Valuable volunteer

Dorothy Nemecek had surgery last Tuesday after a blood clot in her leg sent her to the hospital.

But the 90-year-old wasn't about to let a little thing like that slow her down. Three days after doctors placed a stent in her leg, she was back doing what she loves: serving meals at the VFW as a volunteer. She said she didn't want to miss the year's last Lenten fish fry.

'I meet so many different friends,” she said. 'There are always new people coming through the line on fish fries.”

That dedication may help explain why Nemecek, a lifelong Cedar Rapids resident, was named Iowa's 2014 Outstanding Senior Volunteer this month.

Nemecek started volunteering 18 years ago after her husband died. She had retired from her job as a cafeteria manager and cook for the Cedar Rapids school district and was looking for a way to keep busy. Previously, she and her husband had spent 11 years working as managers at VFW Post 788 in Cedar Rapids, which they joined after her husband returned from serving in World War II. Stepping back in to help out with meals made sense.

Today, if the VFW or her church, St. Ludmila Catholic Church, are hosting a meal, chances are Nemecek will be there. Beyond the fish fries, she can be seen serving and helping out at brunches, luncheons, hamburger dinners and funeral meals. At St. Ludmila, she also helps out at the Kolach Festival and whenever else there are calls for kolaches throughout the year.

'I like the sociability of it. It's just really a pleasure working at that stuff,” she said. 'Whenever there's something where I could help out, I do. Otherwise I'd just be sitting here.”

She said she was surprised to get the honor, and credited the friends who help drive her to the many dinners she helps serve.

'I just love the people. I do have a lot of friends,” she said. 'They've all been so generous. We do have a lot of friendly, friendly people in town.”

Life hasn't always been easy. In the living room of her home on Cedar Rapids' Southwest side hang photos of her family; a son and daughter as well as four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The oldest grandchild is graduating from college next month.

The photos are some of the few family relics she has - she lost most of her belongings and the house she and her husband bought in 1942 when the Flood of 2008 sent seven feet of water surging into her living room.

She spent a year in a FEMA trailer before moving into her new home. She said she wanted to stay on the Southwest side so she could be near her church and the VFW - the places she volunteers.

Along with the family photos in her living room Monday were a bouquet of flowers and a stack of greeting cards from well-wishers congratulating her on the award.

She received the honor as part of the Salute to Senior Service program, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care. The program recognized senior volunteers across the country. Nemecek was presented with a donation for $500 to the VFW and is featured on the Salute to Senior Service Wall of Fame at SalutetoSeniorService.com.

'I was amazed. I couldn't believe it,” she said. 'I'm not better than anyone else in the group. We just love to do what we do.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8434; alison.gowans@sourcemedia.net