Lamar Hajek
Lamar Albin Hajek, 85, died Aug. 31, 2004, at Atwood.
The third and youngest child of Frank and Agnes (Steiner) Hajek, he was born Dec. 8, 1918, on a farm north of Marion.
When he was a year old, the family moved to another farm near Lincolnville, where he grew up. He attended Pleasant Hill country school, Pilsen Catholic school, Lincolnville grade school, and graduated from Lincolnville High School in 1937. After graduation he helped on the family farm and worked in the oil fields.
In September 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 35th Division Military Police in Pasadena, Calif.
On March 18, 1944, he married Rose Ann Paulovich at Camp Butner, Durham, N.C.
His unit left in May 1944, for Europe, where they crossed the English Channel and landed in Normandy on Omaha Beach. He was in combat until the end of the war, then spent several months with the occupation in Germany.
He was honorably discharged in November 1945, with the rank of sergeant. He was awarded the ribbon for North Africa, five battle stars for all five major battles in Europe, and a medal from France for the Normandy invasion.
After the war, the couple moved to the family farm. In 1954 they moved to Beardsley, where Lamar continued to farm and later managed the Beardsley Grain Company for more than 25 years.
After his retirement, they traveled to Hawaii and other places, including their favorite destination, Kansas City to visit their two daughters and families.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood and the Catholic Workmen for more than 70 years. He was a lifetime VFW member and member of the Lincolnville and McDonald American Legion posts.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Albert; and a sister, Mary (Marie) Cahoj.
Survivors include his wife, Rose Ann of Atwood; two daughters, Phyllis and Marvin Zishka of Bonner Springs and Mary Lou Rossi of Overland Park; a granddaughter; a great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 3 at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Atwood with Father Damian Richards as celebrant.
Graveside services were held Sept. 4 at Pilsen Cemetery. Full military honors were conducted by a Fort Riley Honor Guard.
A memorial fund has been established with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood.
