Patricia Ksiazek
CLARKS-Patricia R. Ksiazek, 76, of Clarks, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at CHI Health-St. Francis in Grand Island.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clarks, with Reverend William L’Heureux officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Clarks. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church, preceded by a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Pat was born on July 27, 1948, in Genoa, Nebraska, to Frank and Stella (Beck) Gonsior. She was raised on the family farm and attended schools in Nance, Polk, and Merrick counties. A 1966 graduate of Clarks High School, she went on to attend Grand Island Business College while working part-time in the Sears credit department. After earning her business degree, she began working in the Hall County District Court Clerk’s office and lived in Grand Island.
On November 22, 1969, Pat married James “Jim” Ksiazek at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Central City. The couple made their home on a farm near Clarks and raised three children: Kenneth James, Brent Patrick, and Kristi Lyn. Pat cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their many activities. She also had a deep love for the farm and her animals. Over the years, Pat held various positions at Clarks Telephone Co., Pollard Oil, and the law firm Sampson, Curry & Hummel. In August 1980, she began a long and fulfilling career at the Bank of Clarks, where she eventually served as Vice President and remained on the Board of Directors after her retirement in 2015.
Pat was deeply committed to her community. Her involvement included service on the NCIP Board, the Clarks Centennial Committee, as Secretary/Treasurer for Clarks Bean Days, and as a member and officer of Clarks VFW Post #4832 Auxiliary. She also served as secretary on the Board of Directors for Cottonwood Estates, LLC.
A devoted member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church for over 55 years, Pat was active in many parish roles. She served in the Altar Society, was one of the church’s first lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, participated in the choir, taught CCD classes for 13 years, and served on both the Parish Council and Finance Committee. She was also currently Secretary/Treasurer/Historian for the Clarks Calvary Cemetery Association. For more than two decades, Pat enjoyed being part of the Bank of Clarks bowling team.
Pat is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Jim; her children, Ken (Heather) Ksiazek of Bondurant, IA, Brent (Angie) Ksiazek of Ankeny, IA, and Kristi (Corey) Grause of Gretna, NE; eight grandchildren, Tucker, Alec, Ethan, Tatum, Adrian, Ava, Kylie, and Kinsey; four great-grandchildren, Beckett, Still, Fletcher, and Story; her brother, Mike Gonsior of Fullerton; sisters-in-law, Wilma Calvin of California and Betty (Monte) Roumpf of Iowa; brother-in-law, Robert (Edna) Ksiazek of Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law; sisters-in-law, Carol Anderson and Lana Gonsior; an infant brother, James Gonsior; and brothers-in-law, Jerry Ksiazek, Donald Maddock, Laverne “Lefty” Anderson, and Bob Calvin.
Memorials are suggested to Clarks Calvary Cemetery and Clarks Fire and Rescue Squads.