Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jason D. Kotas was born on 29 Mar 1976 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 26 Nov 2016 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska.

Notes:

A 1943 graduate of Milligan High School, he was inducted into the Army on his 21st birthday. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, later being sent to Korea. He received his honorable discharge on May 7, 1947. After his term in the service, he helped his father farme and did custom trucking. He later went to work for JIm VOSOBA, the Standard Oil Agent. Jim is a volunteer fireman, rescue personnel, Community Club member, Hospital board member, and member of the V.F.W. Post #7102 and the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers association. In addition to this, he served on the school board, town board and was fire chief. He enjoys fishing and boating with his sons and grandsons. He and his brother, Don, inherited the 80-acre farm in Section One, Glengary Township, after their fathers death. (Milligan, p 355).

Obituary

Jim F. Kotas, the last member of the John F. & Bessie R. (Masek) Kotas family passed away on Monday, January 25, 2018 at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 2 days.

He was born on May 23, 1925 on the family farm north of Milligan. He attended Milligan Public School for 12 years and graduated with the class of 1943.

After graduation, he worked in Omaha at a meat packing plant. He was drafted into the Army on his 21st birthday at Fort Leonard Wood, Kansas. He spent time in Korea before receiving an honorable discharge on May 27, 1947 at Fort Lawton, Washington.

On May 11, 1949, he married Norma Most and to this union 4 sons were born: Dennis, David, Douglas, and Delbert.

On July 1, 1949, he began driving a fuel truck for Joe Vosoba. After Joe's retirement, he became a Standard Oil Agent. In 1958, the company went to Jobbers and it became Kotas Oil Company. He retired after nearly 40 years in the oil business.

After retirement, Jim enjoyed helping area farmers with grain harvest. He was also active in the community serving as the Chief on the Milligan Fire Department for many years. He also took EMT training in the early 1970's with Merle Buzek and Albert Michl, and they were the original members of the Milligan Rescue Squad serving for many years. He enjoyed serving with the Fire & Rescue and was dedicated to helping people in need. Jim also served on the Milligan School Board, the Fillmore County Hospital Board for 25 years, the Petroleum Marketers Board, and the Milligan Village Board.

In November of 2016, he was honored to receive a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Johnny and Donald; sisters Marie and husband Chas Vlasek and Henrietta and husband Marion Arbuck; daughter-in-law Janet Kotas; grandson Jason Kotas; and brother-in-law Arnold Capek.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma of Milligan, Nebraska; sons Dennis & Lois Kotas, Douglas & Yvonne Kotas all of Milligan, Nebraska, David Kotas of Faucett, Missouri, and Delbert & Susan Kotas of Juniata, Nebraska; grandchildren T.J. and wife Abby Kotas of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary Kotas of Humboldt, Nebraska, Katherine Kotas of Portsmouth, Virginia, Brittni Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska, Justin Kotas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Emilie Kotas of Exeter, Nebraska; great grand daughter Kayla Brhle of Milford, Nebraska; great great granddaughter Brynlee Motley of Milford, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Lucille Capek of Milligan, Nebraska and Velma and John Kirby of Lincoln, Nebraska; cousin Reenlee Kotas of San Diego, California; and step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Funeral Service for Jim was held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska. Pastor Brian Kottas officiated the service. Karen Kohler accompanied Jon Scoville who sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee. "

Pallbearers for the service included T.J. Kottas, Gary Kotas, Justin Kotas, Wayne Arbuck, Gerald Capek, and Jon Eisenhauer. Interment was held in the Bohemian National Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Milligan Rescue Squad or the Milligan American Legion.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

James married Norma Jean Most on 11 May 1949 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Norma was born on 22 Jul 1931 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 11 Feb 2019 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Louis MOST and Agnes SLUKA. She enjoys cooking, babysitting and sewing. She has made quilts for each of her sons (Milligan, p 355).

A Funeral Service for Norma will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan. Pastor Brian Kottas will officiate the service.

A Graveside Committal will take place in the Bohemian National Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the family for a future designation.

Norma Jean (Most) Kotas was born July 22, 1931 to Louis and Agnes (Sluka) Most of Ohiowa, Nebraska. She passed away at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 20 days in Fairmont, Nebraska on February 11, 2019 after a brief illness.

She attended grade school at Fillmore County District #67 and attended high school in Milligan graduating with the class of 1948. On May 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to Jim F. Kotas of Milligan. To this union four sons were born: Dennis, David, Douglas, and Delbert.

