Michael L. Valasek, Sr.

Michael L. “Mike” Valasek, Sr., 85, of St. Paul, died Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at CHI Saint Francis in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Rayappa Konka will officiate. Burial and military honors by Burton-Beyer American Legion Post 120 of Palmer will be held at 2 p.m. in the O'Connor Cemetery at O'Connor. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, with a 6 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Valasek was born Dec. 11, 1930, on a farm near Greeley, the son of Michael J. and Anna (Kowalski) Valasek. He was united in marriage to Delores A. Dembowski on March 2, 1957, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Delores of St. Paul; children and spouses, Lori Dymek and Larry Knippelmeyer of Crete, Sandra Valasek of Grand Island, Christina and James Reinig of Gretna, Teresa and Andy Martinsen of St. Paul, John and Trish Valasek of Palmer, Mike Valasek, Jr. and fiancee', Peggy King of Broken Bow and Stanley Valasek of Aurora. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Mike grew up on the family farm and attended Greeley County rural schools. As a young man he was very active in Golden Gloves Boxing in the area. He then served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After he and Delores were married, they farmed and ranched and raised their family north of Palmer. Mike was also an Archer Oil dealer for over 40 years. The couple later retired and moved into Wolbach. For the past 4 years, he has lived with his daughter, Teresa in St. Paul. Mike was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, Burton-Beyer American Legion Post 120 and the 40 & 8 both of Palmer and the Palmer Rural Fire Department of which he had served as president for many years. He enjoyed watching baseball and had also served as the director of American Legion baseball in Palmer. But Mike's greatest love was raising and feeding cattle. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Irene Slizowski; and six brothers, Leo, Edmund, Allie, Alfred, George and Joseph Valasek. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.