Mildred I. Sluka

Notes:

Obituary for Mildred I. Sluka

A Graveside Service for Mildred will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, Nebraska with Kim Dunker presiding.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska.

Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date.

Mildred Sluka passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Fairview Nursing Home at the age of 102 years old. Mildred was born on January 7, 1921 on their family farm near Burress, Nebraska to John E. and Marie (Bernasek) Sluka. She was one of two children in the family.

Mildred attended rural school and then took care of her father for many years on their farm. After he passed away Mildred moved to Geneva where she cleaned businesses and homes. She also baby-sat for many years. Mildred then moved to the assisted living at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska.

Mildred loved children and her nieces adored her. She would sit on the floor and play with them for hours in her late 80's. Mildred had an intellectual mind, and could remember facts from years ago. She shared numerous stories with us. She loved her Czech heritage, eating kolaches and listening to Shandra Reinsch play her accordion for her. She also enjoyed her special visits from Linda Korbelik.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, John E. and Marie Sluka and her sister, Evelyn Stoldorf.

She is survived by her nephew, Rick Stoldorf and his wife Jan, and her nieces, Lindsey and Tori Stoldorf.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)
...

John married Marie Helen "Mary" Bernasek on 16 Mar 1920 in York County, Nebraska. Marie (daughter of Cyril Bernasek and Marie Andelova) was born on 7 Nov 1895 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 14 Jun 1924 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
They were the parents of Mildred Sluka and Evelyn Stoldorf. (Milligan, p 200)

Notes:

Dennis Belohlavy shows him as the son of Ferdinand SLUKA and Marie PETRIK.

James married Marie "Mary" Janda on 14 Sep 1897 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Marie (daughter of Josef Janda and Josefa "Josie" Rejsek) was born on 26 Jun 1872 in Volenice, Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died on 21 May 1946 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Listings:

1910 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore, Liberty Precinct
Enumerated 20 April 1910
SD 4 ED 32 Sheet 3B
58-58
Sluka, James Hd M W 35 m1 12 Neb Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemi
an Farmer
Sluka, Marie Wf F W 37 m1 12 4/4 Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian Aust Bohemian 1880
Sluka, John O Son m W 10 S Neb Neb Aust.Bohemian
Sluka, James G Son M W 8 S Neb Neb Aust. Bohemian
Sluka, Gustav J Son M W 4 S Neb Neb Aust. Bohemian
Sluka, Lillie A. Dtr F W 2 S Neb Neb Aust. Bohemian
Sluka, Fred Brother M W 33 S Neb Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian
Janda, Estella H Sister-in-law F W 19 S Neb Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian Teacher School
Bartu, Mary Servent F W 19 S Neb Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian Servant Private Family
Svenda, Joseph Servant M W 26 S Aust. Bohemian Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian 1904 Pa Bohemian Laborer Farm
59-60
Janda, Frank Hd M W 30 m1 3 Aust. Bohemian Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian 1885 Na Farmer
Janda, Mary Wf F W 22 m1 3 2/2 Neb Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian
Janda, James Son M W 2 S Neb Aust. Bohemian Neb
Janda, Frank Son m W 2/12 S neb Aust. Bohemian Neb
Vacek, Anton Servant m W 21 S Aust. Bohemian Aust.Bohemian Aust Bohemian 1910 Bohemina Laborer Farm

Notes:

Cyril was only ten years old when he came to America with his parents. He should have automatically become a citizen when his father was naturalized. Fearing he might be deported back to Bohemia at the outbreak of the First World War, he filed a declaration of intent to become a U.S. Citizen in Fillmore County on 24 July 1919. He was sworn in as a citizen on 4 October 1921, with Charles Smrha of Milligan and James Delaney of Exeter as witnesses. (Milligan, pp 199 - 200).

Cyril married Marie Andelova on 16 May 1889 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Marie (daughter of Vaclav Andel and Marie Ziskova) was born on 23 Aug 1869 in Hlinci, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 12 May 1922 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried on 14 May 1922 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She came to America on June 9, 1888, stopping first in Chicago. She was a well read woman, giving readings from Bohemian literature. (Milligan, p 199). She had a brother named Tom Andel, and several half siblings, John, Josefa, Jim and Frank Fujan and Mary Kaderabek. Her half-sister, Josefa, married her brother-in-law, Frank Bernasek. (Milligan, p 201). The name of her parents, as reported on her marriage license, were Jim Urbanek and Mary Zekes. Robert Nohavec instead shows them as Vaclav ANDEL and Marie ZISKOVA. The supplementary Milligan History book, 1988-2008, lists them as Vaclav Andel and Marie Ziska.

