Bernard "Bernie" Ach

Notes:

Born at the Cecrle House in Milligan, being delivered by Dr. V.V. Smrha. When he was a toddler, they moved to Friend, Nebraska, where he later graduated from High School. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from the College of Law in 1960. He has practiced law at Friend since his graduation and serves as Friend City Attorney and General Counsel for Saline County Rural Fire District. He was Saline County Attorney for 8 years. In 1957, he married Margaret Kraus, a daughter of Emil and Josephine Kraus, and to this union were born three daughters, namely Deborah Lynne, Donna Rae and Dineen Kay Ach. Deborah Lynne is employed in Kearney, Nebraska at a Medical Supply Company, Donna Rae Rae Hansen is a secretary at Doane College and Dineen Kay is attending Creighton University in Omaha studying to be an Occupational Therapist. Bernard married again after Margaret passed away in 1966, his wife Sharon has two daughters, Kathie and Laurie. (Milligan, p 185). Dennis Belohlavy writes that there anniversary announcement was in the August 11, 2013 Lincoln Journal Start, and they were married on 11 Aug 1968, 45 years ago today.

Obituary, from the Lauber Moore Funeral Home, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy:

In Memory of Bernard "Bernie" Ach

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend, Nebraska with Fr. Lawrence Stoley officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Friend. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Memorials have been established and may be directed in care of the family.

Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Ach was born June 10, 1936, in Milligan, Nebraska to Joseph and Blanche (Fritz) Ach, the first of two sons and passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Friend Manor in Friend at the age of 78 years, 8 months and 1 day. As a young boy, his family moved to Friend and he attended Friend Public School and graduated with the class of 1954. He furthered his education at the University of Nebraska and received his law degree in 1960. He was united in marriage to Margaret Kraus on June 15, 1957 and to this union three daughters were born, Deborah, Donna and Dineen. He was later blessed with a second marriage to Sharon (McGinnis) Haase on August 11, 1968 in Belleville, KS and two more daughters were added to his family, Kathie and Laurie.

After graduation, he joined his father, Joseph, in the Ach law firm. Bernie served as Saline County Attorney from 1962 to 1970. He continued practicing law in Friend until his retirement in 2004. His community involvement included serving as the City Attorney for Friend and other area communities. He was also the attorney for the Friend School District.

Bernie was active in the State and National Bar Associations, Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. At a young age he taught himself the art of taxidermy as he enjoyed hunting, fishing and other activities that brought him out into nature. Bernie loved polka music and taught himself to play the accordion. He also golfed in his spare time. Bernie collected decoys, and carved and painted decoys. Bernie started "Wildfowl History, LLC" a business for collecting, trading and selling various hunting, fishing and wildlife memorabilia, including hunting decoys, calendars and many other items. He spent many hours driving by local wetlands to assess the habitat conditions. In 2005, Bernie was awarded the Lifetime Resident Award from the Friend Chamber of Commerce. He also donated some of the land where the lake is located to develop the Spreeman Ach Memorial Park.

Bernie was a man with a strong love of family and his community and of a good joke. He loved hunting pheasant and ducks and spent many enjoyable hours with his special dog, P.D. Bernie especially enjoyed taking family and friends to his cabin.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Sharon, Friend, daughters and sons-in-law, Kathie and Mark Hiatt, Lincoln, Laurie and Tomonori Nagata, Lincoln, Donna and Matthew Hansen, Dorchester, Dineen and Greg Vlasnik, Crete, six grandchildren and spouses, Evan Hansen, Phoenix, AZ, Andrea and Brant Pracheil, Dorchester, Jessica Hansen and Blake Hansen, both of Dorchester, Aaron and Kim Vlasnik, Lincoln, Joel and Amber Vlasnik, Lincoln, four great-grandchildren, Avery and Hazel Vlasnik, Lincoln, Lillian and Aubrey Pracheil, Dorchester, brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Marilyn Ach, Friend, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Carole McGinnis, Shreveport, LA, Eleanor Benes, Valparaiso, Dennis and Lorie Kraus, Grand Island, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Margaret in 1966, his daughter, Deborah in 1988, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley Ach, Stephen Benes, Bill and Edith Rezac, Frank Kraus, Darrell McGinnis, parents-in-law, Earl and Evelyn McGinnis, and his special dog, P.D.

