Mamie Krupicka

Notes:

A 1924 graduate of Tobias High School, she taught in rural schools in Saline, Fillmore and Jefferson Counties for 23 years before retiring. She learned to play the button accordian at the age of four. She sat on her father's knee playing the lyrics. Her dad held the accordian and played the bass. (Milligan, p 196).

Mamie married Felix Bedlan on 1 Sep 1926. Felix was born on 14 Jan 1900 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 29 Nov 1989 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Felix Alfred Bedlan was born May 9, 1928 to Felix and Mamie Krupicka Bedlan in rural Friend, NE. and passed away on March 7, 2019 at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 7 days. He was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milligan, NE. on June 7, 1928 and was confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ohiowa, NE. in April, 1948.

He received his first 8 years of education at country school District 57 near his farm home and graduated from Milligan High School in 1945. His draft number never came up before World War II ended. At the age of 18 he had his own business operating a Texaco gas station in Milligan, NE.

He was united in marriage to Betty Jean Meyer of Ohiowa, NE. on September 9, 1947 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ohiowa. In March, 1948, they moved to Fairbury where he operated a Mobil Gas Station and Sporting Goods. In l960, he started Bedlan's Sporting Goods. He had a special interest in antique firearms. This became a hobby and business where he and Jean travelled to almost every state buying, selling, collecting and displaying.

He was past president of the Winchester Arms Collectors Association, Winchester Club of America and the local Fairbury Optimist Club. He taught NRA Rated and Nebraska Hunter Safety classes every fall for 40 years, for 11 years old and older, sponsored by the Fairbury Optimist Club. He was a charter member of the American Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches in Fairbury and served on several committees and Sunday School.

He loved to hunt with his dogs and enjoyed the outdoors. He would take his sons and grandsons hunting whenever possible. A quote from Ernest Hemingway describes him perfectly, "Best of all he loved the fall."

He was preceded in death by his parents, a niece, Jackie Hromadka, and brother-in-law Milo Hromadka.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; 3 sons: Larry (Barb), Dan (Mary Kay), Bruce (Patty) all of Fairbury. Six grandchildren: David (Laura) Bedlan of Fairbury, Barry (Patty) Bedlan, of Frisco, TX., Neal (Cari) Bedlan of Yutan, NE., Sarah (Doug) Harper of Las Vegas, NV., Beth Bedlan of Arcadia, FL., Briana Bedlan of Fairbury. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Rayanne, Samantha and Alecia Bedlan of Fairbury; Clara and Lydia Heislen of Las Vegas, NV.; Parker, Miles, Logan, Nicholas Bedlan of Frisco, TX., Hayden, Haley, Hudson Bedlan of Yutan, NE.; Marcus Martinez of Fairbury. Sister, Lorene Hromadka of Milligan, NE.

Services will be Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Ken Hart officiating. Memorials will go to Faith Lutheran Church & Cedars Home for Children in Lincoln. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Felix married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A Funeral Mass for Lorene will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milligan, Nebraska. A Rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass.

There will be viewing at the church prior to the Rosary & Mass.

A Graveside Service will be held in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, Nebraska following the Funeral Mass.

Memorials are suggested to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or Heritage Crossings Nursing Home.

Lorene Marie (Bedlan) Hromadka was born to Felix Sr. and Mamie
(Krupicka) Bedlan on December 14,1931 on a farm south of Friend, and
passed away July 10, 2021 at Geneva, Nebraska.

Lorene grew up on the family farm where her father was born south of
Friend. Lorene was the youngest child born to Felix and Mamie. She
attended country school near her home and graduated from Milligan
Public Schools with the class of 1949. While growing up, Lorene
enjoyed the company and stories told in Czech by her fraternal
grandmother, Meri Bedlan. Lorene was baptized at St. Wenceslaus
Catholic Church in Milligan and remained a member till her death.
Lorene pursued a teaching certification after graduation and taught in
numerous rural schools prior to and after marriage.

Lorene was united in marriage to Milo Hromadka on April 5, 1951. The
couple made their home on the Hromadka family farm north of Milligan.
They were blessed with the birth of two daughters; Jane Marie and
Jacqueline Sue. Lorene helped Milo with the daily farming operations
at their home and raising their two daughters. When her daughters
began school, Lorene waitressed at local establishments in Milligan.
Later, she was employed at Pizza Hut in Geneva until retirement.

Lorene was an avid bowler and was a member of several championship
bowling teams. She enjoyed collecting and decorating her home with
antiques. Each holiday her home could be found with unique items that
she had purchased at local shops and craft fairs. After retirement
Lorene enjoyed traveling with her friends to Las Vegas, Florida and
Washington D.C. Her catholic faith was present in her daily life and
she often volunteered her time to the St. Wenceslaus Alter Society and
cleaning the church. In their later years, she and Milo enjoyed going
for drives around Fillmore county, visiting and leaving flowers at the
cemetery. They could always be found each day having lunch and
watching the noon news.

Lorene's greatest joy were her granddaughters, Jessica and Jenna.
Together, Lorene and Milo attended many dance recitals and school
functions. They enjoyed having the girls on the farm for long holiday
breaks. Lorene liked having her granddaughters along for shopping
trips and helping to decorate her home. Lorene would later look
forward to visits and mail from her great-grandchildren.

While still at home, Lorene continued to attend Sunday mass with the
help of her special friend Ann Jansky. She enjoyed her weekly visits,
from her Caring Friends assistant Lisa Paul. Lorene remained on the
Hromadka family farm until March of 2020. She was currently residing
at Heritage Crossings in Geneva. While at Heritage she enjoyed
attending church services and watching rosary each day.

Survivors include daughter Jane (Sam) Antholz, York; Granddaughters
Jessica (Tucker) Reed, Flagstaff, Arizona and Jenna (Zack) Adamson,
Seward; Great-Grandchildren Gabby and Grayce Reed, and Henry Adamson;
Nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband Milo; daughter Jacqueline
Sue; her parents Felix Sr. and Mamie Bedlan; and brother Felix Bedlan.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Family/Spouse: Milo J. Hromadka. Milo (son of Frank Hromadka and Anna Herynk) was born on 28 Sep 1924 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 19 Jun 2008 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried on 24 Jun 2008 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]