THE JOSEPH RUDLOFF FAMILY
Joseph Rudloff, born July 22, 1875, the eldest son of Lawrence and
Mary Gross Rudloff, came from Story City, Iowa, to Verdigre in 1903.
He stayed with his uncle, Dan Goddard, and walked to the Cheney
place (now the Marvin Soucek farm) looking for work. Finding that
there were no jobs available, he rode with John Gross to Dorsey and
walked on to Lynch where he spent the night. He moved on to the town
of Gross, where Ben Gross, an uncle and founder of the town, gave
him a job. Joseph and Ben bought a ferry located at Iron Post on the
Missouri River. Joseph ran the ferry for two seasons, selling it the
second year. He came back to Knox County in 1905 and worked for two
years at the Cheney Ranch. He received $25.00 per month as a
farmhand and was paid $600.00 after he had worked two years. In 1907
he purchased 160 acres of land, no fences or buildings, which is now
the John Rudloff farm. He built a granary and lived in it over the
summer while he built a two-room house which is stills standing.
[pg 376 PHOTO The Ferry on the Missouri River at Iron Post,
Gross, Nebraska, owned by Joseph Rudloff and Ben Gross]
In May of 1908, he married Elizabeth Danaher, daughter of James and
Anna Danaher. To this union three sons were born: James on September
25, 1909; William, November 28, 1915-March 15, 1968, and John,
January 24, 1921.
James Rudloff married Marie Vecera, daughter of Joseph and Minnie
Vecera, on August 17, 1936. Four children were born to this couple:
Philip on living, Phyllis on living; Charles,
living; and Janet, living. James
and Marie farmed west of Verdigre and are now retired and reside in
Verdigre.
Philip married Marvelene Ickler on June 6, 1962. They were blessed
with three children: Roger, born ; Robyn, born
living, and Timothy, born living.
Phyllis married Robert Tharnish on September 2, 1961. To this union
were born: Mark on living; Gregory, living, and
twins Bruce and Brian on living. Mark married Carole Schrage
May 21, 1983.
Janet Rudloff married Robert Frank October 26, 1963. They have five
children: Matthew, who was born living; Melinda, living;
Troy, living; Stacie, living; and Kimberly,
living.
[pg 376 PHOTO James and Marie Rudloff on 50th wedding Anniversary
includes their children Philip, Phyllis, and Jane, and their
grandchildren]
William Rudloff and Marjorie Burkhardt were married June 4, 1945. To
this union were born: Denis, living; Loretta, living; Marcella,
living; Joe, living; Cecil, living; Vivian,
living; Helen, living; Mary, living; and Tom,
living. William and Marjorie farmed west of Verdigre until his death.
Marjorie Rudloff Rayer moved to Creighton and also resides in Omaha.
Denis married Adella Bertschinger on June 7, 1969. Their children
are: Paul, born living; Glen, born living; Jason,
living; and Kristi, living.
On May 3, 1969, Loretta married David Hrbek. They have two children:
Kala, born living, and Christina, born living.
Marcella and Kurt Sikyta were married January 5, 1974. To this union
were born two children: Heather on living, and Jacob on
living.
Joe married Gloria Pavlik June 14, 1969. Their children and birth
dates are: Rachelle, living, and Trisia, living.
Vivian married Ray Patrick on September 6, 1980, and they have one
son, Adam, born living.
On April 23, 1983, Mary married Michael Vollbrecht. They have a son,
Nathaniel, born living.
Tom married Beata Schmit on June 29, 1985.
John Rudloff married Edith Pavlik October 4, 1956. Their children
are: Rosie Elaine, living. Their children are: Rose
Elaine, living; Robert, living; Francis,
living; Michael, living; David, living; Julie,
living, and Jane, living. John
and Edith live on the home place west of Verdigre.
Rose Elaine married Mark Jensen June 4, 1977. They have two
children: Lorie, born living, and Jonathan born living.
Joseph and Elizabeth farmed and later retired in Verdigre. They were
lifetime members of the St. Wenceslaus parish. Joseph passed away
November 22, 1966, at the age of 91. Elizabeth enjoyed keeping her
home and family until her death November 4, 1970, at the age of 90.
This family was one of the many hard-working, pioneer families of
the Verdigre community.
Pages
375, 376
