FRANK J. AND EMMA [MUDRA] PAVLIK
Frank J. Pavlik, son of Christina Sedivy and Frank Pavlik, was born
July 1, 1879. His father died in the early spring of 1879 before
Frank J. was born. His mother married Thomas Belsky in 1880. He was
raised with eight step-brothers and sister, the Belsky family ,
attended school in the Armstrong area, and spent most of his life
farming.
Frank J. married Emma Mudra, daughter of Martin and Annie (Cifera)
Mudra, on October 16, 1899, and farmed west of Verdigre. He was
interested in mechanics and the telephone was a new innovation in
which he was very interested. Besides the farm, he also worked for
the telephone company and fell from a telephone pole in front of the
telephone office. Relatives believe this contributed to the ruptured
appendix and infection that followed soon after. To quote a
newspaper clipping of 1908, “The community was shocked when a
message was received announcing the death of Frank J. Pavlik. It was
just a week ago Mr. Pavlik was taken to Omaha for an appendicitis
operation and the first report was very encouraging. It was believed
he would return home in about three weeks, fully recovered. But,
alas, how often are we buoyed by false hopes? Mrs. Pavlik departed
for Omaha Monday accompanied by his uncle, Joseph Pavlik, but before
their train arrived, Mr. Pavlik had died. Mr. Pavlik was an
excellent young man, 28 years of age, and highly respected by his
acquaintances. He leaves, besides his wife, two children: Edwin D.
(Slim) and Frank James and many other relatives to mourn their
loss.”
Emma Mudra Pavlik married Joseph Losina on December 16, 1914. They
had two daughters, Elsie May born June 2, 1916, and a girl who died
at birth in 1918.
Elsie attended the Verdigre Public School, graduated in 1933, and
then attended a beauty college in Norfolk. She met and married
Corrill W. Brome on January 20, 1936, and they have three children:
twins Phillip and Phyllis born in 1937, and Michael born in 1944.
They have eight grandchildren. Corrill, known as Bill, and Elsie
were divorced and later Elsie married Myer L. Gensler on February
13, 1949. Myer (Gens) has three sons, Myer, Jr., and twins Robert
and James. He has 16 grandchildren. Elsie and Gens make their home
in Stockton, California, with most of their family. Gens is a
retired railroad worker and Elsie raised prize-winning African
violets besides caring for her family.
Emma Mudra Pavlik Losina died July 22, 1947. Joseph Losina returned
to Bohemia when the United States entered World War I. He was killed
in action and it was several years later before his death was
confirmed. She received a widow’s pension from Czechoslovakia until
the country was invaded by Hitler and his regime.
[pg 361 PHOTO Frank J. Pavlik and Emma Mudra married October 16,
1899, at Niobrara, Nebraska. J. C. Thomas, Judge. Witnesses were
Frank Lundak and Martin Mudra.
-Submitted by Mrs. Leatrice Vakoc
Pages
360, 361
