Home Improvement Award Winners For 2023

Readers may remember the Dorchester Times in the past has named properties throughout town as recipients of our Home Improvement Awards.

We last did this in 2018, when we bestowed our Home Improvement Awards to properties on Dorchester's east side. So it has been a while.

Earlier this week, members of the Dorchester Times staff took a long walk through our village and added to our list of improved homes that stand out -- homes owned by property owners who deserve to be recognized for their investment in our community. 

Here are the Times' Home Improvement Award winners for 2023:

Large House Category - 600 W 9th St.: Over the past year, this has become one of Dorchester's most notable homes. The owners continue their mission to improve our community one house at a time. Simply said, this isn't their first rodeo. Their eye for detail is complemented by impeccable taste. As this stately property continues to undergo its impressive transformation, we say kudos to the hard-working owners who are renovating this standout home. At this time, we are not certain whether this house will be occupied by the owners or if it will soon be listed.

Smaller House Category - 203 Washington Ave.: This renovation deserves recognition because the owners have established a model for how to make the most of a smaller property and grow its value to the maximum. Not only has the home been improved and the living space been expanded, but this property boasts one of the best gardens in Saline County. The home is a Sears and Roebuck house, according to our records, built in the early 1900s -- so it has an interesting history as well. A big Times thumbs-up for these owners.

If you feel we should consider other properties for the Times' Home Improvement Award, email us at Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Dorchester's Construction Boom Continues

Construction Boom Continues: Dorchester's construction boom of 2023 continues as more improvements are occurring on Dorchester's main street. This week, major renovations were completed to the former Sehnert's Ford Garage on the corner of Washington Ave. and East 8th St. The large windows were replaced and a second overhead door was added. The last time the building was used in active commercial activity was 1975, according to our records. Current owner L.J. Barley, owner of Barley's Specialties, is reportedly planning to use the building as part of his operations.

DHS Football Kicks Off With 59-26 Win: The Dorchester football team opened its 2023 campaign with an emphatic statement, posting a 59-26 victory over St. Edward at Nerud Field on Aug. 25. DHS opened the floodgates with 32 points in the third quarter, demonstrating that they know the six-man game. The Longhorns get a week off before heading to Red Cloud on Sept. 8.

Lady Longhorns Open Season With Two Victories: The DHS volleyball team has earned its first two wins of the season, defeating St. Edward and East Butler this week. The Orange and Black Attack beat St. Edward in three straight sets, while beating East Butler 3-1. On Thursday, Aug. 31, Dorchester travels to Weeping Water for a triangular that includes the host and Palmyra, both of which are Class C teams.

Big Rain Hits Saline County: There are reports of some area rain gauges overflowing as northern portions of Saline County and southern Seward County received between 3 inches to six inches in the past 24 hours. See these precipitation maps. There are reports from Dorchester with rainfall exceeding five inches since Friday night. This latest round of rain is likely to make a big dent in the next drought monitor report.

Longhorn Journalism Students Take Broadcasting Honors: DHS' Jacob Cerny and Ariana Tellez received gold honors for best public service announcement video in the high school division of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association’s Pinnacle Awards held Aug. 9 in in LaVista. Watch the video here.

Dorchester Times Nears 50,000 Visits in 30 Days: Over the past 30 days, this modest little blog has attracted 47,595 visits. Thank you readers.

BBQ Food Truck Coming Monday: The Pork's Done BBQ food truck will be downtown to serve Dorchester on Monday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here's the menu.

DHS Football Season Kicks Off This Friday

It's time to don your orange and black! 

Dorchester High School's 2023 football season kicks off this Friday night, Aug. 25 at beautiful Nerud Field. 

The mighty Longhorns will do battle with the Beavers beginning at 7 p.m.

This is the sixth year of six-man football at Dorchester in the modern era. Just a few season ago, DPS revamped Nerud Field with a new lighting system. This year, a new field box will greet Longhorn fans.

Insiders say this year's DHS team is short on numbers but strong on experience. Expect a smart game plan for every contest, our sources say.

Here is the 2023 schedule:

Dorchester's football program has shown signs of strength after returning to Nerud Field six years ago and going to six-man. In 2020, DHS finished the year at 6-3, making the state playoffs. But in 2021, the Longhorns stumbled, going 1-7 due to injuries and low participation numbers. Last year was another tough sled with a 2-6 record. (DHS was 4-4 in its 2019 campaign and 3-5 in 2018.)

