FAMILY STORIES

the death of his wife, Frances, in 1884. Vaclav constructed the wooden coffin she was buried in. She is buried at the Plasi Cemetery.

   On Febr. 5, 1886, he married Anna Koranda who was born in Bohemia in 1858, and came to this country with her brothers, Thomas, John, Frank, and Anton Koranda.

   Seven children, six daughters and one son, were born to them.

   In 1887, grandparents purchased another 40 acres for $200, and completed the quarter-tract with another purchase of 40 acres in 1898 for the price of $877.80. After their retirement in 1910, they continued living on the homestead until their deaths. Grandfather died April 29, 1931. Grandmother died July 11, 1932. Both are buried at Prague National Cemetery.

   Their ten children are all deceased except Frances, who lies in Omaha. They were: James, married to Anna Hajek, whose children were Mary and William; Frank, who never married; lived in Iowa; Mary, married to Frank Svoboda, had children Mary, Sadie, William and Frank; Jennie, married to James Kubik, had Lillian, Marie, Laddie and Emil; Anna, married John Fronk and had children Edward, Clara and Maxine; Joe, married to Helen Hrock, had a son, Joe; Emma, married Frank Milacek and her daughters were Gertrude, Mildred, Wilma and Maxine; Emma's twin, Josephine, married Frank Cernohlavek, and had children, Emma and Edward; Rose, married to Joseph Cizek, had a son, Gordon; and Frances married to Joseph Suchy, had one daughter, Lucille.

   Anton Vculek, born 1877, spent his entire life on the farm in Elk and Stocking Precincts in Saunders County. Anton was the son of Joseph and Pearl (Holubar) Vculek.

   Anton married Mary Krecek, daughter of John K. Krecek of Omaha, on November 24, 1902. Three children were born to this union: James, Joseph, and Helen. The Vculek family were members of the Plasi church.

   Joe Vculek, son of Anton and Mary, was born March 19, 1909. He married Rosalie Wotipka in 1936. Rosalie was born Nov. 23, 1916 to Tom and Sophia (Hruby) Wotipka, Ceresco. She attended grade school in District 40 and graduated from Ceresco High School in 1935.

   Joe and Rosalie had three children, namely, Joe, Jim, and Barbara.

   Joe E. was born Febr. 13, 1939. He attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1957. He attended the University of Nebraska and taught at Wymore, Nebraska. Today, he is a professional photographer and farms near Wahoo.

   Jim, born June 23, 1941, attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1958. He entered the Coast Guard. He was married in 1967. He has 2 children: Dalon and Janel. They reside in Valdez, Alaska where Jim is in construction.

   Barbara, born May 30, 1946, attended St. Wenceslaus High School and graduated from Wahoo Catholic in 1964. She attended UNL and married Charles Velinsky in 1968. They have 3 children, Casey Jo, Benjamin, and Kelly Ann and reside in Omaha.

   Joseph Vculek and his wife Pearl Holubar, sometimes known as Petronella, arrived in the United States in 1869. They were both born in Bohemia. Pearl was the daughter of Frank and Clara (Wobarry) Holubar of Austria. Pearl's brother was Martin Holubar (1841-1914). Pearl was born in the year 1833, died in 1919. Her husband Joseph was born in 1829; died on April 1, 1893.

   The Vculeks homesteaded on Section 32 in the Elk precinct of Saunders County. Eight children were born to this union: Joseph, Josephine, Frank, Frances, Antonia, Annie (Anna), Anton, and Charles (Karel). In the 1890 school census, some of the children were listed in District #106.

4-Generation Picture: Left to Right: Anna (Mach) Divis, Josephine (Vculek) Mach; Seated: Petronella (Holubar) Vculek, with Jenny Divis.

   Josephine and Joseph were the twins in the family. Josephine married Joseph F. Mach. Eight children were born to this marriage. Joseph P. Vculek married Frances Hladik and they had 8 boys and 2 girls. They resided near Enid, Oklahoma.

