FAMILY STORIES

coln, and Michael Ray and Marcy K. Eason, North Bend.

   The Nebraska Pioneer Centennial Family Award was presented to the Raymond Roehrkasse family in the Nebraska Bicentennial Year 1967. Raymond's grandfather, Conrad Roehrkasse, came to Seward, Nebraska in 1864. His father, William, married Clara Hodde at Seward. They made Seward their home during their lifetime. Raymond and Pauline, their daughters, spouses and families have all maintained this family tradition. By Pauline Roehrkasse

   Joseph Holubar was born on May 18, 1879. His wife, Irene Vculek Holubar, was born on Dec. 15, 1886. Joseph and Irene, the daughter of Joseph Vculek (Brezina), were married Febr. 26, 1906. Their children were Josephine, Irene, Bessie, Joe, George, and Charles. Joseph Holubar died July 5, 1956 at the age of 77 years. Irene Holubar, age 96, stays at the Haven House, Wahoo, Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Holubar

   Better than a hundred years ago, Martin Holubar, and Pearl Holubar, the young son and daughter of a locksmith, Frank Holubar of Lidite, Austria, decided they were going to come to America.

   In the year of April 10, 1878, Martin Holubar became a United States citizen. Martin homesteaded in 1879, 2 miles north and 7 miles west of Weston (SW, SE, 32-15-5 and SE, SW, 32-15-5, Elk Precinct).

   Martin's sister, Pearl, who was married to Mr. Vculek, homesteaded 3 miles north and 7 miles west of Weston N½, NE,-32-15, Elk Precinct).

   Martin's first wife died a short time after they were married. Later, he married a widow, Josephine Welp. They raised 2 children, Joseph and Mary, and a step-daughter, Anna Welp. He had 7 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren. Martin Holubar died June 8, 1914.

   Martin's land is still the Holubar homestead. Submitted by Charles Holubar, grandson

   Fritz Holz came from Germany in 1903 at the age of three, along with his parents, Hermaine and Anna (Gross), and his brother, Paul. They settled at Ithaca and later farmed between Ithaca and Memphis.

   Fritz was 16 when his mother passed away and a lot of the household chores were done by him. This was beneficial in later years in helping with his own children. Fritz met Sylvia Wing from Memphis, Nebraska. They were married on June 20, 1923. Nine children were born from this marriage, 4 daughters and 5 sons. Fritz farmed 80 acres along with doing custom corn shelling and other farm work. He was always there to help neighbors with whatever had to be done.

Fritz Holz Family 25th Wedding Anniversary, 1948

   The firstborn was Karl William on June 5, 1924. He remembers walking all day behind a 2-section harrow drawn by a team of horses. He took parts from the harrow and made a swing set.

   The second child was a daughter, Delores, who died in infancy.

   Shirley Eileen was born April 27, 1928. When the Mead Ordnance Plant was built, it was only ¼ mile from our house so we were able to have electricity. We used to take turns turning on the lights.

   Mary Ann, born August 24, 1930, remembers her dad taking us 2½ miles to school with horse and wagon during the winter when it was too cold to walk.

   Paul Frank, born December 2, 1931, tells of the time when he was 9 and drove the tractor into a fence. Dad cut the fence to crank the tractor. Dad had a lot of patience and told him to stay away from the fence.

   Gerald Royce, born March 29, 1933, remembers the pond about 300 ft. from the house where we would do a lot of fishing and swimming.

   Fred Kenneth, born Dec. 13, 1937, tells of Dad's taking his brothers and him hunting. They would bring home rabbits and game for Mom to cook. Although sometimes food was limited, there was always a big garden and chickens.

   Robert Allen, born May 1, 1940, remembers going with Dad to bring in the cows for milking. It seemed like a long ways but was actually not more than a half-mile.

   LaRena Joyce (Joy), born Oct. 27, 1944, remembers Dad having 9 smallpox shots because some of the people died on ship as they were coming over here from Germany.

   The farm was sold in 1948, and Fritz moved his family to Ashland where he did odd jobs and worked for the Lincoln Water Works.

   We were a close family, sharing the fun and tears. The first tragedy as a family was when our mother had a heart attack and passed away suddenly at the young age of 50 on Dec. 8, 1954. Our dad passed away April 16, 1973. Submitted by Shirley (Holz) Fundaburg

   Joseph and Caroline Newlon Hood lived on a farm two and one-half miles east of Wahoo on the Omaha road and one-fourth mile south. He was a Civil War veteran having gone to the war from Illinois.

