FAMILY STORIES

throughout his membership. He was commissioner to the 189th General Assembly in Philadelphia in 1977.

   Clara is presently serving as elder and clerk of session in the church, and secretary and treasurer of the Ladies Guild. She is active in the Hospital Auxiliary, Garden Club, Idyl Extension Club, serves on the Extension Council, and is involved in voluntary Red Cross work.

   Both Frank and Clara are active in the Saunders County Historical Society, Faithful Mariners in the church, Nebraska Czechs of Saunders County, and the Saunders County Czech Singers. Submitted by Clara Veskrna

   Don Virgl, a life long resident of Saunders County, was born and raised on the family farm homesteaded by his late grandparents, John and Frances (Meduna) Virgl, located in Elk precinct. He is the son of the late Adolph and Marie (Havel) Virgl. Their other children are Mildred (Mrs. William Cuda) and Robert L. Virgl both of Wahoo.

   Bachelorhood ended for Don in 1954 when he married Alice Dostal from Howells, Nebr. in Colfax County. Five sons blessed their union, namely, John, Paul, Thomas, James, and Dean. Alice's ancestors came to this country at the turn of the century from Czechoslovakia and Don's ancestors are from Moravia.

   We have the John Deere franchise, namely, Wahoo Implement. The older sons, John and Paul, are active in the family business. Thomas attended Kearney State College on a football scholarship. He now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. James is a junior at Kearney State College, also playing football for the Antelopes. Dean is enrolled at Southeast Community College in Lincoln.

   The family is active in community activities as well as on the state level. Don serves on the Saunders County Hospital Board, State Fair Board, 40 and 8 Chef de gare, American Legion, V.F.W., Iowa-Ne. Machinery Retailers Assoc. John is active on the Wahoo Fire Dept, and the First Aid rescue unit. John and Paul have completed the E.M.T. course. John has his pilot's license and Paul is taking classes to earn the same. Don and all sons are members of the Knights of Columbus Council in Wahoo. The family belongs to SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Plasi, also in Elk Precinct. Submitted by Don Virgl

   My paternal grandfather, John Virka, came to the United States from Czech-Austria as a young man in about the year 1871. After a few trials of life in New York, he hitched a train ride to Braidwood, Illinois where he mined coal for a few years. During this time he met and married my grandmother, Veronica Soukup. She, too, had come from Czech-Austria earlier.

Virka's Wheatfield, 1930's. Left to Right: Fannie Mach, Joseph and Frances Virka and Clyde Michaelis.

   When they heard of an opportunity to work with the soil, they moved to Nebraska and acquired a farm tract in the Morse Bluff precinct. They were soon convinced that living and working on a farm was the only kind of life they wanted for themselves and their six children, the youngest being my father, Joseph Virka.

   My maternal great-grandparents, Anton and Anna Mach, were Czech-Austrian also, and came to the United States in the later 1870's. They purchased two 80's of land in Elk precinct from the Union Pacific Railroad.

   Their oldest child, Joseph A. Mach was my grandfather. He met Barbara Kotab a recent Czech immigrant. It was love at first sight on the part of Grandpa and he pushed for an early "Yes" answer from Grandma. They married on Dec. 27, 1892, and this put out forever Grandma's earlier ambition of taking on a job in the city, going to night school and learning the English language well.

   The Mach farm in Elk precinct was promptly turned over to the newlyweds, but it took a lot of hard work, worry, and sacrifice to make it completely theirs by paying off an existing mortgage of $1300 in those cheap and difficult times. They had two daughters, the younger, Frances, being my mother.

   My parents married on May 1, 1917, and settled on the Virka farmstead near Morse Bluff. I, Clara Virka, their only child, remember my school years in the 1930's. At first I was driven to school in a boxey oldtime Ford car. My mother wouldn't give up having flowers blooming in the yard in spite of difficulties.

   The family doctor, black bag, house calls and all, was quite a hero to us. I delighted in Mickey Mouse and clothes having a Shirley Temple picture on them. I received one of these gifts at a time and learned moderation as a result.

   Our rural home probably was remembered for one extra-ordinary thing. A certain relative of ours was already an aviator in the 1930's. He would occasionally surprise us by coming to our place with his light plane. This was very exciting to our neighbors as airplanes were then scarce.

