Living

Notes:

Obituary

Richard (Dick) Vasak, 89 of Santa Monica, California passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Helen at his side on January 31, 2024.

He was born October 31, 1934, in Crete, Nebraska to parents Milton and Mary (Payer) Vasak. Dick had one sibling, a sister, Florence Chleboun.

Dick graduated from Crete High School in Nebraska. where he lettered in sports. He then went on to Doane University where he majored in Chemistry and Math. While attending Doane he met the love of his life Helen, the woman who would stand by his side through thick and thin for the next 67 years!

Dick and Helen came to California in 1957 where he attended USC and gained an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to work as a Physicist for the Navy, followed by working at Honeywell, and then at West Amp. Later, he and Helen started their own electronics manufacturing company, Glentek Inc. Up until his passing Dick could be found at work every day and often singing classic songs in the hallways.

Dick was involved in many service organizations in Santa Monica over the years. YMCA, Kiwanis, and the Boys and Girls Club of America where he was deeply involved in coaching. Dick was also passionate about coaching his sons in baseball and football. Dick was a lifelong advocate of Doane University and served on the Doane University Board of Trustees in Crete for several years.

Dick was an avid golfer and won the Seniors Tournament at the Riveria Country Club. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, in California, back in his home state of Nebraska or anywhere in the world. But what he loved doing most was traveling with Helen. Together they have traveled near and far. Dick enjoyed going to Dodger games, cooking, watching Trojan and Cornhusker football, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events and activities. Dick was also very proud of his Czech heritage and made sure to pass that on to his son's and grandchildren. Both he and Helen were honored to serve as the King and Queen of the Wilbur Nebraska Czech festival.

Dick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend.

He is survived by his beloved wife Helen, son's William, John, and Milton, daughter-in-law Nathalie, grandson's Richard and Brandon, granddaughters, Danielle, Nicole, Melissa, Briana, and Allison, great grandchildren, Ward, Wally, Colt and Juniper, nephews, Michael and Edward Pallesen, niece, Lisa Chelboun Joos, sister-in- law Lorainne Pallesen, and his faithful dog Alice.

He is predeceased by his parents Milton and Mary Vasak, his sister Florence Chleboun and his brother-in law, Charles Pallesen.

"I've lived a life that is full, I traveled each and every highway and more, much more, I did it, I did it my way" ? Frank Sinatra Dick lived his life much like this and will be dearly missed!

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 17th, 11:00 A.M. at Grace United Methodist Church, 1245 Juniper Ave, Crete Nebraska

A Celebration of Life will be planned in California at a later date.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, from Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete)

(Research):Graduate of Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, class of 1957.

Richard married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Marie H. Soukup in Oct 1933 in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska. Marie (daughter of Frank R. Soukup and Mary Svec) was born on 17 Jul 1905 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma; died on 17 Aug 2006 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cared for her parents in their declining years in her nursing home in Crete, Nebraska. Her listing on the SSDI instead has her date of birth as 16 July 1905, however her obituary confirms the 17 July birthdate.

Obituary

Marie H. Sysel, Crete

Marie H. Sysel, 101, Crete, died Thursday (8/17/06). Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Preceded in death by husband Edward; parents Mary Svec and Frank R. Soukup; brother Frank Soukup; sisters Alice Marshall, Pauline Brt, Rose Duba, Wilma Huppert and Irma Dinneen. Survived by daughters and sons-in-law Helen Marie Vasak (Richard) and Lorraine Pallesen (Charles); grandsons, their wives and children William Vasak (Rushelle), Brandon and Briana, John Vasak, Richard and Danielle, Milton Vasak (Nathalie), Nicole, Melissa and Allison, Michael Pallesen Sr. (Kathleen), Katie, Michael Jr., Libby and Maggie, Edward Sysel Pallesen (Marty Haessler), Henry and Phoebe.

