Norma Best

Notes:

September 10, 1986 NORTH BEND EAGLE

Norma Zeleny, 51

Funeral services were held Saturday morning for Norma J. Zeleny of Arlington, who died Sept. 3, 1986 at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha of cancer. She was 51.

She was born April 23, 1935 at North Bend to Chester and Clara Best. She grew up in North Bend and lived in Fremont for six years before moving to Arlington 20 years ago.

She was a member of the Arlington American Legion Auxiliary and First United Methodist Church of Fremont.

On April 14, 1954, she married Eugene R. Zeleny at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Steve (Cindy) Wiblishouser of Blair; her mother, Clara Best of North Bend; mother and father-in-law, Bessie and Edward Zeleny of Hooper; and a granddson.

Funeral services were held at Arlington Community Church with Rev. Robert Saunders officiating. Ruby House was organist and Melvin Misfeldt was soloist.

Burial was in Memorial Cemetery in Fremont. Pallbearers were Robert French, Dick Totten, Herman Allen, LeRoy Brown, Don Lottman and Loren Knoell.

She was preceded in death by her father, Chester Best.

(Courtesy of Caroline Mastny)

(Research):SSDI:
NORMA ZELENY 23 Apr 1935 Sep 1986 68002 (Arlington, Washington, NE ) 68002 (Arlington, Washington, NE ) 506-36-5583 Nebraska SS

Norma married Eugene R. Zeleny on 14 Apr 1954 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Eugene was born on 5 May 1933; died on 26 Dec 2009 in Blair, Washington County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Nebraska, Dodge County, North Bend City
Enumerated April 8, 1930
ED 27-20 SD 3 Sheet 7B
174-184
Best, H. Allane Hd M W 36 M 22 Ark Miss Ky Laborer Steam Railroad
Best, Cleda F Wf F W 33 M 19 Ne Oh Mich
Best, Floyd C Son m W 14 S Ne Ark Ne
Best, Marjorie L Dtr F W 10 S Mon Ark Ne
Best, Katherine L Dtr F W 5 S Ne Ark Ne
Best, Shirley M Dtr F W 2 S Ne Ark Ne
Best, Chester W Brother M W 27 S Mo Miss Ky Truck Drive Transfer Co

Chester married Clara Racek about 1934. Clara (daughter of Frank Racek and Mary Virka) was born on 13 Sep 1907 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska; died on 8 Jan 1995 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Stoke is Fatal to North Bend Resident

Frank Racek died at this home in this city Tuesday morning, May 10, at 7:45 o'clock after an illness of only three days. He suffered a strokc of paralysis on Saturday, May 7, from which he did not rally.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. Filipi of Clarkson were held at the Z.C.B.J. hall in Morse Bluff at 2:00 o'clock this (Thursday) afternoon, and interment was made in the Killian cemetery near Morse Bluff. There was a large attendance at the service.

Frank Racek was born on a farm in Saunders county near the present town of Morse Bluff, December 18, 1872, the sond of Mr. and Mrs. James Racek, pioneer settlers of Saunders county. Most of his life was spend on a farm. A few years ago he retired and was located in North Bend. he was married September 22, 1896, to Miss Mary Virka in Fremont.

Surviving are his wife, three brothers, four sisters and the following children: Frank Racek of Barnesville, Minnesota, Lewis of North Bend, Mrs. Owen Jensen (Emma) of Ames, Mrs. Zikmond Divis (Julia) of Schuyler, Mrs. Carl Chesley (Tillie) of North Bend, Mrs. Chester Best (Clara) of North Bend.

There are also seven grandchildren: Merle and Dale Jensen, Marvin and Arlene Chesley, David and Merlin Racek, and Arnold Divis.

(Undated, unreferenced clipping courtesy of Caroline Mastny of Schuyler, Nebraska)

Frank married Mary Virka on 22 Sep 1896 in Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of Jan Virka and Veronika Soukup) was born on 7 Sep 1875 in Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 14 Jun 1961 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Undated, unreferenced clipping courtesy of Caroline Mastny of Schuyler, Nebraska)

Marie (Virka) Racek Obituary

Marie (Virka) Racek was born on a farm near Morse Bluff on September 7, 1875 and died at her home in North Bend June 14, 1961. She had spent her entire life in this vicinity.

On September 22, 1896 she was married to Frank Racek in Fremont. Six children were born to this union. She was a 62 year member of the ZCBJ Lodge in Morse Bluff. She was a kind and loving mother and leaves a host of friends and will be missed by all.

Survivors are son, Lewis of North Bend; four daughters, Mrs. Tillie Chesley, Mrs. Emma Jensen, Mrs. Clara Best of North Bend; and Mrs. Julia Divis of Schuyler; brother Joe Virka of Morse Bluff; 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1931, and a son Frank in 1949.

