Malek, John Thomas 1923 - 2016
MALEK, BURNS, DODGE, LARSON, LUJAN, ORTON, COLEMAN, DEPAY, BROADWATER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/19/2016 at 16:00:46
John “Jack” Malek, age 93, of Decorah, IA, died Sunday, August 14, 2016, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2016, at the St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main St., Decorah, IA, with Father Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in St. Benedict Cemetery, Decorah, IA.
Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and also after 9:30 at the church on Friday. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m., on Thursday at the funeral home.
John Thomas “Jack” Malek was born February 4, 1923, the son of Joseph and Mary Theresa (Burns) Malek in Owatonna, MN. Jack attended and graduated from Cleveland High School in Cleveland, MN, in 1941. He then worked for the Milwaukee Railroad for one year. He was drafted into the United States Army during WWII, serving in the European Areas. He returned in July of 1945 and went back to work for the Milwaukee Railroad. Jack married Doris Dodge on October 1, 1949, at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, MN. Together they lived in Faribault and Lyle, MN, from 1950-54 and then to Blooming Prairie, MN, from 1954-64. In 1964, they moved to Decorah with the Milwaukee Railroad where he worked as a railroad depot agent in Decorah, Postville, Cresco, and Calmar. He commuted his last two years to depots in Wells, MN, and Northfield, MN, before he retired on Aug. 9, 1983; working for 41 years. Jack was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Helof Holm VFW Post #1977, Bernatz Symonds American Legion Post #163, I.O.O.F. Lodge and the Elks Lodge #443. Jack enjoyed his grandchildren, fishing, golfing and attending all Decorah High School sporting events.
Jack is survived by three sons: Joseph (Kenda Jo Chimsen) Malek, Ames, IA; James Malek, Savage, MN; and Donald Malek, Seattle, WA. One daughter: Mary (Lee) Larson, Rosemount, MN. One daughter-in-law: Ericka Malek, Seattle, WA. Thirteen grandchildren: Molly (Steve) Lujan, Megan Malek, Jeff (Angela) Malek, Mady (Jake) Orton, Lauren (Chris) Coleman, Nicholas Malek, Chad Malek, Zach Malek, Parker Malek, Leah Malek, Evie Larson, Lee Larson and Kyle Larson. Nine great grandchildren: Joey, Andy, Cooper & Callihan Lujan, Lincoln & Brielle Malek, Kinley & Gracelynne Orton, and Isabelle & Ireland Coleman. One niece: Bonnie DePay, Eagan, MN.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Mary Theresa (Burns) Malek. His wife: Doris Malek on June 1, 2014. One son: Charles “Chuck” Malek on Dec. 27, 2010. His father and mother-in-law: Ernest and Gladys Dodge. One brother: Donald (Cressie) Malek. One sister-in-law: Marion (Clair) Broadwater. Special friends: Marian and George Walerak.
Source: Schluter Funeral Home database
St. Benedict Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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