EDWARD AND CARIE [KOTROUS] MASTALIR
Edward Mastalir, son of Vac and Anna Maly Mastalir, was born May 30,
1895, and died October 14, 1973. On May 18, 1917, he married
Caroline Kotrous.
Caroline Kotrous, the daughter of Andrew and Anna Salak Pekar
Kotrous, was born in Fillmore County on December 20, 1895, and died
March 14, 1960. The couple had two children, Regina and Laurane E.
[pg 326 PHOTO Edward Mastalir Family]
Early in life Ed was a drayman and did other things. However, in the
early thirties he became the “bartender” of
Frank Maly’s soft-drink parlor and pool hall. In 1932, he purchased
the business from Maly, who was on his deathbed. He subsequently
operated the establishment as “Mastalir’s Place.” It did, however,
undergo a sea-change. With the end of prohibition, the business
became first a beer parlor and then a saloon, keeping its popular
card tables. Ed eventually bought the lot on which the building
stands (it has been there since 1909).
Of the two children, Regina (Reggie) was born May 29, 1918, and died
February 1, 1972.
Laurane, always called “Misty,” was born June 22, 1919. He married
Margaret Bruce, daughter of Dr. John T. and Blanche Clark Bruce on
November 30, 1941. The couple had two sons, John, born living, and Thomas, born
living.
Misty served in the army during World War Ii. When he returned, he
went to work at Mastalir’s Place. Upon the death of Ed Mastalir, he
became the proprietor of the tavern which everyone now calls “Mistry’s.”
Margaret, always active in community affairs, has been a member of
the library board for years. Of late she has been devoting much of
her time and energy to the renovation, weatherization, and
improvement of the library building.
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