Valasek, who never married, also has been devoted to the Catholic Church through organizations such as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, which is holding its national convention in Omaha July 18-21.
This year, Valasek will be recognized for her 50-year-membership in the Catholic Daughters, one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in North and South America. She has led her local court, or chapter, as regent, helped raise money for various charities and meets monthly with other members.
Valasek joined Catholic Daughters' Court Columbia, the first Catholic Daughters' court in Omaha, in 1962.
Rose Kobza, current regent of Court Columbia, said she has known Valasek for about 16 years and appreciates her friend's dedication to her court, parish and family. For example, Valasek for years helped care for her sister, who died last month at age 101, Kobza said.
And when Kobza first became regent, she often sought Valasek's help.
"I really depended on her. She's always so friendly and she knows everybody," said Kobza, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Omaha.