FAMILY STORIES

Veda McNeely

said she wanted her children to go to college. Most of us went to college, too, and became teachers. I taught Latin and English in High School before my marriage. After my marriage to Cleo McNeely, we went to live on a farm again. I met Cleo at Peru State College where we started as freshmen together. We had five children who went to country school, and all of them graduated from high school. The oldest two graduated from Stella and the others graduated from Wahoo.

   My husband and I and three of our children came to Saunders County in 1942. We had lived for years in Richardson County on the farm. Cleo's parents originated from near there and my parents lived in Peru. We came to Wahoo for Cleo to work at the Mead Ordnance plant where he remained until the end of the war and the plant closed.

   Our son, Harold, graduated from Stella High School and then enlisted in the Navy. He returned to Lincoln to go to the University where he got his Ph.D degree. He is now a clinical psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona. Wayne went to the army for three years; then to Colorado School of Mines for four years, getting his degree. He is now a senior engineer for Mobil Oil in New Orleans. Kitty is a nurse in the Blair hospital in Washington County. Don has an oil well business in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Shirley is a teacher in Mead after getting her degree at Peru State.

   In 1946 we had a baby girl born, Julie, who also graduated from Wahoo High School and is now an assistant administrator of the Arbor Manor Nursing Home in Fremont, Nebraska.

   Cleo worked at Farmers' Co-op and liked it there. He was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt pheasants. He was a member of the Wahoo Coin Club and served as president a year. He passed away in 1972 after a long illness. Since his death, I have traveled a good deal. I have made many trips, all by plane to Phoenix and New Orleans. I went alone on nearly all of these trips. I have gone to the famous and well-known Mardi Gras in New Orleans and brought back many souvenirs which I have shared with others. The French Quarter and the Moon Walk near Jackson Square are popular places to visit and, of course, river traffic on the muddy Mississippi. The Evangeline Monument at St. Martinville, which has a poetic background, may be seen. I have visited many of the well-known plantation homes, and the lacy balconies are outstanding for which New Orleans is famous. I enjoy the trips very much, but am always glad to return to Wahoo where I make my home. Submitted by Veda McNeely

   Robert H. was born July, 8, 1941 in Denver, Missouri, son of Fern and Fred McNeese. In the early 1950's, his parents, 5 brothers, Don, Junior, Ted, Jim, and Larry, and 2 sisters. Beverly and Barb, moved to a farm near Waverly, Nebraska.

Front Row, L. to R.: Tim, Patricia, Robert; Back Row: Becky, Greg, Jeff.

   Patricia A. was born July 16, 1944 in Narka, Kansas, daughter of Betty and Junior Beeson. She has 1 sister, Phillis, and 5 brothers, Larry, Fred, R.J., Ben, and Richard.

   Pat and Bob were united in marriage at Eastridge Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. They have four children, Gregory Alan, December 5, 1963, Jeffory Scott, November 7, 1967, Rebecca Marie, April 29, 1972 and Timothy Dale, November 8, 1973. They moved to their present home, District 45 schoolhouse, near Ceresco in September, 1972.

   Bob started working at National Crane in Waverly in 1965. He is the plant superintendent.

   Pat is employed at Farmers & Merchant Bank in Ceresco. By Robert and Pat McNeese

   Anton Meduna came to American to escape three years of service in the Austrian Army. He came to Wahoo in 1880. He worked in an Implement and Hardware Store owned by Beebe and Lee, the first settlers of Wahoo.

   Mary Kudrna came to America with parents, Joseph and Anna Kudrna. She was the oldest of seven children. When the ship on which they came from Moravia, docked at Ellis Island, the youngest child, who was crippled by polio, was not allowed to leave until the authorities were convinced she did not have a disease that she would transmit to others. Finally, they arrived in Wahoo and moved to a farm.

