Over the course of his 97 years on Earth, Edward C. Patak lived a full and wonderful life as a proud Czech, a farmer, a world traveler, a polka enthusiast … and as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and even as a great-great-grandfather. Edward passed away peacefully on July 8, 2021.
Edward married Irene Mae Mashek on March 6, 1945, and they spent 67 years on the farm near Denton, before moving to Crete. He enjoyed farm life, selling seed for DeKalb, raising livestock and harvesting crops as well as socializing with many friends through church and the local farm communities. He especially loved traveling and polka dancing several times a week with Irene, his wife and partner of almost 75 years before her passing in 2019. The couple were affectionately referred to by their grandchildren as “Chicky Grandma and Grandpa.” Recently, his oldest son, Richard, found the original Farmall H tractor that Edward Purchased in 1952 to start his career in farming. Thankfully, Edward was able to see a picture of the tractor fully restored and back in the family, before he left to dance the polka with Irene again, in heaven, where the family is pretty sure dinner is always at noon, and supper is always promptly at 6 p.m.
Born in Denton on Dec. 13, 1923, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; his sisters, Alice Patak, Mary Schwedop, Agnes Plautz, Bessie Henderson and Sylvia Nygaard; brothers, Anton Patak and Joe Patak; and parents, Thomas and Marie (Krenek) Patak. Edward is survived by his four children, Richard (Debbie) Patak, of Burr Oak, Kansas, Jeani (Alan) Larsen, of Lincoln, Steve (Theresa) Patak, of Loveland, Colorado, and Mike Patak (Amber Brush) of Elkhorn. He will always be lovingly remembered for his blue denim bib overalls and green and yellow DeKalb corn seed baseball cap, by his 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was July 14 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete with interment at Camden Cemetery in Crete. Memorial contributions are suggested to the church. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.lincolnfh.com.