To be competitive, DHS will need to stay healthy. Stand by for season six of Longhorn six-man ball.

Dorchester's Missing Yearbooks

For alumni and former students of Dorchester Public School, the online collection of DPS yearbooks -- available at dorchesterschool.org -- is a great resource.

At the school's website, visitors will find nearly 75 years of school annuals, each filled with the names, faces, and memories of yesteryear. 

Unfortunately, since the creation of the online yearbook section in 2013, there has always been a missing era, with no sign of the 1940-46 editions.

Of course, from 1941-45, the nation was largely focused on World War II, but we are confident that some type of publications were produced to recognize the senior classes of those years. 

The fact that many alumni from these missing years served in WWII would make the addition of materials from 1940-46 a noteworthy tribute.

When the Dorchester Public School and the DHS Alumni Association teamed up to put all the DPS yearbooks on the school website, they had assistance from older alumni. It was a huge undertaking -- and expensive, costing around $4,000, according to our research. Also online is the 1981 Dorchester Centennial history book.

We're certain that every effort was made to find yearbooks or other publications from the 1940-46 yearbooks. But perhaps with the help of the Dorchester Times readership, the alumni association and school staff can put something online to recognize the DHS graduates from these years.

If you know of any publication -- yearbook or otherwise -- that recognizes the DHS senior classes 1940-1946, please contact the school at (402) 946-2781 or touch base with DHS Alumni Association leaders (Brad and Donna Havlat). 

Honoring the classes of 1940-46 would be a nice touch to a great online collection of DHS history.

DHS Volleyball Set To Launch 2023 Campaign

The Dorchester High School volleyball team is ready to begin a new season. 

And there's talk that this year's Lady Longhorns could be a serious contender for the state volleyball tournament in Class D1.

Following a 15-13 finish last year, Dorchester volleyball is returning all of its 2022 starters. The team is loaded with upperclassmen talent, as well as strong talent from the sophomore class. 

One insider who follows high school volleyball closely told the Times: "This Dorchester team has the talent, the experience, the heart, and the depth to go far this year. On paper, they should win 70 percent of their games. Frankly, I'd be shocked if this group isn't among the best teams in Class D. The sky is the limit."

DHS fans will know in short order how this Longhorn team stacks up. The team is scheduled to play four contests before Sept. 1, with the first match taking place at East Butler next Thursday, Aug. 24.

Here is the 2023 DHS volleyball schedule (home games in bold):

08/24/23 @ East Butler (Class D1)

08/25/23 St. Edward (D2) 

08/31/23 Palmyra (C1)                 Triangular (host: Weeping Water)

08/31/23 Weeping Water (C2)     Triangular (host: Weeping Water)

09/05/23 College View Academy (D2) 

09/07/23 Hampton (D2)                 Triangular (host: Giltner)

09/07/23 Giltner (D2)                 Triangular (host: Giltner)

09/07/23 Giltner (D2)                     Triangular (host: Giltner)

09/08/23 @ Red Cloud (D1) 

09/12/23 Cedar Bluffs (C2)            Triangular (host: Nebraska Lutheran)

09/12/23 Nebraska Lutheran (D2) Triangular (host: Nebraska Lutheran)

09/15/23 @ Harvard (D2)

09/19/23 @ Osceola (D1)

09/21/23 Shelby/Rising City (D1)    Triangular (host: Shelby/Rising City)

09/21/23 High Plains Community (D2)     Triangular (host: Shelby/Rising City)

09/23/23 Omaha Christian Academy (D2)     Triangular (host: Nebraska Lutheran)

09/23/23 Nebraska Lutheran (D2)     Triangular (host: Nebraska Lutheran)

09/23 (To Be Determined) Nebraska Lutheran Tournament (4-Team Round Robin)

09/26/23 Sterling (D2) 

09/28/23 Diller-Odell (D1)            Triangular (host: Diller-Odell)

09/28/23 Meridian (D2)                Triangular (host: Diller-Odell)

10/05/23 Cross County (C2)

10/09/23 @ Parkview Christian (D2)

10/10/23 McCool Junction (D1)    Triangular (host: Dorchester)

