Alice K. Hajek

Alice K. Hajek,89,of Belvidere passed away March 13,2013 at Anam Care in
Cherry Valley,Il. She was born January 29,1924 in Belvidere,the daughter of
James and Hilda(Vickers)Payne. A graduated of Belvidere High School. She
Married John R. Hajek April 21,1945 in Belvidere.

Alice was a devoted wife,mother,grandmother,and great-grandmother. She
was a member of First United Methodist Church in Belvidere,Illinois for 80 years where she taught Sunday school with husband John for many years. She was a
member of the Order of Eastern Star Adeline Chapter for over 50 years and served
as Worthy Matron as well as many other offices. She was a member of Sorosis in
Belvidere and the senior singing group,Silver Belles. Alice worked as a school secretary for the Belvidere Public school district,at the Illinois driver's license station,and at Sears at Cherryvale mall. She had a quick mind and a wonderful
sense of humor. She lovingly cared for several aunts and an uncle in their final
years. In her husband John's final years,she comforted and cared for him in their
home. She had many hobbies including playing bridge,sewing,quilting,singing,and
playing the piano. Her family was very important to her;she loved to be a part of all
activities with her children,grandchildren,and great grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time wintering in Arizona with her husband after he retired and playing
golf. She loved making trips to her husband's home town,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania
where she fit right in with his 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She was a wonderful cook and was always looking for a good recipe to try out. She made great pies and was famous for her rhubarb custard pie. (With and without sugar)Parties and gatherings were common at the Hajek house,especially on Christmas Eve where she
always made Swedish meatballs. Parties almost always included playing the piano and singing songs together. Grandchildren loved to go to grandma's house to play
pool,play the piano,or just "hang out" in the basement. She liked to make jams and jellies,peach and red raspberry were favorites. She loved to talk about Belvidere and growing up there with her parents. Her stories almost always included meeting John at Camp Grant in Rockford,getting married,and World War II. She liked to be teased and liked to tease back. She loved dogs. "Peanut" a Chihuahua,was her last
pet who was a wonderful companion to her husband in his final years and a comfort
to her after John passed away. It was a good thing they loved "Peanut" because many family members didn't care for her too much.

She was very kind and really never knew a stranger. She loved to "make faces";you
Could always tell how she was feeling by the look on her face. Being an only child,
She always wanted to do things her way. Or as we would call it,just being stubborn.

Words of advice from Alice: "That's just ignorant" "don't just plop down in a chair
,sit down nicely here on the davenport" And "it's all in the plan" . She was very proud of her children,son in laws,grandchildren,and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters,Linda(Trevor)Davis,Burlington,Iowa,Donna(Bill)
Denning,Belvidere. Grandchildren,John Pemble,Kathy Walton,Mike Denning,Matt
Denning,Andrew Davis and Jacob Davis. Great Grandchildren,Evan Walton,Elliot
Walton,Gavin and Luke Denning,Jack and Will Denning. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The family would like to sincerely thank Anam Care for their loving care for the past 2 years.

Memorial Service Saturday March 16,2013 at 4:00 p.m. in First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Crone,pastor officiating. Visitation Saturday at church from
3:00 p.m. until time of service. A memorial is being established in her memory