OTTO AUGUST DVORAK
Otto August Dvorak was born in Verdigre, Nebraska, on living,
to Thomas and Martha (Houzvicka) Dvorak. He attended the Verdigre
Public School along with his sisters, Marceline (born living),
Delores (born living), and Darlene (born October 9, 1934, and
died in May 1950).
June 18, 1944, Otto was united in marriage to Florence May Sonder in
a double wedding with Otto’s sister, Marceline, and Florence’s
brother, Vernon. This wedding took place at St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church at Venus, Nebraska. On January 19, 1945, Otto was inducted
into the service. He was trained at Camp Fannin, Texas, and served
with occupational forces in Honshu, Japan, until his discharge in
October of 1946.
Otto purchased the farm from his parents. Besides farming he also
did trenching, welding, hay-moving, bus driving, and played music.
To this union four children were born: Dennis Otto, on living;
Lynn Daryl, living; and twins, Vickie and Debbie, on
living.
Otto’s father taught him to play the accordion at the early age of
four. From then on he learned to play various instruments on his
own. At the age of eight years, Otto played his first dance at the
Hillside Pavilion. Better known as “Curly,” he has played in several
bands through the years. In 1960 he formed a family band with Lynn,
9 and Dennis, 14. In 1964 Dennis entered college at San Diego, and
came home for the summer of 1965 to help his father with the farm
work. Prior to his anticipated induction into the U. S. Army, he was
taken ill and passed away on February 16, 1966. Lynn left for
college and then Vickie and Debbie started singing with their father
in various night clubs. After graduation in 1973, Curly continued on
his own as a single and presently entertains throughout northeast
Nebraska.
Florence May (Sonder) Dvorak was born living, to Andrew and
Laura (Madsen) Sonder. She attended school at the Verdigre Public
School along with her brothers and sisters, Vernon, Irvin, Evelyn,
Irene, and Helen.
Florence enjoyed traveling with the family band and worked as a
part-time cook at Bogner’s Steak House when they first started
offering entertainment. Then she worked at the West Side Café until
April 1, 1972, when Alpine Village opened its doors. There Otto was
the custodian and Florence worked as a dietitian until she became
ill and passed away October 19, 1977. Otto continued working at
Alpine and drove a school bus.
On January 22, 1978, Otto was united in marriage to Ruby L. Darnell
at the Methodist Church in Orchard, Nebraska, and they presently
reside in Verdigre. Ruby was born March 8, 1919, and is the daughter
of the late George and Delia Woodworth of the Venus area.
Ruby has three children by her former marriage: Gail Leland, born
living, Garry, born living, and a daughter, Elaine Faye,
born living.
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