GORDON AND VLASTA [KVES] MC ELHOSE
Gordon E. McElhose and Vlasta Kves were married at Neligh, Nebraska,
on November 9, 1939. Their attendants were Walter and Esther
McElhose, Gordon’s brother and his wife.
Gordon McElhose, son of Earl R. McElhose and Anna (Boelter) McElhose,
was born living, in his parental home on a farm at Walnut,
Nebraska. He acquired his education in the Mott School District 45.
Gordon remained on the farm with his parents until 1934 when they
moved to a farm west of Winnetoon, Nebraska, and Gordon moved with
them. He farmed there for four years after his folks moved to
Creighton, Nebraska. During this period he started driving trucks
for Leonard Kocina of Verdigre and Wayne Henderson of Orchard,
Nebraska. He also worked for Walt Dobrichovsky, who was then
operating Walt’s Implement.
In 1939, Gordon worked for D. H. Harman Construction, contractors on
the Highway 14 project from south of Verdigre to Niobrara. At that
time the highway went through Verdigre’s Main Street. In 1951
Highway 14 was reconstructed to bypass Verdigre. Gordon worked on
this project again, but the only difference was that it was his firm
- McElhose Trucking and Construction - that built it.
In 1941 Gordon decided to go into business for himself and started
the line of McElhose Trucking. In 1948 he added construction work to
the trucking business. The firm of McElhose Trucking and
Construction was then in operation. Gordon still owns the business
and, with the assistance of his three sons Jerry, Don, and Gail,
keeps everything moving right along. In May of 1977 during the
Trucker’s Day meeting and celebration at the Marina Inn, South Sioux
City, Nebraska, Gordon was awarded a Pioneer Trucker’s plaque. He
had achieved the goal of 40 years or more as a truck driver. In
1983, the Verdigre Improvement Club presented him with an honor
award for his loyalty and service to the community.
Gordon served on the Verdigre Volunteer Fire Department for 25
years, two terms on the city council, and one term on the Verdigre
Board of Education. He was a charter member of the Verdigre
Improvement Club and the Lion’s Club.
Vlasta (Kves) McElhose, daughter of Frank Kves and Emma (Somr) Kves,
was born living, in the home of her grandparents, Stephan
and Karolina Somr, on a farm eight miles west of Verdigre. She lived
with her parents on their farm seven miles west of Verdigre and
attended Pleasant Valley School District 47 through the eighth
grade. She attended Verdigre Public School through the 12th grade,
graduating in the spring of 1937. In the fall, Vlasta enrolled in
the Capitol Beauty School of Omaha, Nebraska. Upon completing her
education in cosmetology, passing the State Board exams, and
receiving her cosmetology license from the State of Nebraska, Vlasta
proudly announced, “I am now a licensed cosmetologist.” She came
back to Verdigre, full of ambition and ready to go to work. In the
fall of 1939, she opened her own shop, “The Ritze Beauty Shop.”
After 47 years Vlasta keeps busy in her shop and enjoys every moment
of it. Her customers are very special to her. She generally employs
one operator to assist her. Vlasta spends spare time being a
housewife, mother, and grandmother, plus helping her husband,
Gordon, any way she can with the management of his business,
McElhose Trucking and Construction. She is always ready to lend a
helping hand when and where she is needed.
Vlasta is an active member of the ZCBJ Lodge No. 5 of Verdigre. She
was a member of the T. J. Sokol organization of Verdigre during its
active years. Since she was a small girl, she has participated in
many activities, including competing in activities with youngsters
from other towns.
Gordon and Vlasta are the parents of four children: Jerry, Donald
and Gail of Verdigre, and Donna of St. John, Kansas. They have
eleven grandchildren. Jerry Dean married Pat Allen and they have two
daughters: Teri and Traci. Donald Gene married Dianne Pavlik; they
have two daughters, Donita Gaye and Darla Renee, and one son, Darren
Gene. Donna Kaye married Steve Schneider and they were divorced. She
married Brad Ives and they have one daughter, Valerie Lyn, and two
sons, Steven Earl and Kirk Douglas. Gail Ray (Butch) married Maryann
Masat (divorced). He has three sons, Perry Gordon, Kelly Ray, and
Anthony (Tony) Benjamin.
In the late 70s with farming still in their hearts, Gordon and
Vlasta purchased a farm one mile west of Verdigre. The farm
originally belonged to the parents of Vaclav and Anastasia Mastalir.
To their knowledge, it was the family homestead.
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