Leonard Mike Becwar

Notes:

Leonard was a farmer. He also worked in agricultural sales, being employed by Nebr-Kansas-Colorado Grain Company, A.C.E. Supply and Equipment, and later as factory manager at the Fairmount Air Base. After his parents retired, he moved back to the farm. In 1968, due to his failing eyesight, he purchased a tavern in Milligan. (Milligan, p 195).

In Memory of
Leonard M. Becwar
From the Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Leonard Mike Becwar was born August 22, 1924 to Mike Becwar Jr and Mollie (Kuska) Becwar on a farm north of Milligan and passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Friend Manor in Friend at the age of 83 years 6 months and 11 days. He attended rural school Dist #6 north of Milligan and graduated from Milligan High School in 1941 where he played the clarinet in the band. After graduation Leonard farmed with his father.

On August 28, 1945, he was united in marriage to DeLores "Dee" Witfoth at the Methodist Parsonage in Friend and to this union three children, Kenneth, Dawn and Mark were born.

They farmed south of Friend on DeLores's grandfather's farm. They moved to a farm 1/8 of a mile east of her folks, then to a farm south of Exeter and after two years they moved to Ohiowa. Leonard worked with the NKC Grain Company and NKC promoted him to Ace Supply at Fairmont. He soon was transferred to Salina KS with the Grain Co of Simpson, Laybourn, Miller and Stark. Leonard traveled for this company throughout Nebraska and Kansas. In 1958, he returned to Fairmont to manage the Ace Supply Co at the airbase.

After a retina detachment, he moved to his parent's home place north of Milligan when they retired. While on the farm, he started a small musical combo consisting of his Uncle Frank Becwar on drums and Leonard on accordion. When Uncle Frank couldn't go to dance jobs, Leonard took his daughter Dawn or son Mark to drum. Leonard had always loved music and his father taught him to play the button accordion before he started to school, allowing him to play with his father at dances. Leonard and his cousin Ernie Becwar played at a talent contest and won a diamond ring which they gave to their cousin Darlene. They had the ring appraised and found it to be worth only $2.00... but were still happy they had won the contest. Because of poor eyesight, he learned to play instruments by ear and while in high school, his music teacher noted that he couldn't see the notes, but was an excellent musician and encouraged him to keep up the good work.

His eyesight continued to fail and he purchased the LB Inn in Milligan where he enjoyed visiting with friends and hosting bands. After giving up his driver's license and he started a recording business "LB Tapes" and recorded combos and small groups. Successful eye surgery allowed him to regain his driver's license and he sold the bar and started his advertising business, selling for Zenith Pictorial and Waco Advertising. With this new vision also came his big band dream. The Leonard Becwar Orchestra "The LB Band" played for wedding and anniversary dances and more. All the members were treasured for their musical abilities and friendship. Leonard also sang with the Milligan Czech Brass Band for several years. At the Doane Czech Program, in his absence due to ill health, his chair was filled with a small black teddy bear donning a similar band vest and a tiny accordion with the Becwar name on it; a special gift and featured in the Lincoln Journal story. Leonard's love for polka music gained him a spot in the Polka Hall of Fame in Omaha NE and he also was a charter member of the Musicians' Hall of Fame at Milligan.

After an invitation to sponsor a tour to the Oktoberfest in Munich Germany, Leonard and Dee started a tour business, arranging more than 90 tours with over 900 people over 20 years. Many of his home town people traveled with him to Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria, along with sightseeing tours to Canada and most of the US. Polka tours covered Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho and Southern states.

Leonard was a member and past Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He also belonged to the Milligan Community Club and enjoyed his part in organizing the Centennial Celebration of Milligan in 1988. He served on the Milligan Town Board, Milligan Fire & Rescue, and was a member of the Milligan United Methodist Church, later transferring to the Friend United Methodist Church.

With his failing health, they sold their Milligan home in 2005 and moved to Friendship Terrace in Friend. Leonard was admitted to the Friend Manor on March 1, 2006 and he enjoyed participating in various activities. Leonard and his wife had enjoyed entertaining at the Friend Manor for several years and he often played his accordion while a resident the past two years. Highlights include members of his former band, Sue and Blue River Czechs, playing for the residents to celebrate his 82nd birthday, their 61st wedding anniversary.

