Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Notes:

He graduated from Exeter Highs School in 1939, and farmed with his father until he entered the service on December 22, 1944. He trained at Fort Hood in Texas, and left for overseas duty in May 1945, stationed in Luzon, Philippines and Yokohoma, Japan as a station master. He was discharged November 18, 1946 and had attained the rank of sergeant. Upon returning home, he resumed farming, and played the drums with several local polka dance bands. (Milligan, Nebraska, 1988-2008, pp. 108-109).

Becwar - Ernest F., 81, Exeter, died Sunday (6/29/03). Born, Exeter (5/9/22) to Frank and Agnes (Kuss) Becwar. Retired farmer.

Survivors: wife, Frances, Exeter; sons, daughters-in-law, Larry and Nancy, Henderson, Nev., Jack and Lori, Lincoln; sister, brother-in-law, Darlene and Emil Krejdl, Milligan; six grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, United Methodist Church, Exeter. The Rev. Tessa Louch. Exeter Cemetery. Visitation: 1-9 p.m. today, Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Exeter. Memorials to Alzheimer's Association, Exeter American Legion, or Exeter United Methodist Church.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Ernest married Frances M. Hladky on 6 Jun 1944 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. Frances (daughter of Frank Hladky and Helen Novak) was born on 11 May 1926 in Pleasant Hill, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 27 May 2021 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried in Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daughter of Frank HLADKY and Frances NOVAK of Dorchester. She is a 1943 graduate of Dorchester High School. During the years her husband was farming and the boys were in still at home, Frances worked in Friend at the Clouse Variety Store and later in Exeter at Exeter Sundries Store. (Milligan, Nebraska, 1988-2008, pp. 108-109).

Obituary

A Memorial Service for Frances will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Exeter United Methodist Church. Pastor Murry Johnston will officiate the Memorial Service.

Frances' wishes were to donate her body to science and she will be cremated when they conclude studies and her ashes will be interred in the Exeter Cemetery in a private family ceremony at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Exeter American Legion Auxiliary or the Exeter Fire and Rescue.

Frances Mae Becwar was born to Frank J. and Helen M. (Novak) Hladky on May 11, 1926 at Pleasant Hill, Nebraska and passed away peacefully at her home on May 27, 2021 at Savannah Pines Retirement Community in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 95 years and 16 days.

In her youth, Frances enjoyed riding horses and her pet dogs and cats. She attended rural school until the 8th grade. In 1944, she began working at the grocery store in Milligan, and she also took an interest in refinishing antique furniture and wood working. She also worked for a time at the Exeter Sundry and the Dime Store. It was also around this time that she met Ernie Becwar, and they were married June 6, 1944. After Ernie was discharged from the Army, they moved to the farm. Frances raised chickens, ducks, and helped Ernie pick corn, by hand, until they were able to afford a one-row picker.

Frances and Ernie raised a family and had two sons: Larry and Jack. After the boys were older and entered into school, Frances worked part time at the Friend Dime Store. She also joined a country neighborhood extension club and Legion Auxiliary, which she was a 75 year member. In 1974, Ernie and Frances bought a lot and built a new home in Exeter. Upon moving into Exeter, they became members at the Exeter United Methodist Church and Frances was active in the UMW.

Ernie & Frances enjoyed traveling, seeing all the states except the Northeastern states.
Frances also did a lot of sewing in her spare time, she loved flowers, enjoyed ceramics, but she especially loved spending time with her grandkids. In 2018, Frances made the choice to sell her home in Exeter and move to Savannah Pines Retirement Community in Lincoln to be closer to family. Frances enjoyed the Savannah Pines community, and she tried to meet as many neighbors as she could, went to every event offered, and went on bus trips. She fit all of these activities in between her chemo treatments, infusions, and doctor's appointments. A few things Frances loved in no particular order would include her family, her friends, a cold beer, shopping, clothes, traveling, flowers, rodeos, Alan Jackson, a full refrigerator, casino trips, polka music and just embracing life in general. Frances took an interest in everyone around her, she was kind, and she led a great life.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband Ernie; parents Frank & Helen; and her sister Helen Kubicek.