   My father was very impressed with the combine, corn-picker, and all the better, faster aids for farming he had seen come into being. Once he was interviewed for Radio Free Europe in the 1950's and asked what he'd advise to the people back in Czechoslovakia. He said, "Acquire for yourselves the fine machinery we have here." Submitted by Clara Virka

   Frank and Marie Pop Vlasak arrived in Saunders County in 1871 from Zichov, Czechoslovakia with four children. They homesteaded a short distance northeast of Plasi, Nebraska.

   Frank passed away at the age of 46 years in December, 1878. He was survived by his widow, Marie, and 8 children who ranged in ages of 2 days to 18 years.

   At the time of Frank's death, the family was in the process of buying 80 acres of land ½ mile west of what is now the town of Prague. Records in the Court House show it was bought for $8 an acre in April, 1879.

   They moved to the farm they bought. The house was built by Joseph Jirik, a brother-in-law of Marie. A schoolhouse was located across the road from their farm.

   There were 7 sons and 1 daughter. James married Sophia Stransky. Joseph married Karolina Vasina. Katherine married Harry Williams. John married Anna Wirka. Frank married Anna Fujan. Charles married Mary Ostry; Alois never married. Thomas married Marie Wirka. Submitted by Mrs. John Hruska

   Robert Anton Voboril (Bob) was born in Wahoo, Nebraska on October 13, 1949 to Anton J. and Bessie (Steyer) Voboril. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and Neumann High School where he was active in Debate, Speech and Drama and served as yearbook and newspaper editor. After graduating in 1967, he attended St. Thomas Seminary, Denver and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he graduated cum laude in December 1971, with a B.S. in Secondary Education and minors in social studies, history, psychology and English. He earned his Master of Science Degree in guidance and counseling from UNO in December 1977, and an equivalent Master's in Educational Administration in 1978. He has been in the Omaha Catholic Schools since 1972, and as an administrator since 1975. He is presently principal of St. Columbkille Catholic School in Papillion. He married Pamela Ward of Papillion on May 12, 1978.

   Pam was born to John and Bernice (Timme) Ward on June 26, 1948, in Omaha. She attended Papillion Public grade and high schools and graduated cum laude from the University of Nebraska in 1970 with a B.S. in nursing. She has been employed by the Visiting Nurses Association for twelve years.

   Bob and Pam are active members of the Omaha Catholic community. The family has sponsored two refugee families -- one Hmong and one Polish. Bob has served as president of the Omaha Archdiocesan Elementary Principals Association, member of the National Board of Trustees of the Czech Memorial Chapel in Washington, D.C., Administrators' Archdiocesan Pastoral Council delegate, trustee of his parish and chairman of the first major parish relocation in Omaha Archdiocesan history.

   Pam has piloted several new concepts in public health nursing. She was an original staff member in health maintenance sites for the elderly in highrises, and nutrition sites and the needy in public housing projects. She pioneered the school scoliosis checks now common in elementary schools. She has worked extensively in school nursing and S.I.D. follow-ups.

   They have two daughters, Mlada Ann (Millie) born April 30, 1979 and Kathleen Zuzuna (Katie Z) born January 6, 1982.

   Besides parish work, they enjoy remodeling their home and acreage in old South Omaha where they have lived since 1978. They chose to live in an older, ethnic neighborhood so that their children could be rooted in the same close-knit family structure that they grew up in, in small towns during the early '50's. To them the most important activity is to be with Millie and Katie Z and to enjoy long walks, Millie's braids, Katie's red hair, Neil Diamond records, Paul Newman movies, baseball games, and lots of good Bohemian food. By Bob Voboril

   Thomas Joseph Voboril was born in Wahoo on June 27, 1951, son of Anton J. and Bessie Voboril. He attended kindergarten at North Ward School. Miss Dorothy Burwell was his teacher. She had also taught his father when he was in elementary school in Weston. Tom attended St. Wenceslaus School and graduated from Neumann High School in 1969. After winning a Regents scholarship he commuted to UNL while working with his father in the trenching business. He enlisted in the National Guard from 1970 to 1976, spending most of his active duty time at Fort Knox, Ky. In 1972, he went to work for Watson-Brickson Lumber Co. in Lincoln as a driver and yard man and became yard manager and vice-president of the firm in 1976.

   Tom married the former Paula Poulsen at St. Wenceslaus church in Wahoo on March 24, 1973. Paula was born to James and Myrel (Pokett) Poulsen on September 18, 1954 in Hebron, Nebraska. One of five children, Paula attended kindergarten in Hebron, North Ward Public school in Wahoo, and graduated from Wahoo Public High in 1972.

