Leonard Dufek

Leonard Dufek, 77, of Columbus, died on December 19, 2012, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Leonard was born on November 7, 1935, in Verdigre, Nebraska, to George and Clara (Ondracek) Dufek, where they lived on the family farm. He enlisted in the Army and was an honored soldier in Washington, D.C. from 1956 to 1958. He also served his country in the Army Reserves after his active duty.

On October 14, 1958, he married Lorene Minarik and to this union two daughters were born, Julie Healy and Laurie Loseke. The family moved to Columbus, Nebraska, in 1967. On October 22, 1980 Leonard married Marge Kudron Rinkol. Marge passed away on April 5, 1997. On June 23, 2001, he married Mary Anne Bonk.

Leonard worked at Mohrmans, D & L, and the Columbus Public Schools until he retired. Leonard enjoyed polka dancing and playing cards. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and loved to joke around with people. Even when his health began to fail, his sense of humor never failed his family and friends.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Mary Anne, of Columbus; daughter, Julie Healy (fiance, Bernie) and grandsons, Jake and Ryan Healy, of Castle Rock, Colorado; daughter, Laurie Loseke (friend, Tom) and grandson, Matt Loseke, of Columbus, Nebraska; brother, Ed (Carmen) Dufek of Verdigre, Nebraska; sisters, Helen Hanefeldt of Creighton, Nebraska, Marie Shefl of Winnetoon, Nebraska, and Leona (James) Pavlik of Rockford, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Ellen Dufek, of Verdigre, Nebraska, and Doris Dufek, of Norfolk, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by stepchildren:
Robert Bonk and family of Lincoln, Nebraska;
Randy Bonk and family of Omaha, Nebraska;
Rodney Bonk of Columbus, Nebraska;
Joyce Hellbusch and family of Edmond, Oklahoma;
Diane Collins and family of Almontie, Florida;
Sandy Growden and family of Apple Valley, Minnesota;
Lisa Polcovich and family of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara Dufek, sister, Clara Pavlik, and brothers, Bill and John Dufek, second wife: Marge