MAX AND ANNA [VESELY] DRYAK
Max Dryak, son of Joseph and Anna Dryak, was born April, 28, 1875,
at Pischelville. He died June 20, 1951, at the age of 76 years, 1
month and 22 days. Max had seven brothers and one sister; two
sisters died in infancy (See Joseph Dryak history.)
[pg 239 PHOTO Max and Anna Dryak and Helen]
In December of 1902, Max was married to Anna Vesely, who was born
November 1, 1879. To this union a daughter Helen and son Bennie were
born. The couple farmed land 15 miles northwest of Verdigre. The
original 160 acres was purchased from a family by the name of “Whaleing.”
Anna suffered poor health and on February 18, 1920, was taken to the
Norfolk hospital. She grew worse and died March 1, 1920, of spinal
paralysis at the age of 40 years and 3 months. Anna had two sisters,
Mrs. Katie Slechta and Mrs. Antonie Holan, and one brother, James
Vesely. Funeral services were held at her home on March 4 with
interment at the Pischelville Cemetery.
Max, Helen, and Bennie continued to farm with Helen providing care
for her brother. They both were educated at the District No. 22
Stoney Butte School in Knox County. Helen left the farm the fall of
1935 and worked in the Long Pine-Ainsworth area. She met Eugene
Upstill, a hotel proprietor, and was married. The couple later owned
a theatre in Long Pine and Helen owned and operated a variety store,
“Helen’s Shoppe.” for many years. Eugene died in 1969. Helen passed
away in July, 1986, at the Winner Baptist Hospital, Winner, South
Dakota.
Bennie, his wife, and family continued to farm with Max. Max died
suddenly of an apparent stroke in June of 1951.
Pages
238, 239
