Melvin Dean Motis

Notes:

Mel D. Motis, 75, of Geneva, died July 15, 2014 in Friend. Born June 17, 1939 to Frank & Helen (Kovanda) Motis.

Survivors: sons, Mike & Brenda Motis, Geneva, Doug & Lori Motis, Exeter, Jim & Natalie Motis, Geneva; eight grandchildren.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday, United Church of Christ, Exeter; Pastor Kenn Leischner. Visitation: 1-8 p.m. with family present 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Geneva. Cremation will follow the funeral service. Memorials directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences, www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com

From 16 July 2914 issue of the Lincoln Journal Star, Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Melvin Dean Motis was born to Frank Motis and Helen Kovanda Motis on June 17, 1939, at Exeter, and passed away on Tuesday, July 15, at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, at the age of 75 years.

Mel grew up in Exeter and graduated from Exeter Public High School in 1957. He married Carol Jean Hughes on April 23, 1966, and to them three sons were born; Mike, Doug and Jim.

Following graduation, Mel served in the US Army and competed on the Army Rifle team, before going to work for Burlington Northern Railroad. After a few years he came back to the family farm and continued to farm with his father, raising crops, hogs and cattle until 1984 when the farm economy began to struggle. During this time Mel served for 8 years on the Exeter School board. With three growing boys to feed, Mel was forced to work off the farm at various jobs, including Volkmer Construction, Horizontal Boring and Jacques Seed. In 1988 Mel took a job with Boeing Aviation in Wichita, KS, and worked there until the death of his wife, Carol, in 1993. Mel moved back to the family farm and started M and M Tree Service, which he continued to operate until his health began to fail in 2004. Despite his failing physical strength, Melvin continued to help many neighbors and friends with field work in the spring, and with harvest in the fall. He came to love swathing hay for Jason Oldehoeft, and would never turn down an opportunity to mow hay, a beloved activity he continued until May of this year.

Throughout much of his life, Mel was known for his trap shooting skills, and spent many weekends and weeknights shooting with some of his closest friends. Family vacations often included the State Trap Shoot in Doniphan. Over the years, the mass of trophies, guns and other winnings were enough to fill a whole room. He spent many nights reloading shells after working all day, and would always make it to a shoot the next day, wherever it may be.

Mel was an avid hunter and wildlife lover. Many a time he could be found near his canary grass plot watching the pheasants fly in. Growing up he never missed a hunting season, and he passed that passion on to his three boys. Many winter days he could be found cruising the countryside with all three boys in the truck, looking for pheasant, rabbit or quail. For a little sporting fun, he would even take the boys on an occasional coyote hunt on Sundays, despite missing church services.

Mel was also a devoted sports fan, many Saturdays were spent watching college football with his grandsons, but he was especially proud to watch his grand kids in all their sporting events never missing a chance to attend a football, softball, basketball game or wrestling match.

You could always find Mel at an auction, coin sale, having coffee, or just putting around in the "silver bullet" he refused to quit driving. He spent a lot of time at his grandkids' trap shoots, all of which followed in their granddad's footsteps, taking up an interest in the sport.

He loved the Fillmore County Fair hog show, and you could find him sitting somewhere in the stands. He enjoyed watching Thane, Caroline, Gatlin, and Travien show their pigs, and he would never miss one of their shows, regardless of what else needed to be done. He had the best seat in the house this year having passed on the day of the Fillmore County Fair hog show. He was watching from above as they drove several pigs to champion honors.

In his retirement, Mel found a love of cooking and canning, specializing in pickles, pork and beans, and jaternice, which he was proud to share with family and friends. He spent many hours playing pitch, poker, or any game of chance, and enjoyed riding along on any road trip with the boys, whatever the activity or destination.

Over the years Mel met many people that he was blessed to know, a source of great pride for him. Wherever he went someone knew him.

Mel will be remembered for being just a little bit stubborn and stuck in his ways, maybe a little too quick to complain. But he always said, "If you don't tell someone what they are doing wrong, they won't get better."

