A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

LEONARD G. AND CLARA [MLADY] DROBNY

Leonard G. Droby, known throughout the community as “Red” was the son of Joseph and Katie Drobny. He was born October 6, 1902, in Lynch, Nebraska. During his early years, he worked at the railway station operating the telegraph and handling freight. He then moved with his parents to Verdigre, Nebraska, to help his cousin, Albert Pavelka, with farming operations while Jim (Albert’s brother) went to serve in World War I. Later, he took over farming independently. In 1926, he left for Norfolk, Nebraska, and went to work for Blakeman Transfer.

During this same time frame, Clara C. Mlady was born December 13, 1905, the eldest daughter of Ed and Stazie Mlady. Their other children were: Helen (Mrs. Henry Chalupnik of Pine City, Minnesota), Leo, and Delbert. Clara graduated from Verdigre High School in 1924 and attended Wayne State Teachers’ College. After obtaining her teaching certificate, she taught for 9 ˝ years in the country schools around Verdigre. In many of her early teaching days, while living on the homestead north of Verdigre, she rode on horseback as far as nine miles a day to the country school. Arriving early in the morning, she had to stoke the fire so the schoolhouse would be warm when the children arrived at 8:30 a.m.

On June 24, 1931, Leonard Drobny and Clara Mlady were united in marriage and resided in Norfolk, Nebraska. Leonard then formed his own company called “Red’s Transfer,” operating between Norfolk and Spencer, Nebraska. He sold his shipping rights to a larger firm and took up police work for the Norfolk Police Department. On living, their only child, Ray, was born. The family later moved to Verdigre where “Red” was employed by Verdigre Motor Company as their Mobil oil bulk dealer for many years. During a large part of this same era, the family had a dairy business (“L. G. Drobny & Son”) serving the community on a daily basis.

May of 1955 marked the graduation of their son from Verdigre High School, and Ray entered the U. S. Navy. Leonard and Clara moved to Pine City, Minnesota, and purchased a dairy farm to pursue their dairy interest. Clara returned to teaching in Minnesota for a brief period. She was then offered a teaching position in the Verdigre Public School system, where she continued until 1975 as a first grade teacher. During this time, she continued her college work, and at age 62 received her B. A. degree in Elementary Education.

Leonard and Clara sold their farm in Minnesota with “Red” returning to Verdigre to drive a gravel truck for Yager Brothers. Later he drove the school bus until he was forced to retire at the age of 70.

On January 8, 1963, their son Ray married Bonnie Blomberg of Pine City, Minnesota. They have three sons: Giles, Douglas, and Jeffrey. Giles is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with a degree in Criminal Justice; Douglas is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and Jeffrey is a sophomore at Millard South high School. Ray has pursued a career in Life Insurance and Securities sales. He owns his own company in Omaha specializing in mass marketing and financial planning. Ray and his wife are very active in civic and sports activities in the Omaha area.

Leonard passed away on January 1, 1980, after a lengthy illness. He had remained very active in the community throughout his later years, especially with the church and the Knights of Columbus.

Clara continues to live in Verdigre and, as of this writing, has celebrated her 81st birthday. She continues to have an interest in her garden and in school and community affairs. Above all, she maintains contact with and has a sincere interest in the students she had while she was a teacher in the Verdigre School system.

Pages 236, 237