Anita Marie Stanek, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away on November 8, 2016, three days shy of her 95th birthday.  At the time of her death she was a resident of Comforts of Home in Hudson.

Anita was born on November 11, 1921, in Mauston, Wisconsin, the daughter of James and Edna (Eldred) Block.  She lived on the farm growing up and attended school in Mauston, where she met her future husband, Donald Stanek.

Don and Anita were married on December 7, 1940, in Waukon, Iowa, a union which lasted for 71 years, until Don’s death in 2012.  They lived in Mauston until 1963, when they moved to Hudson.  Seven children were born during their years in Mauston.

Anita worked as a waitress, a hospital worker, but most of her life she was a homemaker.  Her most important job was being the protector, defender, and nurturer of her children.  She did square dancing in her younger years, and was a better-than-average bowler.  She enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino and playing cards and dice until the wee hours of the morning with her grown children and grandchildren on their visits.  Their place on the lake at Houman’s Resort in Danbury was filled with many good times with good friends and family.  She loved reading and doing embroidery work, and a good book and her embroidery were always close by.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; daughter, Thaia Heidtke; sisters, Louise Rogers and Verona Stewart; son-in-law, James Kidd; daughter-in-law, Shirley (Oliver) Stanek; grandson, David Stanek; and great-great grandson, Cameron Stanek.

She is survived by her children:  James Stanek of New Richmond, WI, Richard (Betty) Stanek of Waunakee, WI, Donna Kidd of Hudson, Thomas (Pamela) Stanek of Hudson, Jane (Gerald) Johnson of Birchwood, WI, and Terri (Thomas) Smith of Bloomer, WI.  She is also survived by her son-in-law, Harold Heidtke of Madison, WI; 8 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and 8 great-great grandchildren.

A Gathering for Friends and Family will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, with a Celebration of Life Service following at 7 p.m.  Private family burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson.

We love you, Mom, and we miss you already.  You will live on in our hearts forever.