Wilhelmina "Wilma" Rose Votipka

Notes:

Wilhelmina Rose Votipka Murphy was born to William and Rose (Hromadka) Votipka on August 5, 1916 on a farm south of Exeter, Nebraska. She graduated from Exeter High School in 1933, and taught in country schools south of Exeter.
On June 17, 1940, she married Leo W. (Swede) Murphy, her high school sweetheart. They enjoyed 49 years together, raising six children on the family farm.
While their children attended St. Stephen's Catholic School, Wilma was active in the Home and School Association. In the early 1960's she worked at the Exeter Rexall Drug store. When Memory Manor opened in 1965, she was on the first staff of caregivers, then worked as secretary for her sons at Murphy Plumbing and Heating until 1984.
After Swede died in 1989, Wilma continued to live in the house they built when they were married, until she moved to the Exeter Care Center at age 90. Throughout her life, she was an inspiration with her strong faith, graceful demeanor, and love of family.
Kolaches, canasta, cooking and crafts are among the many things Wilma shared with family. With dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren, she always had plenty of visitors, as well as activities to attend. She enjoyed her many friends, including those in bridge and pinochle groups, fitness classes, St. Stephen's Altar Society and Exeter Woman's Club. Wilma enjoyed travel, reading, and working crossword puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters, and a son-in-law. She is survived by her brother, Bill Victor of Northridge, California; three daughters and sons-in-law, three sons and daughters-in-law; 17 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. Her children and their spouses are: Kathleen and Bob Harre of rural Exeter, Bill and Carol Murphy of Crete, Tim and Sherrill Murphy of Omaha, Kriss and Gib Fendrick of Omaha, Barry and Sylvia Murphy of Exeter, and Rose and Dan Vodvarka of Lincoln.
Funeral services 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at the St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter. Rosary services Monday, at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter,NE. Visitation Monday, from 1 p.m. until rosary at the Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter. Memorials are in care of the family. Interment will be in the Exeter Cemetery.

Wilhelmina married Leo W. "Swede" Murphy on 14 Jun 1940. Leo was born on 13 Aug 1915; died on 15 Nov 1989 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The "History of Milligan, Nebraska" book shows his year of death as 1973, whereas the SSDI instead has this as in January 1975.




(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Liberty Twp
ED 30-21 SD 11 Sheet 1B
20-20
Votipka, William head M W 39 M 23 Neb Czech Czech Farmer
Votipka, Rose Wf F W 34 m 18 Neb Czech Czech
Votipka, Helen Dtr F W 15 S Neb Neb Neb
Votipka, Wilma Dtr F W 13 S Neb Neb Neb
Votipka, Valasta Vivian Dtr F W 11 S Neb Neb Neb
Votipka, Lucile Dtr F W 8 S Neb Neb Neb
Votipka, William Jr Son M W 4 S Neb Neb Neb

William married Rose Hromadka on 28 Jan 1914. Rose (daughter of John Hromadka and Anna Kral) was born on 26 Aug 1895 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 28 Jan 1973 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John learned his father's trade of blacksmith. He served in the army in Europe, and came to America at age 22, leaving his family behind. When he arrived in Exeter, Nebraska, he was met by Mr. SLUKA, who he had known in the old country. John practiced the trade of blacksmith and horticulturist while in the army. Neighbors helped him put up a blacksmith shop and purchase tools. His parents were Tomas HROMADKA and Josephine HALOCH. His two sisters were Mary Hromadka, wife of Emil FRANTA of Omaha. His other sister, Rose Hromadka, married Emanuel HAVELKA of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. (Milligan, p 309-310).

John married Anna Kral on 24 Feb 1879 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Anna (daughter of John Kral and Josephine Hrudicka) was born on 20 Jul 1862 in Nebraska; died on 27 Oct 1922 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He served in the Union Army before taking a homestead. After several years, he sold the land to his son-in-law, John HROMADKA, for $600. Returned to Europe alone, and never returned. (Milligan, p. 376).

John married Josephine Hrudicka before 1859 in Bohemia. Josephine was born before 1841 in Bohemia; died on 7 Feb 1899 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
John and Josephine came from Kejic, Bohemia to the United States in 1860. The trip took six weeks. Theire first stop in Nebraska was Nebraska City. They later settled on a homestead, the E 1/2 SE 1/4 in Section 26, Liberty Township, Fillmore County. (Milligan, p. 375).