John Francis Vondra (son) 1888 - 1962

John Vondra, May 12, 1888 to September 7, 1962

Son of John Vondra and Marie Sedlacek Vondra

John was born on the farm in Union Township in the sod home. He was the eighth child in the family, two having died.

1900 census record, Vondra family

1905 census card

 

1915 census card, John Vondra, (junior)

John Vondra, WW I draft registration card

WW I draft registration

WW II Draft registration, front of card

WW II, draft registration, back of card

1945 Census Card

John Vondra, son of John and Marie Sedlacek Vondra at
Faulkton Lake with Jimmy Jarvis

George Sporrer Story

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 441

Donald, Gerald, back, Helen, Shirley, middle,
Richard, Josie, and George, front row

George Sporrer Story

by Josie Sporrer

George Sporrer was born January 16, 1894 to Frank and Anna Sporrer at St. Mary's, Iowa. When he was fourteen years old they moved fourteen miles south of Seneca, South Dakota. Here the family ranched and farmed.

He married Josephine Vondra in 1920. They set up farming in Hyde County where they lived until they moved to Highmore in 1942.

George was engaged in well drilling with considerable success. He drilled wells until poor health caused him to quit this work.

They raised a family of five children: Donald, Gerald, Richard, Helen and Shirley. Two boys died in infancy.

George died in 1964 and Donald died in 1968 from the result of a car accident.

Helen married John Melbourn and they live in San Diego. Shirley married John Kuchenberg and recently moved to Thorton, Washington. Richard lives in Altoona, Iowa. Gerald lives in Highmore. He married Melvina Hirsch. Josie lives in Highmore.

John and Marie Vondra

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, pages 497 - 498

John and Marie Vondra

By Mrs. Elmer Lusk (Ruth Thurston)

Painting of Marie and John Vondra

John Vondra was born July 14, 1836 at Hoslov (also known as Usilov), Bohemia, Czechoslavakia. He attended school and grew to manhood in Czechoslovakia. His trade was blacksmithing and he served as a gunsmith in the War of 1866. He married Marie Sedlacek in 1976.

Marie Sedlacek was born May, 1857 in Mlynic, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. She also attended school and grew to womanhood in Czechoslovakia.

In the spring of 1884, John and Marie and their family of four children –James, born January 6, 1877; Mary, born February 2, 1978; Joseph, born February 22, 1881; and Agnes, born March 26, 1884—came to America and lived in Chicago for a few months. Another child, Lottie, had died in infancy in Bohemia. 

In the fall of that year, they came to Dakota Territory and settled in Northwest Eden Township in what was known as the Bohemian Settlement, and lived there about two years. Frank and a twin, who passed away in infancy, were born here July 4, 1886 and John on April 14, 1888. John, Sr., then homesteaded in Union Township and established the home near Rice Lake where he could be sure of an adequate supply of water. They and lived in a sod house in Eden Township and again at the new location until John built one of the first frame houses in the area. Indians often came through the country by horse and wagon and camped by Rice Lake because there was wild game to be had for food and water for their horses.

Seven children were born to them after they located in Union Township. They were William, March 17, 1889; Emma, March 19, 1991; Jessie, January 6, 1993; Anna, April 12, 1894; Bessie, September 27, 1895; Josie, March 12, 1897; and Helen, February 6, 1905.

Although the days were filled with many hours of hard labor, everybody was always ready for an evening get-together. They traveled with horse and buggy or wagon and sleds in the winter, to dances, basket socials, literaries, and church services conducted by traveling or visiting preachers. These “doings” were held in the various homes or local schoolhouses. Many of the young people learned from their elders, to play musical instruments so there was always music available for dancing. The early settlers were very dependent upon each other for help so communities were very closely knit together for everybody’s well-being.

The Vondra children all attended rural school and several of the girls went on to high school and normal school and became teachers.

Jim bought his own farm and ran a big rig for his own and custom plowing and he ran a threshing outfit for many years. He passed away December 19, 1947.

Mary married Martin Bouzek. They lived in Eden Township and raised a family of two boys and five girls. Mary passed away July 5, 1957.

Joe worked as a hired hand at various places. He passed away August 30, 1967.

Agnes taught school and married Joe Thurston March 30, 1910, and they had two girls. Agnes passed away April 16, 1942.

Frank had his own farm in Union Township and ran a well drilling rig. He passed away December 20, 1929.

John (son), after serving in the Army in World War I, and William stayed on the home ranch until they passed away—William, November 11, 1947, and John, September 7, 1962.

Emma also stayed on the home ranch with her brothers until John passed away and then she sold the ranch and moved to Highmore.

Jessie married Samuel Hall Jarvis of Faulkton, August, 1917, and they had two boys and three girls.

Anna married Schuyler Hanson, January 20, 1921 and they had two boys and one girl. They lived on a farm in Union Township until retiring and moving to Highmore.