Leonard is survived by his wife, DeLores, Friend, daughter and son-in-law Dawn and Douglas Mundt, Crete, son, Mark Becwar, Lincoln, grandchildren, spouses and great grandchildren include Shannon and Shaun Mee and their children Autumn, Allison, Austin, Ashlyn and Aiden, Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer Becwar and Matt Daringer and their children, Scoie and Cooper, Lincoln, Kamron Becwar, Seattle, WA, Chad and Keri Becwar and children Austin & Jordyn, Lincoln, Chandler Becwar, Wray, CO, Jarod and Stacey Mundt, Papillion, Julie and Jared Rohrs, Lincoln, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Mollie Becwar, son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Sandy Becwar, brother, LeRoy Becwar and parents in-law, Clarence and Bertha Witfoth.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Milligan Auditorium, with Rev. Paixao Baptista officiating. Interment in the Milligan Bohemian Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday from 1pm ? 9pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home with the family greeting relatives and friends from 4-6pm. Visitation also one hour before the service in Milligan. Memorials have been established to the Friend United Methodist Church, the Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation, or directed in care of the family. Pallbearers are Gayle Becwar, Glaen Kuska, Jon Halama, Wm. Slezak III, Roger Brandt and Steve Rodenbaugh. Honored Guests are anyone who played with The Becwar Band. Pianist, Deb Brunkow, accompanied the congregation as they sang "Because He Lives". Sue Underwood, Galen Beck, Kelly Homolka and Randy Korbelik played and sang "When Our Paths Meet" and "Pisnicka Ceska".

Leonard married Delores "Dee" Eleanor Witfoth on 28 Aug 1945 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska. Delores (daughter of Clarence C. Witfoth and Bertha O. Kasl) was born on 11 Apr 1925 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 2 May 2009 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried on 6 May 2009 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Kenneth LeRoy Becwar was born on 3 Mar 1947 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 1 Jun 1993; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
2. Living
3. Living

Notes:

Mike was an accordian player and for a time had a band, playing for house parties and dance halls. Back then, whenever someone emptied a granary or hay mow it was not unusual to get a dance set up. During the late 1930's, Mike worked for the Corn-Hog program. He served for several years on the P.M.A. and AAA Programs as County Committeeman. He was also onthe Board of Directors fo the Federal Land Bank in the area. After he retired, he continued to help his son Leonard at the farm, and later at his tavern. (Milligan, p 195).

Matej married Mollie Marie Kuska on 22 Aug 1922. Mollie (daughter of John Kuska, Sr. and Mary Stetina) was born on 10 Mar 1907 in Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 29 Jun 1973; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mollie was active in the Women's Clubs, 4-H, and church. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. Cooking was a big thing to her. No one stopped by without having a cup of coffee and a kolache. (Milligan, p 195).

Notes:

Shown as Matthew on the 1880 census.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Olive Precinct
ED 76-16 SD 11 Sheet 5B
Enumerated April 30, 1930
106-106
Becwar, Mike Hd M W 57 M 24 Neb Czech Czech Farmer
Becwar, Josephine Wf F W 57 M 24 Ill Czech Czech
Becwar, August Son M W 18 S Neb Neb Ill Farm Laborer
Becwar, Vlasty Dtr F W 14 S Neb Neb Ill

Matej married Josephine Bech on 23 Feb 1897. Josephine (daughter of Johann "Jan" Bech and Anna Kotas) was born on 26 Sep 1870 in Kozojedy, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 24 Jul 1951 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The first Milligan History book shows her as born in Kozojedy, Plzen. However, the 1930 census instead shows her place of birth as Illinois. The supplemental Milligan book shows that Josephine was born on 26 Sept 1870 in Kozojedy #74, and notes that this was contradictary to the date of 4 Jun 1873. This book also indicates that she is one of four children born in Bohemia to Johann/Jan BECH and Anna KOTASOVA of Kozojedy. Josephine came with her parents and siblings to Braidwood, Illinois on September 15, 1873. Her parents had three children born in Illinois. The family moved to Nebraska in 1881 and settled first with the Kotas family and then bought a farm in Atlanta Township in Saline County. Jan's feet were frozen during the blizzard of 1888, and died shortly thereafter. Anna went to live with her son Joseph on the farm. Both are buried in the Cesky Brati Cemetery (Milligan, 1988-2008, pp. 107 and 108).

