Mary Jo Bezdek
Mary Jo Bezdek, 77, died July 6, 2005, at St. Luke Hospital, Marion.
Born Feb. 18, 1927, at Tampa, she was the third child of Edmund and Agnes (Hensley) Pientka.
A lifetime resident of Marion County, she grew up in Tampa and attended school there. She graduated from Marion High School.
On Oct. 19, 1949, she married Ernest W. Bezdek at Florence. The couple lived in Lincolnville and she worked as a bank teller at Pilsen State Bank. She also worked at the post office and was an accomplished seamstress.
She was a member of St. John Nep. Church and St. Ann's Altar Society.
In 1986, she moved to Florence, where she ran a business for 15 years. In October 2001, she moved to Sunrise Townhomes in Marion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, older brother, David Pientka, and brothers-in-law, Jack Richmond and Jerry Bezdek.
Survivors include three sisters, Lorraine Leppke of Leadville, Colo., Margaret of Florence, and Joyce Richmond of Marion; brother, Roy Pientka of Hesston; and many nieces and nephews.
The rosary was recited Sunday evening at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
The funeral Mass was said Monday morning at Holy Family Parish, St. Mark Catholic Church, Marion, with Fr. Hien Nguyen as celebrant.
Matthew Classen was lector.
Music was provided by Rose Davidson, organist; Rachel Davidson, cantor; and Dot Richmond, soloist.
Charles and Timothy Stuchlik were Mass servers.
Casket bearers were Tim Richmond, Allan Richmond, David Richmond, Joe Palic, Bob Neuwirth, and Chad Ingels.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established with Marion Fire Department, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, or Marion Food Bank.
