Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Notes:

Edward John Prokop, 81, of Wilber, died in Lincoln Thursday (2/18/10). He was born in Milligan, Nebraska July 11, 1928 to Frances (Vrba) and Joseph Prokop. He was married in 1948 to Rubye Soukup and later divorced. The marriage brought one daughter, and two sons. He served as Saline County Sheriff and also as a Wilber policeman and Wilber Chief of Police. He was an avid wood craftsman and did much wood furniture and antique restoration.

He is survived by his children and spouses, Rob and Natalia Prokop of Wilber, Rich and Sheri Prokop of Belgrade, Mont., and Susan and Tim Hester of Lander, Wyo.; granddaughters and spouses, Staci and Shawn Wilkinson of Lander, Wyo., Savannah and Shannon Prokop of Belgrade, Mont., and Yanga Dolzhikova of Wilber; two great-grandchildren, Connor and Trinity Wilkinson of Lander, Wyo.; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 10 siblings; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services 10 a.m. Tuesday (2/23/10) at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilber. Memorials to Saline County Sheriff for Mobile Command Post, Lions Club or Wilber Fire Department in lieu of flowers. Aspen Cremation and Burial Service, 4822 Cleveland Ave., Lincoln, NE 68504, in charge of arrangements.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Edward married Rubye Ann Soukup on 25 Oct 1947. Rubye (daughter of Jaroslav "Harry" Soukup and Mary Ella Stejskal) was born on 17 Sep 1929 in Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 5 Jun 2012 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary
Lincoln Journal Star
June 8, 2013
Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Rubye Ann Prokop Boin, was born September 17, 1929, the last of four children to Mr & Mrs Harry Soukup of rural Ohiowa. She passed away peacefully on June 5, 2013.

Preceded in death by parents, brothers Ray, Elmer (& wife Jeanette) and Arnold (& wife Mary Anne) Soukup and niece Nancy Soukup. Survived by daughter, Susan & husband Tim Hester, Lander, Wyo.; son, Rich Prokop & wife Sheri, of Belgrade, Mont.; son, Rob Prokop & wife Natalia, of Wilber; granddaughters, Staci & husband Shawn Wilkinson, Lander Wyo., Savannah and Shannon Prokop of Belgrade, Mont. and Yanga Dolzhikova of Berkeley, Calif.; and great grandchildren, Connor & Trinity Wilkinson, Lander, Wyo.; nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Betty Soukup of Lincoln and Eleanor Prokop of Finlayson, Minn.

Services: noon Wednesday, June 12, at Tabitha Chapel, 4720 Randolph, Lincoln. Memorials to Fresh Start Home

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Notes:

Harry Soukup

Jaroslav Harry Soukup, son of Frank and Anna (Beznoska) Soukup, was born October 18, 1889 at Prague, Nebraska.

He passed away at Warren Memorial hospital at Friend, Nebraska, at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 22 days. He was baptized in the Catholic church at Prague on November 17, 1889.

As a small child the family moved to Milligan, where they lived for a time. At the age of 10 the family moved to Lawton, Oklahoma to homestead. As a youngster, Harry worked in the cotton fields with the family. He spoke of the times he had there of the Indian neighbors that were some of his best friends.

At the age of 21 he decided to move back to Nebraska. He and a friend, Tom Hardwick, managed to get together a horse, a mule and a wagon which they used for transportation to get them back to his home state. Starting out from Lawton, the trip took them over two weeks to travel some 450 miles.

Upon arrival he worked as a farm hand for his brother, Joe. Then in the fall of 1915 he engaged in farming for himself.

On December 21, 1915, he united in marriage to Mary E. Stejskal at Geneva.

He was active in local organizations in his younger years serving on the District 67 School Board, Glengary township road overseer, Farmers Co-op Board of Directors, also serving capacities in the Z.C.B.J. and the Milligan Auditorium. He was a long-time member of Svatopluk Czech Lodge No. 76.

In 1956 he retired and moved to Milligan. He enjoyed his family and they in turn enjoyed him. December 21, 1975, he was deeply touched by having the family help him and his wife observe their 60th wedding anniversary in their new home in Wilber.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; sons, Arnold and wife, Maryanne, of Milligan, Elmer and wife, Jeanette, Ray and wife Betty, of Lincoln; and daughter, Mrs. Edward (Ruby) Prokop and husband, Edward, of Wilber; one sister, Lillie Eret, of Prague, Oklahoma; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward, Frank R., Joseph M., Louis and William; and sisters, Mary Kassik, Tessie Strong, and Anna Hooker; and one granddaughter, Nancy Soukup.