10/10/23 BDS (D1)                         Triangular (host: Dorchester)

10/14-10/17  To Be Determined - Crossroads Conference Tournament in York

NEWS ROUND-UP: Foundation Pork Feed This Sunday, Aug. 13

Community Foundation Pork Feed, Aug. 13: Readers should note that there's been a change in venue for the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund's annual pork feed this Sunday, Aug. 13 with serving beginning at 4:30 p.m. The feed will be held at the Dorchester American Legion Hall and Community Hall, not the city park, due to a strong chance of storms. Get ready for pork ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, pork and beans, coleslaw, and more! It's a free-will offering meal. Read more at News Channel Nebraska.

Tellez Appointed to Dorchester Village Board: Nancy Tellez has been appointed to the Dorchester Village Board. She was sworn in Monday, Aug. 7, filling the seat of Eric Bird, who resigned from his term last month. Tellez brings good experience when it comes to municipality operations; she is the acting city clerk for the City of Crete and the former director of community assistance.

Survey Finds More Young People Want Small-Town Life:  A new survey of rural Nebraska young people reveals that a sizable majority (64%) say they want to live in small towns. At the same time, many (76%) say they also feel like they don’t play a role in the communities they live in. The survey’s positive feedback shows that participants desire the aspects of what Nebraska already offers: small towns that provide safety, good schools, and proximity to family. Read more in the Omaha World-Herald.

Dorchester's Construction Boom Of 2023

In 2007, Dorchester experienced a construction boom.

Then just seven years later, in 2014, the village experienced another one.

Now, in 2023, it's happening yet again.

The lesson here: Never give up on Dorchester. Never.

The construction boom of 2023 is a sound combination of public and private projects. (We always raise our collective eyebrows when elected officials call taxpayer-funded public projects "economic development.") 

Moreover, the projects are aimed at enhancing Dorchester's main street, athletics program, and first-responders' capabilities.

Fire Department Expansion

After decades of no exterior changes or additions to the Dorchester Fire Hall, the fire and rescue department will be nearly doubling their facility space as a new addition is going in as we write this report.

Village taxpayers are funding the construction, which should not only boost the capabilities of the volunteers, but will also enhance the appearance of south main street (Washington Ave.). 

The site of the new project has been vacant since the early 1990s when a residence that once stood there was torn down.

Nerud Field

A fresh new look will greet those who attend Dorchester Longhorn football games and other activities at beautiful Nerud Field this fall. Dorchester Public School has replaced the old "crow's nest" with a very large field box on the west side of the field. 

Dorchester-based BZ Construction is erecting the new project, which comes after other improvements in recent years such as new lights and a new scoreboard. The large structure will not only house announcers and media during games, it will also provide an ample amount of storage for the football program and grounds crew.

In addition to the new field box is new fencing on the south end of the field, just beyond the long jump strip. This welcome addition will not only help parents ensure kids don't escape the confines of Nerud Field, the fencing will also keep trespassers out of neighbor's property. A common-sense and long overdue project. 

Main Street Building

As reported by this blog, the old Dorchester Telephone Building was torn down last fall to make room for a new building -- one that could potentially house up to four businesses, according to inside sources. 

However, progress on the building was delayed for nearly 8 months for unknown reasons, and passers-by saw only a framed structure on the site.

This week, progress on the new building has resumed with a flurry of activity. At this pace, the new building should be finished in no time, adding a place for new commerce and jobs on the village's major thoroughfare. 

This blog does not have any details to offer about what business may be inhabiting the new space.

Readers with updates on any of these projects should feel free to leave comments below.

Developing...

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Fall Sports Preview, Aug. 17

Fall Sports Preview, Scrimmages are Aug. 17: Dorchester Public School kicks off a new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 16. And that means Longhorn fans are already flashing their Hook 'em Horns hand signs and breaking out the orange and black attire. On Thursday, Aug. 17, DHS will host its annual Fall Sports Preview, with a free-will donation meal at 5:30 p.m. and an introduction to the football and volleyball team members at 6 p.m. The DHS volleyball scrimmage will take place at 6:15 p.m., with the football scrimmage following at 7:30 p.m. (Fans are encouraged to bring sports drinks or water to donate for the kids' seasons.)

