Living

Notes:

Graduate of Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, class of 1959.

Obituary
Lincoln Journal Star, November 29, 2011
(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Charles M. Pallesen Jr., age 74, Lincoln, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2011. Born July 20, 1937, in Chardon, Ohio, Chuck lived his early childhood in Chardon (1937-39), Plainview, Neb. (1939-41), Army Storage Depot Mead, Neb. (1942-43), and Army Storage Depot Hastings (1943-45). Chuck attended public elementary and high school school in Neligh (1945-53) during which time he worked at his father's Standard gas station. His family moved to Ainsworth (1953-55), where he worked in his father's Western Auto Store and at JC Penny. Chuck graduated from Ainsworth High School (1955). He attended Doane College in Crete, and graduated with an A.B., cum laude (1959). During his years at Doane, Chuck was initiated into the Delta Kappa Pi Fraternity, was a letterman on the track team and active in college theatre. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D., 1962), where he served on the Nebraska Law Review, was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and was student body president. During law school he clerked for the Perry & Perry Law firm.

He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army, being commissioned in 1962, and serving training tours at Ft. Benning, Ga. and Charlottesville, Va. On June 30, 1963, Chuck married his college sweetheart, Lorraine Sysel, and the newlyweds moved to Washington, DC, where Chuck served on active duty (1962-65) representing the United States in courts-martial appeals. During his service he attained the rank of Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Chuck also attended graduate law studies at George Washington University, earning his L.L.M. (1965). Upon completing his active Army service, Chuck and Lorraine made their home in Lincoln where he practiced law for over 40 years as a partner with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P., specializing in healthcare and business law.
He served as counsel to many of prominent institutions and organizations including the University of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, The Nebraska Medical Association, The Nebraska Hospital Association, Great Platte River Road Archway Foundation, Doane College, Governors Biofuels Coalition, Governors Wind Energy Coalition, State Federal Savings and Loan, American Charter Federal Savings & Loan.

In addition to his law practice Chuck became active in civic and political matters, and served on the State Personnel Board, the Merit System Council Board of Directors, the inaugural Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Clubs of Lincoln and Lancaster County, and others. Among many political endeavors, Chuck served as Chairman, Finance Committee Chair and Counsel to the campaigns of Governor and U.S. Senator Jim Exon, as well an adviser to Sen. Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson. He also served on the Nebraska efforts of every Democratic presidential aspirant (successful and otherwise) dating from John F. Kennedy, to Barack Obama. Chuck's civic work included serving as Chairman, Wyuka Foundation, the Board of Directors of Journal Star Newspaper Printing Co. as well as Chairman of the Nebraska Federal Appointments Advisory Committee, Facilitator of the Nebraska Legislative Committee Study on Electrical Power Deregulation, and Board Member of St. Elizabeth Foundation. Chuck was a member of First Plymouth Congregational Church since 1965.

Preceded in death by parents, Charles M. Pallesen, Sr. and Edna Mae (Ritter); sister, Lois Pallesen. Survived by wife, Lorraine (Sysel); sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, Michael C. Pallesen (Kathleen), Katherine, Michael, Jr., Elizabeth and Margaret, Edward S. Pallesen (Marty Haessler), Henry, Phoebe and Lila; twin brother, Clifford (Diane); sister, Brenda Lea Ehlen (John); uncle Raymond Pallesen (Ruth); aunt, Dorothy (Ritter) Barnard; sister-in-law, Helen Marie Vasak (Richard); nephews and nieces Jeff Pallesen (Lisa), Anne Pallesen (Chris Hearne), Patrick Ehlen (Marketa), Piper Berman (Mat); William Vasak, John Vasak (Christyne), Milton Vasak (Nathalie).

Viewing: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, with closing prayer and reflections at 7 p.m. Funeral: 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, First Plymouth Congregational Church. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Crete. Condolences and personal reflections may be left online at .

Charles 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."