Joseph Malecek

JOE MALECEK

Belle Plaine

Joseph Frank Malecek, 97, of Belle Plaine, died peacefully Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Belle Plaine Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, with Father Mike Mescher and Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a time for sharing to follow, on Tuesday, July 12, at Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Frank Malecek was born Jan. 1, 1919, in rural Pocahontas, Iowa, to Karel Malecek and Antonia Janurek Malecek. Joe graduated from Belle Plaine High School with the Class of 1936. Following high school, Joe was asked to tend to the farming and to his widowed mother, who recently lost her second husband. On Nov. 24, 1947, he married Leona Marie Hala from Toledo, Iowa. Together they raised their family of seven children: Bonnie Pitz of Belle Plaine, who was married to the late Dave Pitz in Newton; Gerald (Annie) Malecek of Sparta, Ga.; Donna (Gary) Mosbrucker of Johnstown, Pa.; JoAnn (Bill) Robb of Webster City; Don (Carol) Malecek of Fairfax; Teresa (Bob) Hermsen of Belle Plaine; and Tim (Anne) Malecek of Marion.

During the early years of marriage Joe and Leona briefly lived near Dysart and the New Hartford area. Later they moved back to the family farm in Belle Plaine. Before retiring he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad along with other jobs. Throughout his retired years, Joe remained very active on the farm.

Joe and Leona enjoyed living in the country, gardening and traveling, especially to visit their children and grandchildren.

They were part of the Friendly Neighbors Group. Joe was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his seven children; his sister, Mary Thorman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Milo and Juanita Hala of Toledo; 25 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 28 nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Leona, in 2011; grandson, Brian Mosbrucker; and his son-in-law, Dave Pitz, in 2015.

Joe was a kind gentleman. He was honest and humble. He loved his wife and all seven of his children, always encouraging them to put their best foot forward. His family and relatives, along with the people of Belle Plaine, got the chance to enjoy being with him for many years.