Pelechek, Richard K. 'Dick'

Richard K. “Dick” Pelechek, 87, of Iowa City, died suddenly on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City. The Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez will officiate. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery, with military honors. Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 9:30 until 11 a.m.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Regina Foundation.

Dick was born April 23, 1926, in Iowa City, the son of James and Mary (Rees) Pelechek. A lifelong Iowa City resident, he graduated from St. Patrick's High School and later met and married Leona Sorensen on Nov. 5, 1946, at St. Patrick's Church. Dick and Leona celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on Tuesday - which highlighted more than simply the day that they were married - but the dedication and loyalty of their 67 years together. They raised their family together and were always by each other's side - 67 years of love, hard work and support.

Dick was in counter sales for Breese Auto Parts for 27 years, retiring in 1980.

Dick served during World War II in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in action in Germany in 1945.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, American Legion Post 17, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3949 and Disabled American Veterans. There is a footbridge that was dedicated in Dick's honor in 1991 at the Veterans Trail at the Coralville Lake.

Survivors include his wife, Leona; his children, James Pelechek (Madonna) of St. Louis, Mo., Nancy Leos (Robert) of Austin, Texas and John Pelechek (Laura) of Cedar Rapids;

brother, Donald Pelechek (Ellen) of Coralville; grandchildren, Susan Pelechek, Kurt Pelechek (Lauren), Jenna Pelechek, Saige Turner and Tessa Turner; a brother-in-law, Clair Powers, and a sister-in-law, Helen Sorensen, both of Iowa City.

His parents preceded him in death.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Nov. 7, 2013 in The Gazette