John F. Kotas

Notes:

He was drafted into the U.S. Army, and served through June 2, 1919. After his discharge, he helped Louis PLACEK farm. He was a Legionnaire, held several offices and helped build the first American Legion building, was a Lodge member and also belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He spent many hours, alongside Bessie, working in the Milligan Auditorium on dance night. Fishing was his pastime. After Bessie died, he bought a home in Milligan from Chas. HLADEK. He was honored as a life-time admiral into the Great Nebraska Navy in 1976. (Milligan, p 357-358)

John married Bessie R. Masek on 1 Oct 1919 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Bessie was born on 31 Aug 1896 in Hriskov, ?steck?, Bohemia; died on 19 Aug 1957 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Nebraska Signal
23 February 2000

Marie B. Vlasak

Marie B. Vlasak, 79, of Wilber, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000 in Crete.

She was born August 5, 1920 on a farm north of Milligan, to John F. and Bessie R. (Masek) Kotas. She attended the Milligan Public School and graduated with the class of 1938. She helped on the family farm and did housework in the Crete area working at the Crete Mills and Fairmont Creamery. She married Charles Vlasak, Jr. on Sept.23, 1943, at the Saline County Courthouse in Wilber. In 1993, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

They made their home in Spokane, Wash. while Charles was in the service. Here she worked for Nabisco Biscuit Co. and Armour Meat Packing Plant. They moved back to Crete where she worked for Gooches and in 1946 moved to a farm north of Hallam. In 1957, they moved to a farm south of Wilber, retiring in 1989 and moved into Wilber.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Wilber for 38 years; a member of ZCBJ Lodge No. 3 inCrete, receiving her 50 year membership pin and was a V.A. Hospital volunteer for 888 hours.

She is survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim F. and Norma Kotas of Milligan, Donald and Velma Kotas of Lincoln; nieces and nephews and spouses; Aunt Mae Kotas of Milligan and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Vlasak, Jr., Oct. 24, 1996; infant brother, Johnny Kotas; sister and brother-in-law, Henrietta and Marion Arbuck.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb.10 at 2 p.m. at Zajicek Funeral Home in Wilber with the Rev. Paul Quackenbush officiating. Soloist Elmer Nemec accompanied by Bernice Zajicek.

Interment was at the Wilber Czech Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wayne Arbuck, Dennis Kotas, Doug Kotas, Brad Kasl, Doug Hayek and Daryl Hayek.
Honorary pallbearers were Delbert Kotas, David Kotas, Gerald Splichal, Jon Eisenhauer, Darin Keller, Chuck Rains, Paul Essman and Mark Bors.
Memorials may be directed to the Charles and Marie Vlasak Scholarship Fund

Marie married Charles Vlasak on 23 Sep 1943 in Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska. Charles was born before 1920; died on 24 Oct 1996. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A 1943 graduate of Milligan High School, he was inducted into the Army on his 21st birthday. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, later being sent to Korea. He received his honorable discharge on May 7, 1947. After his term in the service, he helped his father farme and did custom trucking. He later went to work for JIm VOSOBA, the Standard Oil Agent. Jim is a volunteer fireman, rescue personnel, Community Club member, Hospital board member, and member of the V.F.W. Post #7102 and the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers association. In addition to this, he served on the school board, town board and was fire chief. He enjoys fishing and boating with his sons and grandsons. He and his brother, Don, inherited the 80-acre farm in Section One, Glengary Township, after their fathers death. (Milligan, p 355).

Obituary

Jim F. Kotas, the last member of the John F. & Bessie R. (Masek) Kotas family passed away on Monday, January 25, 2018 at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 8 months, and 2 days.

He was born on May 23, 1925 on the family farm north of Milligan. He attended Milligan Public School for 12 years and graduated with the class of 1943.

After graduation, he worked in Omaha at a meat packing plant. He was drafted into the Army on his 21st birthday at Fort Leonard Wood, Kansas. He spent time in Korea before receiving an honorable discharge on May 27, 1947 at Fort Lawton, Washington.

On May 11, 1949, he married Norma Most and to this union 4 sons were born: Dennis, David, Douglas, and Delbert.

On July 1, 1949, he began driving a fuel truck for Joe Vosoba. After Joe's retirement, he became a Standard Oil Agent. In 1958, the company went to Jobbers and it became Kotas Oil Company. He retired after nearly 40 years in the oil business.

After retirement, Jim enjoyed helping area farmers with grain harvest. He was also active in the community serving as the Chief on the Milligan Fire Department for many years. He also took EMT training in the early 1970's with Merle Buzek and Albert Michl, and they were the original members of the Milligan Rescue Squad serving for many years. He enjoyed serving with the Fire & Rescue and was dedicated to helping people in need. Jim also served on the Milligan School Board, the Fillmore County Hospital Board for 25 years, the Petroleum Marketers Board, and the Milligan Village Board.

