Walter C. Shanek

Walter Carl Shanek, son of Charles and Julia (Matthews) Shanek passed away on January 23, 2021.  He leaves to mourn two children, Jerry Lee Shanek and fiancé Janice DeMont (Macomb, MI), and Cheryl Ann Laux (Bridgeport, NE), six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Walter was born November 1, 1923 at home on the family farm 2 miles west and 1 mile south of Odell, NE.  He was raised with two sisters, Mildred and Doris.

Walter was a lifetime member of the Odell United Methodist Church.  He was a permanent member of the Odell American Legion, Post #231.  Walter served on the Odell Cemetery Board for many years.

Walter graduated from the Odell High School Class of 1941.  He went to work at a Wichita, KS aircraft factory following graduation.

In 1942, Walter enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  He was sent to Coffeyville, KS for basic training.  He played in the Army Air Corps band for a year and a half.  Walter was sent to Midland, TX as an aircraft mechanic.  He stayed in the service stateside until receiving his honorable discharge in February 1946.

Walter returned to the family farm and worked with his father.  In 1950, Walter married Betty Leeper in Washington, KS at the First Methodist Church.  Following a honeymoon trip to Colorado, Walter and Betty lived on an acreage 3 miles west of Odell for a few years, then moved to the Shanek family homestead.

To this union, one son, Jerry Lee, was born in 1951.  In 1960, Walter and Betty adopted a baby girl, Cheryl Ann.

In 1965, Walter discontinued farming because of ill health.  The Shaneks bought the Tincher Drug Store from Bessie Tincher.  They ran the store for about eight years, moving into Odell from the farm.  The store building and contents were sold when Walter went to work for the Gage County Highway Department as a motor grader operator out of Odell, NE, until he retired in 1987.

Walter’s hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing, dancing, and playing cards.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Shanek; parents Charles and Julia Shanek; a sister Mildred Spitsnogle and brother-in-law Everett; their son, Daniel Spitsnogle; and sister Doris Riggert, and brother-in-law Henry Riggert.  Walter leaves to mourn a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be given to the Odell United Methodist Church and Odell Cemetery.