Services were held Wednesday, February 11, 1976, at 2 pm at Farmer and Son Funeral Home--Kotas Chapel in Milligan.

Rev. Homer Clements was the officiating clergyman. Mrs. Albert Naimon was the organist with selections "In the Garden" and "Kazdy Nese Svij Kriz" by Mrs. Leslie Skrivanek and Mrs. Joseph Capek.

The pallbearers were grandsons, John Soukup, Richard Prokop, Tim Hester, Michael McDonald and Adolph Vacek. Interment was in the Bohemian National cemetery at Milligan.

CARD OF THANKS

We gratefully acknowledge the help give us, the food brought in, the messages of sympathy, the floral offerings and the memorials at the time or our bereavement. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. THE FAMILY OF HARRY SOUKUP

Jaroslav married Mary Ella Stejskal on 21 Dec 1915 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of Frank Stejskal and Anna Stastny) was born on 21 May 1894 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 20 Dec 1988 in Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Nebraska Signal

Milligan

Mary Ella Stejskal Soukup, daughter of Frank and Anna (Stastny) Stejskal, was born on a farm west of Wilber, on May 21, 1894, and passed away at the Wilber Nursing Home on December 20, 1988, at the age of 94 years, 7 months.

When she was a child, the family moved to a farm near Tobias and later to the Ohiowa area where she attended Golden Rod School District 42.

Upon completion of her school, she took a course in Terry dressmaking and sewing at Milligan, graduating as a fine seamstress in September of 1911. She followed this occupation along with housekeeping for others.

As a pastime she enjoyed Czech music and also liked to play the organ, piano and button accordian. On her 90th birthday she played a few selections on the piano.

On December 21, 1915, she was united in marriage to Harry Soukup at Geneva by Judge Fulton. They made their home on the farm west of Milligan. Their family grew to include four children, Arnold, Elmer, Roy and Rubye, as well as a nephew, Louis Most, who came to join the family in 1927.

Mary and Harry were active in the ZCJB Lodge Svatopluk 76. For many years she worked at the Milligan auditorium during the popular dance period in the 1930's and 1940's.

She prided herself for being a member of the American Legion Auxillary, having had all three sons in the service.

In 1956 she and her husband retired from the farm and moved to Milligan. On December 21, 1965, they had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding anniversay.

In 1974 they moved to Wilber to be near their daughter Rubye. On December 21, 1975, they celebrated 60 years of wedded life.

On August 11, 1981, she entered the Wilber Nursing Home where she spent many hours with one of her favorite pastimes of crocheting.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, son, Elmer; daughter in law Mary Anne, granddaughter, nancy, brothers Adolph, Anton, Frank J, and Louis; sister, Antonie; and a brother and sister in infancy.

She is survived by sons, Arnold H and Ray and wife Betty Soukup, daughter, Rubye and husband Ed Prokop; one sister, Anna Chaney; six grandchildren, 11 great-great granchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted from Farmer-Kotas Funeral Chapel on December 23, with the Rev. Michael McDonald officiating.

Amy Sluka accompanied Blanche Capek and Dorothy Skrivanek, who sang "God be with You Til We Meet Again" and "Kardy Nese Svuj Kriz" in Czech.

Pallbearers were John Soukup, Rob Prokop, Jay Jorgens, Tim Hester, Arnold Capek and Jim J. Kotas.

Interment was in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan.

Notes:

Married:
"Mary Stejskal and Harry first met at a trap-shoot on the Svec property west of Milligan. Trap shoots were considered one of the great social events of the day. Miss Stejskal and Mr. Soukup were married at Geneva December 21, 1915, by Judge Fulton. After their marriage they settled on the Andrew Lynn farm four and one half miles west of Milligan."

Notes:

According to the ship manifest of the S.S. Bremen, Frank M. Soukup traveled to America with his half-brother John Zakovec, John's wife Josefa, and their two daughters. The North German Lloyd steamship arrived at the Port of New York on May 1, 1869.

"Most of the Czechs... (who later settled in Nebraska) were obliged to go elsewhere (first) to earn a living. Many originally came (in this country) from around Braidwood, Illinois, where they had worked in mines." (homesteads.http://www.rootsweb.com/~neethnic/czechs/cz-pg97a.html)


The following obituary is transcribed from an undated clipping, newspaper not known

Frank Soukup

The ravages of time, creeping unrelentlessly on, gathered in its arms Wednesday, March 15, 1933, Frank Soukup, who had been preparing for the journey. He had lived his allotted time and more. His days of activityhad long since ceased so he was patiently waitingfor the dend to come when he might fold his arms in peace and pass into eternal sleep.

