Lillian L. Rezabek passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at the Wilber Care Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, with her family by her side. She was a resident of the Care Center for the past eight years.
Lillian was born Aug. 28, 1925, on a farm southwest of Wilber, the youngest of four daughters born to Raymond and Agnes (Kohel) Vlcek. She attended school at District 93 and graduated from Wilber High School with the class of 1942.
Following graduation, Lillian worked at the Crete Creamery for about a year and then left for Midland, Texas, where her future husband Donald C. Rezabek was serving in the Army Air Corps. They were married Oct. 20, 1943. They returned home briefly to celebrate their wedding with a dance at Tabor Hall on Dec. 7, 1943. When Donald was discharged from the service in 1946, they moved to a farm south of Dorchester. On Feb. 4, 1947, they welcomed twins, Raymond Gene and Beverly Jean.
When the twins were in high school, Lillian went to work at Formfit in Crete and later worked at Walkers in Seward until she retired. Lillian enjoyed working on the farm taking care of both the livestock and her large garden. Gardening was a tradition she continued after they moved to Dorchester in 1971. She was known for her beautiful flowers and lawn.
Donald and Lillian enjoyed their second home in Republican City, where they spent many weekends fishing from their boat at Harlan County Lake, often times with friends and family. They especially enjoyed taking their grandchildren on these fishing trips. They were also fond of taking vacations, traveling to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and South Padre Island. They enjoyed trips to Arizona in the winter and Colorado in the summer.
Lillian loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas dinners of duck, dumplings and sauerkraut, along with kolache and vdolky, were her specialty and always appreciated by the entire family.
Lillian spent many hours embroidering, creating the most beautiful pillowcases, tablecloths and quilts which she shared with family. Her work was exquisite and no one could match her skills. Each piece will always be a treasured remembrance of her.
Lillian was a long time member of August-Vanek Auxiliary Unit 264, and a member of Tabor Lodge #74 of Dorchester.
Mourning Lillian’s loss are son, Raymond and wife, Connie Rezabek of Dorchester; daughter, Beverly and husband, John Walker of Dorchester; grandchildren, Daniel and Christina Rezabek of Lincoln, Rachel and David Biar of Dorchester, Sarah and Michael Fuchs of Arlington, Lori and Jeff Herz of Lincoln, Donald Sladek of Seward, and Rebecca Severn of Rapid City, South Dakota; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Erica and Isaiah Fuchs, Tyler Sladek, Chelsea (Kevin) Volkmer, and Lily and Macy Severn; great-great grandchildren Ila and Sylas Sladek and Madelyn Volkmer and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Donald C. Rezabek, who passed away in July of 2004; her parents, Raymond and Agnes Vlcek; sisters and brothers-in-law, Irene and Ernest Fictum, Adeline and Ervin Brozovsky, and Norma and Floyd Timm; son-in-law, Jerry Sladek and one niece.
The funeral service was Dec. 18. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.kunclfh.com.
