John “Jack” Malek

Thursday, August 18, 2016 6:23 pm

John “Jack” Malek, 93, of Decorah, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were “Here I am, Lord,” “Cry of the Poor,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Whatsoever You Do,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” “The Hand of God Shall Hold You” and “My Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” Lector was Kenda Jochimsen. Offertory gift bearers were Molly Lujan, Mady Orton and Megan Malek. Eucharistic minister and remembrances were offered by Joe Malek. Casket bearers were Jeff Malek, Parker Malek, Leah Malek, Lee Larson, Kyle Larson and Joey Lujan. Interment was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah. Military rites at cemetery were by United States Army Decorah area veterans, Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

John Thomas “Jack” Malek was born Feb. 4, 1923, the son of Joseph and Mary Theresa (Burns) Malek in Owatonna, Minn. Jack attended and graduated from Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Minn., in 1941. He then worked for the Milwaukee Railroad for one year.
He was drafted into the United States Army during WWII, serving in the European areas. He returned in July of 1945 and went back to work for the Milwaukee Railroad. Jack married Doris Dodge Oct. 1, 1949, at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, Minn. Together they lived in Faribault and Lyle, Minn., from 1950-54 and then moved to Blooming Prairie, Minn., living there from 1954-64. In 1964, they moved to Decorah with the Milwaukee Railroad where he worked as a railroad depot agent in Decorah, Postville, Cresco and Calmar. He commuted his last two years to depots in Wells, Minn., and Northfield, Minn., before he retired Aug. 9, 1983, working for 41 years.
Jack was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Helof Holm VFW Post No. 1977, Bernatz Symonds American Legion Post No. 163, I.O.O.F. Lodge and the Elks Lodge No. 443. Jack enjoyed his grandchildren, fishing, golfing and attending all Decorah High School sporting events.

Jack is survived by three sons: Joseph (Kenda Jochimsen) Malek, Ames; James Malek, Savage, Minn.; and Donald Malek, Seattle, Wash.; one daughter, Mary (Lee) Larson, Rosemount, Minn.; one daughter-in-law, Ericka Malek, Seattle, Wash.; 13 grandchildren: Molly (Steve) Lujan, Megan Malek, Jeff (Angela) Malek, Mady (Jake) Orton, Lauren (Chris) Coleman, Nicholas Malek, Chad Malek, Zach Malek, Parker Malek, Leah Malek, Evie Larson (fourth generation military, currently serving her Air Force basic training at Lackland, AFB, San Antonio, Texas), Lee Larson and Kyle Larson; nine great-grandchildren: Joey, Andy, Cooper and Callihan Lujan, Lincoln and Brielle Malek, Kinley and Gracelynne Orton, and Isabelle and Ireland Coleman; one niece, Bonnie DePay, Eagan, Minn.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Theresa (Burns) Malek; his wife, Doris Malek, June 1, 2014; one son, Charles “Chuck” Malek, Dec. 27, 2010; his father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Gladys Dodge; one brother, Donald (Cressie) Malek; one sister-in-law, Marion (Clair) Broadwater; special friends, George and Marian Walerak.