   Tom and Paula lived in Lincoln, Neb, where they had two daughters, Jennifer Christine, born August 10, 1973 and Melissa Jean born Jan. 15, 1976. The family moved to a house they bought in Wahoo in December, 1976. Both girls attend St. Wenceslaus Grade School. Paula is active in Extension Club Activities, Home-School duties, and is a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader. The family enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking together.

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   Tony and I were both born in Saunders County and spent most of our lives here.

The Tony Voboril Family

   Tony was born on a farm near Prague on September 20, 1925. His parents, Joseph and Gustie Rezac Voboril, are also native Saunders Countians. He attended Weston Elementary and High Schools. He didn't graduate with his class, however, as he was drafted into the Army during his Senior Year. He did get his diploma through the kindness of Dollie Burwell.

   I was born on a farm near Valparaiso on May 3, 1925. I attended Country School District #116, Valparaiso High School, and a summer session at Midland College, passed the Teacher's Exams and started teaching in Country School District #18 at 16. When sugar was rationed, I registered the people in that district but was not old enough to register myself. I walked to and from my rural school teaching job on the railroad tracks.

   On August 23, 1948, Tony and I were married at St. Vitus Catholic Church in Touhy by Rev. Wenceslaus Beranek. Tony had been discharged from the Army after having served in the Philippines and in Panama. We lived in Weston for three years. He worked for Willard Barry and I taught at District #99 for one year.

   We had seven children. All attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School and Neumann High.

   In 1951, Tony and I and our two boys, Bob and Tom, moved to Wahoo where Tony operated a filling station and Ron was born on October 23, 1952. He graduated in 1971. He has managed the plumbing and trenching business that Tony started in the 1960's since Tony's accidental death August 11, 1976.

   Norm was born October 5, 1956 and graduated from Neumann in 1974. He and his wife, the former Yvonne Wade of Malmo, and their son, Tony Allen, born July 13, 1981, live in Great Falls, Montana where Norm works for a lumber supply company.

   Our fifth son, David, was born October 2, 1959 and graduated from Neumann in 1978. He works at Frohner Motors in Wahoo.

   Our only daughter, Monica, was born December 30, 1961 and graduated from Neumann in 1980, attended Hastings College and is now attending Northeast Technical Community College in Norfolk.

   Our youngest son, Steve, was born December 17, 1964. He was our special Christmas gift that year and was baptized on Christmas Day. He is a senior at Neumann this year.

   Ron, Dave, and Steve, live at home with me. Tony's death necessitated changes in all our lives. I now work at St. John School in Weston as a teacher's aide. One of my special commitments is to visit the Care Center on Saturday mornings and say the Rosary with the Catholic residents. Ron is a volunteer fireman and a member of the Wahoo Rescue Squad. Bessie H. Voboril

   Frank Vojtech and his wife, Josephine Krejca, arrived in this country from Lukovo, Znojmo, Moravia, Budejovice, in 1877. They had two children, Frantiska and George. They settled on 40 acres a mile west and a mile north of Cedar Hill and lived in a sod dugout. On December 24, 1878, a son, Frank J., was born to them and was baptized by a traveling priest, Father Cyril Augustinsky, in the public school house, District 77, on February 2, 1879.

Frank Vojtech and Family. Seated, L to R: Frank and Josephine Vojtech; Back Row: Frances Vojtech Vyhlidah, George Vojtech, Frank Vojtech.

   Frank J. used to relate the memory of watching his father and other men of the church move the body of Mr. James H. Noteware from Killian Cemetery to its final resting place north of the church which his wife chose for him with the wish that perpetual care be provided for the grave.

   On May 9, 1904, Frank J. married Mary Bauer at Sacred Heart. To them were born six children: James, Joseph, Emily, Helen, Marie, and Ernest.

   Both were active in church affairs, Frank with the dances and "picnics" and Mary helping at Pout and dinners. She would always make the noodles as thin as slivers. People judged a woman's skill by how thin her noodles were! After retiring to Fremont in 1943, they returned to Sacred Heart, Cedar Hill, to renew their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary. Mary passed away on June 22, 1970; Frank, on August 11, 1974. Both are buried at Cedar Hill cemetery.

