Lamar Hajek

Dec. 8, 1918-Aug. 31, 2004

Lamar Hajek, the third and youngest child of Frank and Agnes Steiner Hajek, was born Dec. 8, 1918, on a farm north of Marion, Kan. He died Aug. 31, 2004, at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood at the age of 85 years.

He grew up in Lincolnville, Kan., attending Pleasant Hill Country School, Pilsen Catholic School and Lincolnville Grade School, graduating from Lincolnville High School in 1937.

In 1942, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 35th Division Military Police in Pasadena, Calif. Later the division moved to Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Camp Rucker, Ala., and special assignments in North Africa, being in Casablanca twice. The Division moved to Camp Butner, Durham, N.C. There on March 18, 1944, he married Rose Ann Paulovich at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. After his marriage, his unit left for Europe. He was in combat until the end of the war.

In 1954, the family moved to Beardsley in Rawlins County, Kan., where Lamar continued to farm and later managed the Beardsley Grain Company for over 25 years.

Lamar was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood and was a member of the Catholic Workman No. 74, also of Atwood. He was a lifetime VFW member and belonged to the American Legion in Lincolnville and McDonald, Kan.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Albert; and a sister, Mary "Marie" Cahoj.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Ann of the home; two daughters, Phyllis Zishka and husband, Marvin of Bonner Springs, Kan.; and Mary Lou Rossi of Overland Park, Kan.; one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday (Sept. 3) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood with the Rev. Damian Richards as celebrant. Graveside services will be Saturday, 11 a., at the Pilsen Cemetery in Pilsen, Kan., with military honors by Fort Riley, Kan. Memorials may be addressed in his name to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood.

A parish vigil and Catholic Workman rosary will be said 6 p.m., today at the funeral home.

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of the arrangements.