Ike Pekarek, 80, of rural Reserve, KS, with family by his side, died early Saturday morning, December 22, 2018, at his home.

He was born at Ellsworth, KS, September 10, 1938, the older of two children born to Louis and Eunice Wild Pekarek and moved with his family at the age of 3 to the Padonia/Reserve area where his Dad managed the Bartlett Elevator. Ike attended schools in Reserve, graduating from high school with the class of 1956. During his high school years, he was very active in sports: basketball, football, and was a sprinter in track. He attended two years at Emporia State University before volunteering to serve in the U.S. Army where he spent most of his career at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He returned to northeast Kansas where he worked for his Dad a few years at the elevator before working at White Cloud Grain Co., for a career that spanned 35 years before retiring. He started work in White Cloud, later became the manager of the Reverse Branch.

Ike enjoyed his spare time by enjoying being out of doors on the farm, gardening, and his family. He attended the Reserve Christian Church through the years before it disbanded.

He was married to Patricia Kee June 7, 1964, at Oregon, Missouri. They lived nearly all their married life near Reserve. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters: Susan Pekarek Overland Park, KS, Sara Smith (Shawn) of Hiawatha, KS; a sister Karen Olson of Reserve; two grandchildren: Sydney and Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Ike’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, December 29, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Shane Spangler will officiate. Cremation to follow services with private family inurnment at a later date at Corneilison Cemetery, Reserve.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Friday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Cornelison Cemetery, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com