Jan "John" Simacek: Strong McLemore Ancestry

Generation: 1

Jan "John" Simacek was born on 13 Apr 1874 in Pisek, Bohemia; died on 11 Jun 1950 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska.

Notes:

In the fall of 1885 at the age of 11, he came to the United States with his father. The following spring his mother and siblings followed them here. He worked as a hired hand on many farms in the area before settling down on his own farm. (Milligan, p. 480).

(Research):Census Information:

1910 Census
Nebraska, Nuckolls County, Elk Precinct
Enumerated 26 April 1910
SD 5 ED 156 Sheet 4A Stamped 50
65-65
Simacek, John Hd M W 35 M1 11 Aust Bohemia Aus Bohemia Au
s Bohemia 1881 English Farmer
Simacek, Mary Wf F W 30 M1 11 3/3 Aus Bohemia Aus Bohemia Aus Bohemia 1880 English
Simacek, Rosa Dtr F W 6 S Neb Aus Bohemia Aus Bohemia
Simacek, Eddie Son M W 4 S Neb Aus Bohemia Aus Bohemia
Simacek, Frank Son M W 2 S Neb Aus Bohemia Aus Bohemia

1920 Census
Nebraska, Nuckolls County, Blaine Precinct
SD 5 ED 157 Sheet 1A Stamped 156
John Simacek 45 Hd M W 45 W Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia Farmer
??? Simacek 25
Rose Simacek 17
??? Simacek ??
Jean Simacek 9
??? Simacek 5
(The census listing for this family is very faint, and difficult to read. The family appears to have been living in a large boarding house)

Jan married Marie B. "Mary" Kaspar about 1898. Marie was born about 1882 in Bohemia; died about 1918 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children:

2. Rosa Simacek was born about 1904 in Nebraska; and died.
3. Edward J. Simacek was born about 1906 in Nebraska; and died.
4. Frank Simacek was born about 1908 in Nebraska; and died.
5. John Simacek, Jr. was born about 1911 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska; and died.
6. Libby Simacek was born on 6 Mar 1914 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska; died on 9 Feb 1997; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.

Generation: 2

2.	Rosa Simacek (1.Jan¹) was born about 1904 in Nebraska; and died. Notes: She married Joe SLEZAK and they had two children, Ruby and Norman. Joe was killed in a car accident after which Rose married Joe SVAJR. (Milligan, p. 480).

3. Edward J. Simacek (1.Jan¹) was born about 1906 in Nebraska; and died.
Notes:
He married Helen STEINACHER and they had a daughter, Elaine June. (Milligan, p. 480).
4. Frank Simacek (1.Jan¹) was born about 1908 in Nebraska; and died.
Notes:
He married Marie LAUN and they had three children, Myron, Darlene and Thelma. (Milligan, p. 480).
5. John Simacek, Jr. (1.Jan¹) was born about 1911 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska; and died.
Notes:
Her married Irene KRAL and they had a daughter, Sharon. (Milligan, p. 480).

Libby Simacek

(1.Jan¹) was born on 6 Mar 1914 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska; died on 9 Feb 1997; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.

Notes:

She married Ed TESSAR and they had a daughter, Sonja. (Milligan, p. 480).

Family/Spouse: Edward Tessar. Edward was born on 27 Jan 1905 in Nebraska; died on 5 Sep 1974; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Children:

7. Sonja Tessar was born on 14 Dec 1937 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 18 Jul 2022 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.

Generation: 3

Sonja Tessar

(6.Libby², 1.Jan¹) was born on 14 Dec 1937 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 18 Jul 2022 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.

Notes:

Sonja Lee (Tessar) Gunther was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 18, 2022, at age 84. She passed away peacefully in San Antonio, TX, with her children by her side. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who is so dearly loved and missed. Her memory will live on forever in the hearts of her family.

Sonja was born December 14, 1937 in Crete, NE to parents Edward and Libby (Simacek) Tessar. She graduated from Crete High School in 1955. Sonja met her husband of 62 years, Gabriel Gunther, in Crete, and they married on August 13, 1960, later having two children, Grant and Sheryl. Sonja had a long career, including many years serving in the Dean's Offices of the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She retired in San Antonio, TX, where she enjoyed many years with her family. During her life, Sonja enjoyed serving the Catholic Church, the Sokol Organization, and the American Legion Club.

Sonja's smile could light up any room, and her personal interest in her friends and family was endearing. She had a keen ability to stay connected with longtime friends, regardless of distance, maintaining close friendships and keeping in touch with their families throughout the years. She embraced her Czech heritage and was always quick to share Czech cuisine or music with friends and neighbors. Throughout her life, Sonja demonstrated keen interest in history, geography, travel, and politics, often engaging those around her in insightful conversation.

Sonja was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Libby Tessar, of Crete, NE, and her husband Gabriel Gunther, of Frankfort, KS. She is survived by her son Grant (Elise); daughter Sheryl (Christopher); and grandsons Christopher and Andrew, all of San Antonio, TX, and several cousins. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, July 27, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, NE. Final interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Crete, NE. Memorials may be sent in Sonja's honor to a charity of donor's choice.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Sonja married Gabriel Benedict Gunther on 13 Aug 1960. Gabriel was born on 21 Mar 1929 in Bigelow, Marshall County, Kansas; died on 19 Jun 2022 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]