Gary Lee Dudek, age 77, Valparaiso, passed away March 15, 2025 at the Ambassador Nursing Home in Lincoln. He was born on August 10, 1947 in Lincoln to George C. and Alice Ann (Kohout) Dudek.  Gary grew up in Agnew, NE and went to Agnew School and Valparaiso High School.  In high school, he played football, basketball, track and baseball. He was in a class play and was a class officer.  After high school, he went in to the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam War where he was exposed to agent orange.  After serving his country, he went to school and trained in Kansas City and Oklahoma City to be a flight service specialist. Gary married Cindy Novotny on June 5, 1971. They had two sons, Keith and Kevin.

Gary went on to work for the F.A.A. in airports in Imperial, NE, Goodland, KS, Garden City, KS, Kansas City, MO, Lincoln, NE and Columbus, NE. Gary spent 26 years with the F.A.A., retiring at the age of 46. Gary then went to work for Shanahan Mechanical and Electrical for 10 years. After that he worked for Heartland Nuts and More. Gary enjoyed traveling and taking his family many places. He had a pilot’s license but preferred to drive. He made two trips to California, many trips to Minnesota and Indiana, to the Indy 500. They went to baseball games in Kansas City and Texas. They went to Branson, MO and Nevis, MN on fishing trips. They took the boys to Knoxville, TN to the World’s Fair in the ’80’s.

After the boys grew up, Gary and Cindy went to South Dakota on a hot air balloon ride over the Black Hills.  For over 30 years they went to Minnesota on fishing trips, he loved to fish and gamble. Gary loved his kids and grandkids.  He was very proud of them. The last couple of years his health was deteriorating, diabetes and heart disease took their toll.  Gary had a very full life. He tried to enjoy every minute.

Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy; Son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Angie Dudek, Lincoln; grandchildren, Kaydin and Ashlee Dudek, Lincoln; Sisters and brother-in-law, Bernadine Cmehil, Indianapolis, Maxine and Ed McGarvie, Lincoln. Brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Janet Dudek, Omaha; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; son, Kevin; brother-in-law, Ed Cmehil

Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, 637 South Iver Street, Valparaiso with Father Matthew Zimmer officiating.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln and one hour before services at the church. Casual dress is requested.  Interment will be in the Valparaiso Cemetery with full military honors provided by Valparaiso American Legion Post #371.  Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com.