Doris N. Dufek

Mass of Christian Burial for Doris N. Dufek, age 85, formerly of Norfolk, NE will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 2025 with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service at the Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue.  Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.  The Mass will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.  Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.

Doris passed away, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at MorningStar Assisted Living in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Doris N. Dufek was born November 20, 1939, on the family farm near Howells, Nebraska, to Rudolph and Norma (Pinker) Marik. She was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Howells. Doris attended rural school District 75 in Cuming County, Nebraska and graduated from Howells High School in 1957.

She married Douglas Wallace on April 18, 1964, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Howells. Mr. Wallace was tragically killed on May 5, 1964, in a truck accident near Elko, Nevada. Following his passing, Doris embarked on a memorable solo trip to Alaska to visit Doug’s family. She later married John F. Dufek on November 25, 1967, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. They made their home on an acreage south of Norfolk where they adopted and raised their two children, David and Kristine.

Throughout her working life, Doris was employed at Cuming County Rural Electric Association in West Point, Little Audrey’s Transportation in Fremont, and Roehr Products, Goodyear, and Voigt Locksmith in Norfolk.

Doris was a devoted member of St. Mary’s/Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk and actively participated in the Altar Society and Rosary Crusade. She was known for her delicious kolaches and strawberry rhubarb pie. Doris had a lifelong love of polka dancing, spending countless joyful hours on the dance floor while her husband John played button accordion with the Norfolk Polka Kings. She particularly cherished a trip to Austria when the group was invited to perform at an Oktoberfest celebration. She continued to listen to polka music every chance she got throughout her life.

She found joy in baking, gardening, reading, and solving crossword puzzles. Doris also treasured her time with friends in the Goodtime Bunch, gathering regularly for coffee, conversation, and good laughs at the Sunset Plaza. Doris enjoyed spending winters in Atlanta when Dave lived there and also visiting Kristi and family in Colorado. In October 2024, she relocated to West Des Moines due to health concerns and to be closer to family.

She is survived by her son, David (Michelle) Dufek of Clive, IA; daughter, Kristine Ross of Highlands Ranch, CO; seven grandchildren, Michael (Summer) Dufek, Brendan (Sarah) Dufek, Jonathan Dufek, Mia (Trevor) Cox, Trey Bingham, Sofie Bingham, and Jacey Ross; and great-granddaughter, Landri Cox.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; infant twin sisters, Irene and Norma; husbands, Doug Wallace and John Dufek; and brother, Virgil Marik.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation.

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