The Leigh World publishes a weekly column entitled Looking Back at the World, which is comprised of articles taken from earlier Leigh World files. A special thank you to the Leigh World for allowing me to reprint those articles. The following are selections from that column:
April 7, 1944 - reprinted November 19, 1997Mr. E.J. and Katie (Schroeder) observed their silver edding anniversary on March 30, 1944.
The marriage of Miss Lillian Fendrick and A/C Harold Bausch, USNR, was solemnized at St. Mary's Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Muhle observed their golden wedding anniversary at their home in Leigh. Due to a recent bereavement in the family, the death of their son, Hugo Muhle, the day was passed quietly with children and grandchildren joining them at a family dinner.
John Herink is a patient in St. Mary's Hospital, Columbus, following injuries which he received when his car was struck by an eastbound freight at Schuyler. He received a broken collar bone and a knee injury and is in considerable pain. He was the only occupant of the car which was demolished.
Seven boys at Leigh took the army-navy test. They were Norman Olson, Bob Starkey, Carl Huisman, Ladean Korte, Allen Schroeder, John Wullschleger and Merlin Sucha. Allen Schroeder was disqualified because he was eight days too young.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Novotny, who now reside at Clarkson, received a Certificate of Award and the Purple Heart for their son, Frank. The latter was killed in action on Movember 13, 1942. This award came as a posthumous recognition.
George C. Kumpf and Gus Spanhake were named to the school board and Frank Smrz and Gus Spanhake were again named to the Village Board.
Mrs. Wm. Duerst of Wausa, a former resident of this place, died in the Norfolk hospital after a long illness.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beck left for Rochester, Minnesota, taking their daughter to that place for examination by doctors in the Mayo Clinic.
A daughter, weighing nine pounds, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lad Kabes north of Leigh.
Johnny Glandt is a patient in the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, where he was placed by Dr. H.D. Kuper, for an examination. He has not made satisfactory recovery since undergoing an appendectomy some weeks ago.
Greta Lee Kumpf is a patient in Lutheran Hospital, Omaha, to which place she was taken for an appendectomy by Dr. C.D. Eby.
The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hellbusch, residing south of Creston, was observed with appropriate festivities.
The remains of Jerome Schmitl, 33, World War II veteran, who died at Vallejo, California, were brought to Creston. Funeral services, under military regulations, were conducted by Rev. R.L. Jobman at St. Peter's Church. Legionnaires from Creston and Humphrey participated.
He was struck by an automobile while walking across a highway. He was placed in the Vallejo Community Hospital where he died three days later.In a recent letter from T/Sgt Dale Barrett, he stated that he has completed 40 combat missions over enemy territory and has received a two week furlough during which he saw part of Australia.
He is now doing ground duty except when sent on special missions.Six pupils of Leigh High School have been selected to write on the Regents examinations in the later part of April. They are Elva Hunteman, Lorinda Kramer, Charlotte Eby, Merlin Sucha, John Wullschleger and Allen Schroeder.
John A. Glandt has been made manager of the Leigh Lumber companies business at this place, succeeding the late J.A. Kibler.
By the terms of a deal, Mr. Glandt has disposed of his interests in the Leigh Motor Company to the Sedlacek brothers, James and Stanley, with whom he has been associated.
August 4, 1944 - republished April 15, 1998
J. Carson Marshall, 43, died at Gothenburg according to a message received by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Harry Hunt. Mr. Marshall had been failing in health for some time.
The deceased was the son-in-law of Mrs. J. P. Aspinall and brother-in-law of Mrs. Hunt and John and Tom Aspinall. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Geo. Bruckhus of Gothenburg, and Mrs. Leon Turner of Pleasanton, and one son, Chester Marshall living in Idaho.S/Sgt and Mrs. Duane Hunt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, are the parents of a son, born at Sioux Valley Hospital. The lad tipped the scales at 8 ½ pounds and has been named Paul David.
SKT 3/C Vergil Philson and wife are the parents of a son. He has been named Robert John. Mrs. Philson and children are with her parents in Dunkirk, New York. Vergil is "somewhere in Australia."
