Felix Alfred Bedlan

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:

Son of Martin BEDLAN and Meri VRBA. He was a farmer and lived on the farm where he was born for 76 years, retiring to Milligan in 1976. (Milligan, p 196).

Felix married Mamie Krupicka on 1 Sep 1926. Mamie (daughter of Charles L. Krupicka and Kristina "Tena" Bernasek) was born on 1 May 1906 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 24 Nov 2006 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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).

Notes:

Married:
The celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milligan. (Milligan, p 196).

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1920 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Olive Precinct, Tobias Village
Enumerated 10 Jan 1920 by Frank Kucera
SD 4, ED 137, Sheet 4A
106-106
Krupicka, Joseph Hd F W W 76 Wd 1869 Na Date Unk Boh/Boh Bo
h/Boh Boh/Boh None
107-107
Krupicka, Charles Hd F W W 35 M Neb Boh/Boh Boh/Boh Farming
Krupicka, Lena Wf F W 32 M Neb Boh/Boh Boh/Boh
Krupicka, Mamie Dtr F W 12 S Neb Neb Neb
Krupicka, Vlasta Dtr F W 11 S Neb Neb Neb
Krupicka, Alfred Son M W 4 8/12 S Neb Neb Neb
Krupicka, Alois Son M W 2 8/12 S Neb Neb Neb

Charles married Kristina "Tena" Bernasek on 25 Jul 1904 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Kristina (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Bernasek and Josefa Fujan) was born on 12 Apr 1888 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 26 Oct 1988 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frank was working as a cobbler in Bohemia at the age of 16, and moved to America at the age of 17

His first home after he married was a farm in Glengary Township. He acquired land by paying the railroad $500 for one half of a farm and Albert Tyson $2,000 for the remaining half. He and Josefa first build a sod house, then replaced this with a small home. Lated they moved to a farm in Chelsea Township, and finally moved to Milligan.

Frank became a citizen on February 24, 1896. He was a member of Lodge Rabi #27. (Milligan, p 201)

Ken Chromy shows him as born in Bohy 24, Bohemia instead of Hinze, Plzen.

Frantisek married Josefa Fujan on 6 Nov 1883 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Josefa (daughter of Josef Fujan and Marie Ziskova) was born on 17 Feb 1862 in Hlinci, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 4 Jun 1942 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Josefa Fujan, daughter of Frank and Mary Ziska Fujan, was born at Hinze, Krah Plzen, Okres Kralovice, Bohemia on February 17, 1862. She came to this country with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Holzinger and her brother, John Fujan, reaching the United States on Good Friday in 1879. Her parents, brothers Jim, Frank, and sister, Mary Kaderabek stayed in Czechoslovakia. A half brother, Tom Andel and half sister, Marie Andel, came to America at another time. Tom stayed in Chicago and Marie married Frank's brother Cyril.

She was a member of Lodge Cechie #122 ZCBJ of Milligan (Milligan, p 201)

Ken Chromy isntead shows her place of birth as Hlinci, Bohemia.

Notes:

Married:
To their marriage were born eight children, two of whom died as infants.