Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Leonard graduated from Milligan High School in 1940, and bought his brother, Albert, out in the wholesale soft drink business. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on December 3, 1941, ans was attached to the 503rd Fighter Squadron. His group was with the Eighth Air Force in England. He was discharged from the service on October 18, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He went into partnership with his brothers, Fred and Albert, in the Feed Mill, Alfalfa Mill, and the implement business. They also distributed wholesale beer and soft drinks. Leonard also played the trumpet with many different bands over the years. He assumed the leadership of the Milligan Legion Brass Band in 1961, along with managing the Milligan Auditorium Theater from 1958 through 1962. He was active in numerous civic organizations. (Milligan, p 330).

Leonard married Arlene Venice Vnoucek on 21 May 1946. Arlene (daughter of Joseph Robert Vnoucek and Ella Eret) was born on 24 Jul 1925 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 10 Jan 2022 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Arlene attended High School in Crete, graduating in 1942. She worked at the Bruning and Fairmont Air Force Bases during World War II. She was later employed by the Milligan Public School system, the Formfit plant in Crete, and the Youth Development Center at Geneva. As was her husband, Arlene was involved in numerous civic organizations. (Milligan, p 330).

Obituary

A Funeral Service for Alrene will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at the Milligan Auditorium. Pastor Murry Johnston will preside over the Funeral Service.

A Graveide Service will be held at the Bohemian National Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Public visitation will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Milligan Auditorium Window Project, or the Milligan Legion Auxiliary.

Arlene Venice Kassik was born to Joseph R. Vnoucek and Ella (Eret) Vnoucek on July 24,1925 at Friend, NE, and passed away January 10, 2022, at Heritage Crossings in Geneva, NE at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 17 days. She was one of 6 children in the family.

Arlene grew up on a farm northeast of Milligan. She attended Country School District #100 and stayed at her Grandmother Eret's home in Crete to attend High School where she graduated with the Class of 1942. After graduation, she worked at the Bruning and Fairmont Airbases during World War II from 1942 to 1946. After her children were in school, she worked at Milligan Public School as a cook, at the Formfit Plant at Crete, and then worked at the Youth Development Center in Geneva, NE from 1981 to 1991.

On May 21,1946, Arlene was married to Leonard Kassik of Milligan, NE on her family's farm and to them 3 children were born: Michael Leonard, Dean Albert, and Patricia Marie. Her family farm was a place where she held an abundance of memories like the one Christmas Leonard rode on horseback due to large amounts of snow to deliver her Christmas gift which was a brown fur coat. She first met Leonard when Arlene's brother Loren, along with Leonard, came to get her and Dot for the weekend at Crete while they were staying at her Grandmother Eret's.

Arlene was a member of the Milligan United Methodist Church and UMW spanning over 50 plus years. Since 1945 she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #240 where she held offices at the local and county level. Arlene was also a member of the WFLA and Senior Citizens Club in Milligan. Her talents of Czech cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting and embroidery were weaved throughout her whole life. Family and friends, time and time again, enjoyed her kolaches and dumplings. Her children donned her talents of homemade costumes and clothes. Her handwork of blankets and towels is a gift that will never be forgotten. As a witness of all of these things, Arlene's passion in life was her husband, her family, dancing and music, which lead her to support Leonard with The Milligan Czech Brass Band.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Ella Vnoucek; husband Leonard Kassik; grandson Dean M. Kassik; brothers and sisters in law Loren Vnoucek and Arnold Vnoucek and Evelyn, Anna Vnoucek, Ray Soukup, Leslie Skrivanek, Marian and Emil Beranek, Albert and Neva Kassik, Fred and Mary Kassik, and niece Nancy Soukup; nephews Loren Skrivanek, Leonard (Magee) and Dennis Beranek, and Sam and Tom Kassik.

She is survived by sons Michael and wife Debbie Kassik, and Dean and wife Laura Kassik of Milligan; daughter Patricia and husband Timothy Remmers of Bruning; sisters Dorothy Skrivanek of Geneva and Betty Soukup of Lincoln; brother Joe A. Vnoucek of Farimont; 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.


(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, from Farmer and Son Funeral Home)

Notes:

Married:
The family are all members of the Methodist Church. (Milligan, p 330).

Living married Betty Jean Kotas Betty (daughter of Henry P. Kotas and Mae Frances Kubicek) was born on 22 Nov 1929 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 20 Dec 2014 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried on 26 Dec 2014 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Betty Jean Buzek, of Milligan, was born to Henry P. Kotas and Mae Kubicek Kotas on November 22, 1929 at home in Milligan, NE. She passed away December 20, 2014 at Heritage Crossings in Geneva, NE at the age of 85 years and 28 days. She attended rural school district #5, northwest of Milligan through 8th grade, then attended Milligan High School, graduating in 1947. In July 1956, Betty began employment at Formfit Rogers in Crete, NE as a seamstress until August of 1982. In January 1983, she began working at Swingster's Apparel Marketing Industries, in Fairbury, NE until she retired. Betty was married to Merle Buzek of Milligan, NE on April 19, 1949 and to them two children were born; Marlon Ray and Deborah Jean.

Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church of Milligan, UMW, Pythian Sisters, Milligan American Legion Post 240 Auxiliary, ZCBJ Lodge, Senior Citizens Club and Betty's Club of Nebraska. Betty enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and had God's gift for music with any instrument, especially the accordion and piano.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry P. and Mae Kotas, her in-laws Milo and Mildred Buzek, sister in-law Sue Kotas, and brother in-law Henry Bigelow. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Merle, brother, Reenlee Kotas of San Diego, CA, sister in-law Roma Bigelow of Milligan, NE, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Kathy Rischling of Milligan, NE, son Marlon (Judy) Buzek of Stromsburg, NE, daughter Deborah (Mike) Kassik of Milligan, NE, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great step grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 26, 2014 at the Milligan United Methodist Church in Milligan, NE at 2:00 PM with Pastor Sandra Blumanhourst & Kim Dunker officiating the service. No visitation/cremation. Burial will be held at a later date in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, NE. Memorials are to be directed to the family for a later designation

(From Farmer and Sons website, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Notes:

Fifty year member of the ZCJB Lodge Svatopluch Cech, and member of the village board for many years.

Albert married Marie Frycek on 21 Mar 1911. Marie (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Frycek and Terezie Pesik) was born on 25 Jan 1888 in Sechutice, Kralovice, Bohemia; died on 31 Mar 1940 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A hard working person, Marie spent a great deal of time at the mill sacking flour, and doing other jobs. Despite her busy schedule she always managed to find time to help others. (Milligan, p 327).

Notes:

Married:
After deciding to discontinue farming, they had a sale in 1923 and started building a flour mill in Milligan. In 1924, they moved to town and began operations in the mill and elevator. In the early 1930's, Albert and his sons built one of the first cold storage locker plants in the area. In connection with this, they engaged in the wholesale beer business. (Milligan, p 327).

Joseph married Ella Eret on 30 Mar 1920 in Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. Ella was born on 3 Aug 1899 in Western, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Milo attended rural school District #85 in Saline County, and was one of three children in his family that graduated from High School. He briefly attended the University of Nebraska, but an appendix operation curtailed his education and he returned to Milligan. He worked as a meat cutter and later operated a grocery store. In 1942, he and Mildred moved to a farm sound to Milligan. Later they moved to Lincoln, where Milo worked at Cushman Motors and Mildred worked at the University. The family lived in Lincoln until 1969, when they went back to the farm he loved. Milo passed away at his home of a heart attack, and is buried in the Bohemian National Cemetery. (Milligan, p 228).

(Research):

Census Listings:

Nebraska, Fillmore County, Glengary Twp
Enumerated 14 Apr 1930
ED 30-17 SD 11 Sheet 6A Stamped 102
120-121
Buzek, Milo Head M WE 25 M 23 Neb Czech Czech
Buzek, Mildred Wife F W 23 M 21 Neb Neb Czech
Buzek, Merle D Son M W 10/12 S Neb Czech Czech

Miloslav married Mildred Hines on 28 May 1928. Mildred (daughter of Joseph E. Hines and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Racek) was born on 7 Apr 1907 in Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 26 Feb 1997 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buzek - Mildred H., 89, Milligan, died Wednesday (2/26/97) in Friend. Born, Morse Bluff. Survivors: son, Merle D., Milligan; daughters, Roma B. Bigelow, Kathryn A. Rischling, both Milligan; sister, Julia Kuska, Exeter; nine grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Kotas Chapel, Milligan. Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Visitation: begins 1 p.m. today, funeral home, Milligan. Memorials in lieu of flowers in care of family.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, Lincoln Journal Star archives)

Notes:

Henry and Mae lived one year in Milligan, then moved to their farm six miles north of Milligan, here they farmed for fifteen years. They sold the farm in 1944 to Fred KOVANDA and moved to Milligan. There Henry worked for Edward "Swede" BULIN for one year and for Joe JICHA distributing beer for two years. He worked for the Auditorium doing custodian work for fifteen years, and last for the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company until his retirement in 1966. (Milligan, p 354).

Henry married Mae Frances Kubicek on 23 Apr 1929 in Nebraska. Mae (daughter of Fred James Kubicek and Anna Elizabeth Tenopir) was born on 11 Mar 1909 in Nebraska; died on 23 Jun 2004 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]