Mrs. Geo. Botsch received word that her nephew, Raymond Fisher, radioman was "killed in action" in the South Pacific. He was 19 years old and has two older brothers in the service of their country. Raymond was the son of John Fisher of Corvalles, Oregon.
James Stepan received cuts and bruises about the head when his car overturned near the Otto Hamann corner north of Leigh.
August 11, 1944 - reprinted April 15, 1998
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mullenhoff, Sr. have received the information that their son-in-law, the Rev. Bruno Holm, who has been serving with the armed forces as a chaplain, has just been elevated to captain.Victor Jedlicka recently hit ceiling prices on the Omaha Stock Market when he sold 70 head of sows and butchers, 22 sows at $13.70, and 48 butchers at $14.45. He favors Hampshires.
Jacob Pospisil died at his home ten miles north of Leigh. Death was due to a heart attack. Some weeks ago, Mr. Pospisil underwent a major operation in an Omaha hospital and returned home.
Funeral services were held at the Catholic church in Clarkson with interment in the parish cemetery.
Born in Moravia on July 19, 1894, Mr. Pospisil died near Leigh, Nebraska, of [sic] August 7, 1944 at the age of 50 years, 18 day. He grew to young manhood in the land of his birth and at the age of 17 years, came to America in 1911. His first home in this locality was with Mr. and Mrs. Hekrdle, where he worked for years.
August 11, 1944 - reprinted April 22, 1998
A memorial service was held for Melvin Loseke, at Christ Lutheran Church. Melvin was one of the American soldiers who gave his life in the invasion of France on June 12.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. Martin Borneman.A posse of men from Leigh and Clarkson, headed by Sheriff Edw. Patach, made a search for two men, supposedly escaped German prisoners in the fields and wood between the two towns. Residents on the farms in the territory between Leigh and Clarkson have seen two men loitering about for several days. An airplane from Norfolk was used in the hunt and flew low over the area, but without results.
Evidence that someone is hiding in the territory is borne out by ashes from fires along the creek banks, potato fields dug, and chickens stolen from farms. Hunger has evidently driven the fugitives to these measures.
To date, the men have not been located.Mr. and Mrs. Anton Prokop are the parents of a 7 1/2 pound son born at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Norfolk.
A daughter was born at the Lutheran Hospital in Columbus to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Brunken of Howells. The Brunkens formerly lived on the Hamann farm.
Carol Lowe broke the bones in his left ankle and severed tendons in the same when he was struck by the sickle of a grass mower being driven by his uncle, Gus Hahn, of Schuyler. The accident occurred on the Hahn farm southwest of Leigh. The injured lad was taken to Omaha and placed in the Methodist Hospital. His mother, Mrs. Hazel Lowe, and brother, Dick, accompanied them.
Ted Engelbart has purchased the business place at the present owned and operated by Mrs. Arnold Rosendahl. He will take possession on September 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Briard received word from the War Department that their youngest son, Charles Briard, has been wounded in action in the European invasion area.
August 18, 1944 - reprinted April 15, 1998
Sister Adele Dasenbrock arrived from Tampa, Florida, for a few weeks visit with her mother, Mrs. Eugenia Dasenbrock and her brother, Reinhold and other relatives.Miss Helen Kmoch became the bride of Raymond Plisek in a ceremony read by Justice of the Peace N. H. Cornell at Schuyler.
T/S Irvin Olson in service in the South Pacific area, was recently decorated with the Air medal, an award made in recognition of meritorious achievement. This service was rendered in aerial flights in the Southwest Pacific theater from December 30, 1943 to March 5, 1944.
Lt. Marlin Erck of Los Angeles, California, youngest son of Rev. H. Erck, former pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, now living in Lincoln, was married August 5 to Miss Jean Summerbell of Fallon, Nevada.
Malta Thell died at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Sophie Rasmussen, in Lincoln. He had been in failing health for the past few years and since January, had been given care in his granddaughter’s home. The remains were brought to Holmes Funeral Home and services were held from there to the Zion Lutheran Church.