During World War I, ladies in the Milligan area knit warm clothing for the soldier boys through the Red Cross. Marie was a champion knitter. She received letters from soldiers stationed at Fort Omaha thanking her for the socks. They had found her name in the socks. (Milligan, p 200)

Marie took her life on May 12, 1922, at the age of 52 years. (Milligan, p 200)

Notes:

Married:
They were married at the Courthouse in Geneva by the county judge. Witnesses were J.L Honchin and J.J. Dempster. The Fillmore Weekly Chronicle newspaper described the couple as lavishly decorated with roses and pink ribbons, closely followed by an elderly pair. They made their home in Glengary and Chelsea Townships. (Milligan, pp 199 - 200)

Notes:

His marriage license, from Dobrs, Book 3, Page 25, 167 Register, showed him as a cottager from Volenic house #26 county of Strakonice, son of Jan JANDA, cottage from Volenic house #26 and mother, Marie born VOJAT from Volenic house #41. He was shown as Catholic and single, age 24.

His passport, issued in 1880, showed him to be born in 1844, of medium build with brown hair and green eyes.

Joseph was a tailor. After his first wife (Josefa Rejsek) died, Joseph decided to move to Western Nebraska where much cheap land was available. He and his 15 year old daughter Mary moved to Box Butte County, near, Lawn and set up a homestead. Leaving Mary and a hired hand to hold down the claim, he returned to Fillmore County to sell his holdings there and move the rest of his family. Joseph, Mary and Frank plowed to new prarie land and planted flax, corn and wheat. The new area was difficult for farming, however, and was eventually seized by the bank. Joseph moved to Wyoming and hauled timber ties, eventually saving enough money to resume farming. After he and daughter Antonie were killed by lightning in an electrical storm, however, this children from his first marriage decided to return to Fillmore County. Joseph's second wife, Rousy, married a homesteader in the area, and they also returned to Fillmore County (Milligan, p 314).

From the HEMINGFORD GUIDE, August 17, 1894, courtesy of Sharon Nemeth

"A severe electric storm passed over the western part of the county yesterday afternoon, during which lightning struck the house of Joseph Janda, on 21-27-52, eighteen miles west of Hemingford, killing Mr. Janda and his thirteen year old daughter outright. Mr. Janda was a hard-working, honest and prosperous Bohemian farmer, and a leader among his people. THE GUIDE extends Mrs. Janda and her remaining children heartfelt sympathies."

Josef married Josefa "Josie" Rejsek on 28 Jan 1868 in Strasic, Stra?ec?, Bohemia. Josefa was born about 1846 in Strasic, Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died in Apr 1885 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Frantisek REJSEK and Marie PROKOP. Her father was a miller. (Milligan, p 314).

Her marriage license, from Dobrs, Book 3, Page 25, 167 Register, showed her as the daughter of Frantisek REJSEK, miller for Strasic house #43 county of Strakonice and mother Marie born PROKOP from Strasic house #14. She was shown as Catholic, age 20 3/4 years, and single.

Notes:

Married:
Their marriage license, from Dobrs, Book 3, Page 25, 167 Register, showed that they were married on the 28 of January 1828 by Vaclav Bezdeka (Priest), with witnesses being Matej Sluka, a cottager from Volenic #26 and Frantisek Prokop, a peasant from Strasic #14.

Joseph and Josefa traveled to America with their two oldest children and a niece, Mary. They spent 17 days on the ocean, enduring a severe five day storm. They landed in Baltimore, travelled by train to Chicago, and then onto Nebraska. They spent the winter with a brother, Vinc. Joseph purchased the S 1/2 SE 1/4 in Section 19 of Liberty Township from the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad company. (Milligan, p 314-315).

Notes:

"Josef Bernasek was born in the village of Prodeslady, town of Kravovice, county of Plzen in Bohemia on June 20, 1831.

