Eloise Ann (Ruchotzke) Vacek

Eloise Ann Vacek, age 84, of Oxford Junction, passed peacefully surrounded by family, on November 16, 2021, at the Clarence Nursing Home.

A visitation will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 20 9:00-11:00. The funeral will be at 11:00 at St. Mark’s with a burial immediately following the funeral at the Mayflower Cemetery. Join the family for a luncheon following the burial at the Oxford Junction Legionnaire Ballroom.

Eloise was born on April 9, 1937, in Clarence to Ed and Ida (Luettjohann) Ruchotzke. Eloise attended and graduated from Clarence High School in 1955. After graduating high school, Eloise went on to attend beauty school in Cedar Rapids. While attending  Paris Beauty School, Eloise worked at Killian’s. She then worked as a beauty operator in and around Oxford Junction. Eloise was also a custodian for about 12 years at the Oxford Junction School District and the Midland Community School District. Eloise would always do anything she could for both the teachers and the students. She worked at Schoenthalr’s Tax Firm in Maquoketa as well. 

One night in 1956, Eloise attended a dance in Stanwood, where she met the love of her life, Michael Vacek. Eloise and Michael were united in marriage on December 27, 1958, at St John’s UCC in Clarence. 

In 1962, Eloise and Michael had their son, Jeff. She loved spending time doing anything with her son.

Over the years, Michael and Eloise enjoyed dancing, going on fishing trips with friends, traveling many miles together, and going boating and water skiing together. Eloise loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She did a lot of gardening, attended numerous sporting events, and loved watching the hummingbirds. She was an amazing cook, pickler, and baker; nobody ever left her house hungry. She always helped in any way she could on the farm over the years, she always loved making lunches for Michael and Jeff when they were working in the fields. Eloise was also a member of the South Wapsi Workers and the St. Mark’s Lutheran church where she was apart of the WELCA committee and a Sunday School teacher. 

The family would like to thank the Clarence Nursing Home for taking care of her and helping her feel comfortable in her final days. Any memorials should be made out to Camp Courageous.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband, Michael Vacek, her son, Jeff (Penny) Vacek, grandchildren Emma and Reece Vacek, brother-in-law, Larry Licht, sister-in-laws, Barb Ruchotzke, and Brenda Vacek, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a twin brother, Eldon Ruchotzke, brother, Everett Ruchotzke, sisters, Elizabeth Wiebel, Evelyn Wiebel, Elda Licht, and brother-in-law, Kenny Vacek.

Cards of condolences for the family may be directed to Dawson Funeral Services Attn: Eloise Vacek Family, PO Box 258, Wyoming, Iowa 52362.

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