Dorothea Sedlak

Dorothea Louise Calundan Sedlak , born January 17, 1920 passed away on January 31, 2018 at the age of 98. She was born in Tripp, South Dakota to Jesse(Rudd) and Alfred Calundan . She loved to tell the story that she was so tiny when she was born (weighing only 4 pounds) her mother would place her in a shoe box in lieu of a crib! Dorothea moved with her family to Nebraska as a child, where she would then meet her soon to be husband, Edmund John Sedlak , while attending high school. The two were later wed in California, May 10, 1942. Edmund served as a Senior Master Sergeant in the US Army which led to many travels around the world, including being stationed in Germany. They had 3 children, Judith Louise, Robert John and Carol Lynn.

Dorothea was a quiet and gentle person. In her younger days she had a talent for music, playing both the organ and violin and singing in the choir. She could be quite competitive as she had a love for softball as a child which turned into a passion for other games such as Bingo, Solitaire, Uno, Rummicube and word searches. One of her favorite pastimes was playing along to the programs on the game show channel.

Dorothea was an amazing baker and would often bake for local friends and family. She was known for her delicious homemade toffee and kolaches . Dorothea was a self described "chocoholic" who had an intense love for all things chocolate, especially dark chocolate. She didn't discriminate though as any type of sweets would do, including her favorite frozen yogurts. If not in her kitchen, you could often find her on a stroll through the neighborhood or watering flowers in her garden next to her special garden gnomes.

In later years she began visiting a local senior center and made many new friends before eventually making her home in Garden Ridge at an assisted living community at the age of 96. She continued to play games and make crafts, even joining in exercise classes and became the class cheerleader. Known as "the shark" by the other bingo players, Dorothea won a vast collection of stuffed animals and could be found dancing down the hallway with them tucked into her basket. Everyone who met Dorothea instantly fell in love with her and her sweet personality.

Dorothea is proceeded in death by her parents, husband Edmund, sister Althea and daughter Judith. She is survived by children Robert Sedlak and his wife Wendy and Carol Reinhardt and her husband Joe. She is also survived by her son in law Clarence Craig, 5 grandchildren, Wade,Tammy, Diane, Shannon and Justin. And 6 great grandchildren, Toni, Duncan, Ethan, Zander , Lainey and Olivia .

**Grandma's favorite saying when excited was "Mercy!" She fought her way from a tiny 4 pound baby in a shoebox to a life fulfilled at the age of 98. She will be terribly missed.**

*Arrangements made by Schertz Funeral Home

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