Dorothy Firasek

Dorothy Firasek, age 78, of Penelope, passed away Saturday evening, May 17, 2008 at her residence. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p. m Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home by Janice Kaluza, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Henry Drozd, Rev. B. George, and Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery near Penelope. Dorothy was born on December 16, 1929 in Axtell, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Krupa) Stuckly. She attended New Hope Elementary School and graduated from Hubbard High School. On June 7, 1958, she was united in marriage to Ben Firasek in Penelope. He preceded her in death on March 14, 2000, after 41 years of marriage. Dorothy worked in the engineering department for Southwestern Bell for 38 years before retiring in 1988. She was also the co-owner and operator of Penelope Grocery for 17 years and worked for Steve Kazanas Law firm for 10 years as a receptionist until she needed to stay home to take care of her ill husband. After his death, she worked for West Bank & Trust as a receptionist until her hospitalization in January, 2008. Dorothy said "This was the best job I've ever had." Dorothy was a member of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary Catholic Church in Penelope, where she served on the Penelope Altar Society and Penelope Church Council. If you ever attended the church bazaar, you would see her behind the raffle ticket table with a great big smile and a handful of tickets for you to buy. You could also be sure that if there was a need for a dessert at any event, her famous banana pudding brought much happiness to many. Dorothy was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America #829 of West, a lifetime member of SPJST Lodge #6 in Cottonwood , and a lifetime member of the AT&T Pioneers. You would frequently find her at the Catholic Workman meetings, where she won many door prizes, and it would not be odd to find her playing a game of 42 dominoes. Dorothy was definitely a "people" person and enjoyed volunteering for many organizations. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She is also preceded in death by her parents, and her 12 year old son, John Edd Firasek. Survivors include her daughter, Dottie McBride and husband Michael, her son, Ben Firasek and wife Rachel; four brothers, Edwin "Windy" Stuckly, Woodrow Stuckly, Billy Stuckly and wife Margaret, and Jimmy Stuckly and wife Evelyn; a sister, Thelma Trojan; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Shorty (Evelyn) Stuckly; five grandchildren, Lauren, Jonathon, Ashley, Madison, and Tucker; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers will be Glenn Fabian, Elton Stuckly, Jr. Dr. Scott Blattman, Kyle Stuckly, Ronny Osborne, Michael McBride, Danny Stuckly, and James Hromadka. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Penelope Volunteer Fire Department. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Nativity, B.V. M. in Penelope or Penelope Volunteer Fire Department.