Vlasta Vivian Votipka

Notes:

Vivian was born on a farm northwest of Milligan. She and her parents and two sisters moved to Shickley, where they also farmed, when she was still an infant. The family later moved to their family farm near Milligan. She completed her grade school education in District #25. She graduated from Exeter High School in 1936, and after graduation taught school in York and Saline Counties. She moved to Lincoln, where she worked at the Miller and Paine's Department Store. During World War II, she worked at the Cushman Motor Works, working on the bomb fuse assembly line, later transferring to the office. She left their employment after her marriage to Wally Johnson of Friend in 1948. She and Wally worked at the Vogue Theater which he owned and the Friend Sale Barn, which they purchased in 1954. In 1957, they began to collect antique autos, and later opened an antique shop. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and foreign countries. (Milligan, p 322).

In Loving Memory Of
V. Vivian Johnson

V. Vivian Johnson was born in Fillmore County on a farm near Exeter, Nebraska on February 15, 1919 to William and Rose (Hromadka) Votipka, the third of five children and died Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the Exeter Care Center in Exeter at the age of 90 years 11 months and 11 days. As a young girl Vivian attended Exeter High School and graduated with the class of 1936. She furthered her education by attending Wayne State Teachers College and earned her teaching certificate. For a time she taught rural schools in Saline and York Counties. On February 14, 1948, Vivian was united in marriage to Carl W. "Wally" Johnson in San Francisco, California.

Returning to Friend, Vivian and Wally operated the Vogue Theater in Friend from 1948 until 1957 and in 1960 they started Johnson's Antique Shop. Over the years they became quite the "experts" in collecting and acquiring various antiques, especially antique automobiles. Vivian had great fun wearing antique clothing to go with the car when they would ride in parades or car tours. She also often put on "style shows" to show off the antique clothing. Together they enjoyed extensive traveling as well. Vivian was an excellent cook and enjoyed entertaining her family, cookies were always available when you stopped in to visit. Vivian is remembered by her nieces and nephews as being the authority. If Aunt Vivian said to do it, it was done.

Vivian was a member of the United Church of Christ the American Legion Auxiliary in Friend and a former member of the Congregational Church in Exeter. Vivian spent many hours working with the card recycling at the Friend Manor.

She is survived by her brother, Bill Victor, Northridge, CA, sister, Wilma Murphy, Exeter, sister-in-law, Doris Conti, Mountain View, CA, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wally in 1985 and sisters, Lucille Wright and Helen Hayes.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the United Church of Christ in Friend with the Revs. Tim and Ginny Adams officiating. Interment will be in the Andrew Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 11 am - 8 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Memorials have been established to the church.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Vlasta married Carl W. "Wally" Johnson on 14 Feb 1948 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. Carl was born on 14 Feb 1919; died on 10 Mar 1985 in Nebraska; was buried in Andrew Cemetery, Friend, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]