William “Willie” Shonka of Gresham was born Oct. 19, 1938, to Ernest and Agnes (Hajek) Shonka in Surprise.
He attended high school in Ulysses, graduating in 1955. He served in the United States Army from Dec. 13, 1961, to Sept. 13, 1963. On May 6, 1961, Willie was united in marriage to Agnes “Aggie” Fuxa in Dwight. He farmed his entire life. He was a member of David City Knights of Columbus Council 1717 and served on the co-op and church boards. He was a past president of Ulysses Alumni. In his free time, he loved being outside working in the vegetable and flower gardens. He loved trees and planted many varieties on the farm. He was always in the shop working on or creating something. He was an avid Husker sports fan. He had a love for cattle, his dog Otis and enjoyed going on drives with his wife to see the countryside.
Willie passed away Dec. 6, 2020, in Lincoln, at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Aggie Shonka, Gresham; children, Lori (Ron) Hanway, Lincoln, Mark Shonka, Surprise, and Kelly (Eric) Anderson, Ceresco; grandchildren, Taylor Hanway, Kaylee Hanway (fiancée, Tate Schutt) and Macie Hanway; brother, Ernie (Doris) Shonka, Surprise; and sisters, Marilyn (Jimmy) Chmelka, Valparaiso, Betty (Alvin) Wellman, Bellwood, and Dee Stuhr, Bellwood. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Agnes Shonka; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas and Adelaine Fuxa; sister-in-law, Sally (Fuxa) Juranek; and brothers-in-law, Jim Fuxa, Tony Stuhr and Mike Birkel.
A Funeral Mass was Dec. 10 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Shonka family or the donor's choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