Frank Soukup was born in Koryto, okres (town) Kralovice, kraj (county) Plzen in Czechoslovakia, July 4, 1852. He came to this country along with his parents as a seventeen-year-old lad, first to Braidwood, Ill., to find work in the coal mines. From there he came to Nebraska, settling in Saunders County. At the age of twenty-two he married Anna Beznoska near what is now Morse Bluffs. In 1892 they moved to Fillmore county and purchased the farm now owned by Mrs. Antonie Krisl and Vaclav Capek. He later engaged in business here and in 1903 moved to Junction City, Ok., where his wife died.

About seven years ago he returned here and since then made his home with his son Harry. It is a happy thought that his baby son should care for the father, even as the father once cared for the baby son. He was perfectly happy and contented here. He had lived a generous life, too generous for his own good, and accepted with a spirit of generosity the events and circumstances which crowned the closing days of his career.

The deceased leaves surviving, five sons, Edward, Frank, Joe Harry and Will and two daughters, Lily Eret of Prague, Oklahoma and Anna Hooker of Baird, Tex, two sisters, Veronike Virkova and Anna Hines (Note: this is his half-sister, Anna Zakovec Hines) of Morse Bluffs, twenty seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Services were held at the home of his son Harry Saturday afternoon, being in charge of Rabi Z.C.B.J. of which organization he was a member and the body was laid to rest in the Bohemian national cemetery. The deceased passed away at the age of 80 years, 8 months, and 4 days. (End)

According to Helena Soukup Parker, Frank farmed while in Saunders County, as well as operating a hotel and saloon. After his wife died, he lived with his son, Harry. Later he lived with his daughter Lillian Eret and later still with his son Alois Soukup in Prague, Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was again living with Harry, who was the informant for his death certificate.

The information on the Soukup family is primarily from information graciously supplied by Helena Soukup Parker of Idyllwild, California. It has been supplemented by various census records and newspaper notices from Oklahoma as transcribed by Charles R. Strong. Additionally, information has been obtained from the book HISTORY OF MILLIGAN NEBRASKA 1888-1988 compiled by the Milligan Centennial History Book Committee and printed by Walsworth Publishing Co, Marceline, Missouri.

On Frank's certificate of death (completed by his son Harry), his parents are shown as Frank Soukup and Barbara Hines. This contradicts the more complete information provided by Nancy Soukup that showed Frank was the son of Antonin and Marie Soukup.

(Research):
Census Information:

From the Familysearch 1880 United States Census and National Index

Census Place:Douglas, Saunders, Nebraska
Source:FHL Film 1254756 National Archives Film T9-0756 Page 37 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Frank SOCOOPSelfMMW27BOHEMIA Occ:FarmerFa: BOHEMIAMo: BOHEMIA
Ann SOCOOPWifeFMW20BOHEMIA Occ:Keeps HouseFa: BOHEMIAMo: BOHEMIA
Eddie SOCOOPSonMSW5NE Occ:At HomeFa: BOHEMIAMo: BOHEMIA
Frank SOCOOPSonMSW2NE Occ:At HomeFa: BOHEMIAMo: BOHEMIA
Joe SOCOOPSonMSW1NE Occ:At HomeFa: BOHEMIA

At the time of the 1900 census, they were in Fillmore County, Nebraska:

Soukup, Frank Head W M Jul 1852 47 M 26 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1870
Farmer
Soukup, Anna Wife W F Nov 1860 30 F m 26 9/9 Bohema Bohemia Bohemia 1867
Soukup, Edward Son W M July 1875 24 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Farm Labor
Soukup, Joseph Son W M May 1879 21 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Farm Labor
Soukup, Mary Dtr W F May 1872 18 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Housework
Soukup, Tessia Dtr W F Jun 1887 12 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia At School
Soukup, Harry Son W M Oct 1889 10 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia At School
Soukup, Anna Dtr W F Apr 1892 8 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia At School
Soukup, Louis Son W M Dec 1894 5 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia

On the 1910 Comanchee County Oklahoma Federal Census, the family is listed as follows:

Soukup, Frank, Head, Age 59, Widowed, Birthplace Bohemia (also his parent's birthplace), Employee in General Farmer, Speaks English, Rents, R&W
Soukup, Harry, Son, age 20, Birthplace Nebraska, Parents born in Bohemia,Farmer,
working on his own account, Speaks English, R&W, Survivor of Union or CSA
Soukup, Annie, Daughter, Age 18, Born Nebraska, Parents born in Bohemia, R&W
Soukup, Louie, Son, Age 15, Born Nebraska, Parents born in Bohemia, R&W)
Soukup, Willie, Son, Age 8, Born Nebraska, Parents born in Bohemia, R&
attended school during the year

The Soukup's lived two houses from Frank and Bessie Beznoska. Frank was a nephew of Anna Soukup's. They also lived next door to Joseph and Annie Placitz, ages 70 & 59, both born in Bohemia, relationship, if any, unknown.