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen; wife, Carol; sister, Marlene VanPatte; and brother-in-law William "Blackie" VanPatten.

He is survived by sons, Mike and Brenda, Geneva; Doug and Lori, Exeter; and Jim and Natalie, Geneva; grandsons, Thane, Preston, Colton, Wyatt, Trevian, and Gatlin; granddaughters, Caroline and Toni; brother, Ernest; sister-in-law, Betty Motis; aunt, Clarabelle Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Frank married Helen Kovanda on 9 Aug 1927. Helen (daughter of Charles Kovanda and Christina "Tena" Bartu) was born on 15 Apr 1908 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 27 Oct 1973 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary, from FindAGrave

OBITUARY OF FRANK MOTIS

Frank, son of Frank and Katie Baxa Motis was born on Jan. 19, 1875, on a farm near Milligan, Nebraska. He died in Omaha, Nebr. on November 14, 1949, at the age of 74 years, 3 months, and 25 days.

He was married to Christina Matejka on June 1, 1897. Four children were born to this union; two girls, who died in infancy, and two sons, Edmen and Frank.

In 1907 on September 11th, he was married to Mary Pribyl. Two daughters, Bertha and Angeline, were born to his union.

Mr. Motis spent most of his life in farming activities. He farmed near Milligan until 1907, with the exception of a short time spent in Iowa. After 1907, he farmed near Omaha with the exception of eight years from 1916 to 1924, he lived in Minnesota.

As a young man, Mr. Motis was quite musical and enjoyed playing the accordiann for his own and others entertainment.

Mr. Motis was affiliated with the Roman Catholic church in his early life.

Both wives preceded Mr. Motis in death. He is survived by his sons, Edmen and Frank; and his daughters, Mrs. John (Bertha) Fitch, and Mrs. Frank (Angeline) Ondracek. There are also two step-daughters, Frances Wilson and Emily Eikenburg. One brother Vaclav Motis, and one sister, Mrs. Frank Krupicka. He also leaves 10 living grandchildren.

Unidentified newspaper article.

It was also noted on FindAGrave that Cemetery records show that Frank was born Jan. 18th, the headstone shows the 19th. 1st wife Christina Matejka. 2nd wife Mary Pribyl

Frank married Christinia Matejka on 1 Jun 1900. Christinia (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Matejka and Marie Manzelka) was born on 24 Jul 1879 in Trtice, Nov? Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died on 14 Jun 1942 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary, from FindAGrave

Christina Horlivy, nee Matejka, was born July 24, 1879, at Trtice, Czechoslovakia. She came to America the same year with her parents, Frank and Mary Matejka. They settled on a farm northeast of Milligan, where she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage to Frank Motis, June 1, 1900. Two sons were born to this union, Edmen and Frank.

She was united in marriage September 14, 1907, to Mike Horlivy. They made their home north of Milligan until 1927, when they moved to Exeter. Six children were born to this union.

Mrs. Horlivy died June 14, 1942 at the age of 62 years, 10 months, and 21 days, after a very short illness. Her passing was a great shock to relatives and friends.

Mrs. Horlivy underwent many hardships, but was always ready to lend a helping hand. She will long be remembered for her sunny disposition and kindness.

There remain to mourn her departure, her husband, five sons, Edmen Motis, Frank Motis, Charles Horlivy, Fred Horlivy, and Edward Horlivy; two daughters, Helen and Rose, also six grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Antonia Bulin, four brothers, Frank, Anton, Charles and Emil; and many other relatives and friends.

Three brothers, one sister and a daughter, who died in infancy, preceded her in death.

The funeral services were postponed from Tuesday til Friday, June 19, due to the fact that her son Edward, who is in the army at Camp Roberts, Cal., sent word he was coming.


Newspaper article, private collection.