   Anton and Mary were married in 1882 and lived in Wahoo. They worked hard and long days to raise nine children, providing good food and comfort. It was their ambition that each child would receive a High School education, as they did not have the privilege of going to school. Our father went to work at seven o'clock and worked until six o'clock six days a week. During the harvest season he frequently had to go into the fields to help farmers with machinery. Mother told us how hard farming was in the Old Country, not having good machinery. After the harvest, soldiers would come with wagons to take the produce. The farmers would try to hide some for themselves. The soldiers, being suspicious, went around and plunged their bayonets into objects, even into pillows and feather beds.

   When we were children, our grandparents lived on a farm not far from town where we loved to go. Our grandfather loved children and he always had time for us. I remember how scary it was when we heard wolves howling after we were in bed. And then there was an old white horse. Grandfather would lift me on his back and lead him around the barnyard. When my uncles came from the fields and unhitched the horses, I would lead them to the watering tank. They had such big hoofs, I was scared of being stepped on, but I thought I was helping. I remember, too, the milk-house by the windmill in which a large tank of cold water was Grandmother's refrigeration. There she kept the milk, cream, butter and other foods fresh.

   Our mother lived 107 years. The life span was much shorter in that time. On her 100th birthday the whole community and the Wahoo Newspaper made it a celebration. Every year after that there was a party, and she enjoyed so much attention. She was happy and grateful to have her many friends, relatives and neighbors through the years. Bess Meduna

   Frank Meduna was born at Slatine, Hrotovice, Znojmo County, Moravia, Czechoslovakia on July 26, 1867 to John and Antonia (Pelan) Meduna.

Frank and Mary Meduna 1939

   He came to America with his parents, half-sister, Frances (Mrs. John Virgl), half brother, Charles (married to Frances Cernik, later moving to Manistee, Michigan), and sister, Marie (Mrs. Ike Richenberg of Omaha), and Frank.

   Brother Anton of Weston married Antonia Cernik and brother Joe of Touhy married Antonia Raiter. Also coming with them was a cousin, Wenceslaus Pelan. They arrived at Weston, Nebraska on May 12, 1881 and bought a 200-acre farm five miles southwest of Weston. This farm was purchased complete with livestock, household furnishings, farm equipment, and even an old muzzle loading shotgun.

   The Oregon Trail from Nebraska City towards Schuyler passed thru this farm. Most of the land between here and Valparaiso was open range for herding cattle. Among wild game were grouse, prairie chickens, and prairie dogs.

   Frank stayed farming with his parents till his marriage to Mary Hakel at St. Jon's Church in Weston.

   Mary Hakel was born at Hennersdorf, Austria, near Hohenelbe, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia on October 13, 1870 to Wenceslaus (1839-1900) and Ann (1839-1917) (Scharf) Hakel. At age nine on April 28, 1880, they left Bohemia and arrived at Wahoo on May 18 after sailing on the steamship "Salier" which ran aground in the Atlantic Ocean.

   Mary lived on a farm in a sod house with her parents and brother, Frank, who later married Anna Novak. She knew only the German language when she came to this country. Here she learned the Czech and English languages. She died Dec. 4, 1949.

   Frank and Mary had twelve children. William, whose story is covered elsewhere in this book married Agnes Koutny. Frank C. married Stella Sabatka. Louis married Ludmilla Bartek. Gabriella married George Sabatka. Rose became Sister Ladislava of Atchison, Kansas. James married Catherine Chapek. Agnes became Mrs. Chas. Stanislav of Iowa. Mary married Frank Stanislav. Albert married Anna Bouc. Edward married Marie John. Bessie and Lillian never married.

   Frank's father John Meduna, was born in Czechoslovakia, March 3, 1825 to Frank and Marianne (Miller) Meduna. He married Antonia Pelan about 1864. This was his second wife. Antonia's parents were Wenceslaus Pelan and Frances (Kalina) Pelan. Antonia was born in 1843 and died July 29, 1915. John died January 4, 1908. Submitted by Vennie Meduna

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   Richard Meduna was born to Vennie and Rose (Pacula) Meduna on Nov. 5, 1944. He has lived in the Colon community all his life and still lives on a farm 3 miles north of Colon, which is the original site of the Colon Postoffice.

Left to Right: Mary, Richard, Alice William, Susan; Seated: Rose and Vennie Meduna.

