Christinia Matejka

Notes:

Obituary, from FindAGrave

Christina Horlivy, nee Matejka, was born July 24, 1879, at Trtice, Czechoslovakia. She came to America the same year with her parents, Frank and Mary Matejka. They settled on a farm northeast of Milligan, where she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage to Frank Motis, June 1, 1900. Two sons were born to this union, Edmen and Frank.

She was united in marriage September 14, 1907, to Mike Horlivy. They made their home north of Milligan until 1927, when they moved to Exeter. Six children were born to this union.

Mrs. Horlivy died June 14, 1942 at the age of 62 years, 10 months, and 21 days, after a very short illness. Her passing was a great shock to relatives and friends.

Mrs. Horlivy underwent many hardships, but was always ready to lend a helping hand. She will long be remembered for her sunny disposition and kindness.

There remain to mourn her departure, her husband, five sons, Edmen Motis, Frank Motis, Charles Horlivy, Fred Horlivy, and Edward Horlivy; two daughters, Helen and Rose, also six grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Antonia Bulin, four brothers, Frank, Anton, Charles and Emil; and many other relatives and friends.

Three brothers, one sister and a daughter, who died in infancy, preceded her in death.

The funeral services were postponed from Tuesday til Friday, June 19, due to the fact that her son Edward, who is in the army at Camp Roberts, Cal., sent word he was coming.


Newspaper article, private collection.

Christinia married Frank Motis on 1 Jun 1900. Frank was born on 19 Jan 1875 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 14 Nov 1949 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christinia married Mike Horlivy on 14 Sep 1907. Mike was born on 24 Feb 1877 in Bohemia; died on 22 Jan 1952 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edmen married Alice Kovanda on 9 Aug 1927. Alice (daughter of Charles Kovanda and Christina "Tena" Bartu) was born on 24 Dec 1904 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 25 Oct 1976 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frank married Helen Kovanda on 9 Aug 1927. Helen (daughter of Charles Kovanda and Christina "Tena" Bartu) was born on 15 Apr 1908 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 27 Oct 1973 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Edmund Raymond Motis, 85, passed away Jan. 7, 2016, at his home in Babson Park, Fla. Born Sept. 4, 1930, in Exeter to the late Edmen and Alice (Kovanda) Motis. He had been a resident of the Lake Wales, Fla., area for 29 years, moving there from Friend. He was a parts manager for Chemical Containers and served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a flight line radio technician and fought in the Korean War. Member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, and the American Legion Post 183 in Friend. He loved to water ski, was a fisherman, a duck hunter and a wood worker. Also an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and held onto season tickets even after moving to Florida. He would not give them up.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Motis and a son, Matt Motis. Survivors include his sons, Michael Motis and wife, Regina, John Motis and his wife, Laura, David Motis and his wife, Jeanette, all of Babson Park; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Motis of Lake Wales. Sisters: Goldie Motis Quinn of Lincoln and Marjorie Motis Johansen of Friend; 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with The Rev. Fr. Thomas C. Seitz, Rev. Joan Brawley and Deacon John Motis. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to American Legion Post 183, Main Street, Friend, NE 68359. Arrangements by Marion Nelson Funeral Home.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Family/Spouse: Ruth Bulwan. Ruth was born on 25 Jan 1935 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; died on 13 Sep 2014 in Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mel D. Motis, 75, of Geneva, died July 15, 2014 in Friend. Born June 17, 1939 to Frank & Helen (Kovanda) Motis.

Survivors: sons, Mike & Brenda Motis, Geneva, Doug & Lori Motis, Exeter, Jim & Natalie Motis, Geneva; eight grandchildren.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday, United Church of Christ, Exeter; Pastor Kenn Leischner. Visitation: 1-8 p.m. with family present 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Geneva. Cremation will follow the funeral service. Memorials directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences, www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com

From 16 July 2914 issue of the Lincoln Journal Star, Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Melvin Dean Motis was born to Frank Motis and Helen Kovanda Motis on June 17, 1939, at Exeter, and passed away on Tuesday, July 15, at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, at the age of 75 years.

