Francis J. 'Fritz' Shatek

Francis 'Fritz' Shatek, age 79, of Elma, Ia, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2013 at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton, IA. Francis “Fritz” John Shatek was born on October 6, 1933 to Joseph and Mary (Komarek) Shatek on the family farm near Lourdes, IA where he lived his entire life. He attended country school near Lourdes. Fritz worked on the family farm before entering the US Army in 1953. After his honorable discharge he returned to the farm which later became a century farm. He was united in marriage to Lavonne “Bonnie” Gilbert on September 27, 1958 at St. Boniface Church in Ionia. The couple made their home on the family farm where they raised their four children. Fritz farmed all of his life and enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, playing cards, collecting toy tractors and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and the Farm Bureau. Fritz is survived by his wife Lavonne “Bonnie” of Elma; children Nancy (Don) Suek of St. Paul, MN, Tom (Pauline) Shatek of Elma, Mark (Amy) Shatek of Cedar Falls, IA and Tim (Gayle) Shatek of Mason City, IA; 11 grandchildren Erin and Amy Suek, Brad (Jamie) Shatek, Jennifer, Nikki and Eric Shatek, Elizabeth and Josephine Shatek, Sydney, Emily and Hadley Shatek; sister Celia Kapler of Cresco, IA; brothers Clarence Shatek of Elma, Joseph Shatek of Ft. Atkinson, IA, Leonard Shatek of Elma and John (Margaret) Shatek of Elma; and many special nieces and nephews. Fritz is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Shatek; brothers Aloys and Edward; brother-in-law Leonard Kapler; and sisters-in-law Lucille, Rosemarie, Mildred, and Rita Shatek. Cemetery: Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery at Lourdes with Fritz’s grandchildren serving as honorary casket bearers and Nancy Shatek-Suek, Don Suek, Tom Shatek, Pauline Shatek, Mark Shatek, Amy Shatek, Tim Shatek and Gayle Shatek serving as active casket bearers. Military rites by the Elma John Frahm American Legion Post #597. Memorials may be directed to the family or donor’s choice. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00pm on Monday, July 1, 2013 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:30pm and scriptural wake service at 7:30pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30am on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes, IA with Father Steve Garner celebrating mass.