Olha Dudiak

Olha Dudiak died peacefully on August 23rd, 2015 at her home in Madison, Wisconsin, surrounded by her family.

She was born in the Carpathian mountain region of Ukraine on July 16, 1930 to Paeraeskevia and Stefan Korybutiak. She fled her native country during WWII, ultimately immigrating to the United States. A promising student, she was granted a scholarship to study chemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Following a whirlwind courtship, she married her soul mate, Stephen Dudiak, also of Ukrainian descent, in 1955. He was a physician serving as Captain in the US Army and was stationed in Germany at the time. Unconditionally loving as a wife, mother and grandmother, she cherished her time with family and provided unwavering support to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She consistently showed quiet and enduring strength in all her endeavors. Her creative and artistic talents knew few boundaries and included unparalleled culinary skills that drew people into her warm and inviting kitchen. Her home exuded similar magnetism as she and her husband welcomed and hosted visitors from all over the world, most frequently from Ukraine. She was an insatiable reader with an inquisitive mind who always enjoyed a good discussion. She seized every opportunity to learn something new. Her passion for learning prompted extensive travels around the globe with her husband. She had innumerable other interests and talents that included a love of skiing, a past time that was greeted with equal enthusiasm by her family and underscored her youthful outlook on life. Her generous spirit extended beyond the perimeter of her family, as she supported multiple national and international humanitarian causes. Together with her husband, she envisioned the idea of an organization to serve the medical and dental needs of children in Ukraine who were impacted by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. With the support of sponsors, this idea eventually came to fruition as the Medical Clinic on Wheels, a charitable endeavor which continues to provide medical and dental care to people in need. Her legacy of love, generosity, creativity, intellectual curiosity and vigor for life continue to inspire all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Stephen Dudiak. She will be greatly missed by her sister, Marta Taylor, her four daughters, Christine (Steven) Dudiak Davis, Romi (Mark) Wilhelm, Kika (Henry) Dudiak Pitot, Tamara Dudiak and seven grandchildren (Luke and Daniel Davis, Anna and Elena Wilhelm, Marika Pitot, Maxim and Katya Maeder.) A private funeral service and burial will be held Saturday, August 29, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Ukrainian Catholic University, c/o Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, 2247 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622.

Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434