RALPH AND ROSE [SOKOL] BROOKHOUSER
Ralph Brookhouser of Venus, Nebraska, and Rose Sokol of Verdigre
were married November 23, 1926. His parents were William T. and Leta
Ethel (Foreman) Brookhouser of Venus. His father William had come to
Nebraska from Jackson County, Iowa. Ralph was born at Venus,
Nebraska, on February 7, 1905. Rose’s parents were Joseph and Emma (Belohlavy)
Sokol of Verdigre. Mrs. Sokol was from Cross, Nebraska. Rose was
born February 24, 1907, at Verdigre and graduated from high school
there.
For their first ten years, the Brookhousers lived near Walnut,
Nebraska, in Washington Township where five of their children were
born. In 1937 they lived on a farm south of Verdigre, but in 1938
they moved to Middle Branch in Walnut Grove Township where they
lived five years. This is where their youngest daughter was born.
All their farm buildings were destroyed when a tornado struck the
farm in 1942. They moved to their own farm which adjoined the farm
struck by the tornado. In February of 1943 they moved into the
section house they had moved 30 miles from Royal, Nebraska. It was
remodeled and still makes a comfortable home for them.
Ralph still likes his horses and cattle, but does not raise any
small grain. In past years Rose raised a flock of turkeys, as many
as 250, but doesn’t any longer. She still has her chickens, a
garden, and writes for four local newspapers. She has been a
correspondent for the O’Neill paper since 1955. Rose belonged to the
Help U Club for 48 years, and is a twenty-eight year, charter member
of the Work and Fun Club.
For several years their address was Venus, Nebraska, after the
Middle Branch Post Office was discontinued. The Brookhousers’
address has been Orchard, Nebraska, since the Venus Post Office
closed in 1955. However, they still live on the same place in Walnut
Grove Township, Knox County, Nebraska.
[pg209 PHOTO Ralph and Rose Brookhouser and family [September 1942]
- front: Ray, Ralph [father], Anita, Rose [mother], Larry. Back:
Lorrene, Leanore, and Donna]
They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1976 and their
60th in 1986. Their six children are: Lorrene, Leanore, Donna,
Larry, Ray, and Anita.
Lorrene married James A. Border in 1946 and lives in Florida. They
have four children.
Leanore married Emil Bartos in 1950. They live northwest of Verdigre
and have six daughters and four sons.
Donna married Marlin E. Tusha. They reside in Florida and are the
parents of three children.
Larry married Patricia Tomlinson. They live in Lincoln and are the
parents of three sons.
Ray married Janice Buchendahl. They reside in Perry, Iowa, and are
the parents of two children.
Anita married Richard EnEarl. She and her son Christopher live in
Maryland.
-Submitted by Rose Brookhouser
Page 209