   Caroline's parents were Edward and Susannah Frink Newlon of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, who had moved to Ohio, to Illinois, and to Cass County, Nebraska near Wabash.

   Two of their daughters lived in Saunders County. They were Mrs. D.H. (Jane) Mills and Mrs. Joe (Caroline) Hood. The Hood children were William, married, Edward, unmarried, Susan, unmarried, Jane, married to William Brown of Illinois, and Anna Blanche, married. Submitted by Flora Ewart

   Catherine Emeline Hooker moved to Wahoo in the summer of 1962 after living all her life until then in Adams, Nebraska. She was born near there on September 6, 1889. She was the only sister of Amy Seidel (Mrs. Paul E.) of Wahoo.

   Miss Hooker was the daughter of Franklin and Harriet Gaines Hooker. Mr. Hooker and his father, William, were early settlers in Gage County. The families of both of Miss Hooker's parents had their origins in Colonial New England where the Reverend Thomas Hooker founded the Connecticut Colony at Hartford in 1636.

   Miss Hooker was active in the Presbyterian Church of Adams where she taught in the Sunday School for over fifty years. She attended the Presbyterian and Congregational churches in Wahoo.

   Her nieces and nephews are Gordon and Patricia Seidel Johnson and their children, Amy and Kent, of Omaha, and Jess and Harriet Seidel Nielsen, and their sons, Paul and Bradley, of North Platte.

   Miss Hooker died May 31, 1982, and is buried at Highland Cemetery, Adams, Gage County, Nebraska.

   Frederick is the youngest son of Joseph J. and Emma (Wesely) Houfek. He graduated from Prague High School in 1941. Frederick has served three terms as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Prague. He served as secretary of school District 87 from 1962 to 1974. He was Sunday School superintendent for seven years. He was the chairman of the pulpit committee of the Prague and Czech churches. He and Dorothy are charter members of the Faithful Mariners club. He also bowls in one league.

   Frederick and Dorothy were married on Sept. 12, 1948. They live on a farm west of Wahoo, where, besides farming, Frederick and Larry do custom work consisting of combining, baling, shelling, and also do shop work.

   Dorothy is the daughter of John and Emma (Fiedler) Trutna. Dorothy graduated from Wahoo High School in 1946. She was Sunday School superintendent for 1-1½ years. She has worked at Haven House as a C.S.M. for eight years.

   Larry was born on December 21, 1955, at Wahoo. He graduated from Wahoo High School in 1974. He was elected at age 19, to serve three years as an Elder of the Prague Church. He was a member of the Wahoo Wheelers 4-H Tractor Club. And in April of 1981, he married, Kim Nietfeld of Ashland. They now live in Wahoo.

   Lenice was born November 23, 1966. She is in the tenth grade at Wahoo Public School. She has been a member of the County Cuties 4-H Club and is Secretary for the Prague Presbyterian Church Sunday School. She is also active in many school events. Submitted by Frederick Houfek

   Gus's parents were Joseph and Anna Houfek. They were both born in Czechoslovakia, and were among the early settlers between Malmo and Prague. Gus grew up on the farm and attended the country school nearby. He had three brothers and

Gus, Amy and William Houfek

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three sisters. After graduating from Wahoo High School, he attended the Univ. of Nebraska, and later, Fremont Normal College, where he received a Teacher's Certificate. He did not teach, however, as he entered the army during World War II. He served for a year in the U.S. and a short period overseas.

   Shortly after returning home, he began working in the Malmo Bank. He served this bank for over forty years, first as Clerk, then Cashier, and then, President. He held this position until his death in 1963.

   Amy's parents were Hans and Ella Erickson. There were eight children born to them. Two died in infancy. According to age, they were Harvey, Arthur, Hilyard, Amy, Esther, and Goldie. Hans was born in Denmark. When he first arrived here, he started working for farmers around Yutan. Later, he traded his only gun and gold watch for a team of mules and plow, and started farming on his own. Ella was born in Sweden. She lived with her older brother and sisters for a while. Harvey and Esther died during the influenza epidemic in 1918. These were sad and trying times. Doctors stood weary and helpless at bedsides. There were no antibiotics available at that time. Hilyard was overseas at that time. Hans and Ella, with the girls, had moved to town. It became necessary for them to move back to their farm where Harvey and his new bride lived. Amy was in college at this time. Arthur was farming by himself. Goldie was nine years old.

