Lily "Lillian" Wanek, age 109, passed away on June 28, 2018 at the Wilber Care Center after a short respite in Hopsice. She was born May 25, 1909, on a farm near Wilber, Nebraska to John and Tillie (Beck) Vesely. Lillian attended Rural School District #9. During that time, one of her teachers switched her given name of Lily to Lillian, which is what everyone called her from that point on. She was a 1926 graduate of Wilber High School. She married the love of her life Leon J. Wanek on June 4, 1930 at the courthouse in Wahoo, Nebraska. They lived in Western, Nebraska for seven years, and then moved to Wilber, Nebraska in May of 1937 where she resided until her death. She was widowed in 1965. She taught in rural schools for several years and also taught in the Wilber Public Schools. She worked in the County Clerk's office for 16 years. She retired as the County Clerk in 1971. Lillian never learned to drive a car although her father and her husband both attempted to teach her. However, she did not care for their methods, and quit the lessons. She walked everywhere or got rides from people. She often attributes her longevity to all the walking she did. As she got older, age 95 or so, her family urged her to use a cane, so she did. People would often see her walking around town, with her cane hanging from her arm. She was active as a 4-H leader for 12 years, a Junior American Legion Auxiliary Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Camp Fire Girls and Brownie Troop Leader and assistant. After retiring, Lillian volunteered at the Wilber Czech Museum serving as Curator until she retired at age 100. She also served on the Board of the Czech Craft shop where she helped design the Czech costumes, embroidered tea towels and pillowcases, and was a past Chairman of the Board. Lillian was a member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #101, a member and past president of Women of ELCA and chairman of the dumpling making for Czech Days, a member of Nebraska Czechs of Wilber, a Willing Worker volunteer at the Wilber Care Center, and a member of Saline County Retired Teachers Association. As a result of her volunteerism, she received the Rev. H. C. Cordts Community Recognition Award in 1991, the Wilber Area Sertoma Award for Services to Mankind in 1996, the Irma Award, the Volunteer Award and several others. After her retirement she got to enjoy her family and started traveling. She traveled around the world twice and visited the countries of Mexico, Malaysia, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, England, Spain, Greece, and many states in the United States. Lillian walked fast, worked fast, and ate fast. No one in the family could ever finish their meal before she did. She baked Houska at Christmas, Kolache at Czech Days, Hot Cross Buns for Easter, and crescent rolls for special occasions and an apple pie every 4th of July for her grandson, Mark. She was an amazing cook. Lillian loved playing bridge, which she did until she was 108 and had to move into the Wilber Care Center. When her cards were hot, there was no way to beat her. She crocheted baby blankets for some of her great grandchild and for all of her 8 great-great grandchildren. She finished her last blanket in the Care Center in April and mailed it to Japan just in time for the baby's birth. Lillian is survived by her daughter, Lila Klasek, and son Dr. L. Donald (Christine) Wanek. Grandchildren Tere Francis, Steve (Barbara) Klasek, J. Mark (Angie) Klasek, Lisa (Perry) Scarcelli, Grandson-in-law Nick Sgaglione, Donald (Sarah) Wanek, and Kevin Wanek. Great-grandchilren, Hannah (Andy) Sneller, Elizabeth (Nathan) Klasek-Brown, Ben (Emalee) Francis, Jacob and Paul Francis, Jordan (Kendra) Klasek, Mike, Rachel, and Marisa Klasek, Briana and Brennan Scarcelli, Nicholas, Caroline, Matthew and Jonathan Sgaglione. Great-great grandchildren Jacoby and Colton Sneller, Cora and Evan Klasek-Brown, Ava and Madelyn Francis, Antonin and Charles (Charlie) Klasek., Liam Wanek, Ava and Owen Tsouo. Her youngest sister Chloe (Vesely) Mundil. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Tillie (Beck) Vesely, husband Leon J. Wanek, her stepmother Emma (Wanek) Vesely, sister and brother-in-law James and Mildred Kohel, stepbrother and wife Nelson and Agnes "Bonnie" Shimonek, son-in-law Charles B. Klasek, brother-in-law E. J. Mundil, granddaughter Leslie Sgaglione, and niece Nancy (Kohel) Linhart. A celebration of life will be held at at a future date to be announced later. Memorials in care of the family in lieu of flowers.