SHERIDAN - Funeral services for Nina J. Ballek, 74. will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with Deacon Joseph Kristufek officiating. Interment Is in the Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Viewing Is from 9 am to 630 pm today at Champion Ferries Funeral home.

She died Feb. 26, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.

She was born June 23, 1926, In Acme, to Paul and Eva (Cheslar) Washut. Slie grew up In Kleenburn, attended school in Monarch and graduated from Sheridan High School. She worked at the Von Ragsdale Clothing Store.

She married Frank Ballek on July 30, 1949, in Sheridan. Together, they operated Ballek Refrigeration.

She was a loving mother and enjoyed babysitting the grandchildren.

She was a member of the Polka Club and attended polka festivals in many western states.

She enjoyed cooking, baking shopping and dancing.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Louis Washut.

Survivors include her husband of Sheridan, two sons, Ken Ballek of Sheridan and Kevin Ballek of Denver; four daughters, Karen Morse of Colorado Springs, Kathy Ackerly of Nederland, Colo., Kristeni Smileyof Sheridan and Korinne Bodine of Fort Collins, Colo; three brothers, Henry Washut of Casper, Arthur Washut of Sheridan and Richard Washut of Manon, Wash; three sisters, Bertha Simmons and Ida Cichonskie both of Sheridan and Emma Aksamit of Ranchester and nine grandchildren.

Memorial may benefit Holy Name School , in care of Delphine Tonner, First Interstate Bank, Box 2007, Sheridan 82801.

Casper Star-Tribune - Mar. 1, 2001.