Funeral services were at the Moser Funeral Home Chapel Friday afternoon with the Rev. Robert E. Favre officiating. Music was by Mr. and Mrs. James Arneal.

Pallbearers were Marvin Chesley, Merle Jensen, Melvin Divis, Gayle Chesley, Eugene Zeleny and Arnold Divis.

Interment was in Killian Cemetery near Morse Bluff.

Attending the services from a distance were Mrs. Frank Racek and daughter, Cheryl of Barnsville, Minn.

Notes:

Czechs in Nebraska - Saunders County

Morse Bluff and Bohemian Precincts. (Data furnished by Frank Kaplan, Morse Bluff)

1869--The Following Came:

Matej Racek, Breskovice, Plzen, Jan. 6, 1818, came with five sons to Iowa in 1861. Died June 2, 1900.

Vaclav Racek, Breskovice, Plzen, Nov. 27, 1849, came with father to Iowa in 1861, died Nov. 18, 1908

James Racek, son of Mathias and Maria Racek, was born 11-27-1849 in Breskovice, Czechoslovakia, and came to the U.S. about 1861. He married Veronica Beznoska (born 2-4-1855). To them were born 4 sons: Frank, William, Edward, and Emil; and 5 daughters: Anna Tenopir, Emma Virka, Lizzie Hines Svec, Teresa, and Julie Vachal. James and Veronica lived all their lives on the homestead they acquired in 1874. James died 11-18-1908, and Veronica on 10-14-1946. (Unreferenced, undated xerox of a biography of Vaclav (James) and Veronka Racek. Courtesy of Caroline Mastny.

In a obituary published in Czech for Veronika, he was listed as Vaclava Racka.

CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 3 west to east
Vaclav Racek Nov 1849 18 Nov 1908



(Research):Census InformationL

1880 Census

Census Place:Douglas, Saunders, Nebraska Source:FHL Film 12
54756
National Archives Film T9-0756 Page 37 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
James RATSICK Self M M W 31 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Flora RATSICK Wife F M W 25 BOHEMIA Occ: Keeps House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Frank RATSICK Son M S W 9 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Ann RATSICK Dau F S W 8 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Willie RATSICK Son M S W 3 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Eddie RATSICK Son M S W 2 NE Occ: At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

Vaclav married Veronika Beznoska in 1871. Veronika (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Beznoska and Anna Krylova) was born on 4 Feb 1855 in Beroun, Stredocesk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 14 Oct 1946 in Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She is listed as Veronika on the Czech immigration index and her tombstone, however later census listings variously show her as Sarah and as Flora.

Mrs. James Racek, born February 4, 1885 (sic), in Bohemia, died October 14, 1946, at the age 91 years, 8 months, 10 days. In 1871 she was married to James Racek. They settled on the homestead in Saunders County in 1869 near Morse Bluff where she resided until her death. Her husband preceded her in death 38 years ago. The were blessed with nine children. Three sons and one daughter preceded her in death. She is survived by one son and three daughters, William of Morse Bluff, Anna Tenopir of Geronimo, Oklahoma, Emma Virka, Morse Bluff, Lizzie Svec, Milligan and Julia Vachal, Morse Bluff, 26 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. One brother and three sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at 1 pm from the Vachal home and at 1:30 pm from the ACBJ hall. Rev. B.A. Filipi of Clarkson officiated. Burial was made in the Killian cemetery.

A copy of an obituary, apparently written in Czech, lists her place of birth as Berouna v Plzenskem kraji. v Cechach.

Caroline noted that Veronika had a stroke in 1930, and was unable to walk or talk for the 16 years preceding her death.

(Courtesty of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)


CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 3 west to east
Veronika Racek 4 Feb 1855 14 Oct 1946

Notes:

Jan/John Virka/Wirka

1900 Federal Census Nebraska, Saunders County, Morse Bluff, ED 128 #23-24 Virka, John Head W M May 1851 48 M 28 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1869 Farmer Virka, ??oly WIfe W F Sep 1855 45 M 28 6/6 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1869 31 Virka, Frank Son W M May 1880 20 S Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia Farm Laborer Virka, Annie Dtr W F May 1886 15 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Virka, Emma Dtr W F Feb 1890 10 Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Virka, Joseph SOn W M Apr 1893 7 Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia Soukup, Mary Mother in Law W F ??? 1819 83 Wd 8/5 Bohemia Boh. Boh. 1869

Jan married Veronika Soukup in Jun 1872 in Braidwood, Will County, Illinois. Veronika (daughter of Antonin Soukup and Marie Buresova) was born on 7 Sep 1855 in Koryta, Plzen-Sever, Plzensk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 3 Jan 1938 in Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Petr Zakovec instead shows that she, and her twin sister Katerina, was born on 7 Sept 1855.

(Medical):Intestional Nephritis

Notes:

Married:
Veronika Soukup married John Virka in Braidwood, June 1872.