Eunice Arlene (Cacek) Sullivan Obituary (1925 - 2017)

Eunice Arlene (Cacek) Sullivan, 91 years of age, passed away with her family by her side at the Brookstone Meadows in Elkhorn on Monday evening, July 3, 2017. Eunice was born to Charles and Anna (Dvorak) Cacek in Odell, Nebraska on August 14, 1925. She grew up during the Great Depression on her parents' farm near Crider, Nebraska and attended a country school. In 1942 Eunice graduated from Odell High School. She moved to Beatrice and contributed to the United States' war effort working at Dempster Industries, which refocused its manufacturing efforts during WWII to produce 90-millimeter anti-aircraft shells. Her job was to inspect each shell. In 1946 Eunice and Glen "Pat" Sullivan married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beatrice. Pat's post WWII military service took them to Colorado, Wisconsin and Alaska where she worked at Gull's Plumbing. In the early years of their marriage, the couple suffered the loss of 3 infant children: Frances, Michael and Baby. In 1953 they returned to the Lower 48 and in 1961 resettled in Beatrice. After the births of Kathy, Dianne and Gary, they purchased a home on 36 acres on the southwest side of Beatrice where they lived until Pat's death in 1996 -- two weeks after Pat and Eunice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Eunice lived in Beatrice for 50 years. While her children were young, she was a dedicated and multi-talented homemaker. In the late 1970's and until the age of 80 she worked as a grocery store clerk. Eunice's children were her pride and joy. Several generations have enjoyed her wonderful kolaches, her smile, and her stories of yesteryear. Eunice's faith ran deep and she raised her children to have faith in God. She is loved and greatly missed. The family takes comfort in knowing God has welcomed her with open arms. The following survive Eunice: daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Jim Thiessen of Valley; daughter and son-in-law Dianne and Michael Milke of Fairbanks, Alaska; son and daughter-in-law Gary and Marcia Sullivan of Nixa, Missouri; grandchildren Danielle Parde (Micah), Ryan Mencl, Shea and Logan Sullivan, Shaun and Kyle Milke; step-grandchildren Jamie (Jason) Jorgensen and Brent (Amber) Thiessen; great-grandchildren Bryn, Kaeda, and Gavan Parde; step great-grandchildren Kyler and Ryne Jorgensen, and Kelli and Charlee Thiessen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 8, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church of Beatrice with Reverend John Duling officiating, followed by lunch at the church and burial at Cortland Cemetery, Hwy 77. The body will lie in state Friday from 11-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 PM, and at the church one hour preceding the service. Family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, Eunice expressed the wish that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church Elevator Fund with the funeral home in charge. Sign Eunice's online guest book and view her video tribute after completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.