THE JOSEPH W. SUKUP FAMILY
Joseph Wenzel Sukup, son of Wenzel and Barbara Dusek Sukup, was born
June 8, 1882, at Walnut, Nebraska. He received his education in
District 26. He continued to help his parents and learn the farming
procedures. In 1911 he purchased the farm his father homesteaded.
Two years later, on January 22, 1913, Joseph married Lucy Wagner at
Creighton, Nebraska. During this time a full set of buildings was
built on the place to replace the log house, barn and more. The
ground for erecting the buildings had to be leveled with horses and
a small scraper. In 1915 Joseph, with the help of a hired man, dug
in by hand ½ mile of pipe to have running spring water. Also, with
the cooperation of a good neighbor, Joseph bought more land to add
to the unit.
[pg 414 photo The Joseph W. Sukup family, front from left:
Gertrude Sukup Moser, Lucy Sukup, Joseph Sukup, and Alice Sukup
Closter; Back: Philip, Bernard, Paul, and Leonard Sukup]
Joseph and Lucy were the parents of six children, four sons and two
daughters, namely: Leonard, Gertrude, Paul, Alice, Bernard, and
Philip.
Leonard Morris Sukup, the eldest son, was born November 21, 1913. He
married Martha Maria Holan of Verdigre on June 14, 1938. Three
children were born to them. Leonard Sukup passed away April 17,
1980.
Gertrude Marie, the oldest daughter, was born August 2, 1915. She
married Leo John Moser of Creighton on December 27, 1939. They were
the parents of five children. Leo passed away December 12, 1969.
Paul Matthew, the second son, was born July 9, 1917. On June 5,
1944, he married Marcella Frances Kotrous. Three children were born
to them.
Alice Claire, the fourth child, was born August 31, 1920. On
September 3, 1941, she married Marvin Norbert Closter of Creighton
and they had five children.
Bernard George was born November 4, 1921. He married Mildred Rose
Kotrous of Verdigre on January 12, 1946. They are the parents of
three sons.
Philip Joseph, the youngest, was born August 30, 1930. He married
Ruth Morris Kummer of Genoa on January 28, 1958. They have seven
children.
In 1926 Joseph and Lucy moved their family to a farm they purchased
three miles southwest of Creighton to enable their growing children
to receive a religious education. They continued to operate the home
place with outside help and later with their grown children. They
endured many hardships during the depression years, with the
drought, depression, and bank closings. But they did not give up.
They continued to live on their second farm until 1956 (30 years)
when their youngest son took over the place and they moved to town.
Lucy passed away March 22, 1962, at the age of 77. She loved her
flowers.
Joseph died June 21, 1967, less than a week after his 85th birthday.
He loved gardening and his orchard. He and Lucy left behind
beautiful memories with their children, spouses and grandchildren.
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