Bessie taught school before marrying Ray Hanson August 27, 1927. They lived on the Al Ollman farm in Illinois Township for several years.

Josie married George Sporrer, December 20, 1920; they lived on farms in Union Township, and later moved to Highmore. Their family consisted of three boys ad two girls. Two children (boys) died in infancy. Josie also taught school before and after being married.

Helen married Harris Scott of Provo, South Dakota and they made their home on farms near Chadron and Hay Springs, Nebraska, until Harris passed away. They raised one girl and one boy. Helen taught school in the Provo-Edgemont area before being married, and in Nebraska for several years.

Marie passed away August 21, 1912 and John continued to live on the ranch with some of his children until his death June 18, 1933. They were laid to rest in the Bohemian Cemetery in Eden Township.

The Zeigler Post Office was located at the Vondra home for many years.

John, Sr., had continued his trade as a blacksmith and farmed.

Rita’s notes

Emma served as the post mistress of the Ziegler post office that was in the family home for a period of time. At one point in time, she resigned and Annie was post mistress. 

Schuyler Hanson (and Anna Vondra)

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, pages 229-230

Schuyler Hanson (and Anna Vondra)

Written by Howard Hanson (their son)

Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson,
wedding day.

Schuyler L. Hanson was born in Richland County, Wisconsin on February 1, 1892 to Nels and Thea Hanson. There were fourteen children in the Hanson family. The family came by train to Redfield, South Dakota then by wagon to Seneca in March of 1907. They built up a farm eight miles south of Seneca. Schuyler spent most of his younger years working with his father. He worked on threshing rigs in North Dakota in 1912 to 1916, going to North Dakota with his own team of horses and bundle rack and then drove the team and bundle rack back after threshing season. He also picked corn by hand in eastern South Dakota and Iowa the same years as working in North Dakota. He entered the U.S. Army in September 1917 and was in the Machine Gun Battalion 89th Division and was a Private First Class. They sailed for France on May 17, 1918, was in all the major U.S. engagements against the German Army and returned to the U.S. May 1919 and was discharged from the Army June 4, 1919.

Schuyler married Anna Vondra of North Hyde County on January 19, 1921. To this union three children were born, Howard, Margaret, and Robert.

Anna is the daughter of John and Mary Vondra, early pioneers of Union Township. Anna was born in

Will Vondra, Hall Jarvis, Robert, Schuyler, Ray and
Howard Hanson

a sod house. Schuyler and Anna established their home in Section 1 of Union Township. They entered a partnership with Schuyler's brothers Ray at this time. Ray made his home with them until the spring of 1927 when he moved to Illinois Township and married Bessie Vondra. The partnership continued on in ranching in Union, Illinois and Franklin townships. Because of the drought of the '30's the cow herd of 200 were shipped by train to Centerville, South Dakota in November of 1934 for the winter, then shipped back to Holabird, South Dakota in March of 1935, from there they were taken to the Crow Creek Indian Reservation until the fall of 1941 when they were brought back to Union Township. Schuyler and Ray had bought land in Faulk County at this time. The partnership in the personal property was dissolved in the spring of 1943 and Schuyler entered a partnership with his two sons. This partnership continued until the fall of 1955 when it was bought by son Howard.

Schuyler and Anna moved to Highmore in September 1952 where they have since made their home. Schuyler served on the school and township boards of Union Township for a number of years. He was also Hyde County Commissioner from 1940 to 1952. He was also a Director of the First State Bank of Highmore from 1953 to 1963. He was a member of the Highmore City Council 1954 to 1956 and also served three years on the Farmers Home Administration Board. He was chairman of the Building Committee for the Memorial Auditorium of Highmore. Schuyler is now 84 years old and he and his wife Anna live at 411 Maple S.E. in Highmore.

Since this was written Schuyler passed away, May 28, 1976.

Robert W. Hanson

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 229

Robert W. Hanson
by Howard Hanson

Robert, Schuyler, Howard, back row, Annie, Margaret, front

Robert Hanson was born September 1, 1926 to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson in Union Township. He attended school in Banner and Union townships, went to high school in Seneca and then graduated from Highmore High School.

Robert ranched with his father and brother in Hyde and Faulk counties until moving to California in November 1955. In California he joined the Hanson Construction Company which he now operates with a partner. The work of the company is mostly acoustic tile and insulation work. Robert married Vera Nickelson of Highmore on June 29, 1952. They have two sons, Bobby and Billy. The family lived at 16340 Rio Drive, San Leandro, California.

Bessie Vondra Hanson, obituary

Bessie (Bozena) Vondra Hanson

Rites in Faulkton for Mrs. B. Hanson

Funeral services were held in Faulkton Tuesday for Mrs. Raymond (Bessie) Hanson, 83, who died Saturday at Shirk Memorial Home in Faulkton. Father Charles Nemmers officiated at the funeral mass with burial in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Faulkton.

