George Kotek

George J. Kotek Jr., age 80, of Faribault, died Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, surrounded by his loving family.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Dr.) in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.    George Joseph Kotek Jr., the son of George Sr. and Anna (Koktavy) Kotek, was born on July 1, 1932 in Shieldsville Township, Rice County, MN. George was raised in the Dundas/Northfield area and attended school in Northfield. He was married to Marie Hickey on February 13, 1956. George served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as an MP, stationed in Germany. Following military service he became an entrepreneur with multiple interests in business, trucking, agriculture, and construction. In 1964 he commenced his tenure at the Faribault Regional Center, retiring in 1995. George was Past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1562, a member of the American Legion Post 43, Korean War Last Mans Club, and Faribault Council 889 Knights of Columbus. He was very dedicated to multiple functions of the VFW and Legion. He was instrumental in the Veterans Memorial projects at Shieldsville and the Rice County Court House, and provided military honors for the Rice County Central Veterans Association. George enjoyed the tranquility of the outdoors, enjoying many of his different hobbies. His greatest joys in life were spending time with his family and close friends.    He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marie; six children, Herbert Kotek of Owatonna, Linda (Jim) Ackman of Faribault, Mary Kay (Mark) Sisler of Faribault, Paul (Pam) Kotek of Worthington, MN, Roxanne Kotek of Faribault, and Jerry (Kate) Kotek of St. Augusta; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Kristopher, and Matthew Kotek, Nicole and Jennifer Ackman, Cory (Kayla) Sisler and Sean Sisler, and Jessica (Conor) McKeown and Erik Kotek; sister, Dorothy (John) Pumper of New Prague; brothers, Stan Kotek and Maynard Kotek, both of Kilkenny, MN; along with many other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents; son in infancy, Francis Michael Kotek; brothers, Melvin and Arnie Kotek; and sister-in-law, Christine Kotek.