   Jan Volf or Wolf was born 1838 to Joseph Volf and Dorothea Roubal Volf in a small village in Czechoslovakia called Trnci. In 1868, Jan married Marie Simanek at Chudenice. This is near Lucice, Bohemia. Both Jan and Marie were almost 30 years of age at this time. He was a professional soldier for the Hapsburg Empire and had already fought in 2 wars before their marriage in 1868. "My Aunt Bess told me many years ago that great-grandpa Wolf was a regular soldier and fought in 3 wars before coming to the United States with his family. By this time, Marie and Jan were both so tired of all these wars in Europe, that they wanted their children to be able to grow up in a free country. The women had to stay at home and take care of the family and farm by themselves while their husbands were away."

   In the fall of 1880, Jan brought his wife and their 3 children to live in Saunders County. Marie's 3 brothers had already come to the United States and were instrumental in encouraging the Volf family to begin their new life. The immigration dates for the brothers were: Thomas, 1867; Joseph, 1868; and George (Jiri), 1868. Jan owned 160 acres and lived in Elk Precinct with a Prague address. They settled into their new life, becoming members of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Plasi. The Simanek farms were all grouped together in a circle in Elk Precinct, and all their children had the same names. Anton Kremlacek lived next to the George Simanek farm and the Wolfs farmed a little ways west. Henry Fisher, who married Mary Simanek, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Simanek, farmed just north of the Wolf farm. Ignac Simanek, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Simanek, farmed west of the Wolf farm near the town of Plasi.

   Marie Simanek was born in 1844 to George (Jiri) Simanek and Barbara Kasparek Simanek in Lucice near Chudenice, Czechoslovakia. Children born to Jan and Marie Volf near Chudenice are listed here. Maria Volf was born in and died in 1868. Magdaline, 1869-Jan. 5, 1939, was married in 1888 to Anton Kremlacek at Plasi. Their children were Mary, Alois, Phoebe, Anton Jr., Bessie, Edward, Loddy, August, Agnes and Helen. (See Frank Kremlacek Jr. for more information on these children.)

   Third child of Jan and Marie was a girl who was born in, and died in 1870. Anna Volf, b. and d. 1871, was the fourth child. The fifth child, Barbara, born in 1873, died the same year.

   Jan Volf, the sixth child, born in 1876 in Chudenice, died in 1885 in Saunders County.

   James (Warclav), the seventh child, born in 1878 near Chudenice, was married in 1904 to Emma Walla at Wahoo, and died at Wahoo in 1868(sic) at 90. James owned a grocery store for many years in Wahoo. James and Emma Wolf had three children. Bill was born in 1905 and resides at the Haven House, Wahoo. Emil Wolf, born 1905, is deceased. Irene Wolf Miller was born in 1909 at Wahoo.

   The last child of Jan and Marie Volf was Barbara, born in 1881 in Elk Precinct. She married Frank Fujan in 1899. He died. Barbara then married Anton Novak in 1905. She died in 1916 at Farwell, Nebraska.

   Jan Volf lived to the ripe old age of 69 years; then died in 1907 while visiting his 2 daughters, Magdaline Kremlacek and Barbara Novak who had moved with their families to several farms they purchased near Farwell in 1904. Submitted by Jacqueline Bryant

   Fred Volin and Grayce Schultz were united in marriage on Febr. 17, 1937 at Fremont, Nebraska.

   Fred is the son of Stanley Volin and Marie Slemin Volin of Prague. Stanley and Marie emigrated from Czechoslovakia. Fred attended grade school at Dist. 85 and Prague High School. Fred is one of four children; Jerry, Fred, Ted, and Helen.

   Grayce is the daughter of John C. Schultz and Mary Petersen Schultz of Malmo. Two daughters were born to this family, Mildred and Grayce. Grayce attended school Dist. 75 and Malmo Public School and was a graduate of Wahoo High School. She also attended Luther College at Wahoo.

   Fred and Grayce are the parents of two children, JoAnn, and Jimmy. JoAnn married Roland Pospisil, son of Emil and Lydia Pospisil of Malmo. Jimmy was killed in a gun accident on Oct. 29, 1960 at the age of 12.

   Fred and Grayce have 4 grandchildren, Vicki, Larry, and Kari Pospisil, and Lori Reeves, and a great-granddaughter, Melissa Lynn Reeves.

   Fred and Grayce moved to a farm west of Wahoo after their marriage where they farmed until 1944. In 1945, Fred and his brother, Jerry, purchased the Hardware and Garage from C.B. Mantle at Malmo, where they were in business for 28 years. They retired in 1973. By Grayce Volin

   In 1861, Frank and Anna Pech Vopalensky, with their children, Mary, Albina, Anna, Frank and Christina, said farewell at Novy Rychov, Bohemia to their son John and family, to their friends and other relatives, and to a mill which was a family possession for over two hundred years.