Frantisek married Anna Beznoska on 10 Nov 1874 in Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska. Anna (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Beznoska and Anna Krylova) was born on 15 Sep 1859 in Beroun, Stredocesk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 14 Jul 1909 in Oklahoma; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Helena Soukup Parker writes that Anna Beznoska was born in Bohemia on September 15, 1858 and came to Cleveland, Ohio in 1864 at the age of six years. She died in the home of her daughter Lillian Eret, Prague, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1909.

"Mrs. Anna Soukup of Oklahoma was buried in the Bohemian National Cemetery last Sunday in the presence of a large circle of her friends and relatives. Some few weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. Soukup were summoned here on account of the death of their daughter, Mrs. Albert Kassick. When Mrs. Soukup left for home she was not feeling well and upon arriving was almost immediately taken sick and continued growing weaker until death finally came. Her husband F.M. Soukup for weeks was constantly by her side and accompanied her corpse here from Oklahoma. Last Tuesday he too was taken seriously ill and is now under the care of a physician although the case is not as serious as at first seemed. The Soukup's are old residents in this locality having lived on their half section farm two miles south of town her for many years before moving to Oklahoma. They have a host of friends here who symphatize with them in these days of trouble and who trust that Mr. Soukup will soon recover. The following from Oklahoma were present at the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Eret, Mrs. Tessie Strong, Miss Anna Soukup and Ed, Harry, Louis and Willie Soukup. Also the following relatives from Saunders county: Mrs. Racek, and son, Emil, Pr Jakovec, Mr and Mrs Anton Soukup, Mrs. John Varka, Mrs. Fr. Hinesh and Mrs. Joe Hinesh." (Undated, unreferenced copy of Newspaper clipping 1909)

(Note: Neither the State of Oklahoma or Nebraska had a death certificate on file for Anna).

Notes:

Married:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ne/dodge/vitals/marriage/bookc.txt

Book C, Page 282:

FRANK SOCKIP(SOUKUP), Saunders Co. Nebr., Age 23 yrs., Born: Austria.
Father: Anton --. Mother: Mary Bushker (sic s/b Bures). - ANNA BEZROCK (sic s/b Beznoska), Saunders Co. Nebr., Age 18 yrs., Born: Austria. Father: Frank --. Mother: Anna Luker. Marriage Date: 10 November 1874. Witnesses: James Racek, Saunders Co. Nebr., L. M.
Keene, Fremont, Nebr By Whom: Wm. C. Ghost, Probate Judge, Where: Fremont,
Nebr.

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Brush Creek
Enumerated 1 Day of June 1900
Page 15, SD 1 ED 222 Stamped 119
132-140
Stajskal, Frank W M 30 Farmer Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Stajskal, Anna W F 26 W Housekeeping Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Stajskal, Adolph W M 5 Son Neb Bohemia Bohemia
Stajskal, Tony W F 1 Dtr Neb Bohemia Bohemia

1900 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Belle Prarie Twp
Enumerated 8 and 9 June 1900
SD 4 ED 17 Sheet 4A
61-61
Stejskal, Frank Hd W M Nov 1851 68 48 M 27 Bohemia Bohemi
a Bohemia 1873 27 Na Farmer
Stejskal, Annie Wf W F May 1854 46 M 27 7/7 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1873 27
Stejskal, Frank Son W M Apr 1882 18 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Farm Laborer
Stejskal, Anton Son W M Sept 1884 15 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Farm Laborer
Stejskal, Annie Dtr W F Feb 1887 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Stejskal, Louis Son W M Apr 1890 10 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Stejskal, Mary Dtr W F May 1894 6 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia

Frank married Anna Stastny about 1871 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Anna was born on 13 Jun 1854 in Tabor, Bohemia; died on 23 Feb 1933 in Nebraska; was buried in Wilber Czech Cemetery (Bohemian-Slavonian Cemetery), Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]