   After graduating from Wahoo H.S., Amy attended Luther College and received her teacher's certificate. She taught one year in Malmo and three years in the Wahoo schools.

   Gus and Amy were married in 1923. There were three sons born to them. Two died in infancy. William, the oldest, graduated from Malmo H.S. He attended University for a year and a semester when he became 18. He entered the Army during World War One. He spent three years in the service. Sixteen months were in Europe. After he returned home, he again entered the U.N., where he received his degree as Doctor of Dental Surgery.

   After the death of the last son, Amy started working in the bank alongside her husband. During this time, she was elected president of The Saunders County Bankers Association. She was the first woman to hold that position. She was among the first women to organize the National Association of Woman Group in Nebraska. She was Secretary and Treasurer of this Group for a couple years. She also served on panel discussions at their meetings. Amy was asked to serve as chairman on a panel discussion held at a national meeting in Miami, Florida. One of her speeches given in St. Paul, Minnesota, appeared in the N.A.B.W. national magazine.

   Gus died October, 1963. After his death, she became president of the bank. She managed the bank for several years. She retired in 1968, and has remained Director and Chairman of Board.

   Gus was a member of the Lutheran Church, the American Legion, being the first Adjutant. (He was instrumental in its organization.) the Masonic Lodge, and a Shriner.

   Amy was also a member of the Lutheran Church, where she and their son, William, were both confirmed. Amy's mother was among the second confirmation class of that church in 1881. Amy is also a member of the Easter Star, a charter member of the A.L.A. Auxiliary, and has been the treasurer of the Malmo Community Benefit Auction Fund since its beginning. Gus and Amy both served on the Malmo School Board. Submitted by Amy H. Houfek

   John Houfek was born in 1860 and immigrated to the Saunders County area in 1874 from Bohemia. He worked for the railroad in the Mead-Yutan area until 1879 when he purchased 80 acres from the railroad in Section 7, Mariposa Township or 2 miles southeast of Prague. He built a 2-room house, and, in 1884, married Rosalie Mach, who also was born in 1860 and came from Bohemia in 1874. At first, her parents lived in a dugout west of Prague.

   To this union were born seven children: Vaclav, who died in infancy, Frank, Frances, Joseph, Rudolph, Rose Houfek Thege, and Agnes. John and Rosalie farmed until 1927, when Rudolph married and farmed the home place. They moved to Weston and lived there until John died in April of 1934, just before they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in Sept. Rosalie died in 1943.

   They were charter members of the Prague Presbyterian Church and are buried on the country church cemetery, site of the original church. Submitted by Rudolph and Karen Houfek

   Raymond and Cecilia (Jones) Houfek were married in Tacoma, Washington July 5th, 1945, while both were serving in the U.S. Army, at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Raymond R. Houfek Family

   We came to Prague in 1946 after leaving the service. The first few years we farmed rented land, and later moved to the Houfek home farm, where we now live and have purchased 80 acres of the farmstead.

   For several years we raised a hatching flock of chickens, had milk cows, hogs and sheep. We always had a garden to care for so the entire family had their share of chores to do.

   Our three children all graduated from Prague High School ... where their father had also attended and graduated. Our children were the fifth generation in the family to attend the Prague Presbyterian Church. On Raymond's paternal side it was Houfek, and the maternal side it was Junek.

   Raymond's grandfather, John Houfek, came to Nebraska from Czechoslovakia in 1874, at which time it was very sparsely populated in Saunders County. He first came into the county from Lincoln after going through Plattsmouth and Ashland. On November 29th, '74, he came to work for the Union Pacific near Yutan. In the winter of '77, they were breaking ground near Mead for the railroad. It was so cold that in order to break the ground six men had to sit on the plow while a six-mule team pulled it along through the frozen ground.

   Married shortly after coming to the county in '74, John and his wife, Rosalie, moved to Mariposa precinct and bought 80 acres of railroad land in 1880. The land is still in the family, farmed by Rudy Houfek.

   Our daughter, Anona, is married to Thomas Trutna and they live and farm at Valparaiso, along with their two children, Christina and Michael.

   Our eldest son, Steven, lives on a farm just one-half mile from home with his wife, Glee, and two boys, Tony and Jesse. He also works fulltime at Valmont Industries at Valley, Nebraska.

