Living

Notes:

He graduated from Exeter Public School in 1966, and completed his PhD in Political Science at UNL, returning to farm the land that had been in his family for over 100 years.

Obituary

David John Capek was born to John James & Rosemary (Kovanda) Capek on March 30, 1948 at Friend, Nebraska. He passed away on December 19, 2023 at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 8 months, and 20 days. He was one of 2 children born in the family.

David grew up on a farm near Milligan, Nebraska. He graduated from Exeter High School with the class of 1966. He went on to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1970. While at Wesleyan, David met Denise King and they were married on June 6, 1971. To this union three children were born: Karel, Haley, and Morgan. After graduating from Wesleyan, David attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and obtained a Master's Degree and Ph.D. in political science. After college, he worked for the Nebraska Department of Corrections Research area before returning to the family farm in 1980. He raised Registered Angus Cattle and farmed the family farm ground until retirement.

David stayed busy with the farming operation, helping to raise the children with the busy work schedule of a medical doctor wife, children's 4-H projects and various school events. After retirement, David spent most of his time in Lincoln. He enjoyed attending Broadway productions at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha, travelling, reading, and sports, especially Husker Volleyball. He also enjoyed working on his Thunderbird, but he especially valued time spent with wife, children, and grandchildren.

David was also a faithful blood donor as long as his health permitted. He answered many donor requests and understood what an important gift it was for others, especially after his wife's survival of lymphoma.

David was preceded in death by his father & mother John & Rosemary Capek.

He is survived by his wife Denise Capek, MD of Lincoln, Nebraska; children Karel Capek, MD & wife Janet of Victoria, Texas, Haley Peters, Ph.D & husband Dr. Darrick Peters of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Morgan Capek of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister Dr. Marilyn Capek of Winchester, Massachusetts; eight grandchildren including Rudy Capek, Ryker Peters, Kyran Peters, Zyan Peters, Tytus Peters, Helen Capek, Ingrid Capek, and Greta Capek; and many nieces and nephews.

Services pending.

Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Public Television.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, from Farmer & Son)

David married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Introduced to music by his mother at a young age, he pursued a career in that field with zest throughout the rest of his life. John enlisted in the U.S. Army in September, 1941, serving four years in the Asiastic Pacific Theatr and the Philippine Liberation operation. He was a member of the Army Sixth Division Band, and honorably discharged in December, 1945. After his marriage, John farmed and played in various community orchestras. He was killed in a truck accident at the age of 44. (Milligan, p 238).

John married Rosemary Kovanda on 22 Oct 1946. Rosemary (daughter of Frederick F. Kovanda and Rose Bulin) was born on 27 May 1921 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 19 Jul 2011 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Rosemary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938, later earning her teaching certificate from the University of Nebraska in 1940. She taught in Ohiowa, David City, and Beatrice. After her husband's death, she returned to teaching, earning her Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1968. She also studied Library Science, and went to work at the Crete Public Library. (Milligan, p 238).

Rosemary Capek, 90, of Milligan, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011.

Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Farmer & Son Funeral Home Kotas Chapel, Milligan. Visitation: Friday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Farmer & Son Funeral Home Kotas Chapel, Milligan. Graveside service: Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Memorials to the Milligan Rescue Unit or Bohemian National Cemetery

Rosemary Capek, 90 years of age, of Geneva, Nebraska, passed away peacefully during the morning of July 19, 2011. Rosemary was born on May 27, 1921 in Milligan, NE. She was the youngest of three children born to Frederick and Rose Kovanda. Her older siblings were Joyce Glandon (deceased) of Florida, and Glenn Kovanda (deceased) of Milligan, NE. She had a loving childhood and often remembered the horses on their farm. Rosemary frequently remembered her happy and fun loving mother and father. Rosemary lost her mother, due to illness, when she was at the age of twelve. Her Aunt Anna Bulin, who was a nurse at the Mayo Clinic, came home to the farm to help take care of the three children. Her Father, Fred, remarried to Rose's sister, Anna and he was fortunate to have two happy marriages.

During Rosemary's high school years, her family moved to Lincoln, NE. Rosemary graduated from Lincoln High. Rosemary showed a certain initiative through her teen age years as she was born Rose, and she changed her name to Rosemary while she was a teen. She attended University of Nebraska for a teaching degree. She had taught in the elementary schools in Ohiowa, David City, and Beatrice.

Before WWII, she met a very special and gregarious man, John James Capek, from Milligan, NE. She communicated with John for the four years of the war and when he returned to the states, they had a garden wedding. John came from a very musical family. During WWII he was in the Army Band. One of his loves was the Rudy Jay Orchestra, where he was one of the singers. He also played trumpet, clarinet, and saxophone. Rosemary and John enjoyed many Big Band Orchestra dances. They also enjoyed family get-togethers with many relatives as well as many of John's close friends from the war and their families. Rosemary was a wonderful cook and many of her dishes will remain loving memories for her family. Unforgettable were her barbeque spare ribs, duck, pheasant, rabbit, cherried tongue, dumplings, cream puffs, strawberry-rhubarb pie and her many Jello fruit salads, especially her pineapple banana salad. Gardening and canning were also two of Rosemary's avocations. Rosemary and John were very happy with their family life and they were blessed with two children. David John Capek was born in 1948 and Marilyn Rose Capek was born in 1952.

Great sorrow and tragedy occurred on Oct 3, 1960, when John died in a car accident. With the loving support of her parents, Rosemary went back to University of Nebraska to complete her teaching degree. Rosemary's primary concern was for the well-being of her own children during those years as she handled all of the responsibilities of a single parent. Rosemary loved all young children and she taught Kindergarten at Milligan, NE and preschool at Crete, NE. Rosemary was involved with the Methodist Church Ladies Group as well as Garden Clubs.

Rosemary had many personal strengths that carried her through life's challenges. She remained optimistic and caring. Later, she studied photography at Doane College. She also studied Librarian Science and worked at Crete Library. Rosemary spent many hours painting with oils and acrylics. She entered some of her paintings into local contests. She also focused on exercising and staying healthy as she took classes on a regular schedule. She also loved to travel. Her travels included Switzerland, England, France, Austria, and the Czech Republic with her mother, Anna Kovanda, and her sister Joyce Glandon. She also traveled to Florida, the Caribbean, and many states in the Western USA. Rosemary also traveled to Boston and New England multiple times to spend time with Marilyn and her family, Karl, Melissa, and Brett Henrikson. She loved swimming in the lake in New Hampshire with Marilyn's family and picking berries with her grandchildren. Rosemary was also very involved with David's family, with his wife Denise, and children Karel David, Haley, and Morgan Capek. Rosemary was also very kind to animals and had a wonderful rapport with dogs and cats.
Rosemary was always a source of strength and love when it involved her six grandchildren. She spent many hours caring for and loving them. Rosemary was a pure example of passing on unconditional love to her own children as well as to her grandchildren. She had strong values and had a stable sense of right and wrong. Rosemary was gifted with incredible personal strength. She had an inner beauty and guiding light that shone through in her calm, quiet, and kind nature. She was an excellent listener. She was always looking to be uplifting and encouraging. Rosemary looked for the good in each person and situation with amazing authenticity.

She had purity in her thoughts and actions that manifested as endearing empathy and optimism. She had an authentically unselfish nature. She was kind beyond imagination and words. Rosemary was quiet, but very strong in her ability to listen without judging. For all of us who knew her inner strength, it will be a source of inspiration. Her inner beauty and love will shine forever and she will be deeply missed. Her family's love will always be like her wedding china pattern. It was called "Forget-Me-Not." Rosemary's life will be forever with love in the hearts of her children and her loved ones.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John; sister Joyce Glandon; and brother Glenn Kovanda.

Rosemary is survived by her children David Capek and his wife Denise of Lincoln and Milligan, NE and Marilyn Capek of Winchester, MA, her grandchildren Karel D. Capek of Omaha, NE, Haley and Derrick Peters of Omaha, NE, Morgan Capek of Lincoln, NE, Karl J. Henrikson of Winchester, MA, Melissa Henrikson of Winchester, MA, and Brett Henrikson of Winchester, MA, and her great grandson, Rudy Capek of Omaha, NE, and many loved relatives and friends.

Services for Rosemary will be held Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home -Kotas Chapel in Milligan, Nebraska. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home-Kotas Chapel in Milligan. Memorials are directed to the Milligan Rescue Unit or Bohemian National Cemetery.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Keith married Betty Louise Sitz on 3 Aug 1946 in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska. Betty was born on 7 Jan 1923 in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska; died on 6 Jul 2020 in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska; was buried in Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Betty S. (Sitz) King, age 97, of Kearney, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society ? St. John's in Kearney from complications following a stroke.

Betty was born on January 7, 1923 in Kearney, NE to Charles and Anna (Schramm) Sitz. She graduated from Kearney High School in 1940 and received a B.S. degree from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1944. She was proud of being a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority for over 50 years. She married Keith King on August 3, 1946 in Kearney.

Betty enjoyed many pursuits and activities with bridge and reading of high importance to her. She was actively involved in community activities especially with the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce where she was an Envoy for many years. In 1996, Betty and Keith were extremely humbled to receive the "Friend of Kearney" award as this community has been such an important part of their lives. She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Kearney and supported numerous charitable services and organizations in the Kearney community including the Kearney Goodfellows, Habitat for Humanity and the Kearney Area Community Foundation. "I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today." ~ William Allen White

She is survived by her five children, Kent King of Kearney, Dr. Denise L. Capek and her husband David of Lincoln, Douglas King and his wife Rhonda of Kearney, Kerry Broz and her husband Robert of Bullhead City, AZ and James King and his wife Branda of Kearney; grandchildren, Laura King Homan, Karel Capek, Haley Capek Peters, Morgan Capek, Owen King, Mercedes King Powell, Rebecca King Lush, Kristina King Singleterry, Regan Broz and Hunter King; 16 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a large contingent of friends new and old.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith A. King; sister, Marjorie King

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, from the Kearney Hub newspaper, also shown on her Find A Grave Memorial Page)

Rudolph married Mary Anna Hromadka on 14 Feb 1911 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of John Hromadka and Anna Kral) was born on 14 Aug 1893 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 20 May 1978 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Anna Capek and Edward Smith were their attendents. After their marriage they farmed nearby to his four brothers. They were also members of the Z.C.J.B. Lodge, and active in civic events. (Milligan, p 241).

Frederick married Rose Bulin on 8 Mar 1917. Rose (daughter of Vojtech "Albert" Bulin and Antonie "Tonie" Matejka) was born on 24 Apr 1894 in Saline County, Nebraska; died on 5 Jul 1932 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]