Dufek, Raymond L.

Raymond L. Dufek, 74, of Hiawatha, died Sunday, June 2, 2013, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a long illness. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. The Rev. Mark Ressler will officiate. Burial: 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Clutier. Friends may call from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids, where there will be a vigil service at 5:30 p.m.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; three daughters, Lisa (John) Becker of Rolla, Mo., Janel (Malcolm) Wells of Des Moines and Andrea (Jeff) Green of West Des Moines; a stepdaughter, Michelle Johnson of Cedar Rapids; a stepson, Michael (Lisa) Johnson of Edwardsville, Ill.; a brother, Edward (Anna Mae) of Peoria, Ill.; and a sister, Mildred Smith of Waterloo. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Nicholas, Brittany, Zoie and Riley; and two stepgrandchildren, Joseph and Clara.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Darlene.

Ray was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Voorhies, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Mayme Yilek Dufek. He married Darlene Catherman in Cedar Rapids. She died in 1990. He later married Judy M. Johnson on Oct. 2, 1993, in Marion.

Ray was a route driver for Colonial Bakery for over 32 years, retiring in 1990. He was a faithful member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus in Marion, Horseman's Club in Ely and proudly served in the Navy. He enjoyed the outdoors; horseback riding, fishing, hunting and country and western dancing with Judy and friends.

Ray was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Dufek family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published June 3, 2013 in The Gazette