She was born September 27, 1895 to Mr. and Mrs. John Vondra in Hyde County. After graduating from Highmore High School, she attended Aberdeen Teacher's College, and taught school in Hughes, Faulk and Hyde Counties.

On June 29, she married Raymond (Timothy) Hanson, Faulkton.

The couple lived in Hyde County until 1944 when they moved to Huron. In 1949 they moved to Rapid City, and in 1963 to St. Petersburg, Florida. Mrs. Hanson retired to Shirk Home in 1970.

She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America.

Survivors include four sisters: Emma Vondra, Josie Sporrer, Anna Hanson, all of Highmore, and Helen Scott of Hay Springs, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1972, her parents, four sisters and five brothers.


More information about Bessie: http://ludwigsedlachekautobiography.blogspot.com/2018/12/raymond-t-hanson-bessie-vondra.html

Raymond T. Hanson (Bessie Vondra)

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 228

Raymond T. Hanson

by Howard Hanson (nephew)

Ray Hanson was born September 16, 1890 in Richland County, Wisconsin to Nels and Thea Hanson. He was the oldest son in a family of  14 children. The family came to Seneca, South Dakota in March 1907. Ray worked with his father in North Dakota, Iowa and Washington in his younger years.

He entered the U.S. Army in October 1917 and was in the 340th Field Artillery as a Private First Class. He was in all the major offenses against the Germany Army and was in the Army of Occupation of Germany and was discharged from the army June 4, 1919.

Ray entered a partnership with his brother Schuyler in February 1921. They established headquarters in Union Township, Hyde County. They farmed and raised cattle. In the fall of 1920's they bought horses, broke them in the winter and shipped them to the eastern states by the carload or several carloads. There usually were 18 head of draft horses to a carload.

Ray married Bessie Vondra June 29, 1927. They made their first home in Illinois Township. Bessie

was born in Union Township in a sod house to John and Mary Vondra, early settlers of Union Township. Bessie taught school in rural Hyde County a few years after their marriage. She had taught in Faulk and Hughes counties before marriage.

Ray continued his partnership with his brother, established one of the best commercial herds of Hereford cattle in the nation. Ray moved to Franklin Township in the spring of 1933. In 1941, Ray sold his interest in the partnership, cattle and machinery to his brother and his brother's sons in the spring of 1943. Ray and Bessie moved to Huron that same year where he operated a feed lot until 1949. They then moved to Rapid City and worked in construction part time until 1956 when he and his wife returned to the ranch in Union Township and again ranched in partnership with his nephew Howard until the fall of 1962. Then he and Bessie gave up ranching for good and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. In 1970, they returned to South Dakota and entered the John Shirk Memorial Home in Faulkton, South Dakota. They were also residents of the rest home in Rapid City and Mary House in Pierre. Ray passed away in Pierre, January 25, 1972 and is buried in the Faulkton Cemetery. Bessie is 80 years old now and a resident of John P. Shirk Memorial Home in Faulkton, South Dakota.

Howard Vernon Hanson, biographical piece and obituary

From Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 228

Howard V. Hanson

Written by Howard Hanson

Howard Hanson was born December 9, 1921 to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson in Union Township, Hyde County (South Dakota). He attended school in Union and Banner townships. Howard ranched in Hyde and Faulk counties with his father and uncle. He joined the U.S. Navy in February 1942 and served in gun crews aboard an ammunition ship in the New Foundland, Greenland and Bermuda areas. He was aboard a troop transport in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater of Operation. He was at the Omaha Beach Head in the invasion of France on June 5, 6, and 7th of 1944. He also served on an ammunition ship in the South Pacific in 1945. He got discharged from the Navy on October 26, 1945 with the rating of Gunners Mate Second Class.

Following discharge from the Navy he started ranching with his father and brother. In the fall of 1955, he bought his brothers interest in the ranch and has since operated the ranch of 4,500 acres in Hyde and Faulk counties. With a 300 head cow herd, Leroy and Cindy Scott  have shared in the ranch for the past four years.

Howard served a number of years on the Union Township board. Also has been a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church Council, Highmore, for a number of years. He was chairman of the church council when the present St. Mary's Church was built. At present time he is a director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Some of his memories of the more recent times in Hyde County include: the dirty 30's; the prairie fire of 1947 in Hyde and Hughes counties; the blizzard of March 1966; hail storm of 1968; and the blizzard of March and April 1975.
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Funeral Mass Held for Howard Hanson

Funeral mass was held Tuesday, February 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore. for Howard V. Hanson. Fr. Ivo Martini officiated and burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery, Highmore.

Casket bearers were Stanley Roseland, Bevin Roseland, Leroy Scott, Ervin Roseland, Boyd Roseland and Nels Hanson.

Howard Vernon Hanson was born December 9, 1921, at Faulkton, S. Dakota, to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson and died January 29, 1994 at his ranch north of Highmore at the age of 72 years, one month and 20 days.