   Our youngest son, Timothy, has made music his life career. He attended Missouri State College at St. Joseph, Mo. and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Missouri. He is working toward a concert singing career. At the present he is teaching voice and choral music at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. He is also teaching piano and voice in his home studio and doing some concerts as they come along. He resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

   I am from the city, Tacoma, Washington, and never lived on a farm until I married a farmer. There was a lot to learn but I tried everything I was capable to handle, helping pick corn by hand, cutting weeds in the fields, raising chickens, milking and separating the milk, and even shocked some oats. At the time we still threshed the grain. In later years I even drove the tractor and hauled and unloaded the corn from the picker. I think the most difficult time I had, was not having electricity and water in the house the first several years of marriage, after having had them for the better part of my life.

   At the present we are still on the farm, have a few sheep to keep at the weeds, a few stock cows and calves, and a pony for the grandchildren to enjoy. Raymond still works in the field full-time. Otherwise, our life has slowed down considerably in our 37 years of married life. Submitted by Raymond R. Houfek

   It was early on a pleasant September evening in 1940 that they met on the streets of Wahoo, Nebraska -- Richard Houfek of Prague and Helen Lindgren of Wahoo. At the time, Richard was farming with his father and Helen was working at the hospital. A courtship of four years resulted. During this time, Helen worked in the business office of Luther College, and later, attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. A few months later, Richard (Dick) followed, attending the school, also. The following March, Dick was hired by the school to take care of the school's summer camp, Mt. Carmel at Alexandria, Minnesota.

Richard Houfek Family. Top Row: Joel, Lee, Nathan, Linda, Dan and Rebecca; Bottom Row: Helen, Hans, Karl, Greg and Richard.

   In June, 1944, Helen and Dick were married at Malmo, Nebraska. Mount Carmel became their first home. While here, two sons were born, Daniel, in 1945, and Nathan, in 1947. The summers were busy and exciting but the winters were often isolated and lonely. Thus, they decided to move back to Nebraska in October, 1949.

   For about a year, Dick worked as a farm hand at Gretna, Nebraska, where the family resided. Then an opportunity arose for him to farm his uncle's land near Weston. Daniel attended school at Dist. 71. In May of 1952, a daughter, Rebecca, was born. After two years, the landlord's son came home from the Korean War, and they had to move. The next home was on a farm near Prague one mile from Richard's birthplace. It was here that Joel was born in 1955.

   Richard was attempting to build a dairy herd. Stiffer regulations for selling milk came about, and since it was impractical to implement them on rented property, he decided to seek work in the city. He found work in the maintenance department of the Back to the Bible Broadcast. Within six weeks, a farm sale was held and the family moved to Lincoln.

   Since 1974, Helen has been employed as a bookkeeper for Latsch's, Inc. in Lincoln. Richard, in 1971, began work at Tabitha Home where he has held various supervisory positions.

   Daniel is a technical writer for the Hewlett-Packard Plant in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has a son, Greg, aged 13. Nathan is the pastor of two churches at Creston and Leigh, Nebraska. He and his wife, Linda Rose of New London, Minnesota, have three sons, Hans, Karl, and Paul. Rebecca graduated from the Nebraska School of Nursing, Omaha, and works as a clinical nurse in Seattle, Washington. She has backpacked throughout Europe in 1979. Joel, the youngest, graduated from UNL, and is in his third year of teaching art and coaching cross county at LaVista, Nebraska. He married Lee Ann Mehrens of Lincoln.

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   God has blessed this family with many good things and for this they praise Him.

   Rudolph Houfek, only child of Rudolph and Bessie Houfek, was born Febr. 6, 1941 and has always lived on the farm 3½ miles southeast of Prague. He attended District #85 grade school, 2 years at Malmo High School, and graduated in 1958 from Wahoo High School after his junior and senior years there. He served 6 years as a member of the Nebraska Air National Guard and has farmed since.

   On September 10, 1966, Rudy married Karen Wiese, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wiese of Omaha, at first Lutheran Church in Omaha. Karen was born and raised in Omaha and attended Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She then worked at Clarkson from 1963-1966 before getting married. In 1964, Rudy bought 2 registered Horned Hereford cows which were the start of the registered cattle herd which they now have.

