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.