Donald E. Hajek was born on January 29, 1933 at Sidney Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children born to John and Gertrude Lenzen Hajek. Don grew up in Sidney where he attended school, graduating from Sidney St. Patrick’s High School in 1951.
Don was married to Wanda J. Harms on June 27, 1953 in Cheyenne Wyoming. In March of 1953, Don joined the United States Air Force and the family lived in many different locations during his 20 years of military service. Don and Wanda lived on different bases in the United States until Don was sent to Puerto Rico. They were later assigned to bases in western Europe - 2 years in England where son Donnie was born followed by 2 years in France where daughter Heather was born. He was transferred to Roswell New Mexico where he was trained as a missile specialist. In 1968, he served his first tour of duty in Viet Nam. He was involved in the Tet offensive serving with military intelligence and was exposed to Agent Orange, which altered his health for the rest of his life. After his return from Viet Nam he became part of the U.S. Army as a chief warrant officer. He was stationed at Ft. Carson Colorado before being deployed to Viet Nam for a second tour of duty. He returned to Ft. Carson where he was honorably discharged in 1973.
Don and Wanda lived in Colorado Springs where he worked for the city. He also farmed in Cheyenne County near Sidney on the Hajek family farm. In 1981, they moved to Grant where Don rented farm ground from Wanda’s uncle, Ray Harms. Don had been in failing health the past several years and died in Yuma Arizona on January 25, 2010 where Don and Wanda had been spending their winters. He had reached the age of 76.
Don was a member of the Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant and the Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. Don had served a term on the Grant City Council in the late 1990’s.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his four brothers. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wanda; 1 son- Donnie (Tracey) of Grant and 1 daughter- Heather Hajek of Yuma Arizona; 1 grandson- Josh (fiancé’-Becky Brooks) Hajek of Omaha and 1 granddaughter- Brittney (Troy) Soper of Grant; a great-grandson, Blake Soper; his sister- Josephine Davis of Overgaard Arizona; many other relatives and friends.
Rosary to be held on Friday January 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church; Mass of Christian Burial- Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. at Mother of Sorrows Church with Fr. Mark Pfeiffer, officiating. Burial in Grant Cemetery with a flag presentation by Perkins County Veterans. Memorial to the American Cancer Society.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
