OTTO AND ETHEL [UHLIR] JEDLICKA
Otto J. Jedlicka and Ethel A. Uhlir were married in Rolla, Missouri,
on August 2, 1941.
Otto J. was born near Verdigre November 16, 1917, the son of Otto V.
Jedlicka and Anna Vecera Jedlicka. Otto V. was born near Verdigre
August 1, 1887, and died July 4, 1968. Anna Vecera Jedlicka was born
near Lodge Pole, Nebraska, November 30, 1890, and died in October of
1976.
Ethel Uhlir Jedlicka was born near Verdigre, the daughter of Richard
Uhlir and Josephine Houzvicka Uhlir. Richard Uhlir was born January
26, 1888, near Verdigre and died June 26, 1978. Josephine Uhlir was
born near Verdigre on August 13, 1890, and died May 20, 1956.
Richard was the son of Vac Uhlir and Marie Holan Uhlir. Josephine
Uhlir was the daughter of Anton Houzvicka and Josephine Donat
Houzvicka.
Otto J. had one sister, Victoria Shefl. Ethel had three brothers:
Edwin, Ervin (deceased), and Robert Uhlir, and three sisters: Evelyn
Koch (deceased), Betty Christensen, and Hazel Devine.
Otto and Ethel had four children: Carole Ann, Marlene Kay, William,
and John.
Carole Ann married Dean Gragert living, and they live in
Elkhorn. They have three sons: Brian Dean was born living;
Steven Paul was born living, and Mark David was born
living. Carole is a registered nurse at the Immanuel
Hospital. Dean is an engineer at the O.P.P.D. in Omaha. Carole was
born living, in Lynch, and Dean was born living, in
Norfolk.
[pg 282 PHOTO Mr. and Mrs. Otto Jedlicka, Sr., on 60th
Anniversary October 29, 1967]
Marlene Kay was born living, and died October 23, 1977.
She married Allen Janovec in October, 1969. Two children were born:
Christine Ann on living, and Jayd Allen on living. Later Marlene married Dennis Kelley Both were killed in an
airplane that Dennis piloted. The children make their home with
Allen Janovec and family.
Otto and Ethel’s third child and first son, William, was born
September 4, 1959, in Creighton. He married Linda Ann Beiriger
September 22, 1984. Linda was born living, in Hastings.
William received an associate business degree at the Lincoln School
of Commerce. Linda received an associate of applied science degree
at Northeast Technical Community College at Norfolk.
John, the fourth child and second son, was born living, at
Creighton. He has completed his second year at the University of
Nebraska at Lincoln where he is majoring in Political Science.
[pg 282 PHOTO Family picture taken on September 22, 1984, the
wedding day of William Jedlicka and Linda Beiriger. Front row, from
left: Steve Gragert, Mark Gragert, Ethel and Otto Jedlicka, and Jayd
Janovec. Back: Brian Gragert, Dean and Carole Gragert, Linda and
Bill Jedlicka, John Jedlicka, and Christine Janovec.]
Otto volunteered for the army in June of 1941 while Ethel was
teaching school. She taught a total of five years.
In 1942 Otto was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Fort Benning,
Georgia. Ethel resigned her teaching position at the Ayers school
and joined Otto in Columbus, Georgia, while he was attending a
three-month communication school in Fort Benning. After that, he was
transferred to Camp Arkansas. Three months later Otto was
transferred to Camp Cooke, California, and they lived in Lampoc,
California, for a year. In April of 1943 Otto was transferred to the
South Pacific and stationed in the following places: New Calandonia,
Guadal Canal, Bougainville, New Britain, and finally to the
Philippine invasion under the command of General McArthur. He was
with the 754 Tank Battalion.
During the combat on Clark Field, he was awarded the Silver Star for
gallantry in action on January 28, 1945. In the Philippines, he was
commissioned First Lieutenant. In December of 1945 Otto returned to
the United States and received the commission of Captain.
Ethel, during this time, lived with her sister, Evelyn Koch, and
worked in the disbursement department at the Union Pacific Railroad
Office.
Following Otto’s discharge from the army, they lived at the Niobrara
Island Park for three months where Otto was assistant park manager.
Later they moved to Verdigre and Otto and Ethel decided to venture
into the Gamble Store-Hardware business which began March 28, 1947.
They operated the Gamble Store for 39 years. In 1986 the franchise
was changed to a Hardware Hank Store. Their son William has joined
them and, hopefully, he and Linda will manage and purchase the
Hardware Hank Store.
Through the years Otto has served on the town board, school board,
fire department, and the St. Wenceslaus Church Council, along with
various other committees. He is always willing to cooperate with the
community for progress.
Ethel was a member of the Chit Chat Club for 30 years. She is a
member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of the
Americas, and chairman of the Deanery Church Commission. Ethel has
also served as an E.M.E. for three years.
Otto and Ethel celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1966 and
their 40th Wedding Anniversary on August 22, 1986.
Pages
281, 282
