Herrick and Nellie Coates

Albert Herrick Coates and Nellie Bouzek Coates

By Mrs. Will Kopecky (Mayme)

From Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, pages 141-142

Albert Herrick Coates, eldest son of Fred and Mary Taylor Coates, was born September 21, 1905 at Edgemont, South Dakota. Herrick received his early education at the Provo School, Provo, South Dakota. After graduation, he attended the School of Agriculture at Brookings, South Dakota for four years.

Herrick married Nellie Bouzek, March 30, 1928 at Hot Springs, South Dakota. They engaged in farming near Edgemont, South Dakota until 1930 when they moved to Hyde County, renting a farm owned by James Vondra (Nellie’s uncle) in Union Township. Later they bought the Ollman Ranch in Illinois Township. In March of 1946 they moved to Highmore where he entered the trucking and transportation business.

Four children were born to Nellie and Herrick: Francelia, Helen Joanne, John Edward, and a baby boy who died several hours after birth. Helen and John lost their lives in a fire which burned the barn on the family farm in 1941. Nellie was burned quite badly trying to get in the barn to save the children. She spent several months in the hospital at Pierre, South Dakota.

Tragedy struck again on January 15, 1953 when Herrick was killed in a car accident south of Huron. He was survived by his wife, Nellie, daughter Francelia, sister Doris Huff, brother Allan Coates, and a half-brother, Fred Coates.

Herrick was an active member of the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium Committee.

Nellie Eva Coates, the daughter of Martin and Mary Bouzek, was born in Eden Township, on December 25, 1904. She received her early education in the Eden School. After graduation, she attended the State Teachers College at Aberdeen, South Dakota for four years. She taught her first school at Colome, South Dakota in 1923. Then for several years she taught in Fall River County at Edgemont and Provo, South Dakota. After moving to Hyde County with her husband, she taught for several years in the rural school system.

After her husband was killed, she continued to manage the trucking and transport business for a few years before selling the business.

Nellie was an active member of the Rebekah Lodge, WSCS and active in clubs of the community. She was interested in civic improvement and the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium. She gave generously of her time and energy to the auditorium committee in the upkeep and management of the building.

A cancer victim, she passed away, August 18, 1956. She was survived by her daughter, Francelia.

Francelia married Austin “Bud” Odegaard on August 11, 1949. They had three children, Richard, Ann, and James; Nellie’s only grandchildren. Francelia died October 7, 1966 at the age of 37.

Nellie had two brothers: Ben and John, and four sisters: Henrietta, Emma (Mrs. Charles Huff), Frances Hall, and Mayme (Mrs. Will Kopecky).