Notes:

Married:
They lived on the farm that had been purchased by Mike's father, Frantisek, in 1871, the SW 1/4 of Section 23 in Liberty Township, Fillmore County. Mike passed this farm on to his son, Michael, Jr. in 1922 and moved to a farm a mile west of Tobias. They later moved to Geneva and finally to Milligan in 1948, where they lived until their deaths. (Milligan, p 195).

John married Mary Stetina on 26 Feb 1900. Mary was born before 1887; died on 1 Jan 1959 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frantisek Becvar, born in 1829 in Nezamslice, Strakomie Pisceky, Bohemia was naturalized in Fillmore County, May 18, 1875. He died August 15, 1900, and is buried in the Ceski Bratri Cemetery. His first wife, Marie Hubac Becvar, died in Czechoslovakia. His second wife, Mary Zdenek, was born March 25, 1836, and died November 1, 1924, and is buried in the Ceski Bratri Cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Becwar migrated to the US by sailing ship in 1868. They came from the east by train to Lincoln, Nebraska. There they hired a wagon and drive to take them to the Kral homestead north of Milligan. After paying the driver, they had 75 cents left.

The Becwar's homesteaded the 80 acres just west of the Krals, which would be W 1/2 SE 1/4 of Section 26, Liberty Precinct. Frank received the patent on February 20, 1877. They made a dug-out using an animal hide to cover the doorway. Frank was a cabinent maker, and walked 25 miles to Pleasant Hill to work, staying there all week, and walking home again on the weekends. The work involved building the William Smith Flour Mill. On his first trip home, he carried enough lumber to make themselves a proper door.

Life in the dugout was quite primative. It was hard to heat, and invited snakes. They ground corn with stones, and used a plentiful weed to make tea. Mr. Becwar would also shot prarie chickens on his way home for meat. Indians came through occasionally begging for food. Rustlers were also a problem. One night their cow was stolen, but it got away and came back home to be with its calf.

Mr. Becwar worked for the Burlington and Missouri Railroad in 1870 and 1871. He bought the SW 1/4 of Section 23 from them. This was handed down to Mike Becwar, Sr. and then Mike Becwar, Jr. At present the Kuska's own this land.

The Becwar daughters married and moved away. Agnes and Josephine moved to Kansas, Barbara to Nelson, Nebraska, Mary to Sunol, Nebraska. However, sons Mike and Anton stayed in Fillmore County. (Milligan, p 194).

NOTE: As the death date of Marie Hubac, as well as the date of the marriage of Frank and Mary Zdenak is unknown, the mother of his children can not be positevely identified until such a time as these questions are answered. Additionally, the biography of oldest son Anton notes that his mother was Mary Versek. For the time being, Mary Zdenak is being listed as the mother of Frank's six children, but this is subject to change.


(Research):Census Information:

FamilySearch 1880 Census
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Frank BECWAR Self M M W 50 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Mary BECWAR Wife F M W 43 BOHEMIA Occ:Keeping House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Anton BECWAR Son M S W 19 BOHEMIA Occ:Farming Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Agnes BECWAR Dau F S W 15 BOHEMIA Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Josephine BECWAR Dau F S W 11 NE Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Mathew BECWAR Son M S W 7 NE Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Barbara BECWAR Dau F S W 5 NE Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Mary BECWAR Dau F S W 1 NE Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

Census Place:Liberty, Fillmore, Nebraska
Source:FHL Film 1254748 National Archives Film T9-0748
Page 49

Frantisek married Marie Zdenek. Marie was born on 25 Mar 1836 in Bohemia; died on 1 Nov 1924 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johann married Anna Kotas on 14 May 1861 in Bohemia. Anna (daughter of Martin Kotas and Mary Pipla) was born on 10 Jun 1835 in Kozojedy, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 17 Feb 1916 in Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]