   Frank Vculek and his family resided in North Dakota. Anton Vculek was born 1877. He married Mary Krecek and their children were Helen, James, and Joe. Charles (Karel) was born October 20, 1869 and died July 14, 1943. Frances Vculek married James Frohner of Weston. Annie Vculek married Vincent Houska and they had 6 girls and 1 boy. Antonia Vculek married Anton Krecke of Omaha.

   The Vculeks enjoyed the opportunities of the land within Saunders County. Submitted by Marlene McDonald

   Joseph Frank Vculek, Sr. was just one year old when he immigrated to the United States in 1875 from Czechoslovakia with his mother and father, Josef Vculek. He was born March 19, 1874.

Joseph Vculek Family. Back, From Left: Mary (Rezek), Joseph, Jr., and Anna (Rezek); Front Row: Father Joseph, Emily, mother Pauline holding Laddie. Taken 1912.

   His father was born in 1829. Upon arrival in America, Josef and his wife and family settled on a Saunders County farm in the Plasi area. He died in April, 1893, at 64 years of age and is buried at the Plasi Catholic Cemetery. His grave is marked with a tall upright marker. In her later years, Joseph's mother was remarried to James Handler. She was in ill health at this time and died of tuberculosis.

   Joseph had a sister, Barbara Vculek-Busek, and a brother, Charles. The 1915 Saunders County Atlas states Charles owned land in Elk Precinct. It is believed he later moved to North Dakota.

   Joseph was married to Pauline Kliment, September 18, 1894, and they set up housekeeping on a farm near Weston. An early atlas states Joseph owned land in Newman and Elk Precincts. They reportedly bought a larger farm near Valparaiso and lived there until 1923 when they moved to Prague. They lived there until his death in 1960.

   Joe had attended country school and received his early religious training at Plasi Catholic Church. He died Dec. 9, 1960, in Saunders County Hospital following a stroke six days earlier. He is buried at Prague National Cemetery.

   Pauline was born Nov. 22, 1874, and was two years old when she came to the United States with her parents, Frantisek and Marie Kliment, her twin brother, Paul, and two older sisters, Mary and Anna. The family farmed in Saunders County. Six more brothers were added to the family: Joseph, Anton, Louis, another set of twins, Rudolph and Adolph, and John. Pauline's father was born 11-25-1844, died 2-20-1912. Her mother was born 9-28-1847 and died 12-10-1923. They and her sister, Anna Chmelka, and twin brother, Paul, are buried at the Cuda Cemetery.

   Pauline had little formal schooling as a child; she was needed to help at home. Under her mother's guidance, she developed her superb baking skills which were to delight family members for several generations. During the famous blizzard of '88, Pauline, her teacher and classmates, spent the night at the country schoolhouse, huddled around the heating stove. Pauline often told her children about the barn dances held in the farm neighborhood, and it is supposed this is where she met the handsome young Joe Vculek, who would be her husband for sixty-six years.

   Following the death of her husband, Pauline and daughter, Emily, moved to Wahoo. She suffered a stroke in early 1964, and after thirty days in a coma, passed away on Feb. 2, at the age of 89 years. She is buried beside her husband at Prague National Cemetery, four miles west of Weston corner, near the Prague corner.

   Five children were born to Joseph and Pauline Vculek. Their names, dates of birth and death and spouses: Anna Pauline (6-3-1895/3-8-1974), Louis Rezek; Joseph Frank, Jr. (9-3-1896/10-29-1923), Agnes Placek; Mary Frances (4-9-1900), Edward Rezek; Emily Della (8-28-1902/9-25-1977); and Vladimer James "Loddie" (5-22-1912), Greta Hall.

   We wish for this, and the next generations, the magic of Grandma Vculek's ever present smile and the gentleness of these two dear people. Mrs. Ray Rezek

   Darwin and I were born and raised in the Malmo community. Darwin is the son of Adelene Vermeline of Wahoo, Nebraska and the late Victor Vermeline of Malmo, Nebraska. He attended school at District 85, north and west of Malmo. This school district dissolved and the building was sold. We purchased this building and moved it to our farm where it still remains. Darwin's grandfather, father, brothers, himself, and three of our children all attended this school. Upon graduating from the 8th grade, he attended Malmo High School and graduated in 1950.

