Odilea (Dee) Havorka (Bauer)

Odilea (Dee) Havorka (Bauer) passed away Nov. 8, 2020 at her home in Sidney, NE.

A Mass, Funeral service and Celebration of Life are planned for May 28, 2021, in Sidney, NE. Cremation has been held.

You may view Dee’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Dee’s care and funeral arrangements.

Odilea (Dee) Havorka (Bauer) passed away November 8, 2020 at her home in Sidney, NE. She was born in Sioux City, IA to Jacob and Permelia Bauer on December 18, 1922. She was a sibling to nine brothers and two sisters. The family owned grocery store kept the children busy during the depression. After graduation from an all-girl school, she moved to Chicago to work for a pharmaceutical company and later, she worked for Western Union during World War II.

In her 20’s she and her brothers enjoyed jitterbug dancing on roller skates to the big band music of the 40’s. Through a mutual friend she met Barbara Havorka, Barb decided to introduce Dee to her older brother Vince. After a short whirlwind romance of just over a month they were married on December 29, 1952. By 1963, they were a family of nine.

In 1966, the family moved to Sidney, NE when Vince became the business manager for Western Nebraska Technical College. The year the twin boys, the youngest children, were old enough for first grade, mom started a job with the Sidney Telegraph. She had a 40 hour work week, kept up with the household chores, and still managed to prepare a full course meal for her family every evening. As the children got older, they were each given a task to help with the various chores. Mom made it easy for everyone to participate.

Dee and Vince were then able to find time for golfing and Saturday night dates to the Sidney Elks Club, for dinner and dancing. Forever young at heart, mom always found time to have fun. She was also very fond of watching Nebraska and professional football games.

In 1974 the family moved into town. All the children graduated from Sidney Public Schools. Mom made a career change and became a bookkeeper for a local bank. After many happy years with First Security Bank she retired at age 65.

After retirement, Dee and Vince were able to play more golf and spend time with the growing number of grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling to Arizona in the winter to hone their golfing skills and enjoy the warmer winter weather. In 2005 while playing golf in South Dakota with Barb and her husband mom hit a hole in one.

Mom kept herself in shape into her eighties with a brisk walk around the neighborhood or an early morning in the pool doing water aerobics. Mom enjoyed a weekly appointment at the hairdresser and loved shopping for the latest fashions.

Dee is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Vince Havorka. Her seven children: Victoria Daly of Portland, OR, Dan Havorka of Sidney, Vince Havorka of Sidney, Denise Sughroue of Marengo, IA, Valerie Kahn of Belgrade, MT, Dave Havorka of Sidney, and Don Havorka of Monroe, MI., 13 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and one grandchild.