   Rudy and Karen have three daughters: Jeanette, 4 yrs., born Febr. 25, 1968; Deanna, 11 years, born Sept. 7, 1971; and Carol, 6 years, born May 13, 1976. The girls attend school at Prague Public School. They are all involved in many activities and active in the Prague Presbyterian Church. Submitted by Rudy and Karen Houfek and family

   Rudolph Houfek was born on his father's home place 2½ miles southeast of Prague on July 30, 1893. On January 27, 1927, he married Bessie Sklenar at the Czech Presbyterian Church and they farmed the 80 acres that was bought from the railroad in 1879 by Rudolph's father, John Houfek. In 1979, Bessie received the Ak-Sar-Ben award for having the land in the family for 100 years. Bessie Sklenar was born Nov. 20, 1903 to June and Frances Smejkal Sklenar, who had come from Moravia to Saunders County in 1901. She was the only child of their 9 children who was born in America. She was born by Weston, raised in the Ceresco area, and was a member of the Czech Presbyterian Church.

   A son, Rudolph Jr., was born Febr. 6, 1941, and March, 1949, they moved one-half mile east and one-half mile south when this 120 acres was purchased. On June 1, 1950, Rudolph died and Bessie continued to live on the farm until Rudy graduated from high school and took over farming. Bessie now resides in Wahoo. Submitted by Rudolph and Karen Houfek

   On September 22nd, 1868 the liner carrying my grandparents, the Gustave Bjorn Andersons, and their four-year old son, Oscar, who would one day be my father, drew away from the harbor in Malmo, Sweden bound for America. After three weeks they landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there they went to Boston. Grandfather secured work laying the railroad west and after a time they arrived in Omaha.

   Grandfather knew a man from the Malmo vicinity, who came with his wagon and a team of mules to bring the family to homestead west of Malmo. Packed in the wagon were all their worldly goods, including a coop of chickens, but their cow walked all the way from Omaha. This friend left his wagon for a shelter and that night it rained in torrents. This was July 25, 1876. U.S. Grant was president.

   The first home was a dugout but later a sod house was built. With help from neighbors with a mold-board plow, sod was plowed up in ten to fifteen foot lengths. These were cut into two-foot pieces to build the walls seven feet high and ten to twelve inches thick. Tobacco was placed between the pieces to discourage snakes. There was one window and one door.

   My father attended school in District 24 and, in years to come, his children too attended this same school. Father was confirmed in the Edensburg Lutheran Church of Malmo, as were his four daughters.

   In 1897, my father married Augusta Fast who also had immigrated from Sweden and was working in Omaha. By the year 1912, four daughters had been born to the Andersons, Mildred, Florence, Helen and Violet.

   Three of us girls became school teachers and I taught for three years before my marriage in 1929 to Dr. Wm. Houfek, a dentist. My husband's parents were Joseph and Anna Novotny Houfek. Both of them were natives of Czechoslovakia. They farmed between Malmo and Prague until they retired to live in Malmo. The family consisted of four sons, James, Gustave, Joseph and William, and a sister, Emma, also two step-sisters, Anna and Mary.

   My husband and I lived in Malmo and he had a dental office in both Malmo and Prague. Our first child was a son, Warner, who is a dentist in Jackson, Wyoming. Our next child was a daughter who is bookkeeper and receptionist in a dentist office in Delaware, Ohio. We have two more dentists in the family now, our grandson, Scott, in Big Piney, Wyoming, and a nephew, Wm. H. Houfek, in Genoa, Nebraska.

   In 1939, my husband discontinued the Prague and Malmo offices to devote full time to his practice in Wahoo where he stayed till his retirement. He completed fifty years in the Dental Profession.

   There has been a lot of living, much happiness and many blessings in our lives from 1868 to 1982. Helen A. Houfek

   Felix Houska and Jindriska Tetrev were married in the late 1890's in Butler County. During their lifetime, they farmed south of Plasi in Elk Precinct. Felix's parents were Joseph and Antonia Hurt Houska, who emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Nebraska in 1882. Jindriska was the daughter of Cenek and Anna Cerney Tetrev who had immigrated from Bohemia to Chicago in 1892. Felix was born May 18, 1872; Jindriska on Sept. 21, 1876.

   Felix and his brother, Vincence, stayed in Saunders County when their parents, brothers, and sisters migrated to Oklahoma, shortly before 1900. Those relatives live near Hennessey, Bison, and Enid, Oklahoma today. Jindriska's family remained in Chicago, except Mary, who married John Nalezinek, a butcher in Malmo.

