Grace Helen Sobotka

Notes:

Grace was married first to Mike PLACEK of Swanton. Mike died in Geneva, Nebraska. He and Grace were the parents of Loretta Grace, Mary Ellen and Lonnie Michael PLACEK.

Loretta married Larry RECKLING, and they were the parents of Jeffery, Todd, Tim and Michelle, and made their home in Crete, Nebraska.

Mary Ellen married Elmer HESSHEIMER, and they were the parents of Dana, Lisa and Kimberly. They also lived in Crete, Nebraska.

Lonnie, born July 9, 1960, died in a construction accident on October 25, 1978. He is buried at the Bohemian National Cemetery at Wilber near his father.

Grace taught school for many years, retiring in 1984. She is a member of the Milligan American Legion Auxiliary, Tabor Lodge, Miller Junior Extension club and several teaching organizations. (Milligan, p 355-356).

Obituary

Grace Helen Kotas was born on February 8, 1925 to Frank and Rose (Bruha) Sobotka. At a young age, the family moved to Wilber, Nebraska, where she attended school. She graduated from high school with a Normal Training degree, which allowed her to be a teacher directly out of high school. Teaching was a passion, and teaching children was her light! She taught in many country schools in Saline County. Later teaching in Denver, Colorado for one year, Sutton, Nebraska and retired from Geneva, Nebraska Public Schools. She was a respected teacher, who after 42 years of inspiring children to learn, working hard to receive her BS and MS, reluctantly retired.

During the summer, if she wasn't attending summer school, she and her girls were gardening, canning vegetables and fruit, or raising, butchering and freezing chickens. In 1943, she met Milo Placek, who was home on leave from the Air Force. They were married on May 25, 1944. The moved back to San Antonio, Texas, where their oldest daughter, Loretta was born. The marriage was a strong union, until Milo died on May 24, 1973.

In 1976, Grace married Joe Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska. She was very active with the American Legion and other community functions. In 2010, Grace began living at Tabitha Crete, where she went to her heavenly home.

She is survived by daughters, Loretta (Larry) Reckling and Mary Hessheimer. Grandchildren: Jeff (Jerri) Reckling, Todd (Karla Brinkman) Reckling, Tim (Kim Snell-Soucie) Reckling, Michelle (Ron) Barak, Dana Hessheimer, Lisa Hessheimer Church and Kim Valentine. 12 great grandsons and 2 great granddaughters. Also, 3 great-great grandsons and 2 great-great granddaughters. Sister-in law, Marie Sukovaty. She was preceded in death by her first husband Milo Placek, second husband Joe Kotas and special friend Stanley Chrastil. Her son Lonnie Michael, and great grandson Zachery Hessheimer Jenkins. Her parents and brothers, Leonard and Frank, sister in law Elsie Sobotka. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Grace's life will be held at a later date. Memorials to Tabitha in Crete or Milligan Legion with Kuncl Funeral Home in charge.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Grace married Joseph John Kotas on 17 Jul 1976 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. Joseph (son of John Henry Kotas and Anna Rose Koca) was born on 26 Nov 1928 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 31 May 2011 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Joe and Grace met at a singles dance in Milligan. They were marreid in the East Lincoln Christian Church. Frank Sobotka of Rokeby, Nebraska, Grace's brother, was best man. Rose Marie Hulse, Joseph's sister, was matron of honor. Attendants were Merlin Hulse and Elsie Sobotka. After their marriage, they made their home at the Kotas Family Farm. (Milligan, p 355).