Marie H. Soukup

Notes:

Cared for her parents in their declining years in her nursing home in Crete, Nebraska. Her listing on the SSDI instead has her date of birth as 16 July 1905, however her obituary confirms the 17 July birthdate.

Obituary

Marie H. Sysel, Crete

Marie H. Sysel, 101, Crete, died Thursday (8/17/06). Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Preceded in death by husband Edward; parents Mary Svec and Frank R. Soukup; brother Frank Soukup; sisters Alice Marshall, Pauline Brt, Rose Duba, Wilma Huppert and Irma Dinneen. Survived by daughters and sons-in-law Helen Marie Vasak (Richard) and Lorraine Pallesen (Charles); grandsons, their wives and children William Vasak (Rushelle), Brandon and Briana, John Vasak, Richard and Danielle, Milton Vasak (Nathalie), Nicole, Melissa and Allison, Michael Pallesen Sr. (Kathleen), Katie, Michael Jr., Libby and Maggie, Edward Sysel Pallesen (Marty Haessler), Henry and Phoebe.

Born July 17, 1905, in Lawton, Okla. Educated at Milligan Public Schools, Milligan. As a young girl she served as a telephone operator at the Frank H. Woods Exchange, Crete, owned a beauty shop in Wilber, served as a visiting nurse in the Milligan, Tobias and Ohiowa areas. Married Edward Sysel in Nebraska City in 1933. Joined Edward in farming the Sysel homestead near Crete and in 1940 on the farm they bought by Parkersburg, Iowa. When Ed died suddenly in 1951 she took over the farm, eventually selling it and moving back to Crete with her daughters into the house she built and in which she resided until her death.

Upon returning to Crete, Marie worked as an office nurse for Dr. Lewis Forney and later opened and operated a nursing home, "Sysel's Rest Haven," and an assisted-living facility, "Sysel's Manor." In 1969, Marie returned to farming, having bought a farm near Wellsburg, Iowa, which she managed until her death. Her longtime friends Ivan and Frances Slifer farmed the land, and when they retired, their son, Spencer and his wife, Cindy, continued farming the land.

Being a widow at age 45 she raised her two daughters, ages 17 and 15 at the time, providing for their education at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Doane College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She worked side-by-side with her husband, Ed, on the farm and after his death used her knowledge and skills to manage by herself each farm she owned. She was absolutely devoted to her daughters and their families and always put their welfare before her own.

Last year at this time she traveled with her daughter Lorraine and Chuck in the Czech Republic, Germany and France. In May she attended special functions at the preschools of her great-grandchildren in Omaha and New York City. In June she was in California to celebrate Helen Marie and Richard's 50th wedding anniversary. She was blessed with marvelous health, living by herself in her own home until she was hospitalized approximately a week ago after suffering a fall. Words cannot express how much Marie's family and friends will miss her, but they are grateful for having been able to share with her the appreciation of her Czech heritage and especially her love of Czech music, her marvelous cooking skills, her joy in raising beautiful flowers and her optimistic, positive attitude toward life.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, 1245 Juniper St., Crete. Visitation will begin at noon on Sunday. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete.

(Courtesy Dennis Belohlavy, 19 August 2006 Lincoln Journal Star)

Marie married Edward Sysel in Oct 1933 in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska. Edward was born on 16 Apr 1896 in Nebraska; died on 19 Nov 1951. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]