   He attended rural school Dist. 60. He graduated from Wahoo Catholic High School and attended University of Nebraska (Lincoln) Agricultural College for two and one-half years.

   Richard was a charter member of the Colon Hustlers 4-H Club which met in the Colon Fire Hall for most of their meetings, and had a beef project each year.

   In 1965 he joined the Air National Guard, attended 6 weeks basic training at Lackland Air Base in Texas, and then 4 months in Amarillo, Texas Air Base. After his return he farmed with his father, whose story is covered elsewhere in this book. On September 10, 1966, he was married to Alice Pleskac at St. John's Catholic Church in Weston, Nebraska by Rev. Father Otto Ekhaml.

   They have three children -- William, born Sept. 15, 1967; Mary, born Sept. 13, 1970 (adopted); and Susan, born June 8, 1972.

   Alice was born October 3, 1945, at St. Paul, Nebraska, to Paul and Lucille (Nabity) Pleskac. She attended rural Dist. 71 and St. Johns Parochial school in Weston, and Notre Dame Academy in Omaha. After two years of college, she worked at Mutual of Omaha.

   Alice's father, Paul Pleskac, was born January 14, 1915 near St. Paul, Nebraska, to Frank and Josephine (Kudrna) Pleskac and lived there three years after his marriage to Lucille Nabity on June 1, 1943. Then he moved to a farm southeast of Weston 'til their retirement to Weston in 1982.

   Frank Pleskac was born in Omaha, February 21, 1887 and married Josephine Kudrna on June 21, 1909. Josephine was born March 10, 1889 and died March 18, 1961. Frank died November 14, 1965. They are both buried in Omaha.

   Frank's father, Frank Pleskac, was born in Dobkove, Czechoslovakia, October 1, 1859 and married Mary Simon in 1881. Mary was born February 2, 1862. Josephine's parents were Frank and Frances Kudrna.

   Alice's mother, Lucille Nabity, was born to Lewis and Lillian (Polansky) Nabity February 28, 1923 at St. Paul, Nebraska. She attended and taught school in the St. Paul area until her marriage to Paul.

   Lewis Nabity was born August 25, 1900 at Loma, Nebraska to John and Frances (Simbera) Nabity. Soon after, they moved to a farm near Central City. Lewis married Lillian Polansky June 6, 1922 at St. Paul, Nebraska. They lived on a farm near St. Paul, Nebr. 'til they retired to St. Paul Sept., 1973.

   John Nabity was born May 5, 1862 in Czechoslovakia to Joe and Mary (Svoboda) Nabity. He married Francis Simbera September 20, 1883 and then they came to America. He died January 16, 1935. Frances Simbera died July 20, 1923.

   Lillian Polansky was born in Furnas County, Nebraska on September 21, 1903 to John and Mary (Vrana) Polansky. John Polansky was born October 14, 1865 in Czechoslovakia and came to America in 1868. He was married to Mary Vrana July 21, 1890 and he died April 21, 1940. Mary Vrana was born to Joe and Mary (Gruntorad) Vrana February 12, 1869 and died March 27, 1951. Submitted by Richard Meduna

   Robert J. Meduna (Bob) was born June 8, 1938 at Lincoln, Nebraska. He is the son of Albert and Anna Bouc Meduna. He has one sister, Mrs. Lloyd (Marilyn) Benal.

Top Row: Robert Jr. and Paula Meduna; Bottom Row, L. to R.: Barbara and Marian Meduna.

   Bob has lived in rural Saunders County all his life. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic Grade School and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1956. After graduation, Bob went to work for Commonwealth Electric Company in Lincoln. He is still employed by the same company where he is Material Superintendent. Aside from his full time job, Bob owns and operates a farm operation, with the raising of corn, beans and wheat. A farrow to finish hog operation also keeps the family busy.

   Bob is an active member of the Knights of Columbus and has been secretary of District #87 rural school for nine years.

