Matilda Bernasek

19 January 2000

Matilda Bernasek was born to Anton Kotas and Antonia (Volmut) Kotas April 26, 1902, on a farm north west of Milligan and passed away Jan. 9, 2000, at the Fillmore County, Hospital in Geneva at the age of 97 years. She was one of eight children in the family.

Matilda attended rural school district No.44 to the eighth grade. She then stayed at home to help on the farm. Her mother passed away in 1922. After her brother John was married in the fall of 1924, she move to Milligan with her father in the spring of 1925.

She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post#240 and was still a member at the time of her death.

Matilda was married to Frank Bernasek on Aug.10, 1926, at the York County Courthouse, with Felix and Mamie Bedlan as witnesses. One daughter was born to this union.

They made their home on a farm in Chelsea Township and lived there until Frank's death in July of 1961. Matilda moved to Milligan in the fall of 1961, and lived there until she entered the Heritage Nursing Home on Oct. 1, 1997.

While living in Milligan she helped out at the meat locker when needed which was run by her sister and brother-in-law Lou and Anna Suda.

She is survived by her daughter, Louise and son-in-law Rudy Capek; grandchildren and their spouses Karen and Kenneth Jefferson, Glen Capek and Jan Edgecombe, Debra and Kurt Oates; and by great-grand children, Andrea and Alyssa Jefferson and Maribeth and Julianna Capek sister-in-law Anna Kotas and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted from the Farmer & Son Funeral Home-Kotas Chapel in Milligan on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, with Kim Dunker officiating. Special song selections for the service were "Nearer My God To Thee" and " In The Garden" and were provided by the grand daughters and great granddaughters.

Casket bearers were Glen Capek, Kurt Oates, Ken Jefferson, Melvin Suda, George Engle and Joseph Kotas.

Interment was in the Bohemian National Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home-Kotas Chapel charge of the arrangements.

Memorials are directed to the Milligan Rescue Unit or the Legion Auxiliary.

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The family of Matilda Bernasek would like to thank family and friends for the flowers, cards, food and acts of kindness shown to us at the time her passing. Also a special thank-you to the staff at Heritage of Geneva for their care, Dr. Verhage, and the ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary for serving lunch after the funeral. God Bless you all.

RUDY AND LOUISE CAPEK

KEN AND KAREN

JEFFERSON, ANDREA AND ALYSSA,

GLEN CAPEK AND JAN EDGECOMBE,

MARIBETHAND JULIANNA

KURT AND DEBRA OAT~