Born July 17, 1905, in Lawton, Okla. Educated at Milligan Public Schools, Milligan. As a young girl she served as a telephone operator at the Frank H. Woods Exchange, Crete, owned a beauty shop in Wilber, served as a visiting nurse in the Milligan, Tobias and Ohiowa areas. Married Edward Sysel in Nebraska City in 1933. Joined Edward in farming the Sysel homestead near Crete and in 1940 on the farm they bought by Parkersburg, Iowa. When Ed died suddenly in 1951 she took over the farm, eventually selling it and moving back to Crete with her daughters into the house she built and in which she resided until her death.

Upon returning to Crete, Marie worked as an office nurse for Dr. Lewis Forney and later opened and operated a nursing home, "Sysel's Rest Haven," and an assisted-living facility, "Sysel's Manor." In 1969, Marie returned to farming, having bought a farm near Wellsburg, Iowa, which she managed until her death. Her longtime friends Ivan and Frances Slifer farmed the land, and when they retired, their son, Spencer and his wife, Cindy, continued farming the land.

Being a widow at age 45 she raised her two daughters, ages 17 and 15 at the time, providing for their education at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Doane College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She worked side-by-side with her husband, Ed, on the farm and after his death used her knowledge and skills to manage by herself each farm she owned. She was absolutely devoted to her daughters and their families and always put their welfare before her own.

Last year at this time she traveled with her daughter Lorraine and Chuck in the Czech Republic, Germany and France. In May she attended special functions at the preschools of her great-grandchildren in Omaha and New York City. In June she was in California to celebrate Helen Marie and Richard's 50th wedding anniversary. She was blessed with marvelous health, living by herself in her own home until she was hospitalized approximately a week ago after suffering a fall. Words cannot express how much Marie's family and friends will miss her, but they are grateful for having been able to share with her the appreciation of her Czech heritage and especially her love of Czech music, her marvelous cooking skills, her joy in raising beautiful flowers and her optimistic, positive attitude toward life.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, 1245 Juniper St., Crete. Visitation will begin at noon on Sunday. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete.

(Courtesy Dennis Belohlavy, 19 August 2006 Lincoln Journal Star)

Notes:

In the book HISTORY OF MILLIGAN NEBRASKA 1888-1988 it is noted that

"...moved to Junction City, Oklahoma, where they homesteaded and in 1909 returned to Milligan where they farmed for a number of years. F.R. managed different businesses during his lifetime among them being manager of the Jicha Central Hall and tavern. After Joseph Jica Sr. passed away, R. R. and Edward Janousek managed the place together for sometime. He also worked in the Herman Stastny tavern.

In 1921, he moved from the farm southwest of Milligan and purchased Alois Petracek dry goods and grocery store, which he and his wife managed. Later he sold the store.

After the Farmer's Co-operative Company was organized, F.R. Soukup and his son, Frank, were among some of the employees. At the second annual stockholders meeting, a livestock shippers association was organized and F.R was hired to take charge of this new association. At one time the Farmers Co-op Elevator shipped livestock to market for the owner. F.R. was in charge of the livestock department. F.R. and Edward Cudly also managed the Farmer Co-op at one time."

According to his application for a Social Security Number, Frank was employed by Stastny & Vasina in MIlligan in 1940. His SS-5 also indicated that his Middle Initial, R, was just that. He did not have an actual middle name. SSN 507-18-6921.

Member of the Z.C.J.B. Lodge #76 Svatopluk Czeck

(Medical):Hypertensive cardiovascular disease

Frank married Mary Svec on 28 Nov 1899 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of Vaclav "James" Svec and Marie "Mary" Suda) was born on 10 Mar 1879 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 5 Sep 1967 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Last name may have been SEVZ.

Member of the Royal Neighbors' Lodge.

Notes:

Married:
"Married at St. Wenceslaus Church in Milligan. They observed their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Thursday, November 24, 1949 in Milligan Auditorium and their 60th at their home November 28, 1959. Their attendants, Joe Soukup Sr of Swanton, Albert Kassik Sr and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Suda, were able to be present for their 50th."