Wanda Hajek
Wanda Hajek, 87, of Grant, Neb., passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Perkins County Hospital.
Wanda was born March 11, 1935, to Leonard and Lois (Russell) Harms. She attended high school at Wallace and eventually obtained her master’s degree in Psychology.
On June 27, 1953, Wanda married Donald Eugene Hajek at Cheyenne, Wyo. Their union was blessed with two children, Donnie and Heather.
The family moved often during Donald’s military service, from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Albany, Ga., Puerto Rico, Fairchild, Wis., Spokane, Wash., England, France, Roswell, NM, Omaha, Neb., and Sacramento, Calif., before settling in Colorado Springs, Colo. in 1969, where Donald finished his military career at Fort Carson. Wanda held a civil service position, offering counseling services for drug and alcohol addiction. Following Donald’s retirement from the service, the family transitioned to farming.
In 1981, they moved to Grant, where they farmed. Wanda worked at Richard Young and then Lutheran Family Services offering marriage and family counseling in the area. She had significant involvement in the CASA program in Keith County for many years, having served as the director. Wanda stepped away from her role at the age of 72 but never lost her heart for advocacy.
In 2008 Donald and Wanda began wintering in Yuma, Ariz. They purchased a home in the Country Roads RV park where they could enjoy the amenities and abundant sunshine. Wanda made many new friends while playing bridge, bingo and Mexican dominoes. Wanda also enjoyed sharing meals at the monthly Catholic potluck. She loved to ride her three-wheeled bike around the park with Patches in the basket. Donald and Wanda also went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico every January, staying at their timeshare, until it became too difficult for Donald.
Wanda was a longtime member of Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Yuma.
Beyond her advocacy work, Wanda enjoyed being involved in the Red Hat Society for many years.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 2010; her parents; stepfather, Carl Osborne; sister, Arbie (Ray) Etherton; a brother, Russ Vowers; and great-granddaughter, Lauren Hajek.
Survivors include her children, Donnie (Tracey) Hajek of Grant, Heather Hajek of Yuma; two grandchildren, Josh (Becky) Hajek of Kearney, Neb., Brittney and Gary Naescher of Grant; great-grandchildren, Blake, Tenley, Owen, Malaya, and Miranda Naescher, and Peyton, Preston, and Paxton Hajek; sister-in-law, Kathy Vowers of Grand Island, Neb.; sister-in-law LaWanna Hajek of Sidney, Neb., along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Wanda’s memory for later designation by her family. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant, with Fr. Thomas Bush as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 1-5 p.m. at the Bullock Long Funeral Home in Grant. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the church.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.