Rev. E. C. Werner conducted the last rites. Flower bearers were Mrs. Henry Beck, and Mrs. Emil Motycka. Pallbearers were Gus A. Schlueter, Fred Daniels, Clarence Barjenbruch, Adolf Vasek, Carl Mullenhoff, Sr. and Otto Franzen. Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery.
Born in Germany on February 13, 1857, Mr. Thell died in Lincoln, Nebraska, on August 11, 1944, at the age of 87 years, five months, and 28 days. Mr. Thell was Leigh’s oldest citizen confirmed in the Lutheran church. In his youth, he was a devout follower of his faith throughout his life.
He came to this country in young manhood and settled in Nebraska. On December 13, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Frederiche Amelia Reech. One daughter, Anna, was born and she preceded her parents in death. After living two years in the Shell creek neighborhood, they moved to a farm one mile northeast of Leigh which remained their home for 20 years. In 1907, they retired and located in town. Mrs. Thell died on May 20, 1921. Her brother, Albert Reich, continued to live with Mr. Thell.
Surviving are three grandchildren, Mrs. Sophie Rasmussen of Lincoln, Mrs. Margaret Lehman of Buhl, Idaho, and Pfc. Robert Peller of San Francisco, California; six great-grandchildren and other relatives.Marlene Bahns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bahns, celebrated her tenth birthday and was honored by a group of youngsters. Games were played after which lunch was served by Mrs. Melvin Bahns and Lorene.
Those present were Mary Ann Charipar, Betty Busse, Donna and Shirley Hoff, Marlene, Velda and Eunice Held, Ardath and Arlene Watchorn, Frank Ramona, and Theresa Reichmuth, Eldon Nebola, Jackie and Sharon Green, Donald Daniels, Helmuth Koch, Shirley Hamnn, Shirley and Larry Bahns, Mrs. Herman Rahtz, Mrs. Ernest Held, Mrs. Emil Hoff and Kenneth and Theo Bahns.Joe Blum was taken to Omaha by Dr. H. D. Kuper and Mrs. Blum and placed in the Methodist Hospital. He submitted to brain surgery at the hands of Dr. J. J. Keegan. Mrs. Henry Hefti and Miss Helen Hefti R. N. went to Omaha to be with Mr. and Mrs. Blum. Dr. Kuper drove to Omaha to be present at the operation.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wurdeman are the parents of a son born at the Lutheran Hospital in Columbus. The baby weighed 8 1/2 pounds.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Wendt was christened Delaine Frederick by Rev. Bahnsen at the parsonage with the sponsors, Mrs. Margaret Hobza and Mrs. Paul Wendt.
Wm. C. Holmes passed away at his home in Columbus following a long illness. Mr. Holmes has resided in Columbus the past 20 years and has been engaged in real estate and rental business. Before moving to Columbus, he operated a restaurant in Creston.
August 25, 1944 - reprinted April 22, 1998
Joe W. Blum died at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha following a few weeks illness. On the preceding day, he submitted to brain surgery. The remains were brought to Leigh and funeral services were held from the Henry Hefti home to St. John's Church.
Rev. Henry Mumm delivered the sermon. Mrs. Adolph Hobel sang "God Will Take Care of You" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" accompanied by Florice May Jenny. Flower bearers were Mrs. Julius Littleman, Mrs. Otto Mackenstadt, Mrs. Donald Botsch, Mrs. Walter Littleman, Mrs. Ed Busse, and Mrs. Frank Nebola.
Pallbearers were four nephews, Walter Blum, Jr., Leonard Michaels, Emil Novotny, Richard Novotny, and two brothers-in-law, Henry Hefti, Jr. and Martin Barjenbruch. Burial was in the Leigh Cemetery.
Born on a farm in the Heun neighborhood on May 1, 1910, Joe W. Blum, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Blum, died in Omaha, Nebraska on August 18, 1944, at the age of 34 years, three months, and 17 days. He received his education in the rural school near his home and farmed with his father until he started farming for himself. he served on the Triple a Committee of Colfax County for three years and in 1940 was chairman of the committee. He was confirmed in St. John's Church in 1939.