Charles married Christina "Tena" Bartu on 9 Oct 1902. Christina (daughter of Peter Bartu and Marie Krejdle) was born on 26 Jan 1886 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 22 Jul 1961 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frank Matejka emigrated fall 1877 from left Trstice, Bohemia and came to the United States settling on a homestead near Milligan, NE. They came to America on the ship "Odessa". They first settled NE of Milligan, NE. Mr. and Mrs. Matejka had 6 sons and 3 daughters.

Copied from the notes of Rod Girmus, his tree can be found at RootsWeb's WorldConnect:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=girmus



(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Liberty Twp
FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8Y8-K4K : accessed 02 Dec 2013), Anton Maetetka in household of Frank Maetetka, Liberty, Fillmore, Nebraska, United States; citing sheet 505B, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T9-0748
Frank Maetetka M 45 Czechoslovakia
Mary Maetetka Wife F 42 Czechoslovakia
Frank Maetetka Son M 10 Czechoslovakia
Anton Maetetka Son M 8 Czechoslovakia
Emmil Maetetka Son M 4 Czechoslovakia
Christina Maetetka Dtr F 1 Czechoslovakia

1900 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Liberty Twp
Enumerated 2 and 4 Jun 1900
SD 4 ED 29 Sheet 2A
29-29
Matika, Frank Head W M Jan 1835 65 M 40 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1878 22 Farmer
Matika, Mary Wf W F Jan 1839 61 M 40 12/9 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1878 22
Matika, Anton Son W M Mar 1875 25 S Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1879
Matika, Charley Son W M Jan 1878 22 S Boehmia Bohemia Bohemia 1878
Matika, Emil Son M W Feb 1880 20 S Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1878 22
Matika, Mary Dtr W F Mar 1884 16 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia


1910 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore county, Liberty Twp
Enumerated 15 Apr 1910
SD 4 ED 32 Sheet 1B
18-18
Matejka, Charles M Head M W 33 m1 0 AustBohemia AustBohemia AustBohemia 1879 Pa English Laborer Farm
Matejka, Anna E Wf F W 22 M1 0 0/0 Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia English
Matejka, Frank Father M W 75 m1 49 GerBohemia AustBohemia GerGerman 1879 Pa Bohemian
Matejka, Marie A Mother F W 71 M1 49 12/9 AustBohemia AustBohemia AustBohemia 1879 __ Bohemian

Frantisek married Marie Manzelka about 1860 in Bohemia. Marie was born on 15 Jul 1839 in Trtice, Nov? Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died on 3 Oct 1913 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the Milligan Centennial book, she is listed as Marie Petracek. The FindAGrave listing for this family instead shows her as Marie MANZELKA Matejka. The photo of her tombstone is also inscribed Marie, Jeho MANZELKA.

Notes:

Peter naturalized as an American Citizen on 20 May 1885 in Fillmore County. (Milligan, p 191).

Place of birth was shown as Dacice, Jihlavka, Bohemia.

Peter married Marie Krejdle on 1 Feb 1876 in Saline County, Nebraska. Marie (daughter of Joseph Krejdle and Fannie Barikova) was born on 8 Dec 1853 in Zbyrov, Prazky, Bohemia; died on 28 Dec 1928; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Lisitings:

1900 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Glengary Twp
Enumerated 4 June 1900\\SD 4 ED 26 Sheet 4A Stamped 136
66-68
Bartu, Mary Hd W F Aug 1854 45 W 6/5 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemi
a 1875
Bartu, Ernie Son W M Mar 1879 21 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Farmer
Bartu, Joseph Son W M Oct 1882 17 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Farm Laborer
Bartu, Tena Dtr W F Dec 1886 13 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Bartu, Antonette Dtr W F July 1887 12 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Bartu, Rosie Dtr W F Oct 1890 9 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School

Notes:

Married:
He married Marie Krejdle...on February 1, 1876 at the residence of the Justice of the Peace, F.M. Shirley in Saline County. (Milligan, p 191). This date MAY be in error, as their eldest daughter, Marie, is shown as being born on 27 January 1873.