What Fruit Flies Can Teach Us About Life Insurance

Not much we can learn from fruit

flies, right? Actually when it comes to

planning for the future, they can show

us a lot. There are very few “tomorrows”

for fruit flies (fewer than 30 days for most). Their plans

for the future have to happen now, because they know

how fast time can (eh-hem) fly. We humans may have

longer life spans than fruit flies, but how much longer?

The truth is, we just don’t know.

Fruit flies live knowing the end is always near, so the

word “procrastination” isn’t in their vocabulary. When a

need for life insurance arises, they act fast. You may not

have hundreds of little mouths to feed like fruit flies Frank

and Fran, but it only takes one—

one person who depends on you

financially or otherwise—for you

to need life insurance. You don’t

want to leave the financial future

of your loved ones in jeopardy.

OK, enough about fruit flies. You love your family and want to make sure they’ll

be taken care of, come what may. That means protecting them with life insurance

today. To get started, visit www.insureyourlove.org. It explains who needs life

insurance and provides tools to help you determine how much and what kind of

life insurance might be right for you.

This piece has been reproduced by Western Frateral Life Association with the permission of the Life andHeath Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), a nonpro�t organization dedicated to helping consumersmake smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ �nancial futures. LIFE does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. ©2012 LIFE. All rights reserved.

That’s why life insurance

is such a no-brainer.

We live our lives knowing

the end is never far away.

Don’t miss this web exclusive: See what Frank and Fran have to say about life insurance. At www.insureyourlove.org, you’ll find funny fruit-fly videos as well as answers to the most frequently asked fruit-fly questions!

The Fruit Fly Fables

Vol. 115, No. 3 • Established 1897 • March 15, 2012

(standing l-r) Aundrea Tilot, Kayla Kudick, and Kayla Schweiner, (kneeling l-r) President Amanda Tilot, CeCe Kolarik, Vice President Liz Kolarik, and Treasurer Kristin Pribyl.

2 March 2012

inside this issueFeaturesFacebook Contest Winners.......................2Graduate Drawing ..........................................2OK Scholarship Fund .....................................2Annual Report From Don Nieland ...........3Fraternalist of the Year Application .........3First YELL! Youth Group .........................4-5Member in the News...................................5Additional 50/75-year members ............5Czech Festivals ..............................................5Youth Art Contest.........................................6Lodge Award Winners ................................ 7Kelsey's Korner ............................................14Youth in the News ......................................14

DepartmentsProducers Page ..............................................8Financial Planning .........................................9Kitchen Talk .................................................. 10Calendar ...................................................11-12Spotlight ........................................................ 13Referral Update ........................................... 13Fraternal Focus ...................................... 15-28In Memoriam .........................................29-31December Claims ....................................... 31

Check out these great wfla sponsored organizations

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library: find out upcoming events and special exhibits: www.ncsml.org

WOES FM : The Polka Palace, a non-commercial, educational radio station broadcast from Ovid-Elsie High School, Elsie, MI: www.oe.k12.mi.us

Czech-American TVPO Box 100001, Cape Coral, FL 33910 (708) 813-0028 www.catvusa.com

Czech Radio Programs Cleveland, OHJoe Kocab, WHK Radio 1220 AMSundays from 3:03 to 5 p.m.

Access your certificate infor -mation through our Member Access at: www.wflains.org

WFLA Home Office1900 1 st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402Toll-free 1-877-wflains (935-2467)(319) 363-2653 Fax: (319) 363-8806

Mon. - Thurs., 7:45 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (CST) Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (CST)

Board of Directors

Managem

ent Team

Howard J. Wolfe, Presidente-mail: jwolfe@wflains.org

Craig Van Dyke Senior Vice President and Treasurere-mail: cvdyke@wflains.org

Donald Nieland Vice President of Information Technology and Secretarye-mail: dnieland@wflains.org

Ann Day Freeman, Vice President and Chief Underwritere-mail: aday@wflains.org

Jack Minder, Controllere-mail: jminder@wflains.org

Daniel Anderegg, Manager of Sales and Marketinge-mail: Danderegg@wflains.org

Howard J. Wolfe 120 N 19th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233

District 1, Terry Hynek 2375 County Rd. Q, Wilber, NE 68465 (402) 821-3167 • terryhynek@hotmail.com

District 2, Brenda Osterman 18803 Ibsen Rd, Sparta, WI 54656 (608) 487-2655 • brendaosterman@hotmail.com

District 3, Donald R. Krall 2324 25th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 365-8873 • dkrall@imonmail.com

District 4, Duane J. Jirik Chairman of the Board 1006 3rd St. NE, New Prague, MN 56071 (952) 758-4885 • dajirik@bevcomm.net

District 5, Mary Bradley 200 W. Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879

District 6, Bonita Fillmore 1803 Lancaster Ave, Klamath Falls, OR 97601

District 7, Brad Evans 3345 East Hwy 34, Ennis, TX 75119 (972) 816-9611 • bradleymevans@yahoo.com

Official Organization of Western Fraternal Life Association.