He was joined in marriage to Miss Margaret Hefti on September 22, 1938, and one daughter, Janet Kay was born. They moved to the Hefti farm northwest of Clarkson in 1940.
The high regard in which Mr. Blum was held was evidenced on by a large gathering of friends who came from every town in the country to be present at the last rites.
Surviving are the wife and daughter, age 2 1/2 years, his mother, Mrs. Anna Blum; two brothers, Walter and George Blume, Jr.; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Novotny, Mrs. Clara Michaels, and Miss Anna at home; 10 nephews and nieces.
His father preceded him in death.Funeral services for Mrs. George Severa, 72, who died at her home in Clarkson, were held at the Catholic church there. Fr. C.Z. Petlach officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Regina Ciha was born in Milwaukee and came to Colfax County, Nebraska with her parents when she was three years old. Colfax and Stanton Counties remained her home for 69 years. She grew into young womanhood in the Heun neighborhood where she was married to Geo. Severa. Four sons and one daughter were born.
Mr. and Mrs. Severa farmed in the Colfax and Stanton Counties and returned to make their home in Clarkson 12 years ago. In failing health for so many years, Mrs. Severa sought relief at the best medical centers in the country but without avail.
Surviving are her husband; one daughter, Mrs. Chas. Malena of Leigh; four sons, Adolf of Creston, and Jerry, George and Lambert of Leigh. She also leaves four sisters, Mrs. Anton Kunhart of Howells Mrs. Anton Jonas of Leigh, Mrs. Jas. Vanek and Mrs. Jos. Vanek of Brooks, Montana.A message from the War Department advises Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Benes, living north of Leigh, that their son Pfc. James Benes, was "killed in action in the service of his country on June 30." Benes had previously been reported missing. He was 25 years of age.
Pfc. Benes was born at Howells. The family moved to the Leigh area in 1936. James enlisted in the Armed Forces in November, 1941. He was sent from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, to Camp Polk, Louisiana. After maneuvers in the Mojave Desert, California, he was stationed at Indiantown, Gap, Pa. before being sent to England in September, 1943. He was with the troops who invaded the coast of Normandy in June.
Surviving are the parents, three brothers, Frank of Creston, Sgt. Joseph of Camp Polk, Louisiana, and Ed of West Point; four sisters, Mrs. Helen Kirz of Dodge, Mrs. Adele Birchem of West Point, Mrs. Lillian Musil of Leigh and Miss Blanche at home.Lt. Merel Wiebold is another Leigh boy who was wounded in the invasion of France.
The Leigh Public School will begin Monday, September 4. The faculty at the present time lacks only one teacher. William J. Dunn enters his second year as superintendent. His salary has been placed at $2,650. Other members of the faculty are:
Mr. Rohland, principal, coach - $2,100; Mrs. William Dunn, high school - $1,800; Louise M. Farley, high school - $1,800; vacancy, high school; Mrs. Rachel Whinnery, seventh and eighth - $1,200; Mrs. Harry Mumm, fifth and sixth grade and music - $1,325; Mrs. Oliver Barjenbruch, third and fourth grade - $1,200; Mrs. O.H. Wullschleger, first and second - $1,200.
August 25, 1944 - reprinted April 29, 1998
S/Sgt. Arthur Gersil was a member of the force which had part in the invasion and occupation of Saipan, according to word received by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Bahnsen. Gersil has been in Pacific waters for several months.A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Smrz at St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus.
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Engelbart have purchased the pool hall from Mrs. Arnold Rosendahl. Mrs. Engelbart plans to serve lunches. They are fixing up a window for pictures of Creston’s men in service and would like to have pictures brought in for the display.
September 1, 1944 - reprinted April 29, 1998
The men listed below were accepted by the Armed Forces, left for Fort Leavenworth induction station on August 28, 1944. William Carl Thalken, Clarkson; George R. Pospisil, Clarkson; Walter R. Meyer.T/Sgt. Earl Tedford has been transferred from the Hawaiian Islands to the Isle of Saipan.
Arthur Hoessel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Hoessel, engineer, gunner on a B-2x Liberator, has been awarded the oak leaf cluster and was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant.
