Living

Notes:

After graduation from Tobias High School, he clerked in the grocery store, and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent two and one-half years with Company K, 134th Infantry, 35th Division. He was transferred to Air Cadet School and trained as a pilot, and later still transferred back to the infantry, going overseas with the 77th Division to the Pacific Theater. He saw action on Iwo Shima and Leyte.

After his discharge from the service, he returned to Milligan, where he managed the Coop Grocery Store. In 1951, he moved to Tobias where he operated his own grocery store and locker for 15 years. In 1966, he was appointed a rural mail carrier. (Milligan, p. 369).

Obituary, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

William James Kottas, only son of the late James Kottas and Rose Uldrich Kottas, was born near Tobias on August 17, 1919 and passed away on February 27, 2022. He attended rural school south of Tobias and attended Tobias High School graduating in 1937. During his teenage years he worked as a grocery clerk and also helped his father with farming. In February 1941 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served almost five years in the 134th Infantry, 35 Division; trained as an Airforce Cadet at Santa Ana Air Base, and later served with the 77th Infantry Division; in the Pacific Theater World War II. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Citation Combat Infantryman's Badge, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf clusters for being wounded twice on Okinawa, Expert Rifleman's Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal. He made several beach heads before he was discharged in October 1945. His entire life he was a true patriotic American and believed in doing good for his country. He was a member of the Firing Squad VFW Post 4959 Crete and Tobias American Legion. On October 27, 1942 he married Helen Rose Stejskal in Hawthorne, California. This union was blessed with four children: Sharon, Marylin, Janice, and Douglas. Jimmie, as most people called him, managed the Co-op Grocery Store in Milligan from 1946 to 1951. He moved to Tobias where he operated his own Locker and Grocery Store for 15 years. In 1966 he was appointed Rural Mail Carrier of the Tobias Route. From 1973-1974 he served as Officer In Charge of the Tobias Post Office returning to the Mail Carrier position at the end of the year. He then served part of the Ohiowa Mail route, as well as, the Tobias mail route. He retired in 1986. Jimmie loved sports and in his younger years managed the Little League Baseball Team for ten years in Tobias. He enjoyed attending sports events with his son and daughters during their high school years. Other interests were reading, hunting, gardening, playing cards, and dancing. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He loved every moment he spent playing and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served on the Tobias Village Board, Tobias School Board, Volunteer Fire Dept., Assistant Scoutmaster, Tobias Community Historical Society Board, Saline County Museum Board, Saline Co. Crime Stoppers. He was a member of the American Legion and was a Commander of the Tobias Post, later a member of Louis Milan Post at Wilber. He served as District Eleven Adjutant for four years. Additional organization involvement included: Crete VFW #4959, Secretary of Lodge WFLA Krivoklat #79 for 32 years, Post Commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter #42 in Crete, Tobias Volunteer Fireman, Retired Nebraska Rural Letter Carrier Association, Lincoln Military Order of Purple Heart #200, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree (Father Beranek Council at Wilber.) He served many years as St. Joseph Church Trustee in Tobias and as parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Crete. William J. Kottas, alongside his wife Helen, celebrated their 77th Wedding Anniversary on October 27, 2019. William was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rose Kottas, and his beautiful wife Helen. He is survived by children, Sharon (Allen) Brozovsky, Marylin (Albert) Ericksen, Janice (Mark) Schweer, Douglas (Dawn) Kottas, 14 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Memorials in care of the family for Crete Sacred Heart Church and Tobias Cemetery. Funeral Mass: Friday, 10:00 A.M. Sacred Heart Church, Crete, NE. Rosary: Thursday, 7:00 P.M. Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete. Visitation: Thursday, 5 ? 7 P.M. at the funeral home.

William married Helen Rose Stejskal on 27 Oct 1942 in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California. Helen (daughter of Anton Stejskal and Mary Nadherny) was born on 4 Jan 1924 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 11 Mar 2020 in Seward, Seward County, Nebraska; was buried in Tobias City Cemetery, Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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)

Notes:

During their married life, they lived in Denton, Montana, Milligan and Tobias. IN 1919 they moved from Montana to Tobias, where they farmed. James Kottas also worked for the Saline County A.C.S. office at Wilber with the A.A.A. Program. He was one of the first R.E.A. directors and promoters of Rural Electrification of America in the late 1930's. He also worked in a general merchandise store with his father and brother. (Milligan, p. 366).

James married Rose Uldrich on 20 Nov 1912 in Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. Rose was born on 22 May 1891 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of John ULDRICH and Mary PRESLICKA. (Milligan, p. 365).

Anton married Mary Nadherny. Mary (daughter of Joseph Nadherny and Anna Suda) was born on 7 Dec 1894 in Nebraska; died on 14 May 1983 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

His first name was Waslove (Vaclav), however, he went by W.J. He was active in many business ventures, and was also active in community civics, serving on the Milligan town board, the Ceski Bratri Cemetery board, and in Democratic Party Politics. He also was a storekeeper and manager of the motion picture theatre at Central Hall. The family later moved to Montana. (Milligan, p. 369-370).

Waslove married Filipina Steinacher on 3 Feb 1882 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Filipina was born on 16 May 1863 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa; died on 13 Dec 1956 in Lewistown, Fergus County, Montana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of John STEINACHER and Franziska SKRIVANEK.

Notes:

Married:
They were married in a joint ceremony with his brother, John Kotas and Mary Rejsek; and her brother, Valentine Steinacher and Marie Prokop. (Milligan, p. 369). They were the parents of 12 children, Josephine married Charles SIMACEK, Fred J. married Barbora CECRLE, Joseph born Nov. 20, 1886, died in December that same year, Stanley married Edna HALL, James married Rose ULDRICH, Marie married Albert HRUSKA, Rose married Henry RONISH, Edward married Ada MITCHELL, Alice married Melvin GAY, Frank married Sylvia HOGE, Carolina married Cecil GROVER and Leo, who was married and divorced several times. (Milligan, p. 370).

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]

Joseph married Anna Suda about 1894. Anna was born on 24 Apr 1869 in Bezdekov, Klatovy, Plzensk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 25 Oct 1947; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]