JERRY AND NORA GRACE [SCHREIER] VAKOC
Jerry Edward Vakoc was the sixth child born to Joseph Vakoc, Sr.,
and Marie Jedlicka on September 26, 1892. He spent his younger days
working on the family farm and attending country school. He
graduated from Verdigre High School about 1911.
He married Nora Schreier on June 20, 1917, in Pierce, Nebraska. Nora
was the daughter of John and Rosie Souhrada Schreier. Jerry and Nora
farmed west of town near Verdel, raising Hereford cattle.
Nora attended Verdigre High School and was a member of the
basketball team, graduating in 1915. She attended college at Wayne
and Lincoln. Jerry attended Wayne College and pursued a boxing
career for a brief time in his younger days. He and his friend, Cleo
Bates, attended many Fourth of July celebrations at Bonesteel, South
Dakota - Jerry participating in boxing and Cleo in running. Jerry
put down his gloves in 1922.
Many folks will also remember the catfish dinners and card parties
at the Vakoc farm.
Jerry and Nora retired and moved to town about 1957 and lived in the
home west of the school which was formerly occupied by Nora’s
parents. There they raised many flowers and a big garden and spent
time fishing in their ponds on the family farm where their youngest
son, Bud, and his family lived. They also enjoyed mushroom hunting
and playing cards, including bridge, with neighbors and relatives.
They especially enjoyed visits from their grandchildren.
Jerry and Nora enjoyed extremely good health until the 1970s. Nora
was troubled with a crippling arthritis and Jerry suffered a stroke
in late December of 1972. In January of 1973, they both moved to the
Alpine Village where Jerry still resides. Nora passed away on August
4, 1982.
Jerry and Nora had three sons: Robert, Russell, and Wayne.
All three boys attended country school and graduated from Verdigre
High, Robert and Russell in 1936, and Wayne (Bud) in 1942.
[pg 439 photo Jerry and Nora [Schreier] Vakoc and sons Bob, Russell,
and Wayne [in 1967]
Robert was born living, and attended the University of
Nebraska Ag College for two years. He married Margaret Weiler in
1940 and worked at various jobs before deciding on the construction
business. They had five sons, John, Robert, Jr., and Roger, who
lived to adulthood, and twins, Larry and Gary, died at birth in
1944. John attended Wayne College and married Carolyn Groeling,
daughter of Neal and Pearl Groeling of Verdigre. They have one
daughter, Christine, who is married to Hugh Jager. Robert, Jr.,
married Judith McMahan and they have two daughters, Robin and
Regina. Little Robert III died at birth. They own and operate a
furniture store in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Robin is married to Mark
Willard and they have a daughter, Morgan, who lives in Kansas.
Regina married Scott Porter and lives in Iowa. Roger married
Gertrude Peed and has one step-daughter, Heather. They live in Iowa.
Bob and Margaret divorced in 1958. He married Adeline Qualcet in
1959. Adeline has one son, Calvin, who lives in Davies, California.
Bob and Addie, together with Bob’s son John established the “Vakoc
Construction Co.” and moved from Lincoln to Wayne, Nebraska. Bob
passed away December 13, 1980, and John and Carolyn continue to
operate the construction company, building many lovely homes and
business places in Wayne and the surrounding area. Bob and his
company built the Czech Alps low-rent housing facility in Verdigre
in 1965.
Russell, born living, graduated with Bob and worked with
his parents on the farm until his enlistment in the Air Corps in
1943. He married Leatrice Pavlik in 1943 and after his discharge
they lived in Medford, Oregon, raising a family of five boys, Jerry,
Douglas, Martin, Dennis, and Randy.
Wayne, born living, worked on his folks’ farm after
graduation until his enlistment in 1951 in the Seabees in which he
served until 1954. He married Marceline Kosek in 1957 and they
continued to farm the home place until they moved to town to reside
in Marcie’s parental home in the north part of Verdigre.
Marce is the daughter of Gene and Minnie Stoural Kosek. Gene was
from New Ulm, Minnesota, and was employed at the Verdigre Creamery
for many years. Marce graduated in 1946 and attended nursing school
at Sacred Heart in Yankton, graduating in 1951. She did some
traveling and worked in different cities, some in California, and
some closer to home, including Neligh. She is the head of the
nursing department at Alpine Village, a position she has held since
its very beginning in 1972. After their marriage, Marce stayed close
to home, raising five children: Joseph, Mary Pat, Greg, Steve and
Brian. Joseph was born in living and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mary Pat, who was born in living, married Rod Wieber and they have two
sons, Colin and Ryan. They live in Norfolk, Nebraska. Greg was born
in living and married Kathy Haverkamp, daughter of Norman (Ted) and
Donna Mae Haverkamp. They have one daughter, Amara, and a son, Adam.
Steve was born in living and married Joan Hargens. They have one
daughter, Jodi, and a son, Jared. They live in Creighton where Steve
is the Chief of Police. Brian was born in living and lives in St.
Louis, Missouri.
-Submitted by Leatrice Vakoc
Page 439
