JOSEPH AND ANNA [SMETANA] RUZICKA
Joseph Ruzicka, son of John and Barbara Cerny Ruzicka, was born
March 30, 187, in Pischelville, Nebraska.
Anna Ruzicka was born to Frank and Rose Denoky Smetana in Chicago,
Illinois, June 19, 1881.
They were married at Pischelville, Nebraska, on January 25, 1897,
and they started their married life on a farm seven miles west of
Verdigre. They bought the homestead from Anna’s mother and much of
their married life was spent there. Life for all the pioneers had
its struggles. Anna would relate stories of the gypsies coming and
begging for food which the Ruzicka family didn’t have too much of
themselves.
Eleven children were born and two died in infancy: a son, Adolph,
died at 16.
In 1909 they decided to move to Verdigre where Joe bought the meat
market from Joseph Jedlicka. Joe was in business for a short time
when he decided to try his luck at farming once again. They farmed
for several years, but as the children grew up and left home the
work was getting harder for them. They decided to move back into
Verdigre where they spent their retirement days. Joe did not sit
around., he helped Ben
[pg 381 PHOTO Joe and Anna Ruzicka were married at Pischelville on
January 25, 1897.]
Roubicek in the meat market, and also many years“ Pop.” as Joe was
known, was assistant to Dr. Jack Bruce, the veterinarian. He enjoyed
helping Dr. Bruce and looked forward to each day he was with him.
Joe was a number one butcher and was kept busy in that line of work
for other people. His remark used to be “I use all the meat in one
way or another - everything but the squeal.”
Mother Anna enjoyed her garden very much and raised chickens for the
family’s use. She always enjoyed having her children and
grandchildren come to see her. The coffee pot was always on and the
welcome mat was out.
Joe and Anna were members of the ZCBJ Lodge NO. 5 and always enjoyed
participating in lodge activities until their health would no longer
allow it.
Anna passed away in 1947 and Joe in 1950.
Their children were Thomas, Lucy (Hrbek), Tillie (Novacek), Ella (Jacot),
Adolph, Annie (Wilder), Ernest, Syvia (Cihlar), Joe, Mary (Krause),
and Bess (Hamlin).
Pages
380, 381