Notes:

He attended the University of Nebraska receiving his BA in 1931 and his Bachelor of Law degree in 1933. He praticed law in Fillmore County from 1933 to 1937, marrying Blanche Fritz on 3 July 1935. He practiced law in Fillmore County for five years, moving to Friend, Nebraska in 1938, where he purchased the law office of Edward Kubat. He served on the Board of Education fifteen years, fourteen as president. He always took a keen interest in school and civic affairs. He served as County Attorney from May 1944 to January 1955, being elected again in 1958 by write-in. He also served as City Attorney of Friend and counsel of the school district. He was a director of the First National Bank of Friend, member of the Methodist Church, member of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Rotary Club, member of the Masonic Lodge No. 73 A.F. and A.M., Scottish Rite and Shrine, I.O.O.F. and K.P. Lodge. Joseph was elected District Judge of the Seventh Judicial District in 1960, ill health forcing him to retire in 1969. (Milligan, p 186)

Joseph married Blanche Fritz on 3 Jul 1935. Blanche was born on 18 Dec 1911 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 6 Mar 2006 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Son of Stepan ACH and Marie PAVLICEK. He learned the shoemaking trade from his father. He came to New York in 1905 and settled in Ohio where he worked in the coal mines for a year. Due to a strike in the mines, he went to work for a grocery merchant in Cleveland, Ohio. He came to Nebraska in 1906 and was employed in a harnass shop working part time in Milligan and part time in Davis city. He later worked as a farm laborer, earning $170 and room and board. He became a US Citizen in Fillmore County on November 18, 1918. After he married, he and Agnes farmed until their son James took that over from them. They later bought a tavern and cafe which they ran until their retirement inthe early fifties. Vaclav played the button accordian with his son and friends. He and Agnes visited Czechoslovakia in 1926, visiting his parents and brothers. He was an active member of Lodge Svatopluk and the Lodge Stotsenberg. (MILLIGAN, pp. 186-187)

Vaclav married Agnes Vejraska on 8 Jan 1910. Agnes (daughter of Josef Vejraska and Marie Kucera) was born on 12 Nov 1887 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 29 Oct 1967 in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

As a child, Agnes was anxious to get more education but since this was denied to her she always hoped her children would be able to get the benefit of a much better education than she was privileged to acquire.(MILLIGAN, p. 187)

SSN: 508-60-8393

Notes:

A mason and brickmaker. He was Catholic and led prayer meetings inthe first Catholic Church. His daughter, Anna, spoke proudly of her father helping to build Milligan. He worked for 25 cents a day. For lunch he had a slice of rye bread he brought from home. (Milligan, p 243).

(Research):

Census Information:

1900 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Glengary Township
Enumerated 13 Jun 1900 by Anton E. Hrnek
SD 4, ED 26 Sheet 7B
Vigraska, Joseph Hd W M Mar 1850 m 23 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1884 16 Own Farm
Vigraska, Mary Wf W F Feb 1856 44 m 23 6/5 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1884 16
Vigraska, Anna Dtr W F Jan 1879 21 S Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1884 16 Housework
Vigraska, Fanny Dtr W F Oct 1881 18 S Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia Housework
Vigraska, Mary Dtr W F Apr 1865 15 S Nebraska Bohemia Bohemia At School
Vigraska, Agnes Dtr W F Nov 1888 12 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Vigraska, Rosie Dtr W F Jun 1893 6 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia
Vigraska, John Father W M Feb 1821 79 W Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1880 20 Na Stone Mason

Josef married Marie Kucera on 1 May 1877 in Bohemia. Marie was born in Feb 1856 in Bohemia; died on 11 Jan 1932 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]