Mollie Marie Kuska

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).

Mollie married Matej "Mike" Becwar, Jr. on 22 Aug 1922. Matej (son of Matej "Mike" Becwar, Sr. and Josephine Bech) was born on 18 Feb 1898 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 17 May 1978 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Notes:

Becwar -- LeRoy J., 66, Davenport, died Friday (1/15/99). Grew up on a farm between Exeter and Milligan. Attended grade school at District 6. 4-H leader. Received many 4-H and academic honors. Veteran, Korean War in U.S. Army Signal Corp. Attended, Radio Engineering and Electronic School, Omaha. Owner, operator, LeRoy's TV since 1955, Davenport. Past president, Lion's Club. Past commander, adjutant and chaplain, American Legion Post 335, Davenport. Member, VFW Post 10579, Lily Masonic Lodge 154 AF & AM, Davenport, Saline Center WFLA Lodge 389, Davenport Town Board for several years, Davenport Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, Society of American Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians. Entertained at many functions, schools and organizations with feats of magic and comedy.

Survivors: wife, Irene; son, daughter-in-law, Gayle and Cindy, Lincoln; daughters, sons-in-law, Joyce and Jeff Chleboun, Schuyler, Janene and Mark Harris, Lincoln, Janis and West Pierce, Omaha; brother, sister-in-law, Leonard and DeLores, Milligan; grandchildren, Jennifer and Amy Chleboun, Emmy Lou and Eric Harris, Christa Pierce; nephews; nieces; cousins. Preceded in death by parents, Mike and Mollie Becwar; nephew, spouse, Ken and Sandy Becwar.

Services: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, United Methodist Church, Davenport. Burial: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Visitation: today, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m., UrbauerPrice Funeral Home, Davenport; two hours before services, church.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, Lincoln Journal Star Archives, 19 Jan 1999).

LeRoy married Irene Kotas on 9 Dec 1954 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Irene (daughter of Joe Albert Kotas and Julia J. Brejcha) was born on 6 Nov 1935 in Nebraska; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When Kenneth was born in 1947, he had 12 living grandparents and great grandparents. He married Shirley WELLMAN in 1968, and a daughter Shannon Dee Becwar (now MEE). (Milligan, Nebraska, 1988-2008, p. 109). He later married Sandra ODLE, who had a son, Chad Odle (dob 10 Jun 1969). Chad changed his name to Becwar. Ken and Sandy passed away in 1993, and are buried at the Bohemian National Cemetery south of Milligan. Chad and his wife, Keri (Bailey) have two children, Austin and Jordyn. They live in Lincoln, where Chad is the manager at J. C. Penney & Company (Milligan, Nebraska, 1988-2008, pp. 108-110).

Kenneth married Sandra L. Noble after 1969. Sandra (daughter of Arlene Catherine Shafer) was born on 14 Oct 1946; died on 1 Jun 1993; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]