Norma was a homemaker and enjoyed baking, sewing, puzzles, playing cards, bingo, and making quilts. On October 15, 2016, she completed her 100th quilt. Every family member has a quilt as a remembrance. She was the bookkeeper for Kotas Oil Co. from 1975 until Jim's retirement in 1989. In September of 1989 she took a job as a cook at Heritage in Geneva. The following May she left that job to provide loving care for her daughter-in-law Janet as she fought cancer. She and Jim also took on the responsibility of raising grandsons Jason and T.J. for a time and she babysat with all of her grandchildren when needed. She will be remembered by her family for her loving support and her wonderful cooking and baking, especially rolls and kolaches.

Preceding her in death were her husband of almost 69 years, Jim; her parents; daughter-in-law Janet Kotas; grandson Jason Kotas; step-granddaughter Jenny Kelle; brothers-in-law Donald Kotas and Arnold Capek; sisters-in-law and husbands Marie and Charles Vlasak and Henrietta and Marian Arbuck.

She leaves to mourn her children Dennis and wife Lois Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska, David Kotas of Fawcett, Missouri, Douglas and wife Yvonne Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska, Delbert and wife Susan Kotas of Juniata, Nebraska; grandchildren, TJ and wife Abby Kotas of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary Kotas of Humboldt, Nebraska, Katherine Kotas of Portsmouth, Virginia, Justin Kotas of Colorado Springs, Colorado Emilie of Exeter, Nebraska and Brittni Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska; great granddaughter Kayla Brhle; and great-great granddaughter Brynlee Motley of Milford, Nebraska; sister Lucille Capek of Milligan, Nebraska; sister-in-law Velma Kotas and husband John Kirby of Lincoln, Nebraska, step- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Notes:

He was drafted into the U.S. Army, and served through June 2, 1919. After his discharge, he helped Louis PLACEK farm. He was a Legionnaire, held several offices and helped build the first American Legion building, was a Lodge member and also belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He spent many hours, alongside Bessie, working in the Milligan Auditorium on dance night. Fishing was his pastime. After Bessie died, he bought a home in Milligan from Chas. HLADEK. He was honored as a life-time admiral into the Great Nebraska Navy in 1976. (Milligan, p 357-358)

John married Bessie R. Masek on 1 Oct 1919 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Bessie was born on 31 Aug 1896 in Hriskov, ?steck?, Bohemia; died on 19 Aug 1957 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Milligan Nebraska Centennial History book notes that "She was the daughter of Anton MASEK and Mary HOUDA. She came to the United States with J.V. CHARVAT. They took a boat to New York and then traveled by train to Lincoln, arriving on September 11, 1913. The entire trip cost 439 Korum, or $89 U.S. dollars. She worked first as a housekeeper for Rudy ULDRICHS at two dollars a week. She later moved to Milligan, where she was employed by Louis PLACEK for $3 weekly."

Notes:

Married:
After their marriage, John and Bessie moved to the farm in Section 1, north of Milligan, Glengary Township, where they spent their entire married life. This farm was given to them by John's mother in 1922. (Milligan, p 358).

Notes:

John was a farmer and businessman. In 1899, he built a lumber yard. The Catholic Church was built with lumber donated from his yard. In 1890, he built a saloon on Main Street, from land he bought from Vaclav and Mary KOTTAS. One Saturday night, as he was locking up, he heard a noise and as he turned around someone threw a bottle, hitting him in the face which cut his lip badly and broke out a tooth. He grew a moustache after this to cover the scar. He sold the saloon, and purchased land from Frank ANDREL in 1892 and returned to farming. They later returned to their home place which had been rented. John died following an accident in the hay field, which was caused by one of the frames for stacking hay coming unfastened and falling on him, hitting him across the shoulders and neck. He was a prominent citizen from the time the village of Milligan was organized, quiet of dispostion, and never meddling in other people's affairs, attending only to his business. Friends and neighbors stacked the grain and hay in the fields for the family. As the boys were too young to take over the farm, it was rented. (Milligan, p 357).

Jan married Marie Rejsek on 7 Feb 1882 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Marie was born on 27 Aug 1862 in Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died on 5 Aug 1927 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of John REJSEK and Mary MATEJOVSKY. Her mother died when she was 13, and her father sent her to America in 1880 with her aunt and uncle, Josefa REJSEK and Joseph JANDA. She helped them care for their children. She left behind a three brothers and a sister, Eleanor, who later came to America and married Karel LAUN. Her brothers were Mike, Charlie and John. After arriving in America, Marie worked as a nanny for the ZISKA children and as a chamber maid at a hotel in Exeter, Nebraska. This is where she met John KOTAS, who had to haul his grain to Fairmont. (Milligan, p 357).

Notes:

Married:
They were married in a triple wedding with John's brother, W.J. and Filipina STEINACHER and a neighbor, Valentine STEINACHER and Mary PROKOP. (Milligan, p 357, 369). The actual date was shown alternately as February 3 and February 7.