He was baptized in the Catholic faith. He spent his entire life farming and ranching in the Highmore area, with the exception of four years he was in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was proud of his Hereford cattle, which were known throughout the state. In 1993, he received an award from the South Dakota Hereford Association for his contributions to the Hereford industry.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, South Dakota Stockgrowers, and the Golden Age Club. He served as chairman of St. Mary's church council when the new church was built.

Survivors include: one sister, Margaret Brown, Pierre; one brother and his wife, Robert and Elaine, Highmore; a dear friend, Olive Holmes, Highmore; three nephews: Gregory Brown of Houston, Texas; Robert Hanson of Castro Valley, California; and William Hanson of Boston, Mass.

He was preceeded by in death by his parents; one niece, Pamela Brown and one nephew, Brian Brown.

Margaret Hanson Brown

From Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, pages 118-119

Margaret Hanson Brown

Written by Howard Hanson (brother to Margaret)

Margaret Hanson was born December 15, 1922 to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson in Union Township (Hyde County, South Dakota). Margaret attended school in Union Township, high school in Seneca and Northern State Teacher's College. She taught in Garden City, Webster, Mellette and Highmore, South Dakota.

Margaret married Laurence Brown in 1943. To this union three children were born: Pamela, 1946, who passed away in 1969; Brian, 1948, who passed away in 1971, and Gregory, born in 1950 and now lives in Washington, D. C.

Margaret is presently a resident of Pierre, South Dakota where she is a librarian at Pierre Junior High School.
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Other posts about Margaret: http://ludwigsedlachekautobiography.blogspot.com/2018/12/margaret-brown-december-15-1922-march.html

Joseph and Agnes Thurston

Joseph and Agnes Thurston

from Hyde Heritage, copyright, 1977, page 475

by Mrs. Elmer Lusk (Ruth Thurston Lusk)

Joseph Grant Thurston was born September 12, 1871, at Oasis,Wisconsin, to Alfred M. and Barbara (Messing) Thurston. The family moved to Beadle County, Dakota Territory in the early 1880's. Joe received his elementary education in the rural schools of Wisconsin and Beadle County and attended Huron High School. He also attended Dixon Business College, Dixon, Illinois. Joe farmed in Beadle County in the Sheffield-Cavour area. In 1908, he came to Hyde County and bought land in Banner Township.

Joe was united in marriage to Agnes Vondra, March 30, 1910, and he designed the floor plan for and built their new home.

Agnes Vondra was born in Hoslov (Usilov), Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, March 26, 1884 to John and Marie (Sedlacek) Vondra. As a babe in arms, she came to America with her parents and brothers, James and Joseph, and sister, Mary, in the spring of 1884. The family lived in Chicago for a few months and in the fall of the year, came to Dakota Territory and settled in the northwest part of Eden Township which was part of what was known as the Bohemian Settlement. After two years, the family moved to their homestead in Union Township near Rice Lake.

Agnes received her elementary education in the rural school and attended Highmore High School for one year. She attended summer institute, took the examination and received a second grade teacher's certificate. She taught school in Hyde and Faulk counties. Agnes homesteaded in Union Township and received the patent on the SW 1/4 of Sec. 34 November, 1909.

Joe and Agnes had two daughters--Marion, born June 30, 1917, and Ruth, born July 22, 1919. Marion married Andrew Odegaard June 30, 1943, and they lived on the Odegaard farm with his brother Alvin and mother. Andy passed away in the spring of 1951. Marion was married to Marion Stoley August 6, 1959 and they lived in Pierre where she teaches school and he is employed by the State Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Ruth married Elmer Lusk on November 8, 1940, and they bought what originally was the Frank Volek, Sr. farm. They had five children.

Joe and Agnes both taught school in what was known as Money School in Banner Township. Agnes belonged to the Progressive Extension Club and Joe was treasurer of Banner Telephone Company, chairman of the Banner school board and served on the ASC Program.

They lived on the farm in Banner Township until Agnes's death April 16, 1942. Joe sold the farm and lived with either of his daughters until he passed away August 20, 1966, and as laid to rest beside Agnes in the Bohemian Cemetery in Eden Township.

Elmer and Ruth Lusk

Elmer and Ruth Lusk

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 304

Elmer Ralph Lusk was born January 24, 1915, to John and Mary (Zemlicka) Lusk at the home in Banner Township. He was the sixth child in a family of eight--Mina, Mary, John, Stella who passed away in infancy, Earl, Elmer, Olive and Leslie.

Elmer received his elementary education in the Baloun School in Banner Township. Some of his teachers were his sister Mary, Carl Wells, Bessie Ondricek, Bessie Vondra, Alice Bouzek, Violet (Hanson) Bouzek, and Reginald Gallagher.

Elmer was united in marriage to Ruth Thurston on November 8, 1940, and they established their home on the farm that had belonged to Frank Volek, Sr., in Banner Township, and was owned by Jerry Volek at the time they purchased it. Elmer was Chairman of the Banner School Board. Supervisor on the Township Board and worked on the ASC Program.

Ruth Thurston was Born July 22, 1919, to Joseph and Agnes (Vondra) Thurston. She received her elementary education in the Money School in Banner Township and graduated from Faulkton High School. During high school, she worked on the NYA Program in the office of the high school superintendent, Marvin Kemp, and after graduation, she worked for the Hyde County Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Earl Gannon, and three school terms at the Pierre Indian Boarding School on a combination NYA-Boarding School employee program. She was chairman of the Banner School Board, a member of the Hyde County Board of Education and member of an extension club.

Elmer and Ruth had five children --Rita, born October 6, 1941; Lysle, born June 1, 1943; Albert, born July 19, 1946; Michael, born 1948; and Gary, born 1950. Rita was born at the J.P. O'Brien home and the boys at the Sammons Maternity Home in Highmore. All of the children graduated from Highmore High School. 

After graduation, Rita worked in the State Department of Public Instruction for seven years and then obtained employment at the Englewood Bank--in Englewood, Colorado. 

Lysle was drafted into the Army in 1966 and spent one year in Viet Nam as a Finance Officer. He was employed as a guard at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls for about three years before getting employment with Richards-Ewing Chemical Company. He married Sharon (Tassler) Dickman of Sioux Falls, October 16, 1971. He has a stepdaughter, Alicia Lea, and son Marty Joe. 

Albert attended and graduated from Sioux Falls Barber College in 1965. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served in the Medical Corps including one year in Germany. He attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls one year and the University of South Dakota at Vermillion for three years obtaining a degree in Business Management. He married Edna Craig of Sioux Falls on June 6, 1970. He is employed by the St. Paul Insurance Company and resides in Houston, Texas. They have a son, Todd Jason, and a daughter, Molly Jo. 

Michael attended the University of Colorado, on a 4-year ROTC scholarship and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery December 17, 1971. He served one year in Turkey as part of his military commitment. He was married to Patricia Childers of Bird City, Kansas on December 15, 1973.

Gary enlisted in the Air Force in May, 1970. He served as ammunition's man and spent three years in England. He married Martha (Gillespie) Dunlap of Homestead, Florida on June 7, 1974, and they established their home in Sioux Falls where he worked in the body shop of Holcomb-White Truck Company and Kenworth Truck Company. He has one stepdaughter, Patricia Ann, and one daughter, Deborah Jean.

None of the sons wished to return to the farm after serving in the military so Elmer and Ruth sold it to Melvin Baloun in October, 1969, and purchased the Delvin Heckenlaible house in Parker's Addition in Highmore. Elmer worked for the city of Highmore in the Streets and Water Department and Ruth worked as assistant to janitor of schools, Don DeGooyer, for two years and as substitute cook in the school lunchroom.

By Mrs. Elmer Lusk

Benjamin and Violet Bouzek

Benjamin and Violet Bouzek

By Wayne Bouzek (transcribed from Hyde Heritage, ©1977, pages 108 – 109)

Benjamin Martin Bouzek was born August 18, 1899 to Martin and Mary (Vondra) Bouzek in Eden Township, where he and his five sisters and one brother grew up. 

When about 2 ½ years old his left eye was injured in an accident. At a later age he was taken to Chicago, Illinois where an eye specialist removed the eye and he then was able to use an artificial eye.

Ben and his older sister Henrietta attended school one term in Union Township, staying with their grandparents, the John Vondra’s. Their first grade teacher was Agnes Vondra, later Agnes married Joe Thurston.

Ben remembered well his first trip to the South Dakota State Fair. During the fireworks, a bunch of teenage boys marched among the display in uniform and Ben was one of the group.

After the eighth grade in country school, Ben attended two years of the short course at the Brookings, South Dakota Agricultural College and then joined his father in farming and livestock raising.

Violet Hansen was born Christmas Day 1907 to Hans and Lucille Blackmer Hansen in Sully County. Three more daughters joined the family.

On April 14, 1908, a prairie fire, started by the train, swept from near Gettysburg to near Ree Heights, burning the homestead completely. Mrs. Hansen was able to save herself and four month old daughter Violet, by taking refuge in a slough.

Violet attended a rural school in Sully County then high school in Onida and Gettysburg, where she took Normal Training. She came to Hyde County in the fall of 1926 to teach in Eden Township where she and Ben met. After a second term in Banner Township at the Lusk School, Ben and Violet were married on Valentine’s Day 1928, and made their home in Eden Township. Their house had been built in 1909 by John Forman with the help of his neighbors. A couple years later Forman sold to Martin Bouzek and moved to Cadott, Wisconsin.

Ben and Violet had three children: Wayne Martin in 1929; Eugene Maurice in 1932; and Edith Rae 1934.

The family endured the dry thirties, dust and all. The children attended a rural school in Eden Township, with some very good teachers: Reginald Gallagher, Mabel (Kramer) Baloun, Irene (Stoley) Mason, Don Mason, Rose (Fanger) and Geneva (Goodsell) Zemlicka.

Wayne and Eugene attended three years of the short course at Brookings, South Dakota. Both served in the U.S. Air Force. Wayne joined the Air Force December 1950 and served his country for twenty years. His tours of duty outside the United States included Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Germany, plus duty in Texas, Illinois, Washington, and North Dakota.

Wayne was married to Sgt. Leora Bush of Ellsworth, Michigan on February 16, 1957.  Their romance began when both of them were in the Air Force, stationed at Chanute AFB, Illinois. After Wayne’s retirement, they decided to live in Rapid City, South Dakota. Their home reflects the couple’s background and travels, as it is furnished with many unique items from all over the world.

Eugene attended college in Modesto, California after his Air Force duty and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley.

He married Annette Zimmerman of Waterford, California in October, 1958. A son, George, was born September 1959. A daughter, Diane, was born January, 1963. Later a son, James, seven years old and a daughter, Shelly, six years old were added to the family by adoption. Their home is in San Jose, California. Eugene is an engineer with Lockheed Aircraft.

Edith finished Highmore High School in 1952 then went to college at Brookings, South Dakota. More schooling in Colorado where she received her degree in Business Administration. She is presently employed by the State of California in the Los Angeles area.

Ben was active in all local government as was his father before him. He served sixteen years as Hyde County Commissioner from 1953 to 1969. His primary interest was improvement of roads. He had many a good visit with the public as he toured the Hyde County Highways and byways. He held office in Eden School District for many years and believe in good education.

One could always count on a good story from Ben, he enjoyed cartoons and was a faithful subscriber to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Many people will recall reading his “Letters to the Editor” in most of the prominent South Dakota papers, on a variety of timely issues.

Ben’s health was exceptionally good until about two years before his death which occurred May 10, 1976. He seemed tireless and enthusiastic, whenever his farm or ranch work or duties as a Commissioner presented a challenge.

By personal perseverance in mastering the elements and continued hard work, he was able to advance himself, as a well - known progressive and influential farmer in his community. He read and studied the current crop development reports and believe in and used the latest developed strains of grains in his farming operations. And so, he had a certain touch when it came to growing good corn. Everyone who ever worked at the court house, the neighbors and town’s people too, will always remember the generous boxes of delicious sweet corn he was happy to share with his friends. Also, he was a pioneer in the planting and use of trees for shelter belts.

Last, but not least, even his grave marker and headstone were cut from a selected prairie rock found on his own land. 

Ben Bouzek and Violet Hansen Bouzek obituaries

Rites Friday in Highmore for B. Bouzek

Ben Martin Bouzek, 76, of Highmore, died May 10, 1976, in St. John's Regional Medical Center in Huron, following a lingering illness. Mr. Bouzek was well-known in Hyde County.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon in Highmore, with the Rev. Wm. Meile officiating. Burial will be in the National Bohemian Cemetery. Visitation hours are from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at the Funeral Home in Highmore.

Mr. Bouzek was born in Hyde County and spent his entire life in Eden Township north Hyde County on a farm. He was married to Violet Hansen of Onida and they were the parents of three children.

Surviving are his widow, two sons, Wayne, Rapid City, and Eugene, San Jose, California and one daughter, Edith, South Pasadena, California; three sisters, Mrs. Mayme Kopecky, Highmore, Mrs. Emma Huff, Bonner;s Ferry, Idaho, and Mrs. Frances Hall, Gettysburg, SD. There are also four grandchildren.
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Violet E. Bouzek

Highmore--Violet E. Bouzek, 88, Highmore, died Sunday, March 31, 1996 at Black Hills Retirement Center in Rapid City.

She was born December 25, 1907, in Sully County, to Hans Hansen and Lucille Blackmer Hansen. On February 14, 1928, she married Benjamin Bouzek in Miller.

She was educated in the Sully County public schools. She attended two years of high school in Onida before attending high school in Gettysburg, where she was able to earn a teaching certificate in her senior year. She taught in northern Hyde County for several years.

After their marriage, they made their home and farmed in northern Hyde County. She was active in rural Home Extension, Garden Club and 4-H clubs. For several years, she ran an extension of the Hyde County library out of her home. She was a member of the Methodist church in Highmore.

Survivors include two sons, Wayne and Leora Bouzek, Rapid City, and Eugene and Annette Bouzek of San Jose, California; one daughter, Edith Bouzek, Sacramento, California; four grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Mayme Kopecky, Highmore, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, in 1976, her parents and three sisters.

Mayme Bouzek Kopecky, obituary, 1903 - 2001

Funeral Held for Mayme Kopecky

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 18, at the Church of Christ in Highmore for Mayme Kopecky. Pastor Max Kelly officiated and burial was at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Northern Hyde County.

Mayme Bouzek was born January 27, 1903 in Eden Township in Hyde County, South Dakota to Martin and Mary (Vondra) Bouzek and died August 15, 2001, at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota at the age of 98 years, six months and 18 days.

She attended school in Eden Township through eighth grade and then attended two years of Normal Teachers Training in Aberdeen. She taught school for two years in Banner and Washington Townships in Hyde County.

She was united in marriage to Will Kopecky on June 11, 1923. To this union, two children were born. She and her husband farmed and raised their family in Northern Hyde County. She was a baptized member of Church of Christ and was devoted to her family. She was a strong and generous woman to her family and friends and enjoyed visiting, playing cards, cooking and gardening. She was a member of the Golden Age Club and Extension Club.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law: Gordon and Winnie Kopecky; and one daughter, Mary Jane Gadd; 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Pam and Robert Bawdon, Steven Gadd, David and Robin Gadd, Bonnie and Art Wilson, Sharon and Dennis Serfling, Linda and Tom Johannsen, Gary and Janet Kopecky, Jerry and Cindy Kopecky, Judy and Donald Craft, Kathy and James Bitzenburg, Ron Kopecky and Leasa and Gerri Ortmeier; 22 great grandchildren, 14 great, great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1978; one son-in-law, Gordon (Jap) Gadd Jr.; four sisters: Emma Huff, Nellie Coates, Frances Hall and Etta Bouzek; two brothers: Ben and John Bouzek; and one great-grandaughter, Jodi Johannsen.

Frances Bouzek Hall, 1911 to 1990, Obituary

The funeral for Frances (Bouzek) Hall, 78, Gettysburg, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Gettysburg. The Rev. Robert Simmons will officiate.

Burial will be in the Gettysburg Cemetery under the direction of Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg.

A prayer service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

She died Thursday, March 8, 1990 at Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.

Frances Bouzek was born Dec. 30, 1911 in Hyde County to Martin and Mary (Vondra) Bouzek. She graduated from high school in Highmore. She also graduated from business school in Aberdeen.

She married Fred Hall on Oct. 29, 1930. In 1944, they moved to Seneca. She was a farm wife and operated a cafe. In 1954, they moved to Gettysburg. She worked as a district cashier for Montana Dakota Utilities in Gettysburg for 20 years. She retired in 1976.

She was a member of ReEcho Rebekah Lodge and was past noble grand. She also was a member of the Medicine Rock Senior Citizens Center and art class and was club secretary before she died. She also was a member of Royal Neighbors, Canasta Club, and the United Methodist Church. Her hobbies included drawing and oil painting in which she won ribbons in art shows in Mobridge, Pierre and other shows.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Calvin (Inez) Kula of Gettysburg and Mrs. Al Schoumaker of Anaheim, California; one son, Leo Hall of Stillwater, Oklahoma; one sister, Mayme Kopecky of Highmore; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Casket bearers will be Michael and Tom Kula, Bob and Dan Thomas, Scott Wagner, and Terry Hall.

Francelia Coates Odegaard, 1929 to 1966, Obituary

Mrs. Francelia Odegaard was born to Herrick and Nellie Coates at Edgemont, South Dakota, October 5, 1929 and departed this life at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, October 7, 1966 at the age of 37 years.

Her parents moved to the rural Highmore community when she was but a baby and here she spent her entire life. She graduated from the local schools and attended Teachers College at Aberdeen, South Dakota after which she taught for two years.

She was united in marriage to Austin "Bud" Odegaard August 11, 1949 and to this union three children were born.

Surviving besides her husband are her three children: Richard, Ann and James, all living at the family home just south of Highmore.

Her parents, two brothers and a sister have preceeded her in death.

Margaret Brown, December 15, 1922 - March 31, 2012, obituary

Margaret was born on 15 December 1922 in Faulkton, South Dakota. She was the second child of Anna Vondra Hanson and Schuyler Hanson. Margaret married Lawrence Steese Brown on 14 July 1943, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota. They lived in Butler and Webster where Larry taught school, later moving to Mellette where he served as superintendant. Margaret and Larry moved to Pierre in the early 1950s with their three children, where they both taught in the Pierre School System. Larry died in an accident in 1954. Margaret became a very active member of the Pierre community. She taught fifth and sixth grade at Lincoln Elementary School and later served for many years as librarian at Riggs Senior High School. After receiving her masters degree in library science at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she returned to Pierre and from 1972 served for several more years as librarian at Pierre Junior High School. She was a member of the South Dakota Education Association and the National Education Association; she also served a term as president of the South Dakota Department of Classroom Teachers. She was an invited member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a professional honorary society of women educators, and she was a lifetime member of the South Dakota Retired Teachers Association. She was also very active for a number of years in the local chapter of the Sons of Norway. Margaret was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing cards any chance she got. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, her daughter Pamela, her son Brian, and her brothers, Howard and Robert. She is survived by her son Gregory.