Lt. Lloyd L. Pospishil, Colfax County Attorney, who is serving in the Navy and located at Corpus Christi, Texas, has been appointed by Admiral Mason to Staff Legal Officer of the Naval Air Intermediate Training Command.
Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Hanel, Sr. have received an announcement of the birth of a daughter to Petty Officer 1/c and Mrs. Leonard Hanel at Hutchinson, Kansas. The baby was named Cheryl Marlene.
A son, weighing 8 1/2 pounds, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Reininger, Jr. He was named Roger Emil.
T/S Gordon E. Kumpf has advised his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kumpf, of a recent promotion. He is stationed "somewhere in New Guinea."
Cpl. Victor B. Wolken returned from Camp McCall, North Carolina, where he was stationed for several months. He has been given an honorable discharge from Army service due to physical disability.
Mrs. Frank Reichmuth and Alvin returned from Florissant, Missouri, where they spent three days visiting Marion Reichmuth, N.S.J. student at St. Stanislaus Seminary. They were accompanied to Florissant by Rolland Reichmuth, SJ, who is studying in St. Louis University at St. Louis, Missouri, and by Mrs. Walter Burger and son, Ronald of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mrs. Rose Hampl, and grandson, Tommy Rix, of Chicago, Illinois. The women are sisters, They made the trip by train. Mr. Reichmuth met them at Schuyler on their return.
Norman Rozmarin, who is with the invasion Army in France was recently promoted from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant. He has been overseas with the mechanized Cavalry.
Funeral services for Pfc. Clinton E. Polark, 32, who died in the General Hospital, Staten Island, New York, were held in the Methodist Church at Bellwood. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park, Columbus. Hartmen Post, American Legion, conducted the graveside services.
The deceased was born at Bellwood and graduated from the Bellwood High School in 1931. He was married to Miss LaRue Henry, of Creston, and one daughter was born. After a divorce, he was married to Miss Harriet Harris of Los Angeles, California. He worked at the Lockheed Aircraft Plant until entering the Armed Service in February 1943.
In March, 1944, he was sent overseas and was in England until July 30, when he was flown to Staten Island Hospital where he underwent an operation for removal of a tumor from the brain on July 22. He had been hospitalized in England for some weeks.
Surviving are his wife, his daughter, Carolyn, who lives at Creston, his father, Edward Polark, and sister, Mrs. Pearl Nantkes, of Columbus.
September 8, 1944 - reprinted April 29, 1998
The wedding of Miss Harriot Lorain Johnson of Seattle, Washington, to Robert H. Price of San Francisco, California, formerly of Leigh, was solemnized by the Rev. Robert Havland in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in San Francisco.A telegram from the War Department received advised Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hekrdle and their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jake Hekrdle, that their son and her husband, T/S Jake T. Hekrdle, died in France from wounds received in action. An earlier dispatch brought the information that he had received wounds.
T/S Hekrdle was the driver in the 3rd Armored Division and had been awarded the good conduct medal and also a medal for tank driving. He had been in the service of his country since December 1, 1941.
A memorial service in his honor was conducted by Rev. Fr. C. Z. Petlach in the Catholic church in Clarkson. A similar service was held at St. John’s Church, Leigh. Rev. Harry Mumm was in charge.
...
Much of the time Hekrdle was in the Army service he was in the same company with Pfc. James Benes, from the same neighborhood north of Leigh, who was "killed in action" in the invasion area.
Jake Tom Hekrdle was born on the Hekrdle farm north of Leigh on May 21, 1914, and died in the service of his country on French battlefields, August 8, 1944, aged 30 years, two months and 19 days. He received his education in the rural school near their home, District No. 48, afterwards farming with his father.
He was joined in marriage to Miss Bertha Sayers on December 9, 1942, during furlough. One daughter, Betty marie, whom he never saw, was born.
Surviving are his wife and daughter, aged seven months, his parents, five sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Mary Houdek, Mrs. Anna Houdek, Joseph Hekrdle, Mrs. Emily Fuhr, William, Libbie and Lillian Hekrdle at home. One brother died in infancy.Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Weber are the parents of an eight pound son, born in St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus.