Emily M. Novak

Notes:

Emily M. Betka, 95, of Beatrice died on Monday, September 20, 2021 at her home. She was born on July 1, 1926 to Albert and Antonie Novak on the family farm near Milligan. The youngest of eight children, she attended school at District 48, in Saline County and graduated from Milligan High School in 1943. She attended nurses training at St. Elizabeth's Hospital through the United States Cadet Nurse Corp. She met Linus R. Betka shortly before graduating from high school and they were married December 22, 1945 in Geneva. They lived on a farm near Geneva for ten years. During this time their son, Raymond Lynn, and daughter, Jacquelene Jean, were born. In 1956 they moved to Beatrice and Emily was busy with her children's activities, including Girl Scout leadership and involvement at Centenary United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Gideons Auxiliary. She and Linus became charter members of Christ Community Church in 1985. In 1966 she became office manager for their Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Agency. She worked in that capacity for nearly 33 years until April 15, 1998, when Linus passed away. Emily enjoyed raising flowers, having a vegetable garden, motor home traveling, and fishing with Linus.

Emily is survived by her son, Raymond (Janet) Betka of Naples, Florida; daughter Jacquelene (Terry) Koch of Lyons, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Troy (Shari) Betka of Elizabeth, Colorado, Mindy Quinsey of Bonita Springs, Florida, Greg (Leanne) Koch of Spokane, Washington, Jill Koch of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jeff (Kristy) Koch of Emporia, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Kyle Quinsey, Collin Quinsey, Grant Koch, Lindsay Koch, and Kamron Koch; many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Antonie Kabes Novak; husband, Linus Betka in 1998; infant grandson, Travis Betka; siblings, Anna (Rudolph) Jansky, Frank (Emilie) Novak, Ella (Jim) Hrouda, Rose (Roy) Meyer, infant Edward Novak, Jarmilla (Otto) Kottas, and Angeline (Frederick) Kottas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Christ Community Church in Beatrice with Pastor Jack Magness officiating. Family prayer service will be held Monday at 1:45 P.M. at the church. The service will be live streamed by the church. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home on Sunday from noon until 8:00 P.M. and at the church on Monday one hour prior to the service. The family will greet relatives and friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to Christ Community Scholarship Fund or Gideons International. www.foxfuneralhome.net Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Beatrice.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Notes:

Obituary
(Copied from his FindAGrave Memorial Page)

Albert Novak, son of Vojtech and Marie Stejskal Novak, was born March 31, 1875, in the village of Predbor, near Tabor, Czechoslovakia. He passed away at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, Neb., July 7, 1965, at the age of 90 years, 3 months and 7 days. His death came two days before his 58th wedding anniversary.

September 21, 1895, at the age of 20, he came to Chicago with his uncle, Frank Stejskal. He came to Nebraska October 17, 1895 and lived with his sister, Anna Ondrak near Geneva, where he worked as a farm hand until 1903. In the following years, he rented a farm near Geneva.

July 9, 1907, he was united in marriage to Antonie Kabes. They moved to a farm three miles west of Milligan and lived there until January 1916, when they moved to a farm three miles east of Milligan, where his son, Frank now lives. They were blessed with eight children. A son, Edward, died in infancy. He took great pride in his farming and after he retired, gardening was his hobby.

During his entire lifetime, he was active in public and community affairs, having served on the country school board as moderator, was active in Federal Farm Loan Association; was a member of the board of directors on the Farmer's Co-op Elevator and a member of ZCBJ Lodge Svatopluk Cech No. 76 of Milligan 67 years. In 1945 Mr. and Mrs. Novak moved from the farm to Milligan.

He dearly loved his family, friends and neighbors and enjoyed having company, especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His 90th birthday brought all his family, relatives and friends together at the auditorium for last time.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; four brothers and an infant son. Survivors include his wife, Antonie; son, Frank of Milligan; daughters, Anna E. Jansky of Omaha, Mrs. James (Ella) Hrouda of Chicago, Mrs. Roy (Rose) Meyer of Hastings, Mrs. Otto (Jamilla) Kottas of Milliagan, Mrs. Frederick (Angeline) Kottas of Milligan and Mrs. Linus (Emily) Betka of Beatrice; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; five brothers and a large number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held from the Milligan Auditorium Saturday, July 10, at 2 p.m.; Rev. Ernest Horner officiating. John F. Kotas spoke in behalf of Lodge Svatopluk Cech. Mrs. Leslie Skrivanek and Mrs. Joseph G. Capek sang "Zasvit Mi Ti Slunko Zlate" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," accompanied by Mrs. Albert Naimon. Pallbearers were grandsons, Robert Jansky of Lincoln, Lavern Novak of Milligan, James Hrouda of Chicago, Ronald Meyer of Hastings, Brian Kottas of Milligan and Ray Betka of Beatrice. He was laid to rest beneath a beautiful blanket of floral tribute in the Bohemian National Cemetery.

Nebraska Signal July 15, 1965 page 5.
Contributor: M. Jensen Seggerman (47078678)

Albert married Antonie Kabes. Antonie was born on 18 Mar 1887 in Bohemia; died on 7 Jan 1973; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]