SIOUX CITY, IA – Styliani (Stella) Maria (Pattakos) Kreekos passed away on May 13 at age 105. She was born in Agia Paraskevi, Rethymnon, Crete on May 2, 1913. Her mother passed away at age 107. Her father was killed by German bombs during their World War II invasion of Greece. Brigadier Pattakos was among the defenders of the homeland.

Kreekos was predeceased by her beloved husband, George (Kriovrisanakis) Kreekos, who passed away on July 26, 1989. George served in the U.S. Army. He owned and operated the Olympia Cafe at 5th and Douglas Streets.

Kreekos’ brother Harry G. (Pattakos) Peters resided in Salt Lake City, UT. He served for 26 years in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps in the Pacific Theater (Philippines and Fiji Islands) during World War II and spent two years with the U.S. Army of Occupation in Germany after the war. Peters also served in the Korean conflict.

Another brother, Stylianos Pattakos, died at age 103 in 2016,and was one of the three notorious military officers who overthrew the government in the coup d’etatof April 21, 1967, setting up the junta that lasted until 1974.

Kreekos’ seven siblings predeceased her.

She is survived by her son Dr. Michael G. Kreekos, who served in the Air Force in Vietnam and now practices in Omaha, NE and teaches at Creighton University as an Adjunct Professor in Prosthodontics. He resides with his wife, Liz, in Omaha.

Kreekos is also survived by three grandchildren- Anastasia, Stefania, and Athanasia, and four great-grandchildren- Christianos, Stylianos, Blake, and Victoria.

One of the original members of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City, she was a member of the Philoptochos, Daughters of Penelope, and the Cretan club. A longtime volunteer, Kreekos helped with cooking and baking at the bazaars and festivals.

On October 13, 1994,Kreekos received the Most Valuable Dude Award at Bonanza by living the Bonanza mission statement and showing her willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure every guest comes back to Bonanza again and again.

She will be missed by her beloved children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends.