Louise Stopak

Louise Ann Stopak went to rest on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, NE due to Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2019 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Bonaventure Church. There will be a 3:30 p.m. CDA rosary and a 7:00 p.m. vigil service Wednesday also at St. Bonaventure Church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Columbus Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, St. Bonaventure Building Fund or family's discretion. People attending services are encouraged to wear their Husker Red.

Louise Ann (Lassek) Stopak was born in Fullerton, NE on June 11, 1941 to Walter and Wanda (Bugay) Lassek. She grew up in Fullerton, NE and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1959. While in Fullerton, Louise enjoyed working as a waitress at Clara's Café. Following graduation she moved to Lincoln, NE where she worked at Miller and Paine. On October 6, 1962 she was united in marriage to Clifford R. Stopak in Fullerton, NE and moved to Columbus in 1964. Louise was employed by Becton Dickenson for 30 years until she retired. She was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church where she volunteered in the church office and was a member of Ladies of the Lord, C.D.A and faithfully observed a Eucharistic Adoration of Holy Hour for many years.

Throughout her lifetime Louise (Weezie) enjoyed sharing her garden produce and canning sauerkraut, pickles and making rhubarb jelly. She attended countless sporting events supporting children of her many friends and family members' and loved playing dress-up with all kids who would indulge her. Many hours were spent on her living room floor playing games and having slumber parties. She shared much of her time and talents as a volunteer at the Columbus Community Hospital earning her 20 year award, was current president of the Columbus Noon Lions and served as a Zone Chair for the Nebraska Lions District 38-O. Louise was also a Crime Stoppers Board Member, Thursday Night Sheepshead group player, Heifers Club, and a mentor with the Teammates Mentoring Program. She was currently serving as secretary for the BD Alumni Association and she was the creator of the PPCW fund. She hosted the Neighborhood Rosary and loved sharing her Polish heritage. Louise was the biggest Husker fan and enjoyed all of her annual trips to the Nebraska football games making a sign for every game and baking her famous chocolate chip cookies to bribe the parking staff. Husker Nation will never be the same. Winters, and lots of snow, was her favorite time of the year with many games of Fox and Hound and the making of snow angels always happening in her backyard. The best moments of her life were when she was surrounded by family and friends.

She is survived by:
Daughter: Sheila (Stopak) and John O'Brien of Charlotte, North Carolina
Granddaughter: Katie (O'Brien) and Timothy Love of Charlotte, North Carolina
Niece: Deborah Lassek and friend Paul Patocka of Columbus
Nephews: Kenneth and Shirley Lassek of Omaha, NE
Patrick and Krissy Lassek of Lincoln, NE
Brother-in-law: Robert and Diane Stopak of Albion, NE
Nephews: Tim and Jackie Stopak of Albion, NE
Scott and Janine Stopak of Napa, ID
Niece:  Brandi and Corey Becker of Raymond, NE
Numerous Aunts and Uncles
Special Friends: Roma Kudera, Bob and Wilma Arp
Feline Family Member: Ollie

She was preceded in death by:
Husband: Clifford Stopak
Parents: Walter and Wanda (Bugay) Lassek
Brothers:  Dennis Lassek and Larry Lassek
Grandparents:  George and Anastasia (Stella) Bugay and Joseph and Eva Lassek