His death certificate lists his parents as Ondrej Bernasek and Katherine Vcela. He was married in Bohemia to Josefa Urbanek. He came to the Milligan area from Europe twice, his name being first recorded in a book of Homestead records at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln as filing a claim to 80 acres in Section 10 of Glengary Township on October 17, 1870. John Bernasek cliamed 80 acres in the same quarter on the same day. Vaclav Bernasek, a son of John's, recived the patent on the farm Joseph Bernasek claimed. It is not definately known how John and Joseph were related. They could have been brothers. MILLIGAN NEBRASKA 1988-2008 indicates that the claim for 80 acres in section 10 used a 3 letter abbreviation for his first name, probably read as JOS. for Joseph, but may have actually been Jas. for James, with his given name actually being VACLAV. The patent on that land would later go to Vaclav Bernasek. (p. 113).

Josef and Josefa and their three children, Frank 16, Cyril 13 and Marie 10 came to the United States a second time on the Steamship "Zoffie," leaving Hamburg, Germany on March 20, 1879 and docking in the New York Port on Good Friday April 10, 1879. Daughters Emilye, Marie, Frantiska, Josefa and Kristina died of diptheria in Bohemia. This is possibly why Joseph did not prove the homestead. He may have received word from Bohemia of the illness of his daughters, and returned for sometime with his wife and children before returning to the United States. When the family returned, they migrated to the homestead of John Bernasek (assumed to be his brother by this compiler) where they lived until they were able to move to their farm. Joseph contracted 80 acres, the E 1/2 NE 1/4 of Section 21 in Glengary Township on July 1, 1879, with the Burlinton and Missouri River Railroad Company. He received the deed on October 3, 1889. The farm was given to his son, Frank, on July 11, 1895. It is still in the Bernasek family, owned by Ervin and Carol Bernasek. Joseph and oldest son Frank went to Geneva on July 3, 1879 to file their naturalization papers. Joseph was sworn in as a citizen on Mary 31, 1887.

Joseph contracted another 80 acres, the E 1/2 NE 1/4 of Section 17 in Glengary Township on October 24, 1879, with the Burlington and Missouri. This contract was made for 10 years at $5.50 an acre. Joseph received the deed on July 9, 1887 from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. This farm was given to his son Cyril. (Milligan, p 202). He made a stipulation that Cyril must give his parents one-third of the crops raised and a comfortable room in the house. Cyril and his wife sold the farm to Frank Kassik on April 30, 1908 for $7,600. (Milligan, p 199)

Joseph met with a fatal accident on July 17, 1906, at age 75. He and his wife were riding in a buggy when the horses were frightened by a pile of manure at the stockyards on the south end of the city limits. Joseph was thrown from buggy, killed almost instantly. Josephine was also thrown, but escaped with a few bruises. The funeral was conducted from the Catholic Church. (Milligan, p 202).

[Note: Ken Chromy instead has his location of birth as Babina (Plasy), Bohemia.]

(Research):

Census Listings:

FamilySearch 1880 National Census

Census Place:Glengary, Fillmore, Nebraska
Source:FHL Film 1254748 National Archives Film T9-0748 Page 51 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Joseph BENNESEK Self M M W 52 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Josefine BENNESEK Wife F M W 51 BOHEMIA Occ:House Keepe rFa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Cirrall BENNESEK Son M S W 15 BOHEMIA Occ:At Schoo lFa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Mary BENNESEK Dau F S W 12 BOHEMIA Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

Josef married Josefa Urbankova. Josefa was born on 16 May 1831 in Bohy, Plzen-Sever, Plzensk? Kraj, Bohemia; died on 25 Apr 1914 in Atlanta Township, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried on 26 Apr 1914 in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

After her husband's death, Josephine made her home on the farm with a grandson, Cyril Bernasek. When she became ill, she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Vaclav Koca in Atlanta Township of Saline County. She died at the Koca home on April 25, 1914, at the age of 83. A "Card of Thanks" in the Milligan Times expresses the family's thanks to Charles Smrha for the impressive speech at the mourners home and cemetery, to Messrs. Frank Hrdy, Charles Smrha and Norbert Svatos for the beautiful song service, to Vaclav Koca for the religious ceremony, the undertakers Frank Rozanek and Joe Matejovsky for last service rendered, and to Mrs. Josephine Rohla for loving service in time of sickness and comfort in the final hours. (Milligan, p 202). Ken Chromy shows she was a daugheter of J. DUSKOVA and Mr. URBANEK, and that she was born in Bohy.

Vaclav married Marie Ziskova about 1868 in Bohemia. Marie was born about 1839 in Slatina, Kralovice, Bohemia; died before 1922 in Bohemia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]