Published monthly by the Home Office of Western Fraternal Life Association: No commercial advertis -ing accepted. Periodical Postage Paid at Cedar Rapids, IA and additional Mailing Office. Post-Master: Send change of address to: Western Fraternal Life Association, 1900 1 st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Printed by Automatic Printing Co. in Omaha, NE (ISSN 0006-9256).

Fraternal ManagerKathryn Chadima

Publications CoordinatorsLinda GroveDarcy Kelley

Kristi Kidd

FraternalHerald

The Oklahoma Scholarship Fund question in 200 words: “In today’s society, what encourages youth to fraternalism?”Also include your name, lodge number, college, and phone number. Please mail applications postmarked by July 15, 2012 to Stacey Ratli�, 10116 Hollyhead Way, Yukon, OK 73099.

Graduate Drawing If you are graduating from high school, college, or technical school, and are a member of Western Fraternal Life Association, we would like to acknowledge you in the June issue of the Fraternal Herald. We will also enter your name in a drawing for three prizes of $100 each. Please send in the completed form by May 15. Mail to: Fraternal Department, Western Fraternal Life Association, 1900 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-5372

I would like to enter my name in the Graduate Drawing. Please Print

Name _____________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

School ____________________________________________________________________

Phone No. _________________________________________________________________

Lodge No. _________________________________________________________________

Mail To: Fraternal Department, Western Fraternal Life Association, 1900 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

All materials must be received by May 15. For more information, call 1-877-wflains.

Facebook Contest Winners Our winners for the Facebook Contest we ran in the January Fraternal Herald

March 2012 3

Annual Report from Donald NielandVice President of Information Technology and Secretary

It is an honor and a pleasure to report to you on behalf of the Administration Department. The XXVII National Convention in Frankenmuth, MI was a success due in large part to the staff and members who committed their time and efforts in many ways. A big “thank you” to everyone involved. Immediately following the National Convention, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws book was revised, printed, and filed with all of the required states. The National Convention Proceedings were transcribed and printed. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the National Convention Proceedings were mailed to all lodges. The Association continues to operate in 18 states with 120 lodges and 39,588 members. I would like to congratulate the 665 75-year and 453 50-year members who will be receiv-ing these honors in 2012. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Association. I would also like to thank all of the members who referred 453 potential new members in 2011 through the Lodge Referral Program. Referrals from current members are our best source for new members. From these referrals, 245 sales have already been made with more possible. More than half of these referrals resulted in sales and new members, and any agent will tell you no other leads have those kinds of results. These referral numbers are up significantly from 2010 and are beginning to make an impact in many lodges! On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to applaud all of the lodges that participated in the Lodge Awards Program in 2011. A total of 102 lodges received awards with 79 achieving Level I status, 9 at Level II and 14 at Level III. Many lodges are performing new activities, which provide a more noticeable presence in their communities. These types of activities are actually marketing their lodges and the Association, which should also help find referrals to fulfill the lodge grant requirements. We are all proud of your accomplishments! The wfla Facebook account was launched in 2011 and currently has 108 fans. If you have not checked this out, I encourage you to do so as it contains current information about many activities and items of interest regarding the Association and lodges. Search for WFLA – Western Fraternal Life Association and sign up to be a fan! The position of Youth Activities Director was created by the Board of Directors and filled by Kelsey Wegner. Kelsey’s bio was printed in the December 2011 Fraternal Herald. She is charged with getting our younger members involved by creating programs designed specifically for the youth of the Association. You will start to meet Kelsey in 2012 as she will be attending lodge, district, and state meetings in your area. You have a dedicated, hard-working staff in the Home Office, and I would like to thank them for their efforts over the past year. Four staff members celebrated special anniversaries in 2011: Programmer Analyst Bruce Copeland - 25 years, Member Service Supervisor Angel Walker - 20 years, Vice President and Chief Underwriter Ann Day - 15 years, and Marketing Representative Shannon Daugherty – 10 years. My wife, Linda, and I are looking forward to meeting many of you in our upcoming travels into each of the districts.

Fraternally,

Donald M. NielandVice President, Information Technology and Secretary

2012 Fraternalist of the Year ApplicationsDue May 1, 2012

Our Fraternalist of the Year Award is an honor presented by the Association to recognize an individual, who through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her lodge, society, and community during the past year. We have many members who do a great deal for our lodges and their communities. Please recognize these individuals by submitting their name and application. The Fraternalist of the Year guidelines and application were mailed to the lodge secretary in the February Secretaries Newsletter and may also be found on our website: www.wflains.org, under lodge forms. The application and photo of the member are due at the Home Office May 1.

