WILLIAM AND ELLEN [VONASEK] [WELCH] DUFEK
Bill Dufek was born March 18, 1925, the son of George and Clara (Ondracek)
Dufek at Sparta, Nebraska. He grew up on the family farm along with
his brothers: Edward, Leonard, and John, and sisters: Marie Shefl,
Clara Pavlik, Leona Pavlik, and Helen Hanefeldt. He received his
education in the rural Hilldale School two miles from their farm.
Bill participated in the Golden Gloves Tournament for two years.
Nowadays, he loves to hunt, fish, and just enjoy nature.
On January 19, 1945, Bill entered the Navy and was stationed at
Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago. Later he was
transferred to Grosse Isle Michigan Naval Air Base. After two year
in the Navy, he returned to the family farm to help his parents.
Later he moved to his own farm. Four years later he met Ellen (Vonasek)
Welch and they were married May 9, 1956, at St. Wenceslaus Church in
Verdigre.
Ellen Jo was the daughter of Zdenek and Millie (Barta) Vonasek - one
of the earlier settlers in the Walnut community. She grew up on the
family farm with brothers Walter, Ben, and Leonard, and sister Alice
(Dave) Nelson. She attended Meadow View School and later attended
Verdigre High School and Wayne State College. After graduating from
college, Ellen taught school at Stoney Butte for three years. She
married Thomas Welch, son of James and Ethel Welch, on June 5, 1940.
To this union one son, Jack, was born. Thomas passed away on July
29, 1952, when his son Jack was only 11 years old. Ellen’s parents
moved to her place to help with the farm work for four years until
the marriage of Bill and Ellen. They enjoyed working together with
son Jack on the home place.
They take great pride in their farmstead, planting many
shelterbelts, trees, and flowers, along with other conservation
practices.
Community, school, and church play an important part in their lives.
They were 4-H leaders of the Western Knox Boosters 4-H Club which
was organized in 1952 and is still in existence. Granddaughters
Cheri and Christi Welch were also members of this club.
Jack was an FFA member, made State Farmer, American Farmer, and held
a state office.
Bill and Ellen are members of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They
are active in the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters
organization.
Ellen has been a county extension member for 26 years, belonging to
the Stoney Butte Homemakers Extension Club. She served as county
extension officer for eight years.
Their son Jack married Janice Roh of Creighton, Nebraska in 1962.
They built a home on the same ranch and farm in partnership.
Bill and Ellen had two granddaughters: Cherri Sheckler, who attended
Lincoln School of Commerce and presently lives in O’Neill, and
Christi, a 1987 graduate of the University of Nebraska.
When Bill and Ellen are ready for a change of pace and time permits,
they can be caught packing their luggage for a vacation. Their
interest in history, geography, and culture have taken them to 48
states, plus Alaska, Europe, and the Scandinavian countries.
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