Loretta Louise Pilakowski, age 96, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, at Linden Court.
Loretta was born August 7, 1920, to Earl Vincent and Christine Elsie Elizabeth Wagner Battershell in Paxton, NE, where she grew up. During her junior year of high school, the family moved to Lodgepole, NE, where Loretta graduated with the Class of 1938.
On August 15, 1938, Loretta was united in marriage to Vincent Stanley Pilakowski at Chappell, NE. They first lived in Lodgepole then moved to North Platte in 1941 where Vincent worked on the railroad and Loretta stayed home to raise their eight children. In 1970 the family moved to Paxton and lived there until in 1982. The couple then retired to Salida, CO. Following Vincent’s death in 1997, Loretta returned to Nebraska to be closer to her family.
In North Platte, Loretta was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was active with Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of the Monday afternoon ladies pitch group and volunteered at the Bargain Bin and with R.S.V.P.
Loretta was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. She was also a great cook who will always be remembered for her famous angel food cakes, homemade egg noodles, and creamed chicken and “kniddle” (knudel).
She leaves behind her sons, Gerald “Jerry” Pilakowski and Philip (Patricia) Pilakowski, both of Omaha, NE, Fredrick Pilakowski, of Billings, MT and James (Melissa) Pilakowski, of Yuma, AZ; daughters, Betty (Jerome) Steffes, of North Platte, Nancy (Ronald) Morgan, of Gilbert, AZ, Mary Teresa (Sid) Petersen, of Kimball, NE, and Karen Hargis, of Fremont, IN; her sister, Laura Hargens, of Norfolk, NE; and sister-in-law, Lee Battershell, of Karmichael, CA.
Survivors also include 23 grandchildren, Dave and Dennis Steffes, Diane Gilbert, Doug and Don Steffes, Tim Pilakowski, Kaylynn Larson, Michelle Szaro, Melissa Casassa, Stacey Parker, Janelle Wolfe, Lisa Van Dine, Scott Zuviceh, Nichole and Zarek Pilakowski, Rylee Shaw, Elton Ogg, Robin Fendley, Vincent and Zane Pilakowski, and Kathryn, Jeremy and Justin Taylor; 46 great-grandchildren; 15 great great-grandchildren; her close friend, Peg Lawler, of Paxton; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Along with her husband, Vincent, Loretta was preceded in death by their two baby boys and daughter, Kathryn Pilakowski; her parents, Earl and Elsie Battershell; brothers, Forrest Battershell and Arnold “Red” Battershell; sister, Margaret Abernathy; daughter-in-law, Sharon Pilakowski; granddaughter-in-law, Wanda Steffes; grandson, Dan Steffes; great-granddaughter, Beth Steffes; and great-grandson, Ethan Fendley.
Services will be on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Mark Seiker, Rosary Service will be at 9:30 a.m. at the church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church or the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment and Trust.