Information Packet for New School Year: If you haven't already, parents need to read this 46-page information packet to prepare for the new school year. It includes school supply lists, information on school lunches, key dates for the school year, and more.

16 Acres for Sale South of Dorchester: Looking for some country land to build your dream home? South of Dorchester and west of Pleasant Hill, 16 acres are for sale for $150,000 at the intersection of County Roads 1300 and I. See the listing.

Foundation Pork Feed, Aug. 13: The Dorchester Community Foundation Fund will hose its annual pork feed on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. in the Dorchester City Park. Get ready for pork ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, pork and beans, coleslaw, and more! It's a free-will offering meal. 

Wednesdays are Cards Night at Eastside: Ready to cut the cards? Five-point pitch games take place every Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. Be sure to brush up on your game and get ready for good times with Dorchester-area friends.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Strong Numbers at Dorchester Youth Football Camp

Strong Numbers at Dorchester Youth Football Camp: The future of Dorchester football looks promising. Earlier this month, 20 Dorchester boys participated in the DPS Youth Football Camp, where the school's future football talent pipeline was developed. With numbers like these, could 8-man football return soon to Nerud Field?

DPS Calendar for 2023-24: The start of the new school year is only about three weeks away. The first day of school at Dorchester Public School is Aug. 16. See the new school year calendar overview.

Free Domestic Drinking Water Tests: High nitrates, E.coli bacteria, and other elements in drinking water pose real hazards to health. Free water tests for private domestic and livestock wells are available through the Lower Big Blue NRD. Call (402) 228-3402 to request a nitrate test bottle or to discuss other tests available for a small fee.

Aug. 3 Deadline to Apply for Village Board: According to an official notice, Eric Bird resigned from his term on the Dorchester Village Board on July 7. The village is now seeking a qualified registered voter who resides full time in Dorchester's village limits. A qualified applicant will need to be be nominated, as provided by law, by the board chairman, for approval by the full village board, to fill the vacancy. The remainder of the four year term will end Dec. 2, 2024. If you are interested in being nominated to fill the vacancy, drop off or mail a letter of interest and resume to the Village Clerk Jennifer Kasl, 701 Washington Ave., PO Box 287, Dorchester, NE 68343. Letters and resumes must be received no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3.

Nebraska's U.S. Senators, Congressmen Visit Dorchester

In an update on consideration of the new federal farm bill -- which provides hundreds of millions of dollars for food programs, as well as farmer incentives and producer safety net programs -- U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith reports Nebraska's congressional delegation recently visited Dorchester's Weber Feedyards.

"The delegation started our day of listening sessions at Weber Feedyards in Dorchester, joined by representatives from the Nebraska Cattlemen," Smith writes. "There, we examined challenges faced by the beef industry – including the need to address our country’s workforce shortage. While Nebraska currently leads the nation with our low unemployment rate, the civilian workforce participation rate is a more accurate representation of the strength of our workforce. 

"This shows we must incentivize and encourage opportunity for the workers currently on the sidelines of our economy to take advantage of good job openings across the state."

Read the congressman's full report.

FLASHBACK: Dorchester's Home Improvement Awards

Readers may remember that the Dorchester Times in the past has named several properties throughout town as recipients of our Home Improvement Awards.

The last time we did this was 2018, when we bestowed our Home Improvement Awards to properties on Dorchester's east side. At the time, we wrote that property owners need to be celebrated when they invest in their homes and their community. Here's a look back to what we said:

Washington Ave. and East 10th St.: This home is currently undergoing one of the more impressive home improvements we've seen in some time. The owner took one of Dorchester's most historic homes, since it belonged to the well-known Dr. Panter, and has given it an eye-catching makeover. Both exterior and landscape improvements have slowed traffic driving past this home in recent weeks. Kudos to these proud Dorchester residents for owning and renovating a great place!

East 10 St. and Lincoln Ave.: This renovation deserves recognition throughout the state. Those who has driven on East 10th Street over the past few years have noticed the impressive restoration of one of Dorchester's most historic homes -- the transformation of the former estate of Dorchester pioneer W.J. Thompson. This 3,000 sq. ft. home, built in 1901, is an intriguing piece of Nebraska's past as it was the site of Dorchester's famous Elmwood Pony Farm, reportedly the largest pony farm west of the Mississippi. The mansion is now home to Dorchester's The Well, which offers alternative and holistic health services and products, including massages, aromatherapy health, essential oils, soaps and lotions, crafts -- even yoga class. What's old is amazing and new again!

