SEMERAD, LOUIS L. [September 17, 1917 - January 15, 1991]
FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR LOUIS SEMERAD, 73
    Services for Louis L. Semerad, 73, of Howells, were held Saturday, January 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tabor. Rev. Anthony Pluhacek officiated with burial in the church cemetery.
    Pallbearers were Shawn, Michael, David, Allen and Leonard Semerad, David Reznicek and Dennis and Jimmy Praest.
    A prayer service was held before mass at Humlicek Funeral Home. Visitation was Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the home. Rosaries were recited at 7:30 and 8 p.m., also at the home.
    He died Tuesday, January 15 at the Memorial Hospital of Dodge County in Fremont.
    Louis was born September 17, 1917 southeast of Howells, the son of Joseph A. and Mary (Budin) Semerad. He attended District #29 school near Howells. On April 28, 1943 he married Martha Praest at St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
    They farmed southeast of Howells after marriage until 1963 when they moved east of Tabor and farmed there until retirement in 1977. They then moved to Howells where Louis lived until becoming a resident of Parkview Home in Dodge in February of 1989.
    Louis was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tabor.
    Survivors include his wife, Martha; five sons, Marvin of Howells, Dale of Dodge, Glen of Howells, Leroy of Rogers and Ralph of Cherokee, Iowa; one daughter Lois Ann Semerad of Lincoln; 15 grandchildren and one sister, Emma Reznicek of Schuyler.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Marik; and two brothers, James and Joseph.
[The Howells Journal, Thursday, January 23, 1991 - Submitted by Elizabeth Sebranek]

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VAVRA, SOPHIE MARTHA (DOSTAL) [November 20, 1914 - October 25, 1991]
SOPHIE M. VAVRA
    Services for Sophie M. Vavra, 76, of Clarkson, were held Monday, October 28 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Heun. Father Anthony Pluhacek officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
    Pallbearers were Richard Dostal, Ronald Dostal, Rodney Dostal, Scott Vavra, Stephen Vavra and Shannon Vavra.
    Sophie died unexpectedly on October 25 at Schuyler Memorial Hospital.
    She was born on November 30, 1914 to Amos and Bessie (Semerad) Dostal in rural Dodge. She was educated in School District #22. On February 10, 1942, Sophie and Roman Vavra were united marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Tabor. They made their lifelong home in rural Clarkson.
    Sophie was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Heun and a member of the parish Altar Society.
    Survivors include her husband, Roman; daughter Janet of Ann Arbor, Michigan; son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Phyllis of Columbus; three grandsons and a granddaughter; brother, Emil S. Dostal of Schuyler and nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister in infancy.
[The Howells Journal, November 20, 1991 - Submitted by Elizabeth Sebranek