Ruth Lusk July 22, 1919 - March 27, 2018, Obituary

Ruth Lusk, 98, of Highmore, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Highmore Health in Highmore.

Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore with Pastor Roger Day officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation began one hour prior to the funeral service.

Ruth Lusk was born July 22, 1919 to Joseph and Agnes (Vondra) Thurston at home in Banner Township, Hyde County, South Dakota.

Ruth married Elmer Lusk in Highmore on November 8, 1940. Five children were born to this union. They farmed in Banner township until they moved to Highmore in November 1969. While living in Highmore, she worked at several different jobs, usually as a substitute or part time. These included custodian and cafeteria at the school, and the County extension office. Before marriage, she had worked at the Pierre Indian School.

Ruth had many talents and skills. She was an excellent cook and had a particularly green thumb for vegetables and flowers. She served on the township and county school boards for many years. She delivered Meals On Wheels and was active in her Circle at the Methodist Church. In her spare time she enjoyed cards and games, crocheting, and especially fishing. She also sewed many clothes for her family. She and Elmer loved to bowl and play bingo.

Ruth is survived by her children: Rita of Aurora, CO, Michael (Patty) of San Antonio, TX, and Gary (Martha) of Sioux Falls; daughter-in-law: Edna Lusk (Albert); seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Elmer; sons: Lysle and Albert; and her sister, Marion Stoley and her husband, Marion Stoley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Hyde County Steps for Hope.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Ruth's arrangements.

http://www.familyfuneralhome.net/obituary/ruth-lusk

Gary "Smokey" Kopecky February 10, 1950 - April 18, 2015, obituary

Gary “Smokey" Kopecky, 65 years, 2 months, 8 days, of rural Orient, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls following a year-long battle with stage IV colon cancer.

Memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, Highmore with Max Kelley officiating. Burial followed in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2015 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, Highmore.

Gerald Gordon Kopecky was born February 10, 1950 to Gordon Gale and Winnie Fae (Morford) Kopecky in Faulkton, SD. Better known as Smokey, he grew up on the family farm in northern Hyde County, and attended Eden School. As a skinny, little kid he saved up his money and sent away for the Charles Atlas Bodybuilding System. He was a Golden Gloves boxer, champion arm wrestler, and bull rider. From the age of 16 he worked construction for Hines Construction and Johnson Construction running the scraper. 

On October 16, 1971 he married the love of his life Janet Louise Zilverberg. They lived and worked on the Mac Zilverberg farm north of Holabird until the fall of 1979 when they moved to the Lloyd Zemlicka Ranch in northern Hand County. Two daughters were born to their family, Michelle and Jennifer. Smokey and Janet bought the Kopecky home place in 1991 and the Zemlicka Ranch in 1995. 

Smokey loved animals of all kind, especially taking great pride in his cattle herd. He worked hard and loved his land. He was an inventor and builder. He always knew how to fix something, and whether it was a good idea or a bad idea, somehow it would work. In 2012 he built his dream shop. 

Not only was Smokey a hard worker, but he liked to have fun. Sharing jokes he had heard on the radio that morning doing chores or telling stories of the good old days. He was an entertaining story teller and his laugh was contagious. He loved fishing, boating and taking his nephews hunting. Everyone would joke about not catching many fish because he liked driving the boat too fast. Slowing down was not on his agenda. You knew you would be in for a wild ride when he would yell "HOLD ON!" and off you would go chasing a cow or being pulled in a sled behind a 4-wheeler, snow mobile, or pick up. He also had fun giving family and neighbors rides in his RV, even when it had mechanical difficulties. 

Smokey loved life and he enjoyed time with all family. He was proud of his daughters and always looked forward to having fun with them. His granddaughter, Chloe, brightened up his last days bringing big smiles to his face. 

Survivors include his wife Janet; children: Michelle of Pierre, and Jennifer (Ryan) Hammons, and one beloved granddaughter Chloe Lillian of Raleigh, MS; two brothers: Ron Kopecky of Long Lake, SD, Jerry (Cindy) Kopecky of Faulkton; six sisters: Bonnie Wilson of Sturgis, Sharon (Dennis) Serfling of Aberdeen, Linda (Tom) Johannsen of Warner, Judy (D.C.) Craft of Aberdeen, SD, Kathy (Bill) Savage of Camdenton, MO, Leasa Ortmeier of Faulkton; numerous nieces and nephews; loving and helpful neighbors: Mike, Staci, Andrew, Joe, Nathan, and Oliver Aesoph; and countless friends. 

Proceeding him in death was his father, Gordon; mother, Winnie; grandparents, Will and Mayme (Bouzek) Kopecky, Ivan and Ann (Olive) Morford; and niece, Jodi Lynn Johannsen. 

The family request memorials directed to Steps for Hope, PO Box 541, Highmore, SD 57345