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Merle D. Buzek

Male 1929 - 2024  (95 years)


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  • Name Merle D. Buzek  [1, 2
    Birth 6 Jun 1929  Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Death 14 Aug 2024  Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Merle farmed with his father until 1952 when he moved to Milligan where he was employed by Bulin and Marsh Produce driving a produce truck in the rural area. In 1954, he began employment with the Milligan Public Schools, and has been employed there for 35 years.

      Obituary

      Merle Dean Buzek was born on June 16, 1929, to Milo E. Buzek and Mildred H. (Hines) Buzek in Milligan, NE. He passed away on August 14, 2024, at the Fillmore County Hospital at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 29 days.

      He attended rural school district southwest of Milligan and then attended Milligan High School, graduating in 1946. On April 19,1949 he was united in marriage to Betty Jean (Kotas) and to them two children were born, Marlon Ray and Deborah Jean.

      Merle was proud of his Czech heritage and the town of Milligan. He spent 38 years as a custodian and bus driver at Milligan Public Schools, 15 years on the Milligan Auditorium Board, 21 years on the Bohemian National cemetery board and maintained the cemetery grounds at the Kasak cemetery for 16 years. He was also on the Milligan Fire Department, the Milligan village board and an EMT.

      He was recently honored as a 75-year member of the Milligan United Methodist Church. He was the church's oldest member and the oldest male resident of Milligan.

      He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, cards, dominos and dancing. He loved to travel and enjoyed family vacations. His family was the most important thing in his life. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

      He was preceded in death by his wife Betty of 65 years, his father Milo Buzek, mother Mildred (Hines), father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry P. & Mae F. Kotas, brother-in-law Henry Bigelow, sisters Roma Bigelow and Kathy Rischling and great nephew Dean Kassik.

      He is survived by his brother-in laws Reenlee Kotas and Dick Rischling, his son Marlon (Judy) Buzek and daughter Deborah (Michael) Kassik. Grandchildren Heather (Eric) Lindsley, Chad (Stephanie) Buzek, Jaymie (Russ) Sebek, Jennifer (Greg) Rutherford, Julie (Scott) Koethe, Justina (Travis) Yound. Great-grandchildren Grant and Logan Lindsley, Tara and Tori Buzek, Makenna, Carter and Cole Sebek, Kennedy and Hudson Rutherford, Olive, Ruby and Oscar Koethe, Weston, Palmer and Griffin Yound. Step-great-grandchildren Erika (Keith Calhoun) Rutherford, Dolan (Lisa) Rutherford and Cal Rutherford. Step great-great grandchildren Georgia Calhoun and Rhylan Rutherford as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

      A Funeral Service for Merle will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska with Lay Pastor Michelle Lessard presiding.

      Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan, Nebraska from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

      Graveside Services will be conducted following the funeral service at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, Nebraska.

      Memorials are to be directed to the Milligan Auditorium, Milligan United Methodist Church or to the family to be designated at a later date in Merle's name.

      From Farmer & Son Funeral Home, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy
    Person ID I15066  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 22 Aug 2024 

    Father Miloslav "Milo" Edward Buzek,   b. 24 Mar 1905, Turkey Creek, Liberty Township, Saline County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Jan 1973, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 67 years) 
    Mother Mildred Hines,   b. 7 Apr 1907, Saunders County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Feb 1997, Friend, Saline County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years) 
    Marriage 28 May 1928 
    Family ID F3947  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Betty Jean Kotas,   b. 22 Nov 1929, Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Dec 2014, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 85 years) 
    Marriage 19 Apr 1949  Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
    Family ID F2385  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 9 Dec 2006 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 6 Jun 1929 - Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 19 Apr 1949 - Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 14 Aug 2024 - Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Sources 
    1. [S219] Milligan Centennial History Book Committee HISTORY OF MILLIGAN, NEBRASKA 1888-1988 (Walsworth Publishing, Marceline, MO), p 228, 354 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S564] 1930 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com. database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002., (Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Containing records for approximately 123 million Americans, the 1930 United States Federal Census is the largest census released to date and is the most recent census available for public access. The census gives us a glimpse into the lives of Americans in 1930, and contains information about a household?s family members and occupants including: birthplaces, occupations, immigration, citizenship, and military service. The names of those listed in the census are linked to actual images of the 1930 Census.), Nebraska, Fillmore County, Glengary Township Enumerated 14 Apr 1930 ED 30-17 SD 11 Sheet 6A Stamped 102 120-121 (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S190] Mastny, Caroline--Family Researcher, 410 W. 19th Street, Schuyler, Nebraska 68661.

    4. [S219] Milligan Centennial History Book Committee HISTORY OF MILLIGAN, NEBRASKA 1888-1988 (Walsworth Publishing, Marceline, MO), pg 227 (Reliability: 3).