Elsie Marie Stastny Tomek was born to Steven and Matilda Stastny on October 4, 1935 at home on the farm near Dubois, NE, just a few minutes older than her twin sister, Edna Wittwer. She had two other sisters, Alma Mach and Betty Stauffer. She was close to her sisters and enjoyed telephone calls and time spent with them. Elsie attended District 70 country school and graduated from Pawnee High School. She then worked at the State Bank of DuBois before her marriage to Milan Tomek of Table Rock, in 1956. They became the parents of Pam, Mark, and Barb. Elsie dearly loved her family, and helped care for her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their activities and events.

Elsie was a busy farm wife, raising the kids, tending a large garden, and raising broiler chickens every year to dress and sell, as well as keeping some for the family. She was an accomplished seamstress, and made everything from clothing to curtains, as well as many beautiful quilts. Elsie also enjoyed baking, and was known for her Czech crescent fruit rolls. She loved sharing her baking with friends and family, and was faithful about bringing food to grieving families.

Elsie enjoyed an active life in the Table Rock community and Pawnee County, including being a 4-H leader, Table Rock Historical Society charter member, Table Rock Community Club member, Music Boosters member, March of Dimes member, WFLA Lodge member, Jolly Workers Club member, and Election Board worker. Elsie- faith was important to her and she actively supported the Table Rock United Methodist Church through the years.

When her children grew older, Elsie joined the work force, working on the Pawnee and Gage County Pictorial Albums. She then became a certified nurse aide and worked at the Humboldt Hospital for over twenty years, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Music was always an important part of Elsie's life. She and her sisters all took piano lessons, and learned to play instruments. Their parents formed the family orchestra group and played in the talent contest at the Pawnee County Fair, winning first prize. That was the start of the Steven Stastny Family Orchestra. Three generations of Elsie's family played in the orchestra. She still played her trumpet with the Happy Czechs band, performing at local nursing homes and events until 2019. She also organized the South of Town Teen Sauerkraut Band which included her three children, several cousins and neighbors. They enjoyed playing at local nursing homes. Elsie was honored to play Taps for Memorial Day services and many funerals.

Elsie loved to dance, and attended many polka festivals and dances. She taught several of her grandchildren how to dance. She was proud of her Czech heritage.

Elsie also was an extra in the movie, Amerika, and loved to talk about the experience.

Elsie was a resident at Pawnee City Assisted Living since October, 2020. She passed away there peacefully on September 10, 2024, having reached the age of 88 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Betty Stauffer, three brothers-in-law, Henry Stauffer, Otto Mach, Roy Wittwer, and four nephews, LaWayne Mach, Jack Stauffer, Doug Wittwer, and Brad Tomek.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Pam (Pat) Sunneberg, Mark (LaDawna) Tomek, Barb (Tim) Sandusky, eight grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, sisters Alma Mach, Edna Wittwer, many nieces, nephews, relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Table Rock, Nebraska with Pastor Lori Stevens and Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family's choice for later designation.

Inurnment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Humboldt, Nebraska at a later date.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha ST-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915.

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Humboldt, Nebraska.