FRANK AND EVELYN [SONDER] [FOSTERMAN] MARSHALL
Evelyn Lucille Sonder was born living, to Andrew and Laura
(Madsen) Sonder on her parents’ farm 6 ˝ miles northwest of Verdigre.
She went to school at District 37 for a couple of years, and then
moved with her folks and family to the Martin Sonder place where
she, with her sisters, Helen, Florence, and Irene, and brothers,
Irvin and Vernon, grew up. Evelyn attended school in District 64
where she graduated from the eighth grade. She attended high school
in Verdigre District 83 and graduated with the class of 1931. Times
were hard during the thirties, so she didn’t continue with her
education. She worked in several households and as a waitress.
Evelyn, her brother Irvin, and sister Irene joined the Farmers’
Union Juniors of Local 137. Sylvia Viterna helped with this group of
young people, holding meetings, parties, and programs. This was the
beginning of the siblings entertaining, singing, and eventually
playing for dances. Their dad, An drew Sonder, helped organize and
manage the “Riverside Band,” of which Evelyn, Irvin, and Irene
Sonder, Martha Chocholousek, Charles Pavlik, Jr., Charles Tichy, and
Stanley Kroupa were members. They played for many dances around the
country, including barn dances. They were invited to entertain at
the Farmers’ Union State Convention at Omaha, Nebraska, for the ball
at the close of the convention, and they were invited back a second
time. It was a great experience!
[pg 322 PHOTO Frank and Evelyn Marshall]
On August 23, 1938, Alvin Fosterman and Evelyn Sonder were united in
marriage at Neligh. Her brother Irvin and wife Helen were their
attendants.
Alvin was born to William and Clara (Hajek) Fosterman on living, on a farm four miles north of Verdigre. He attended school at
District 133 and graduated from the eighth grade. Then he attended
high school at District 83 in Verdigre and graduated with the class
of 1935. He grew to manhood on the homestead of his
great-grandparents, the John Hajeks.
Alvin and Evelyn chose farming as their livelihood and moved to the
Fosterman homestead three miles north of Verdigre. There they farmed
and endured some dry years in the late thirties and early forties.
Russian thistles and short corn were cut and stacked for cattle
feed. They raised cattle, bought, fed, and sold calves, and also had
a hog operation. They moved, relocated, and repaired the buildings
and worked hard to improve the farm.
Alvin was baptized in the First Methodist Church in Verdigre on May
6, 1956. He was active in civic and school activities and was a
member of Ionic Lodge No. 87 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of
Niobrara, having been initiated March 10, 1949. He passed March 22,
1951, and was raised to the degree of Master Mason on January 24,
1952. Alvin served as Worshipful Master in 1957. He was accepted to
the 32nd degree in October of 1960 at Yankton by the Oriental
Consistory of South Dakota. He was also initiated into the Order of
Easter Star in 1958.
On August 23, 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Fosterman observed their
Silver Wedding Anniversary.
On Saturday, August 31, 1963, Alvin had a tractor accident 6 ˝ miles
north of Verdigre and passed away three hours later at the Antelope
Memorial Hospital at Neligh, Nebraska. He was buried in the
Hillcrest Cemetery.
Evelyn had a public sale and also sold the home place that fall. She
moved to Verdigre in January of 1964 and lived with her sister Irene
Prokop until she purchased a home. She and Irene bought the Empress
Theatre. After some changes and repairs they opened the theatre
March 29, 1964. Evelyn worked at Alpine Village, West Side Café, and
was librarian at the Verdigre Public Library.
On June 22, 1974, Frank Marshall and Evelyn Fosterman wee united in
marriage at the Methodist Church at Neligh, Nebraska. This was the
second marriage for both. Gene and Lynette, children of Frank, were
their attendants.
Frank Marshall was born to Edward and Eldiva (Pavlik) Marshall on
living. Frank has one brother James and two sister, Ellen Vokner and Darlene Valek. He attended Stoney Butte School District
22 where he graduated from the eighth grade. He worked for several
farmers during his early years. Frank Marshall and Marcella Novacek
were married December 1, 1943, at Center, Nebraska. They engaged in
farming for several years, then moved to Verdigre and purchased a
home. Frank continued farming and worked part time for Emil Jerman
(then the International dealer). He later drove the school bus, oil
truck (part time), and a stock truck. He did janitor work at the
ZCBJ Hall for 25 years, and also journeying work. Frank and Marcella
had three children: Gene, Lynette, and Duane. On January 24, 1970,
Marcella passed away after a lengthy illness. She was buried at the
Jelen Cemetery.
After Frank’s marriage to Evelyn, he continued working as before and
is now semi-retired.
Evelyn is still librarian at the Verdigre Public Library and has the
theatre which she and her sister Irene Sperstad still operate part
time with the help of their husbands, Robert Sperstad and Frank
Marshall.
Pages
222, 223