She is survived by her sons Larry & Nancy Becwar of Henderson, Nevada and Jack & Lori Becwar of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren Lane & Paige Becwar, Grant & Amanda Becwar, Kaitlyn & Alex McGinnis, Jake Becwar and friend Brit, Nate Becwar and fianc? Marge, Lauren Becwar and fianc? Charlie; great grandchildren Harper & Rylee McGinnis and Krayten & Kysen Becwar.

Notes:

He attended District #6 school. (Milligan, p 193). He played the drums with his nephew, Leonard Becwar and was active in the Knights of Pythias. (Milligan, p 194).

Frank married Agnes Kuss on 8 Nov 1921 in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. Agnes (daughter of John Kuss and Frances Yeck) was born on 26 Aug 1902; died on 9 Jul 1984 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SSN 506-62-7089

Notes:

Married:
After their marriage, they bought a farm seven miles north of Milligan in Section 11 of Liberty Prencinct, living on this farm for 45 years. (Milligan, p 193). They moved to Milligan in 1966, purchasing the former Dunker home. Frank continued to drive to the farm, helping his son Ernest with farming. (Milligan, p 193 - 194). They lived in Milligan until their health failed, at which time they both moved to the Friend Manor.

Notes:

(Research):Census Listings:

1930 Federal Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Dorchester Precinct
Enumerated April 11, 1930
ED 76-9 SD 11 Sheet 4A Stamped 188
85-85
Hladky, Frank Hd M W 38 M@31 Neb Czech Czech Farmer General Farm
Hladky, Helen Wf F W 28 M@21 Neb Czech Wisc
Hladky, Helen E Dtr F W 6 S Neb Neb Neb
Hladky, Frances M Dtr F W 4 1/12 S Neb Neb Neb

Frank married Helen Novak about 1923. Helen (daughter of Ignac Novak and Antonia Schleis) was born on 30 Jan 1901 in Nebraska; died on 24 Oct 1988 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Shown as Matthew on the 1880 census.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Olive Precinct
ED 76-16 SD 11 Sheet 5B
Enumerated April 30, 1930
106-106
Becwar, Mike Hd M W 57 M 24 Neb Czech Czech Farmer
Becwar, Josephine Wf F W 57 M 24 Ill Czech Czech
Becwar, August Son M W 18 S Neb Neb Ill Farm Laborer
Becwar, Vlasty Dtr F W 14 S Neb Neb Ill

Matej married Josephine Bech on 23 Feb 1897. Josephine (daughter of Johann "Jan" Bech and Anna Kotas) was born on 26 Sep 1870 in Kozojedy, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 24 Jul 1951 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The first Milligan History book shows her as born in Kozojedy, Plzen. However, the 1930 census instead shows her place of birth as Illinois. The supplemental Milligan book shows that Josephine was born on 26 Sept 1870 in Kozojedy #74, and notes that this was contradictary to the date of 4 Jun 1873. This book also indicates that she is one of four children born in Bohemia to Johann/Jan BECH and Anna KOTASOVA of Kozojedy. Josephine came with her parents and siblings to Braidwood, Illinois on September 15, 1873. Her parents had three children born in Illinois. The family moved to Nebraska in 1881 and settled first with the Kotas family and then bought a farm in Atlanta Township in Saline County. Jan's feet were frozen during the blizzard of 1888, and died shortly thereafter. Anna went to live with her son Joseph on the farm. Both are buried in the Cesky Brati Cemetery (Milligan, 1988-2008, pp. 107 and 108).

Notes:

Married:
They lived on the farm that had been purchased by Mike's father, Frantisek, in 1871, the SW 1/4 of Section 23 in Liberty Township, Fillmore County. Mike passed this farm on to his son, Michael, Jr. in 1922 and moved to a farm a mile west of Tobias. They later moved to Geneva and finally to Milligan in 1948, where they lived until their deaths. (Milligan, p 195).

John married Frances Yeck on 2 Mar 1890. Frances was born on 20 Mar 1871 in Thote, Bohemia; died on 13 Feb 1954; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ignac married Antonia Schleis before 1894. Antonia was born on 13 Jun 1866 in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]