Saturday, April 9, 2016

Dorchester's Olga Bruha Passes At 98; Services Wednesday


Olga Bruha, age 98, of Dorchester passed away peacefully with family by her side on April 6, 2016. She was born August 5, 1917 to Louis and Mary (Kotil) Nejdl, the second of six children, on a farm near Western, Neb. in Saline County. She attended rural school, District #52, and attended Friend High School through the 9th grade.

At the age of 11, she lost her mother to scarlet fever. Her grandparents moved to the farm for two years to take care of the family. At this time, she was taught how to cook, clean, and take over the family duties at the young age of 13.

On April 20, 1937, she married Emil R. Bruha, Jr., from Dorchester. They met at a polka dance at Tabor Hall. After marriage, they farmed for 18 years southwest of Dorchester and later moved into town with their three daughters, Jeanette, Joan and Judy.

She loved flowers, especially red tulips and roses, and over the years in the spring and summer many bloomed in her back yard. While living on the farm, she worked very hard, milking cows, raising chickens and geese to put food on the table. She always had fruit trees and a huge garden which included lots of canning. Cooking and baking kolaches was a specialty of hers. She was a 4-H leader for several years teaching girls the charm of homemaking. Losing her mother early in life made her the best mother ever to her three daughters.

Olga was employed by Formfit Rogers in Crete as a machine operator for 25 and 1/2 years. She received her gold watch from the company, of which she was very proud of. She also was a member of WFLA Lodge #74 (Tabor Hall) and held an office and helped with activities for 20 years. She received her 75 year pin in 2012 and received her certificate of Honorary Member at the age of 96.

After she retired from Formfit, she loved to travel and visit relation. She visited many states including several states on the west coast and one highlight of her life was taking a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and seeing the great Hoover Dam. Another fun trip was visiting New York state where her oldest daughter lived at the time, touring the Niagara Falls and Letchworth Park that the WPA built. 

Preceded in death by her parents, husband; Emil, parents-in-law; Joe and Blanche Bruha, brothers; Louis, Milo and Emil Nejdl, sister; Irene Wagner, sisters-in-law; Libby Beelar and Evelyn Jirsa.

Olga will be greatly missed by her daughters and families. Surviors include: Daughters; Jeanette Roat and Ron Labenze of Shickley, Joan and Dale Frahm of Dorchester, and Judy and Jack Daniel of rural Denton. Grandchildren and spouses; Steve and Caryn Roat of Stanley, New York; Lynn and Jay Slover of Conesus, New York; Dave Frahm and Nancy Brandt of Seward; Lisa and Ed Moore of Milford; Doug and Kathy Frahm of Elmwood; Jason and Kristin Daniel of Gretna; and Justin Daniel of rural Pleasant Dale; 15 Great-Grandchildren will always remember and miss their dear great-grandmother; sister and brother-in-law; Bertha and Leonard Musilek of Prague, Neb., sisters-in-law; Olga Nejdl of Crete, and Lois Nejdl of Idaho; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. with family greeting friends 5-6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Dorchester Cemetery. Memorials care of the family for future designation. Condolences may be left here.

1 comment:

  1. Much sympathy to Olga's daughters and the rest of her family. We need more Olga's in the world and in our town.

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