   After a stormy three month voyage, they embarked at Baltimore, Maryland and proceeded on to a Czech settlement in the Blue River Valley in Grant County, Wisconsin in 1862. Their daughters, Mary and Albina, were married here. Their youngest son, Edward, was born near Blue River Station in 1867.

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Frank and Anna Vopalensky

   1870 saw the family migrating to Sounders County, Nebraska leaving Mary, her husband, Frank Schoenberger and family in Wisconsin. The Vopalenskys settled on Sand Creek in Bohemia Precinct. Here they observed their golden anniversary, June 15, 1891. The Wahoo New Era states that guests began arriving at eight o'clock in the morning until over five hundred were present. After a "sumptuous meal", dancing began. Later in the afternoon, the honored couple was presented a gold ornamented chair and a gold-headed cane. Dancing resumed and did not cease until morning.

   This cane became a family tradition, being presented to the oldest son on his fiftieth birthday. Frank presented it to his oldest son living in the United States in May, 1908 to his son Frank, with the cane being presented to John Vopalensky in March, 1933. The cane is now in the possession of Irwin Vopalensky.

   The descendants of Frank and Anna Vopalensky are numerous in Saunders County. They had thirteen children. Seven reached adulthood. Four of these lived most of their adult life in Saunders County in the Morse Bluff, Bohemia, and Douglas Precincts. These four provided the Vopalenskys with forty grandchildren. Grandchildren still living in the Morse Bluff community are Albin Kavan, Anna Kubik, James Vopalensky and William Vopalensky. Helen Allen, David City, and Sylvia DeFord, Lincoln are also among the living grandchildren in Nebraska in 1982.

   Albina Vopalensky, having married Jan Beranek in Wisconsin, came to Nebraska in 1870 shortly before her parents. After thirty-five years, eleven children, and a divorce, she moved with the younger children to Ravenna, Nebraska. Charles Beranek was the only son to remain in the area. Anna, a daughter, married Anton Wesely and continues to live in Saunders County.

   Anna Vopalensky married John Kavan in 1873. Most of their thirteen children considered Saunders County home. They have the greatest number of Vopalensky descendants in the county.

   Frank and Edward Vopalensky married the Shavlik sisters, Mary and Margaret. Of Frank's nine children, three continued to call Morse Bluff home. Edward had five children remaining in the area.

   In 1889, Frank and Anna deeded their land to Edward Vopalensky for the sum of $100 a year and board for the rest of their lives. Frank lived to the age of 87, dying April 30, 1906, while Anna was 92 when she died January 30, 1914. Their descendants, numerous in Saunders County, can be located in several areas of the United States. Bernice Vopalensky Robertson Great-granddaughter of Frank and Anna Vopalensky

   Thomas Vrana, son of John and Marie (Dvorak) Vrana, and Alice Ruzicka, daughter of Jerry and Mary (Pallas) Ruzicka of Valparaiso, were married on Sept. 6, 1933 in the Weston Presbyterian Church by Rev. B. Marek. Thomas was baptized and confirmed in the church and is a lifelong member and has served as elder in the church. They lived on a farm northeast of Prague until their move in 1957 to Wahoo where they now reside. Alice is a member of the Ladies Guild and both are active members of the Faithful Mariners.

   They had four children: Fred who married Kathleen Petersen of Wahoo; Ben of Schuyler Nebr; Mrs. Bob (Ruth) Lind of Alcester, South Dakota; and Mrs. Ed. (Mary Ann) Lewis of Lexington Park, Maryland. Submitted by Mrs. Thomas Vrana

   Emily Vybiral, son of John and Frantiska (Krupica) Vybiral of Colon, Nebraska, was born June 7, 1915. He lived on the family farm nine years before moving to Wahoo, Nebraska in 1924, with his parents and sister, Rose.

Back Row: Lauren Postma; Middle Row, L. to R.: Richard, Joy, and Arline Vybiral, Elizabeth Postma, and Inez Black; Front Row: Matthew and Amy Vybiral, Sarah and Michael Postma.

   Emil graduated from Wahoo High School in 1931. He attended Luther Junior College in Wahoo and Still College of Osteopathy in Des Moines, Iowa before locating on his farm in Wahoo Precinct east of Wahoo. His interests focused on coordinating soil resources and livestock production. Fifteen years on the farm was ended with his death from a car accident.

