Frank John Gaydusek, Jr.

Frank John Gaydusek, Jr. passed away on October 21, 2023, at the Onaga Hospital following a brief illness. He was a resident of Westmoreland Community Care Home for 14 months. Before that he lived with his daughter for over 4 years. Frank was born June 18, 1922, in Bratrejob, Czechoslovakia, which is now the Czech Republic. In 1926 he came to the United States with his parents, Frank Sr., and Frances Gaydusek and sister, Frances. They settled in Hanover, Kansas. Frank attended grade school west of Hanover then when his family moved to North of Washington, Kansas he attended Eureka School District #41.  He helped on the family farm then in 1945-1946 he served in the U.S. Army. He was a Sharpshooter M1. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal and Good Conduct medal, the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal. He went to boot camp at Ft. Hood in Texas and spent a couple weeks at Ft. Riley. He was at Perry Island near Hawaii and almost got to Pearl Harbor when World War II was declared over.  Then he was sent for 9 months to South Korea then back to California. He was a Tec 5 at the time of discharge.

After serving in the service, he farmed around Washington. On February 7, 1961, he married Leona Loomis at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Gilead, NE, and they settled Northeast of Washington near Hollenberg until 1968 when they moved to a farm east of Mahaska, KS. They were members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church of rural Morrowville then later St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Fairbury.  At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush, Kansas. Frank farmed until 2016. Leona preceded him in death on March 19, 2019. Frank was a 75-year+ member of the Knights of Columbus in which he served as indoor guard and outdoor guard while belonging to the Hanover Council. Later he joined Fairbury council then Flush Council 902. He was an active member of the Washington County Farmers Union and Mahaska American Legion for many years.

Frank and Leona enjoyed playing cards at Hopewell School House, attending church activities, and enjoyed attending grandchildren’s activities. Frank was an avid walker up until 5 years ago.

Survivors include a daughter, Clara Ebert and husband Doug of Flush, Kansas and son Glenn Gaydusek and wife, Lori of Mahaska. Also, 4 granddaughters, Tiffany Richard (AJ), of Miltonvale, Chelsea Stroda (Jacob) of Randolph and Cassandra Parthemer (Sheldon) of Frankfort, Kansas, and Natasha Steinmetz (Deon) of Carson, North Dakota. One great-grandson, Cannon Parthemer.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Frances Gaydusek and his sister and husband Frances and Joe Stashek.

Services will be October 31, 2023, at St. Michaels, Catholic Church in Fairbury at 11:00 a.m. with lunch following and burial following with military honors at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Hanover, KS. A Rosary will be recited Monday evening, October 30th at 7:00 at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury with visitation from 6 – 7 p.m. Memorials can be made to: St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Fairbury, NE, or St. Joseph Catholic Church of Flush, KS, or K of C Council #902 at Flush and can be sent to Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home.