Now that it's 2023, let us know who deserves the Times' Home Improvement Award for this year. Leave your comments below, or email them to Dorchester.Times@gmail.com.

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS' New Crow's Nest Going Up

New, Improved Crow's Nest Going Up at Nerud Field: There will be a fresh new look this fall for those who attend Dorchester Longhorn football games and other activities at beautiful Nerud Field. Dorchester Public School's social media reports the "crow's nest" is well on its way to completion. Dorchester-based BZ Construction is erecting the new project, which comes after other improvements in recent years such as new lights and a new scoreboard.

Dorchester Youth Basketball Camp is July 27-28: Kids, get ready to work on your b-ball skills! On July 27-28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days, Dorchester Public Schools is hosting a youth basketball camp for all kids going into grades 1 through 8. There's no need to sign up -- and the camp will be free. Just show up the day of the camps and be ready to learn from the high school coaches and athletes. Questions? Contact Coach Brandon Bruha at brandon.bruha@dorchesterschool.org.

DHS Volleyball Takes Division Crown at Concordia: The official start of the new volleyball season is still six weeks away, but DHS is off to a great start in the preseason. The Lady Longhorns varsity team, under the guidance of Coach White, and Coach Clouse, took first place in their division at the Concordia University Volleyball Camp last week, giving Longhorn fans plenty of reasons for optimism for the official 2023 campaign.

Village of Dorchester Board Vacancy: According to an official notice, Eric Bird resigned from his term on the Dorchester Village Board on July 7. The village is now seeking a qualified registered voter who resides full time in Dorchester's village limits. A qualified applicant will need to be be nominated, as provided by law, by the board chairman, for approval by the full village board, to fill the vacancy. The remainder of the four year term will end Dec. 2, 2024. If you are interested in being nominated to fill the vacancy, drop off or mail a letter of interest and resume to the Village Clerk Jennifer Kasl, 701 Washington Ave., PO Box 287, Dorchester, NE 68343. Letters and resumes must be received no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3.

Lois Nohavec Passes At 74

Lois Eileen (Skrdlant) Nohavec of rural Crete passed away after a short battle with cancer on July 7 at Tabitha in Crete at the age of 74. She was born in Red Cloud on May 4, 1949, the second of five children to Irvin and Marjorie (Duval) Skrdlant.

Lois grew up on the family farm west of Doniphan and attended Doniphan High School, graduating in 1968. Following high school, she attended Bryan College of Nursing in Lincoln. During that time, she met the love of her life, Kenny Nohavec, at a dance in Hastings and they have been dancing together ever since. Days after graduating from Bryan, they were united in marriage on August 15, 1970. They made their home on the Nohavec family home place west of Crete where Kenny grew up. They enjoyed their time on the farm raising cows, chickens, ducks, corn, kids, and grandkids.

Shortly into their marriage they were blessed with their three children, Kristi, Cindy, and Mike. In addition to being a full-time homemaker and raising kids, Lois also held two other full-time jobs: being a registered nurse and farmer’s wife. She spent many hours helping Kenny with hauling grain during harvest and handling the farming books. When the grandchildren came along, she added part-time babysitter to her resume. Lois loved all six of her grandkids dearly and was so proud of them. She was regularly seen at school and sporting events cheering them on. She passed her love of cooking and baking to each of them, and they all enjoyed baking rolls and kolache alongside Grandma at a very young age, learning her magic touch.

Lois was very active in many community organizations and activities through the decades. These include being a permanent member of the August-Vanek Dorchester American Legion Auxiliary Unit #264, a club leader for the Crete Creative 4-H group, the Wannanoit Extension Club, and a member of the Dorchester United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and played the organ for the past 30+ years. She was honored by the Dorchester Women of Faith last fall with the Special Mission Recognition Pin for her years of service & leadership. Lois & Kenny enjoyed dancing throughout their entire marriage, with polka dancing being their favorite. Their polka family saw them almost weekly at local & regional afternoon dances and at weekend festivals across Nebraska and across 10 different states as they followed “their bands”.

