Horty Dufek: Massapequa resident, dedicated mother of 15, grandmother to many

Loving mother and grandmother to many, Hortense "Horty" S. Dufek, who had lived in Massapequa, was admired for never forgetting a birthday of anyone in her large family. She died September 6, 2008 in Shakopee, Minnesota at 96.

Mrs. Dufek, who was energetic and inspirational, dedicated her life to caring for her 15 children, her husband and home. She has 58 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

"My mother was so sharp," said her eldest daughter, Ellie Pekarna of Jordan, Minnesota. "She never forgot anyone's birthday. In fact there were two cards on her dresser waiting to be mailed when she passed away. And she always made sure to tuck a $2 bill into every child's card."

Born in Wisconsin, she lived in Shakopee, Minnesota before her husband Clarence was transferred and they moved to Massapequa in 1962. For about 15 years, they lived on Wright Drive before moving to Arlington, Virginia and in 1980 she returned to Shakopee, Minnesota.

Mrs. Dufek was a devout churchgoer who believed in the power of prayer and prayed daily, according to her daughter. In her spare time, she made hand decorated plates for her loved ones and loved to bet money on rummy cubes, her favorite game.

In addition to her daughter, Ellie and her husband Joe, she leaves behind her other children: Anne Beckman and her husband Harold of Aitkin, Minnesota, Don and his wife Mary Lou of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bob and his wife Cindy of Eagan, Minnesota, Paul and Linda of Virginia, Jean Ferber and her husband John of San Diego, California, John of Tampa, Florida, Dick of Alexandria, Virginia, Mary Loop and her husband Hank of Babylon, Bill of Islandia, Donna Cusack and her husband Pat of Farmingdale, Barbara Goodman of Arvada, Colorado, Tom and his wife Nancy of Huntington, her daughters-in-law: Bonnie of Eagan, Minnesota and Maureen of Rochester; 58 grandchildren; 82 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and her sister: Rose Gagnon of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Clarence; her children: Dennis and Jim; her grandchildren: Kris Goodman and Joey; great grandchildren: Christine Fuhrman and Emily Farahani; her twin sister: Helen Hoffman; her sisters: Victoria Bauchnecht and Lauraine Jungles; her brothers: John, Claude and Joe Marek; and her parents: John and Rose (nee Schmitt) Marek.

She reposed at the Ballad-Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan, Minnesota on September 10, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial was said on September 11, 2008 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan. Interment was held on September 13, 2008 in Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Virginia.

Donations in Mrs. Dufek's name can be sent to the St. John Catholic Church's Meditation Garden, 201 North Broadway, Jordan, Minnesota 55352.