FRANK AND ANNA [MUDRA] SLADEK
Frank Sladek and Anna Mudra were married in May of 1900 and began
farming southwest of Verdigre. After 22 yeas they moved to Verdigre
for the education of their three children: Frank, Agnes, and
Lillian.
They lived in the north part of Verdigre and later moved one block
west of the Catholic Church. “Uncle”, as he was called by his
relatives, always kept cows and delivered milk to many customers. He
was often accompanied by his grand niece and nephew, Leatrice and
Buddy Pavlik, who helped carry the “Karo” ˝ gallon pails of milk to
their destinations.
“Uncle” was born October 2, 1871, and died August 11, 1947. “Auntie”
was born October 16, 1881, and died April 6, 1970. Losing their son
Frank, Jr., at the age of 17 was a shock that they had a hard time
understanding. Frank, Jr., who was born March 10, 1903, passed away
during the WWI flu epidemic. He was attending the University of
Nebraska College of Agriculture in Lincoln. He left in September and
came home for Christmas with a cold that he couldn’t get over. He
then contracted the flu and pneumonia as did so many people during
that period. It cost many people their lives. His mother went to
Lincoln and cared for him for six weeks before he was able to come
home on the train. When he arrived in Verdigre, he was taken to his
Aunt Emma Losina’s house and as Dr. Fletcher happened to be in town
assisting Dr. Kucera, he was called to the house. Frank, Jr., was
examined and then taken to Orchard the next day. They borrowed a top
buggy (Frank and Anna only had a spring board wagon) for more
protection and went to Orchard. The doctor tapped his lungs to drain
them in preparation for surgery the next day. He submitted to
surgery the next day but died on the operating table March 10, 1920,
his birthday.
Agnes attended Verdigre High School and graduated in 1922. She
attended Wayne State College, intending to teach, but Paul Stoural
changed her mind and on September 26, 1927, she became his bride.
They farmed on Paul’s farm three miles east of Verdigre and were
blessed with three children: Willard, Frances, and Paul, Jr.,
Lillian graduated from Verdigre High School in 1922 and attended
Beauty School in Omaha. She married Stanley Wagner of Tabor, South
Dakota, in 1934. She operated a beauty shoppe for many years before
she married, then continued working in Tabor, South Dakota, until
they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, because he became Supreme
Secretary of the Catholic Workmen. He remained in this position for
40 years before retiring. They have five children: Gervis, James,
Nathan, Guedelia Ann, and Jovita.
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