Cecilia Helen Sramek

Cecilia Helen Sramek (nee Fischer) died August 22, 2023 surrounded by family in Elkhorn, Nebraska. She was born on February 4, 1926 in Cuming County, Nebraska to Herman Fischer & Marie (Deuling) Fischer. She was the oldest of 6 siblings and grew up on the farm. The Fischer family relocated from Western Illinois and began farming in Cuming County in the 1880’s. When Ceil was 15 years old her father Herman died, leaving her mother to support the young family. After graduating from Guardian Angels High School in West Point, Ceil moved to Omaha for work and began sending home part of her wages to her mother to help support her siblings. In November 1946, Ceil met Gus Sramek at a dance at the Omaha Sokol Hall. She always said that she knew, “he was the one.” They were married on August 9, 1947 in Omaha and celebrated 59 years of marriage until Gus’ death on June 3, 2007. Ceil and Gus divided their time between their home on the Platte River at Sokol Camp and in Mesa, Arizona, where they spent 20 winters as snowbirds, making wonderful friends, hiking in the desert and enjoying the Arizona sunshine. Ceil was known as an outstanding cook and baker. The family became accustomed to being greeted with chocolate chip cookies, homemade pies, her famous banana bread, and a Sunday favorite – pork, sauerkraut and homemade potato dumplings. A member of Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn since its founding, Ceil volunteered there, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Group. In 2017, she received an Honorary Life Member of Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church USA award in recognition for her service to the church. She relocated to Elk Ridge Senior Retirement apartments in April 2018, where she was fondly known as CeCe, and made many dear friends among the other residents as well as with many of the Elk Ridge staff. Ceil is survived by her four children: Helen Sramek of Chincoteague, Virginia, Mary Tesar (Rich) of Waterloo, Nebraska, Michael (Kathy) Sramek of Gold Canyon, Arizona, and Janine Bruder (Mike) of Indianola, Iowa; 7 grandchildren: Jake Tesar (Cori) of Andale, KS, Laura Watts (Ajay) of Forestdale, MA, Zack Tesar (Joelle) of Aurora, NE, Tom Sramek (Laura) of Honolulu, HI, Eric Sramek of Centennial, CO, Madeline Dreamer (Brady) of Ashland, NE and Mitch Bruder of Waterloo, NE; 7 great grandchildren, plus another on the way; and nieces and nephews. Ceil was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gus, and her five siblings: Robert Fischer, Mary Grovijohn, Richard Fischer, John Fischer and Larry Fischer. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2023 ~ 10 AM at Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn. At Ceil’s request, memorials are suggested to Peace Presbyterian Church, 333 S. 204th St., Elkhorn, NE 68022 or Sokol Camp Assoc., 28560 Sokol Plaza, Waterloo, NE 68069.

Cecilia Helen Sramek

February 4, 1926 - August 22, 2023