Mel grew up in Exeter and graduated from Exeter Public High School in 1957. He married Carol Jean Hughes on April 23, 1966, and to them three sons were born; Mike, Doug and Jim.

Following graduation, Mel served in the US Army and competed on the Army Rifle team, before going to work for Burlington Northern Railroad. After a few years he came back to the family farm and continued to farm with his father, raising crops, hogs and cattle until 1984 when the farm economy began to struggle. During this time Mel served for 8 years on the Exeter School board. With three growing boys to feed, Mel was forced to work off the farm at various jobs, including Volkmer Construction, Horizontal Boring and Jacques Seed. In 1988 Mel took a job with Boeing Aviation in Wichita, KS, and worked there until the death of his wife, Carol, in 1993. Mel moved back to the family farm and started M and M Tree Service, which he continued to operate until his health began to fail in 2004. Despite his failing physical strength, Melvin continued to help many neighbors and friends with field work in the spring, and with harvest in the fall. He came to love swathing hay for Jason Oldehoeft, and would never turn down an opportunity to mow hay, a beloved activity he continued until May of this year.

Throughout much of his life, Mel was known for his trap shooting skills, and spent many weekends and weeknights shooting with some of his closest friends. Family vacations often included the State Trap Shoot in Doniphan. Over the years, the mass of trophies, guns and other winnings were enough to fill a whole room. He spent many nights reloading shells after working all day, and would always make it to a shoot the next day, wherever it may be.

Mel was an avid hunter and wildlife lover. Many a time he could be found near his canary grass plot watching the pheasants fly in. Growing up he never missed a hunting season, and he passed that passion on to his three boys. Many winter days he could be found cruising the countryside with all three boys in the truck, looking for pheasant, rabbit or quail. For a little sporting fun, he would even take the boys on an occasional coyote hunt on Sundays, despite missing church services.

Mel was also a devoted sports fan, many Saturdays were spent watching college football with his grandsons, but he was especially proud to watch his grand kids in all their sporting events never missing a chance to attend a football, softball, basketball game or wrestling match.

You could always find Mel at an auction, coin sale, having coffee, or just putting around in the "silver bullet" he refused to quit driving. He spent a lot of time at his grandkids' trap shoots, all of which followed in their granddad's footsteps, taking up an interest in the sport.

He loved the Fillmore County Fair hog show, and you could find him sitting somewhere in the stands. He enjoyed watching Thane, Caroline, Gatlin, and Travien show their pigs, and he would never miss one of their shows, regardless of what else needed to be done. He had the best seat in the house this year having passed on the day of the Fillmore County Fair hog show. He was watching from above as they drove several pigs to champion honors.

In his retirement, Mel found a love of cooking and canning, specializing in pickles, pork and beans, and jaternice, which he was proud to share with family and friends. He spent many hours playing pitch, poker, or any game of chance, and enjoyed riding along on any road trip with the boys, whatever the activity or destination.

Over the years Mel met many people that he was blessed to know, a source of great pride for him. Wherever he went someone knew him.

Mel will be remembered for being just a little bit stubborn and stuck in his ways, maybe a little too quick to complain. But he always said, "If you don't tell someone what they are doing wrong, they won't get better."

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen; wife, Carol; sister, Marlene VanPatte; and brother-in-law William "Blackie" VanPatten.

He is survived by sons, Mike and Brenda, Geneva; Doug and Lori, Exeter; and Jim and Natalie, Geneva; grandsons, Thane, Preston, Colton, Wyatt, Trevian, and Gatlin; granddaughters, Caroline and Toni; brother, Ernest; sister-in-law, Betty Motis; aunt, Clarabelle Smith; and many nieces and nephews.