ALBERT AND MARY [JIROUSEK] VAKOC
Albert Vakoc was born at Verdigre, Nebraska, on October 19, 1889.
His parents were Joseph and Mary (Jedlicka) Vakoc. They came to
America from Bohemia in 1884 with their two eldest sons, John and
Joe. They migrated to Verdigre, Nebraska, and settled on a farm
northeast of Verdigre. Albert had six brothers, John, Joe, Jim,
Frank, Jerry and Charles, and two sisters, Mary Vakoc Lentner, and
Martha, who died in infancy. Albert attended elementary and high
school at Verdigre where he grew to manhood. He was a member of the
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and belonged to the Catholic Sokol
Lodge participating in gymnastics. He was also a member of the
Catholic Workmen.
[pg 436 photo Albert and Mary Vakoc]
Albert’s father died on February 24, 1919, and his mother died March
24, 1922.
Mary Jirousek was born at Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1888.
Her parents were Frank and Anna (Cerny) Jirousek who came to America
from Bohemia in 1872, settling at Chicago, Illinois, where Anna was
employed by a German doctor. In 1892 they migrated to Verdigre and
settled on a homestead which the government offered at that time.
The farm was located east of Verdigre. Mary had a brother Jerry and
one sister who died in infancy. (Jerry was Verdigre’s well-known
Santa Claus for many years). Mary attended school at District No. 93
and at the Academy at Creighton. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus
Catholic Church and belonged to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Sodality Organization. She grew to womanhood, helping her
parents at home.
[pg 437 photo The Adolph and Alta Vakoc family, back row [left[:
Warren Jessen, Mary Vakoc, Russell Marshall, Betty Marshall, Daniel
Vakoc. Middle: Patricia with Rebekah, Alta Vakoc, Adolph Vakoc,
Wilma Vakoc, Tracy Vakoc. Front: Christopher Jessen, Jeff Vakoc,
Holly Marshall, and Lesley Vakoc. [Not pictured is Laura Marshall.]
Albert and Mary were married January 23, 1912, at St. Wenceslaus
Church by Rev. Charles Petlach. Attendants were Mary (Vakoc) Lentner
and Jerry Vakoc. Albert was employed as foreman on the Chicago
Northwestern Railroad. They began their married life in Verdigre
where they built a beautiful new home in 1913 for $1200. A son was
born to them and died in infancy on March 2, 1914. In 1915 another
son, Henry, was born to them and a daughter, Anne, arrived on August
24, 1918. Hard times struck and Albert and Mary had to move to the
home farm of Mary’s parents who had retired to Verdigre. They rented
the farm for several years and finally purchased it. Here another
daughter, Blanche, was born o February 12, 1921. Later another son,
Adolph, arrived on May 9, 1925. Albert and Mary raised cattle, hogs,
and chickens and ducks, and farmed the land with the help of the
family.
Albert was elected to the Knox County ASC Committee and worked in
Center, Nebraska, for many years as Knox County Chairman. He was
responsible for conservation of land and the building of dams on the
farms in Knox County. He was treasurer of School District 93 for
many years and served on the Verdigre Township Board also. Mary
cared for the home and family and raised a garden and flowers.
In 1946 it became necessary for Mary’s parents to come and live with
Mary and Albert due to ill health. Anna Jirousek died January 1,
1948, and Frank Jirousek died November 25, 1948.
Albert retired from his Knox County ASC chairmanship job in 1951 and
they purchased the Reynold Fuchtman farm house and moved it to an
acreage on their farm where they retired, turning the farm over to
their son, Adolph, and his wife, Alta (Jensen) Vakoc, in 1952. On
this acreage Albert and Mary raised a huge garden, fruit trees,
grapes, and flowers, and enjoyed life, giving away much of the
produce to their families, neighbors, and friends.
In 1957 Albert and Mary celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary at
the home of their daughter Blanche and son-in-law Rudy Julis with
all the families and Albert’s brothers and their wives attending.
In 1960 Mary had a heart attack and after spending nine weeks at the
Lundberg Memorial Hospital in Creighton she came to stay at the home
of her daughter Blanche, along with her husband, Albert. Here she
passed away on October 14, 1960.
Albert lived alone for a few years and later moved to a mobile home
near his son, Adolph, where he passed away following a heart attack
on February 22, 1971.
Pages 436, 437