   There were 10 children in Felix and Jindriska's family. Their oldest, Anna (1900-1947), married Emil Havelka of Weston. Their children are Emil, Adeline Cejka, Henrietta, deceased, Joseph, Stanley, Alden, Wilma Dvoracek, and Dorothy Hampl.

   Rose, born in 1902, married James Hruby of Touhy. Their children are Helen Zahourek, Raymond, Dennis, and Milo. James died in May, 1955. Rose married Ed Kalina, Crete, in January, 1958.

   The next child born, died shortly after birth. James was born in 1905. He died in 1972. He married Jeanne and lived in California. Their children are Jim, Ned, Nora, and Sue Jean.

   Mary, born in 1907, married William Masek of Plasi. See the William Masek story. Mary's twin brother, Joseph, died at six months.

   Henrietta, born in 1909, married Lumir Prochaska. Read the Lumir Prochaska story.

   Joseph, born in 1911, married Lillian Kouba. She died on Nov. 5, 1978. He lives in David City.

   Felix Jr. married Wanda Rath of Creighton, Nebraska, Sept. 7, 1953. They have a daughter, Jackie. A second child died shortly after birth. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

   The last child of Felix and Jindriska was a son, Milo, who died after birth.

   Felix died in his sleep in June, 1927. Jindriksa remained on the farm. From 1948 until her death on June 29, 1950, she was a resident at the Prague hospital, which was operated by a Mrs. Soukup.

   In July, 1983, the descendants of Felix and Jindriska are planning a reunion.

   Joe Houska Sr. was born on a farm near Plasi, Nebraska. He moved with his parents to a farm south of Wahoo when 3 years old. They lived there until 1935, then moved to a farm west of Wahoo. In January, 1938, Joe married Evelyn Dvorak of North Bend, Nebraska. She was born on a farm near Cedar Hill, Morse Bluff, moving to North Bend as an infant.

Joseph and Evelyn Houska

   Joe's parents were Vincence and Anna Vculek Houska. His sisters are: Clara, Anna Kenyon, both deceased; Pearl, Josephine McGee, and Chrisine Brazil, living in California.

   Evelyn's family were Albert and Emma Bauer Dvorak. Her brother, Joe C. Dvorak of Wausau, Wisconsin, was married to Marion Groff. After her death he married Marcella Jablenski of Wausau, Sisters, Wilma (Harry) Ondracek, North Bend, Emily (Emil) Roh, Omaha, brother, Albert J. (Betty Brackett), Chapman, Nebraska, sister, Mary Ann (Duane) Knuth, San Diego, California, and brother, Richard (Lois Finnegan), Stuart, Nebraska, completed the family.

   Joe and Evelyn had two sons: Joe Jr. (Bernice Bartek) and Wm. D. (Janet Leader), St. Louis, Mo. Joe and Bernice have 3 children. Denise graduated from Neumann High and Lincoln School of Commerce, is now working in Lincoln as an accountant. Loran graduated from Neumann and is enrolled in AgriBusiness in Southeast College, Beatrice. Lori is a junior at Neumann and has aspirations of pursuing a degree in some form of dentistry. Joe Jr. is farming near Wahoo.

   Wm. D. and Jan have 2 sons: Gregory Scott, 8th grade, and Billy, 5th grade. Both boys play soccer. Greg, in Jr. High, is on the honor roll.

   Both Joe and Wm. were in the National Guard. They were called for active duty for almost a year. Wm. was active with the helicopter unit, continuing in that field at several army bases. He also attended Parks College in St. Louis, Illinois, graduating as a Warrant Officer with degrees in Maintenance, Pilot, and Flying Instructor. He also gives check rides to boys before they can get their flying licenses in Missouri.

   Joe's dad, Vincence, was born in Kazlan, Czechoslovakia, coming to the States when only 12 years old and settling near Plasi, Nebraska. Later they all moved to Oklahoma except Vincent and his brother, Felix. Vincent and Anna Vculek were married in 1900.

   Evelyn's folks, Albert and Emma Bauer Dvorak, were born in the Cedar Hill-Morse Bluff area, and married in 1912. Albert's dad Jacob, was on the church board when the Cedar Hill church was built.

   Joe belongs to the Saunders Co. Czech Club, the K. of C., and N.F.O., and Evelyn belongs to the

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