Helen Rose Stejskal

Notes:

Helen was valedictorian of the Milligan Class of 1941, and taught at rural schools in Fillmore and Saline counties. (Milligan, p. 369).

Obituary

Helen Rose Kottas, youngest daughter of the late Anton and Mary Nadherny Stejskal was born near Tobias on January 4, 1924. She passed away on March 11, 2020 at Ridgewood Care Center in Seward, Ne.

Helen grew to womanhood in the Milligan vicinity living on a farm southwest of town. She attended Milligan Public Grade School and High School graduating in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. Following graduation, she taught rural schools for two years.

On October 27, 1942 she married William J. Kottas in Hawthorne, California. This union was blessed with four children: Sharon, Marylin, Janice and Douglas. During her younger years, Helen helped part time in their grocery store in Tobias. She was very active in community and civic affairs volunteering her time. She was instrumental in organizing the Tobias Community Historical Society in 1968 where she served as President for over 27 years. She also assisted with the Girl Scout Troop, 4-H club and served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts. Her interests were in helping her children excel in their activities. She enjoyed history, sewing and all types of music. She and her husband enjoyed dancing to Big Band and Polka music.

Helen believed in helping veterans and promoted Americanism. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary joining in 1946. She held many offices over the years including District 11 President and served as the Nebraska Department Legislative Chair and Nebraska Department Publicity Chair.

Helen was very active with the Catholic Church. She held offices with the Parish Council of Catholic Women and served on the Crete Deanery Board. She volunteered for many Pro-Life events and was news reporter for Sacred Heart Church for many years. Other organizations she was active in were the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Military Order of Purple Heart Auxiliary, Extension Club, WFLA Lodge Krivoklot #79, Nebraska Rural Letter Carriers' Auxiliary, Saline County Retired Teachers, Saline County Music Choir and Saline County Museum Board.

Helen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed having her grandchildren and great grandchildren come to visit. They all looked forward to eating her traditional Czech foods especially her apricot kolaches. Helen and Jimmie celebrated their 77th Wedding Anniversary on October 27, 2019. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Anton and Mary Stejskal, sister Mildred Tesar, brother in-law William Tesar, and nephew William E. Tesar.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, William J. Kottas; children, Sharon (Allen) Brozovsky, Marylin (Albert) Ericksen, Janice (Mark) Schweer, Douglas (Dawn) Kottas, 14 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren. Visitation and greeting of friends will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2020 at the Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, NE followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church in Crete, NE. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Tobias Public Cemetery, Tobias, NE. Memorials in care of the family for St. Gianna Women's Homes and Catholic Women's Care Center in Lincoln, NE. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is in charge of arrangements.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Helen married William James "Jimmie" Kottas on 27 Oct 1942 in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California. William (son of James Kottas and Rose Uldrich) was born on 17 Aug 1919 in Saline County, Nebraska; died on 27 Feb 2022 in Nebraska; was buried in Tobias City Cemetery, Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]