   Emil met Arline (Whaley) in 1936 and they were married in 1937. Their family consisted of two children, Richard John and Elizabeth Arlene. Richard was graduated from Wahoo High School and received his Bachelor of Science in Music at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1964. He worked as an assistant at the University in the College of Music, receiving his Master's Degree in Music in 1966. Richard was Choral Director at Minden, Nebraska and Red Oak, Iowa. He purchased the White's Greenhouse in 1980, where his production is bedding plants and general landscaping. Richard was married to Joy Black of Marshalltown, Iowa in 1968. Their family consists of Matthew Earl, age 13; and Amy Kathleen, age 11.

   Elizabeth graduated from Wahoo High School and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966 and her Master's Degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1968. She married Lauren Postma of Brewster, Minnesota in 1970. She is teaching in the Worthington Public Schools. Lauren is contractor and builder in Worthington, Minnesota. Their family consists of Sarah Elizabeth, 10 years old, and Michael Douglas, 9 years old.

   Arline returned to school, receiving her B.A. and M.A. Degrees at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After completing twenty-five years of teaching at the Wahoo Elementary Schools, she retired in May, 1983. She will enjoy visiting her children and grandchildren, and many hobbies. Submitted by Arline Vybiral

   Frank Vybiral was born in Wahoo on October 14, 1910, the son of Frank and Marie (Brabec) Vybiral. His father, Frank Sr., was a Wahoo businessman and member of the Wahoo City Council. His mother, Marie, passed away August 29, 1980, just three months short of her 100th birthday.

   Frank spent his childhood in Wahoo, attending St. Wenceslaus School, and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1928. After graduation and a year at the University of Nebraska, Frank began his farming career during the depression years, first on a farm east of Cedar Bluffs and then 3 miles west of Colon.

   Bess was born on October 25, 1913, on a farm north of Abie, Nebraska, in Butler County. Her parents were Vincent and Sophia (Krivanek) Cihacek. When Bess was 9 years old, the family moved to Abie where her father was a carpenter and her mother a seamstress. She attended school in Abie and graduated from Schuyler High School in 1932.

   Frank and Bess were married on August 14, 1934, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colon. Their children are; Phyllis, wife of Delmar Nozicka, of Wahoo; Carol, wife of Lane LeClaire of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and Frank C. of Bloomington, Illinois who is married to the former Martha Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pa.

   The family lived west of Colon until 1952 when they moved to a farm 3 miles east of Wahoo. In 1958, they moved to 1058 North Beech in Wahoo, when Frank began working at Wahoo Newspaper as a pressman. Bess worked at the Wahoo Bakery for 9 years and Platte Valley Foods for 5 years. Now, both retired, Frank and Bess have moved to a smaller home at 331 East 15 St.

   They are both very active in their retirement years. Frank has always been an avid sports fan and participant, having played on a softball team both at Colon and Fremont, until he was past 50 years of age. He is an active bowler and in the summer, he likes to go fishing. Bess' hobbies include playing cards, handiwork and cooking. She especially enjoys her houseplants and is noted for her green thumb. She is active in the Rosary Society and St. Ludmilla's Guild at St. Wenceslaus Church. They both enjoy their 10 grandchildren, namely, Paula and Lisa Nozicka of Wahoo; Steven, Craig, Shelly and Vonnie LeClaire of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and Luke, Ann, Margaret and Claire Vybiral of Bloomington, Illinois. Submitted by Phyllis Nozicka

   Frank and Frances (Jirovsky) Vybiral, both natives of the locality of Trebic, Moravia, came with their family to the United States in May, 1882. They came directly to Nebraska, settling in Saunders County and purchasing 80 acres of land near Colon. Through their years of farming, they added to the land from time to time until they were the owners of 320 acres. They were the parents of five children, all of whom were born in Moravia: Catherine, the eldest, wife of William Fanning of Colon; Joseph, who died in a hunting accident at the age of 17 shortly after their arrival in Nebraska; John, who married Frances Staska who passed away in 1909 (John later married Frantiska Krupica); Frank, who married Marie Brabec; and Marie, wife of Matej Cernik, a farmer in Marietta Precinct in Saunders Co.

Frank and Frances Vybiral

   In later years Frank and Frances retired to Colon. Frank passed away in 1909 at the age of 68. Frances survived him for almost two years and also passed away at the age of 68 in 1910. There were at least seven generations of Vybirals by the name of Frank.

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