Ira Woitaszewski

Ira Loyd Woitaszewski passed away peacefully with family at his home on January 31, 2021 in Ogden, UT.  He was assisted by the Aspen Ridge Hospice and health care for the last several months. The family wants to thank all the caregivers for their wonderful care. In according to his wishes, Ira was cremated, and his remains will be internment with his wife, Sandra, At the Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden, UT. A memorial graveside service is planned for later in the spring, date to be determined. Ira was born May 31,1934 in Sherman County, Loup City, NE to Ben and Delphine (Krolikowski) Woitaszewski. The family moved to the Cairo, NE community in 1945 to the Hulme farm. Ira went to The country school and graduated from Cairo High school in 1952 where he loved basketball and baseball. He and his brothers played for the Cairo town team for years. They always excited crowds when brother, Lavern, pitched and Ira, “Yogi” was the catcher, especially when they played Boelus, NE. Ira entered the US Army in 1954 and was stationed at Fort Sill, OK, and honorably discharged in 1956. He married Sondra Jean Hayden on May 9, 1956, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island, NE. To this union, three sons, Rolland, Randy, and Ricky were born. They lived in McCook, NE where Ira graduated from The McCook Community College. In 1962, Ira became employed by The Bureau of Reclamation and retired with nearly 20 years. He was transferred with his family in 1967 to work on the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington and resided In Wilber, WA to raise his three boys. They were all avid hunters of any wild game and Ira raised Hunting dogs. The family moved back to McCook, NE in 1979 and moved to Ogden, UT in 1986. Ira always raised a huge vegetable garden and canned the best dill pickles. He always weighed his produce yields and kept diligent records. He nurtured apple and apricot trees and would send apples to his mother in NE each year. Ira loved baseball, especially The Cubs, and was so excited when they finally won The World Series! He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden. Ira and Sandy helped tremendously with their grandson, Joshua. Through the couple’s marriage, they had cared for several relatives, including Sandy’s mother, LaVeda Hayden. Sandy died peacefully at their home on June 26, 2012, surrounded by her family.  Ira and Sandy both treasured their grandchildren and looked forward to visits and phone calls. Ira is survived by sons Rolland, who lived with him, and Randy (Shannon) of McCook, NE Grandchildren: Amanda Woitaszewski, MT, Milo Dennison, London, Shelby (Justin)Randolph, McCook, NE, Kelsey(John)Geary, Lincoln, NE, Joshua Woitaszewski, UT,  Tyson and MacKenzie Powers and Extended family and caregiver, Melissa Powers. Three great-grandchildren, Greyson, Brooklyn, and Calum. Brothers, Lavern (Karen) Woitaszewski, Wood River, NE, Jim (Nancy)Woitaszewski, Casper, WY, Ron Woitaszewski, Broken Bow, NE. Sisters: Leona (Jack)Glatfelter, Wichita, KS, Mary(Dennis)Harb, Grand Island, NE. Sisters-in-law, Jacque Denman, Alda, NE, Rosemary Stocker, Grant, NE, brother-in-law, Richard (Val) Hayden, of Omaha, NE, and many wonderful nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sandy, son, Rick, and brother Don. Brothers-in-law, Don Denman, and Jack Stoker, and sister-in-law, Gloria Burton, and his in-laws. To send flowers to Ira's family, please visit our floral store.