In July of 2021, Lois retired from the Crete Hospital after 51 years of service. She started as a floor and emergency room nurse in 1970 right after graduating from Bryan. When they added the cardiac rehab program downstairs at the old hospital, she transferred to that unit. A few years later she realized she missed her patients and co-workers, and she went back to the surgery floor. Lois was a very dedicated, skilled, compassionate nurse and over the years many people would comment on how lucky they were that they had her as their nurse, or that they worked under her or beside her, learning from her voice of experience.

Lois is survived by her husband Kenneth, children Kristi Nohavec of Omaha, Cindy (Darin) Kotas of Western, and Michael (Amanda) Nohavec of rural Crete. Grandchildren Michelle, Megan, & Amber Kotas and Benjamin, Garrett, & Camille Nohavec; Brothers Ray (Mary Jo) Skrdlant, Russ (Teresa) Skrdlant, and Duane (Sue) Skrdlant;  Sister-in-laws Jane Bolling, Sharon (Harold) Axline, Aris (Bill) Rut, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Irvin and Marjorie Skrdlant, in-laws Stan and Judy Nohavec, brother Marvin Skrdlant, and niece Rebecca Skrdlant.

Visitation is Wednesday, July 19, 5-8 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. A memorial service will be Thursday, July 20, 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home. Memorials in lieu of flowers to be designated at a later date. See the obituary online here.

Dorchester Polka Party At Eastside, July 16

Are you ready for polka? It's that time again.

Back by popular demand, Eastside Bar and Grill is hosting a big-time polka dance on July 16. 

Live music will be provided by Brad Husak, which cranks out traditional Czech polkas and waltzes, from accordion solos to five-piece full-band melodies.

The special will include: pork, Kraut, dumplings, dressing, gravy, vegetables, and rye bread.

The event will kick off at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. (or later if the rowdies demand it). 

Come dance to your favorite polka; or just sit and listen to the entertainment and catch up with friends.

In the meantime, here's a little trivia: Polka originated as a Czech peasant dance. Historic folklore has it that a peasant girl named Anna Slezak invented the steps one day for her own amusement. The word “pulka” is derived from the Czech phrase for “half-step,” which refers to the dance pattern of lightly stepping from one foot to the other.

Dorchester's Gerald Pierce Passes At Age 88

Dorchester's Gerald E. Pierce, 88, passed away July 5 at his home in town. 

He was born May 5, 1935 to Clyde & Helen Iva (Whitcomb) in Hastings. 

Services will be Monday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Dorchester.  

Public viewing will be Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.

Memorials may be sent to the Dorchester American Legion. 

Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery with military rites by Fairbury VFW.  

Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. See the obituary online.

Dorchester's Richard Kasl Passes At Age 87

Richard L. Kasl passed away on July 2 at Crete Area Hospital at the age of 87 years. He was born on the family farm near Tabor Hall on August 12, 1935 to George, Sr. and Emma (Rezabek) Kasl.  

Richard attended Mount Pleasant Country School until the 8th grade, and then helped on the family farm.  He served in the Army National Guard for several years. On May 10, 1955, Richard and Darlene Kotas were united in marriage and made their home place near Tabor Hall.  They were blessed with their only son, Marvin R. Kasl, on July 16, 1957. 

Richard was a member of Tabor Hall and August Vanek American Legion Post #264. He enjoyed listening to polka music and every Sunday to the All Star Polka Show. Darlene passed away on September 14, 1984. Richard later met Shirley Ladman and on March 19, 1993 they were married and made their home in Dorchester.  

Richard is survived by his wife Shirley of 30 years; son Marvin and wife Sharon of Dorchester; granddaughter Katie Jo Kasl of Phoenix, Arizona; grandson Brent Marvin Kasl of Dorchester; Stepson Allen Ladman and wife Karen; stepdaughter Sharon Slama and families; brother Robert Kasl and wife Marva of Dorchester; sisters in law Shirley Kasl and Evelyn Kasl, both of Dorchester; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents in law: Edward and Marie Kotas; sisters and brothers in law: Evelyn and Elmer Branzovsky; Helen and Edward Halada, Dorothy and Lumir Kotas, Gladys and Warren Burda; brothers and sisters in law: Ed and Rosella Kasl, Frank Kasl, and George Kasl, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Visitation is on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are designated to the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department in lieu of flowers. Click here for the obituary page at Kuncl Funeral Home.