh, grand-children and great grand-children, Kendra (Michael) Becker, Bailey and Natalie Becker, Matt (Denise) Dolesh, Lucas, Spencer and Zachery, Rhonda (Kalvin) Veale, Cecilia, Bethany (Reece) Oswalt, Addison, Kendall and Payton and Megan Dolesh.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Vencil Zacek, husband, Edward in 1986, son, Larry, December 28, 2016, grandsons Lonny Wehrer, 1980 and Rodney Wehrer, 2003, son-in-law Kennard Wehrer, 1997, sisters Beatrice Srb and Wylma Keil.