Darwin Vermeline Family

   My parents were Jack and Frances Banghart of Malmo. I attended School District 75 which is still

page 453

in operation, upon graduating from the 8th grade, I attended Malmo High School and graduated in 1952.

   Darwin and I met in high school and were married on June 29, 1952. We lived on the farm owned by David Peterson of Malmo. Then on December 20, 1952, Darwin received his notice from the War Department to report on January 20, 1953. He left for basic training and went to Camp Polk, Louisiana. On June 29, 1953, on our first wedding anniversary, he left for Germany and was stationed at Regensburg, Germany with the 485 Headquarters Battalion Corps of Engineers. He was discharged on January 20, 1955. We again started farming on the David Peterson farm. In 1973, we purchased this farm and have remained in farming and raising cattle.

   We were blessed with four daughters: Mrs. Velgene (Cynthia) Karstens of Prague, Nebraska; Mrs. Cal (Denise) Allen of Garland, Nebr.; Mrs. Robert (Kristie) Lynch of Lincoln, Nebr.; Lisa Vermeline of Wahoo; and two grandchildren, Brent and Kari Karstens.

   Darwin was baptized and confirmed at the Edensburg Lutheran Church of Malmo. I was baptized and confirmed at the Bethesda Covenant Church of Malmo and joined Edensburg Lutheran Church after our marriage. Our children are members of Edensburg, were baptized and confirmed there. Darwin is now on the church council and has been active in many ways.

   He is also active and a permanent member of the American Legion Post 232 of Malmo, member of 40 and 8, has been a volunteer fireman for the Malmo Fire Department for the past 24 years. We have been members of Farm Bureau for the past 27 years.

   On August 7, 1978, my sister, Adele Jackson, and I each received the AK-SAR-BEN Pioneer Award at the Saunders County Fair in Wahoo. We received an engraved plaque and framed certificate which were presented to the pioneer families. Our great-grandfather, Martin Stillman Hills, started farming when Saunders County was first being settled. This award is made annually to owners of farms which have remained in the same family for one hundred years or longer. We still have this land. Submitted by Sharon Jean Vermeline

   Elmer and I are both natives of Saunders County. He, the fifth of seven children, was born on a farm between Malmo and Prague to Herman and Hulda Vermeline in May, 1911.

Left Side: Carol (Vermeline) Renter, Stephen Renter; Center: LaVerne Vermeline (holding Heather Renter), Elmer Vermeline; Right Side: David Schulz, Laurie (Vermeline) Schulz. Taken Nov. 7, 1982.

   I was born on a farm between Malmo and Wahoo to Walter and Clara Lindgren, December, 1916, the first of six children.

   We both trace our ancestors to Sweden, except my maternal grandmother who came from Germany. Our two families knew of one another through our associations with the Edensburg Lutheran Church at Malmo which was the center of our religious and social lives in our youth.

   Elmer attended grade school at District 85 northwest of Malmo, also Malmo High School, after which he began farming.

   My family belonged to the District 70 community where I graduated from tenth grade in 1932, then from Wahoo High School in 1934. After a year of elementary education at Luther College, I taught country schools of Saunders County and later at Cordova and Thurston in Nebraska.

   After an interruption of about four years (1944-48) spent in Minneapolis, I returned to Nebraska because of Mother's ill health. In 1951 I began teaching in David City, continuing until the spring of 1955.

   It wasn't until early 1954 that Elmer and I began our courtship. A sister and brother-in-law invited us both to attend the Ice Follies at Ak-Sar-Ban, and that's how it all began. We were married in August, 1954.

   Elmer farmed near Prague until February 1956 when we moved to a farm east of Ceresco. Our daughter, Laurie, born in November, 1955 was then only three months old. A second daughter, Carol, was born in October, 1957.

   During these years on the Ceresco farm, Elmer was severely afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis and farm work became too difficult. Thus in May, 1960, we made the move to our present home in Wahoo and Elmer began working for the city.

