William E. Koca

William married Emma A. Kucera on 30 Sep 1926 in Nebraska. Emma (daughter of John F. Kucera and Cecelia Emma Hamouz) was born on 22 Aug 1905 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 9 Oct 1999 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried on 14 Oct 1999 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Darlene Jacobsen, age 83, died at her home in Lincoln with daughter Susan and granddaughter Amber at her bedside on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. She was born August 29, 1928, on a farm near Milligan, Fillmore County to the late William and Emma Koca. Darlene was retired from Lincoln Public Schools. She started teaching school in a one-room school house near Milligan in the mid 1940's. She and her husband, Warren owned and operated Woodlawn Station and Cafe near the Lincoln Air Base until the Interstate was built. The last years before she retired, she worked at Park Junior High as a para.

Survivors: Son and wife, Roger and Lynda Jacobsen, Geneva; daughter Susan, Lincoln; Grandchildren, Amber, Hannah and Marlie of Lincoln, Will and Amanda Jacobsen of Seward, Tim and Carla Jacobsen of Omaha, and Matt and Dorothea Jacobsen of Lincoln; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Norma Jean Marquardt and Verlyn Koca of Lincoln. She was preceded in death by her husband Warren and son Ronald.

A graveside service will be held Friday, September 9th. at 4 p.m. at Wyuka, with Pastor Kevin Pringle from One80 Church officiating. Use Vine Street entrance. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, for educational needs for Susan's children can be directed in care of Aspen Funeral Home, along with condolences at Aspenaftercare.com .

During her last days, family members would go through her keepsakes to keep her alert, they came across a music card that played the tune, "Roll out the Barrel", an old Czech song that she and her children would send back and forth kidding each other that they don't have to spend money on a new card every year. When it was handed to her, she opened it and as it began playing, she began to sing along with it. It was recorded. At the end days, when she was unable to talk, when it was played back to her, when you didn't think she was coherent in any way, she smiled when hearing it....over and over.

When told she will be missed, her reply was "don't cry, I'll see you in heaven".

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Notes:

Norma Jean Marquart, 78, of Lincoln, passed away Dec. 7, 2014. Born Nov. 17, 1936 in Milligan to William and Emma (Kucera) Koca. Worked for Pfizer for 28 years (1972-2000). Norma loved traveling, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Family members include her daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Rusty Steiger and grandsons, Cory and Ethan Steiger, all of Lincoln. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Darlene Jacobsen; and brother, Verlyn Koca.

Memorial aervice: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 'O' Street with Pastor Kerry O'Bryant officiating. Private family burial. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, to the Alzheimer's Association. No visitation, cremation. Condolences online at Roperandsons.com

From the Dec 9, 2014 Lincoln Journal Star, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy