Valaria L. Reilly

Valaria L. "Val" Reilly, age 97, formerly of Columbus, Nebraska died Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Valley View Living Center in Ord, Nebraska. A longtime member of the Columbus community, she moved to Ord four years ago due to declining health.

Val was born March 5, 1918 in Platte County to Jon and Agnes (Dambiak) Pachunka. She was the youngest of four children. When she was six weeks old her father died and her mother re-married widower John Duracinski. The combined families settled on a farm just west of Columbus. She received her education at District #5 school. In her early teens she went to work as a cook and house keeper for the Bert Melliger and Fred Eller families east of Columbus. She then worked for the Swift Company in Columbus. When WWII broke out she moved to Omaha to work at the Glenn Martin Bomber Plant as a Rosie Rivetor. She was very proud that she was able to contribute to the war effort. She married Thomas Reilly on October 9, 1945 at St Bonaventure Church in Columbus. They had five children. She was a devoted wife and mother, known for her baking and cooking and always ready with a cup of coffee for anyone. Her kitchen was her castle. Her most valued gift in life was practicing her Catholic faith and passing it along to her children. She made many sacrifices to ensure her children received a Catholic education. She was a past member of Scotus Mothers, St Bonaventure's Guild, an adorer for perpetual adoration and attended daily mass at St. Bonaventure where she was a member.

She is survived by: daughter; Sonja (Eloy) Trujillo of Denver, sons; Tom (Patty) of Valley, Bob (Marcia) of Ord, Ron of Columbus, son-in-law; Rich Fleischer of Humphrey, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, sister- in-law; Helen Duracinski of Reno, Nevada, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, step-father, husband; Tom, daughter; Judy, great grandson; Timothy, sisters & best friends; Stella Langan and Sophie Miller, half-sister; Ann Tragarz, step-sisters; Elizabeth Duracinski & Mary Sokol, brother; Steve Pachunka, half-brother; Julius Duracinski, step-brothers; Frank, Leo, Steve, Johnny & Tony Duracinski.

Memorials may be directed to St Bonaventure Church or to Scotus Central Catholic High School.