   Our two daughters attended West Ward and Wahoo High, graduating in 1974 and 1976 respectively. Both attended Midland Lutheran College, Laurie graduating with the first nursing class in 1978. She is now a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Omaha. In 1980, Carol received a degree in Biology and Natural Sciences and is a Histology Technologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

   Laurie married David Schulz, then of Norfolk; Carol married Stephen Renter, formerly of Snyder.

   Elmer has continued to work in various capacities for the city of Wahoo except for an interruption because of illness in 1974. He now works part-time.

   October, 1967, I began working as part-time cook at the Community Hospital in Wahoo and continued for fifteen years. I recently retired to enjoy our first grandchild, Heather Marie, born to Carol and Stephen, October 12, 1982.

   We have close family ties on both the Vermeline and Lindgren sides and enjoy family gatherings for many occasions. Fellowship of friends and worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church have been a special blessing these many years. LaVerne Vermeline

   Wayne Vermeline was born on April 12, 1928 to Victor and Adeline (Sorenson) Vermeline. Brothers are Darwin and Gayle Vermeline. Wayne attended school at Dist. #85 and graduated from Malmo High School in 1945. He has been farming since graduation and has a farrow to finish hog operation in partnership with son Leon. Wayne is a lifetime resident of Saunders County and has always lived in the Malmo community.

Wayne and Marian Lindgren

   In October of 1949, Wayne married Marian Lindgren whose parents were David and Louise (Larson) Lindgren. Marian was born June 16, 1931. Marian graduated from Wahoo High School. Marian's parents were lifelong residents of Saunders County and lived in the Wahoo-Malmo community. Marian's brothers are Donald, Warren and Lawrence Lindgren.

   Our first child was a daughter, Connie, born June 29, 1951. She attended School Dist #85 and graduated from Prague High School in 1969. In December of 1974 she was united in marriage to Edward Whyrick and they have two sons, Aaron and Adam. They live in Lincoln.

   Our second child, a daughter, Susan, was born June 29, 1955. She also attended Dist #85 and graduated from Prague High School in 1973. Susan lives in Lincoln and is an operating technician at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

   Our third child, a son Leon, was born March 8, 1960. He was born the year of all the severe snowstorms. Leon attended school at Prague because of the consolidation of school districts. He graduated in 1978. Leon has been farming since graduating from high school. On November 29, 1980 he married Patty McGill of Waverly.

   Wayne and I are active members of Edensburg Lutheran Church in Malmo. We are both in church choir. Wayne serves on the church council.

   We have been active in Saunders County Pork Producers and Porkettes, both having held the office of president. Wayne is a member of Saunders County Fair Board, Saunders County Feeders Association, and Malmo Fire Department. Wayne's hobbies are antique cars, machinery, barb wire and belt buckles.

   We have lived on this same farm since we were married. Submitted by Marian Vermeline

   Frank, son of Frank and Antonette (Houfek) Veskrna, was born on a farm near Plasi, Nebraska on May 1, 1910. He married Rose Vrana, daughter of John and Marie (Dvorak) Vrana, who was born on Feb. 8, 1910. They were married at the Weston Presbyterian Church by Rev. B. Marek on February 14, 1934. Both were lifelong members of the Prague Presbyterian Church. They lived on a farm 4 miles southeast of Prague. Their children are Donald, who farms northwest of Wahoo; Kenneth, who farms west of Malmo and lives on the home place; Mrs. Larry (Arlene) Toombs of Lincoln; and Mrs. Bob (Rosann) Belik of Yutan. Rose passed away on July 5, 1973.

Frank and Clara Veskrna

   Frank married Clara Ruzicka Havelka, born on Aug. 1, 1921, the daughter of Jerry and Mary (Pallas) Ruzicka. They were married on Dec. 18, 1974. Her children are: Mrs. Wm. (Pauline) Deakins of Metairie, La.; Daniel Havelka of Mead; and Adrian Havelka of Wahoo. Lyle Dale Havelka died at the age of 4 years.

   Frank carries on farming operations on his farm near Malmo. He has served as elder, clerk of session, and treasurer in the Prague Presbyterian Church

page 454