Lois Katherine Petska, 85, of Hershey, NE passed away Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.
Lois was born October 13, 1926, at Vail, IA to Tyra and Celinda Belle McCullough Crane. She grew up in Vail and graduated from Vail High School in 1944. Lois then started Commercial Extension Business College at home then finished in Omaha, NE where she also worked at Mutual Benefit for three years.
On December 31, 1949, Lois married Richard Stanley Petska in Omaha and they made their home there for a year before moving to Ord, NE. They later moved to Albion, NE in 1951 and to Hershey in 1956 where they settled and raised their family. Lois worked at Booth’s Highway Cafe until it closed then went to work as a cook for Hershey Public School, retiring in 1995.
Lois was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the Hershey Altar Society and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #279. After retiring she was active in the Hershey Senior Center.
Lois is survived by her five daughters, Jane (John) Haines, of North Platte, Jean (Butch) Brecks, of Cozad, NE, Frances Petska, of El Cerrito, CA, Linda Petska, of Hershey and Virginia (Paul) Michalski, of Elyria, NE; three sons, Larry (JoAnn) Petska and Gary (Cindy) Petska, all of Hershey and Charles (Lisa) Petska, of Cozad, NE.
She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Michael Petska, Richard Petska, Scott Tighe, Sherry Pigman, Susan (Russ) Flaming, Sandy (Ron) Wilson, Justin (Whitney) Petska, Kayla Petska, Warren Michalski, Jessica Michalski, Ashley Petska (fiancé Ashton Hochstetler) and Halie Petska; six great-grandchildren, John Paul, Michael, Faith, Ethan, Aubrey and Austin; five sisters-in-law, Betty Crane, of Profitstown, IL, Betty (Floyd) Kusek, of Boring, OR, Geneva Petska, of Hastings, NE, Lorene Meese, of Ord, NE and Mary Petska, of Portland, OR; many nieces, nephews and other family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Tyra and Celinda Crane; a sister, Frances Boham; and four brothers, Ira, Leslie, Robert and John Crane.
Wake service will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hershey with Father Jim Novakowski as celebrant. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to KNOP Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church or the Hershey Senior Center. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.