In November of 2016, he was honored to receive a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Johnny and Donald; sisters Marie and husband Chas Vlasek and Henrietta and husband Marion Arbuck; daughter-in-law Janet Kotas; grandson Jason Kotas; and brother-in-law Arnold Capek.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma of Milligan, Nebraska; sons Dennis & Lois Kotas, Douglas & Yvonne Kotas all of Milligan, Nebraska, David Kotas of Faucett, Missouri, and Delbert & Susan Kotas of Juniata, Nebraska; grandchildren T.J. and wife Abby Kotas of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary Kotas of Humboldt, Nebraska, Katherine Kotas of Portsmouth, Virginia, Brittni Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska, Justin Kotas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Emilie Kotas of Exeter, Nebraska; great grand daughter Kayla Brhle of Milford, Nebraska; great great granddaughter Brynlee Motley of Milford, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Lucille Capek of Milligan, Nebraska and Velma and John Kirby of Lincoln, Nebraska; cousin Reenlee Kotas of San Diego, California; and step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Funeral Service for Jim was held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska. Pastor Brian Kottas officiated the service. Karen Kohler accompanied Jon Scoville who sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee. "

Pallbearers for the service included T.J. Kottas, Gary Kotas, Justin Kotas, Wayne Arbuck, Gerald Capek, and Jon Eisenhauer. Interment was held in the Bohemian National Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Milligan Rescue Squad or the Milligan American Legion.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

James married Norma Jean Most on 11 May 1949 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Norma was born on 22 Jul 1931 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 11 Feb 2019 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henrietta married Marion B. Arbuck on 15 Aug 1948 in Nebraska. Marion was born on 11 May 1929; died on 12 Oct 1992 in Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Don graduated from Milligan High School in 1950, and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. After his marriage to Velma, they first lived in Milligan and later moved to Lincoln, were Don was employed by Salem Oil Company. They returned to Milligan after Don bought the Milligan Transfer from Joe KOCA in 1962. He sold his company in 1969. He worked as a tavern keeper at Suda's Tavern as well.

Don went to work for the Geneva Police Department in 1972, later running for Sheriff of Fillmore County. He was elected in November, 1978, and due to unfortunate circumstances, resigned in March 1979. He went to work for the Lincoln Correctional Center in June 1979.

Don has a pilot's license, and flying is his favorite pasttime. (Milligan, p 351).

Obituary
Donald J. Kotas
Donald J. Kotas, 74, of Lincoln, formerly of Milligan, died Tuesday (3-13-2007). Born, Jan. 6, 1933, at Milligan to John and Bessie (Masek) Kotas. U.S. Army veteran, Korean War.

Survivors: wife, Velma; daughter, son-in-law, Karen and Jon EISENHAUER, Fairbury; grandchildren, Jon Tyler EISENHAUER, Brooke EISENHAUER, both Fairbury, brother, sister-in-law, Jim F. and Norma, Milligan. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Milligan Auditorium, Milligan. Pastor Jeffery Bloom. Military graveside service at Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Sunday, Farmer and Son Funeral Home-Kotas Chapel, Milligan. Memorials: family.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, Lincoln Journal Star March 15, 2007).

Donald married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary for Jason D. Kotas

A Memorial Service for Jason will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium. Pastor Brad Barrows will officiate the service.

A Graveside Service will be held in the Bohemian National Cemetery following the Memorial Service.

Memorials are directed to the family for future designation.

Jason D. Kotas was born on March 29, 1976, during the snow blizzard of 1976 when area lost electricity for a week, at Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend to Marilea (Shutts) Michl and Dennis Kotas. He passed away on November 26, 2016 at home in Milligan.

Jason, as a young child, moved to Milligan and has resided there all his life. He attended Milligan School and graduated in 1994. After graduation he joined the Marines for a short time and received a medical discharge in 1995. He started laying carpet and worked independently and eventually became a dry wall finisher working for Mark Bigelow for a short time before working for Co-Hawk in Lincoln. He stopped working as a dry wall finisher due to medical reasons and started working for local farmers and loved working outdoors. He began working for Craig Meyer doing carpeting around the area and continued to work, as health permitted, independently as a dry wall finisher.
Jason's interest centered on the outdoors, and he joined the Milligan Bass Anglers after fishing with his dad while growing up. He grew up with a fishing pole in his hands and fished many tournaments with his dad and the Milligan Bass Club. He also enjoyed hunting with his family and friends.

Those fortunate to know Jason will remember him for his love of socializing and love of Polka Music. He had a unique laugh and a way with words. He will be truly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Kayla Brhel of Milford, parents Marilea and Larry Michl of Milligan; Dennis and Lois Kotas of Milligan; grandparents, Jim and Norma Kotas of Milligan; 2 step brothers and 2 step sisters and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding him in death were 2 half-brothers, Jim and Steve McAlpine, grandparents, Lillian and Jerry Hendrych.


(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)