   Bob married Dorothy Lavicky on September 23, 1961. Dorothy, one of five children, was born July 8, 1939 at home on a farm near Dwight, Nebraska to Frank and Martha Brabec Lavicky. She has two brothers and two sisters: Frank Jr. of Seward, Nebraska; Fredrick of Stromsburg, Nebraska; Dolores Kobza Endres of Columbus, Nebraska, and Mrs. Robert (Donna) Richtsmeier of Mlps., Minnesota.

   Dorothy attended Dwight Assumption Catholic Elementary School and High School at Seward Public Schools and graduated from the University of Nebraska, College of Home Economics majoring in Extension in 1961.

   She is an active homemaker, has been a 4-H leader for 11 years, and extension member 16 years. Her artistic abilities are shown through her sewing and landscaping. She is presently Chairman Elect of the Saunders County Home Extension Council.

   Bob and Dorothy have four children, Barbara, born March 5, 1963; Marian, born February 3, 1964; Paula, born February 17, 1966; and Robert Jr., born February 3, 1967. All children were born at a Lincoln, Nebraska hospital.

   Barbara and Marian's elementary school years were spent at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and District #87 rural school. They both graduated from Bishop Neumann Central High School, and are presently attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Both girls are active in music and drama and appeared in many school plays while in high school. Barbara was also a member of the National Honor Society.

   Barbara is majoring in music education. She appeared with the University Opera and is a member of University Singers. Marian is majoring in Speech Pathology/Audiology. Marian is also the 1982 Saunders County Czech Queen as well as the 1982 State Czech Queen.

   Paula and Robert Jr. are both attending Bishop Neumann Central High School. Paula is a Jr. and is active in speech and music and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society. Robert is a freshman and is active in band and sports. Other interests include fishing and trapping.

   All children have been active members of 4-H thru the years with a wide range of projects carried. As a family we are active members of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. By Dorothy Meduna

   Vennie Meduna and Rose Pacula were married March 8, 1943 in St. John's Church in Weston, Nebraska by Msgr. Victor Mlejnek. They started married life on a farm 3 miles northwest of Cedar Bluffs. Then in February, 1945, they moved to a farm 3 miles north of Colon. In September, 1966, they semi-retired to the Village of Colon. Vennie has been a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Colon practically all his life. They both are active members of this parish.

Frank and Josephine Koutny -- 1935, 50th Wedding Anniv., Grandparents of Vennie Meduna

   They have one son, Richard. His story is in another article in this book.

   Vennie was born April 16, 1917 on a farm near Colon. His parents were Wm. and Agnes (Koutny) Meduna. Their biography is in another article in this book. Vennie attended rural District 53 near Colon, also Colon High School. He then farmed with his parents.

   Rose was born on a farm southwest of Weston, April 12, 1920 to Frank and Mary (Woita) Pacula. She attended District 74 grade school and then Wahoo Catholic High School.

   Frank Pacula was born Dec. 31, 1877 near Weston, Nebraska to Frank (born 1844, died 1921) and Fannie (born 1846, died 1937) (Stuchlik) Pacula. He lived with his parents on a farm southwest of Weston. Frank married Mary A. Woita on May 8, 1906. To this union were born: Alice (Mrs. Adolf Dolezal), Bellwood; Marie Ann of Colon; Margaret Kucera, Great Falls, Montana; Ladislav, Weston, who married Anna Kellner; Adolph, Fremont, married to Helen Polacek; and Rose (Mrs. Vennie Meduna), Colon.

   Mr. and Mrs. Pacula farmed near Weston until they retired to Colon in 1949. Frank died on July 17, 1974. Frank's parents, Frank and Fannie Stuchlik Pacula, came to Saunders County in 1874 from Prisko, near Jaromeric, Moravia, Znojmo County, bringing along her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stuchlik. Mr. Pacula's parents, staying in Czechoslovakia, were Frank and Frances (Vyhnalka) Pacula.

   Rose's mother, Mary A. (Woita) Pacula, was born at Plasi, southwest of Prague, March 15, 1884 to John and Marie (Pospisil) Woita. She died at Colon, May 10, 1956. John Woita was born Oct. 15, 1857 at Trhove County, Sviny, Bohemia. He came to Nebraska in 1872 with his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Havel) Woita. John married Mary Anna

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