A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

CLARENCE C. AND EVELYN M. [KVES] KUCERA

Clarence Charles Kucera, third son of Dr. Frank H. and Clara M. (Stoural) Kucera, was born November 21, 1916, in Verdigre, Nebraska. His three brothers are Frank V. of Mission Hills, California, Fred R. of Kent, Ohio, and Thomas G. of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Clarence attended Verdigre Public School where he was active in football and basketball. While attending school he worked part time at Marshall’s Store. In 1934 he graduated from Verdigre High School and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year. Later he was employed as bookkeeper by the Verdigre Motor Company.

From 1942 to 1945, Clarence served in the army with the 743rd tank battalion, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He participated in five major campaigns including the Normandy Invasion, landing on Omaha Beach on D Day, and the Battle of the Bulge. Among his citations were the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Merit Badge.

On August 13, 1943, while Clarence was on leave, he and Evelyn Kves were married at the St. Wenceslaus rectory. Rev. Charles Oborny performed the ceremony. The following day Clarence returned to the service and was sent to Europe where he was stationed until 1945 when he received his discharge.

Evelyn, the older daughter of Frank and Emma (Somr) Kves, was born February 8, 1916, in Cleveland, Ohio. She had one sister, Vlasta (McElhose), and a brother Joseph who died at the age of two weeks.

When Evelyn was one year old, she accompanied her parents to the Verdigre area where they were engaged in farming.

Evelyn received her education at Pleasant Valley School (K-8) and graduated from Verdigre High School in 1932. After one year at Wayne State College she began teaching at Knoxville School. She continued her education by attending summer sessions and night classes. When she had her two-year certificate she taught K-3 at Verdigre Public School. It was at this time that she married Clarence and lived with his mother until he returned from Germany.

After Clarence was discharged from the army, the couple purchased the family farm (six miles west and one mile south of Verdigre) from Evelyn’s parents. Evelyn retired from teaching to raise their five children: Kathryn Mary (Mrs. John Farnik), Elizabeth Ann ( Mrs. Darrel Walton), Charles Edward (married Francine Bartos), Kenneth James (married Debra Dvorak), and Barbara Marie.

Due to a teacher shortage, Evelyn returned to teaching. In 1968 she graduated from Wayne State with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She taught several rural schools in Knox County and has been on the Verdigre Public School teaching staff for 24 years, but has declared her retirement in the spring of 1987. She taught her five children and one grandson, John J. Farnik. Her teaching career spans 40 years.

Evelyn also worked at the White Corner Café and Bakery when it was owned by Tony and Anne Scheinost, the Verdigre Livestock Café while it was under the management of Tony and Lillian Paesl, and at the Verdigre Cooperative Credit Association.

In January of 1978, Clarence was admitted to the Veterans’ Hospital at Omaha, Nebraska. His ailment was diagnosed as lung cancer. He died March 28, 1978, at the Lundberg Memorial hospital at Creighton, Nebraska. He is buried in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Verdigre, Nebraska.

Clarence was active in the Catholic Sokol Organization, the Catholic Workman, serving as treasurer at the time of his death, and a member of the American Legion Post 259.

Evelyn is a charter member of the Verdigre American Legion Auxiliary and has been a member of the ZCBJ Lodge Bila Hora for many years. She was active in the Tel Jed Sokol Organization during its existence in Verdigre. She belongs to St. Wenceslaus Altar Society and has taught CCD. classes for many years.

The Kucera’s 12 grandchildren include: John J. and Angela Farnik; Aaron, Rachel, Amanda, and twins Ashley and Heather Walton; Charles C. and Carrie Kucera; and Andrea, Michael, and Amy Kucera.

Pages 309, 310