4 March 2012

It started with an e-mail from Jodi Kolarik of Lodge 108 in Denmark, WI. She had been working for months on creating a youth group within her lodge. Jodi did research to find out what other non-profit and fraternal organizations were doing to engage their youth and was ready to start something in her lodge. Meanwhile at the Home Office, I was doing much of the same, trying to develop youth programs for the lodges. Jodi contacted me to explain her intent: to create a youth group that can be autonomous from the main lodge, while still promot-ing the fraternal purpose and develop leadership skills in the process. I was working on creating a youth group starter kit at the same time for youth in the lodges to do the same thing. The kit is called the YELL! (Young Engaged Lodge Leaders) Starter Kit, a how-to guide aimed at helping members create a youth group in their lodge. The kit has information on how to recruit young members, how to organize a group, and how to begin doing community service. From then on, Jodi started to kick the YELL! youth group into motion. Jodi found a base of youth to work with starting with her own children, who are members, and expanding to their friends, some of whom are not members. After talking it over with their lodge and getting approval, Jodi was elected to be the youth liaison between the lodge and the youth group. They decided to hold a YELL! youth group kickoff party at their house. Vice President of Information Technology and Secretary Don Nieland and I decided to join in on the festivities to welcome the new group. On February 11 at noon, the first YELL! youth group met. Led by Jodi and husband, Randy (a long time wfla agent), with help from Don and me, the first YELL! youth group officers were elected, bylaws were established, and goals were created. While starting off quiet, the 12 teens grew in enthusiasm and were eager to be elected as officers. A time and date were set for the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned to allow time to do their community service project: decorating sugar cookies to give to the Red Cross, a day care, and a nursing home. This is an exciting first step to get youth involved in the lodges. A huge thank you to Jodi and Randy Kolarik for hosting the event and being the driving forces behind the first ever YELL! youth group in wfla. While lodge 108 is a fantastic beginning, I am sure there are more lodges ready to take this next step. Hopefully some lodges are already beginning to use their young members who have shown interest in the lodge to their fullest potential. My

First YELL! Youth Group Meeting held Saturday, February 11th

Kelsey Wegner, Youth Activities Director

"It’s fun, and kids are looking for stuff to do in the community. It also promotes wfla.” -CeCe Kolarik

role is to try to assist each lodge to develop a youth group. To do that I will need help from the existing lodge through the role of a youth liaison. This role is crucial in creating and maintaining a youth group. The youth liaison should be a member of the lodge who is interested in youth and is willing to take on the task of overseeing the youth group and developing the youth group’s potential. We are encouraging any lodge that is close to being or is ready to start a youth group to contact me at the Home Office. In addition, I will be making calls and visits to lodges to help

generate interest in these youth groups as well. Now is the time to get started, the support at the Home Office is here for you, and we are eager to begin the next chapter with wfla. The transition to involve youth in the lodge is not something that

will be easy, but it is worth it and with the right people, will happen. I look forward to talking with you all soon. If you or your lodge are ready to start a youth group, please contact Kelsey Wegner at kwegner@wflains.org or call the Home Office at 1-877-935-2467 ext. 134.

March 2012 5

Lodge No. 196 in Black River Falls, WI is very proud of the actions of one of its members. Around Christmas time in 2010, member Pat Brauner was called out with his tow truck along Interstate I-94 where a vehicle had left the road. After arriving at the scene, WI State Trooper Craig Larson found the people in the car were in good condition. So they waited for Brauner to arrive. When Brauner arrived and began the process of removing the vehicle, he noticed the occupants appeared to be unresponsive and unconscious. Larson and Brauner immediately removed the occupants from the vehicle, and Larson told Brauner to begin chest compressions on the driver while Larson performed CPR on the three children. Brauner stated he hadn't had any training in CPR and did what the trooper told him to do. The family was later treated at a local hospital and released the same night. After removing the vehicle from the ditch, it was found the exhaust pipe had broken off the vehicle. Pat has also received awards from the WI State Patrol and the WI Department of Transportation.

(l to r) Tess Morgan, from Clear Channel Communications, presents the Community Hero Award during the American Red Cross Brave Hearts and Real Heroes awards dinner held on January 26,

in Eau Claire, WI. Member Pat Brauner and WI State Trooper Craig Larson were recognized for their response in reviving the passengers in a vehicle incident.

MEMBER IN THE NEWS

Additional 75-Year MembersRaymond A. Stranik, Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE

Additional 50-Year MembersDonald Kuncl, Lodge No. 3, Crete, NE

Lodge No. 108 YELL! youth group delivering cookies to a day care center.

Lodge No. 108 YELL! youth group decorating sugar cookies to give to the Red Cross, a day care, and a nursing home.

“Giving youth a program that allows them to be an active member of the community and develop new relationships among their peers is critical to the success of the lodge system. We need to let groups like YELL! define what fraternalism means to their generation and be open to the idea that it probably will be different from what lodges in the past have done. The youth groups are a key component to the future of our organization, and we need to fully support their endeavors.” - Jodi Kolarik

czEcH fESTIvalSMay 5 OK, Prague Kolache Festival, PragueMay 19-20 IA, Houby Days, Cedar Rapids.May 25 TX, 46th Annual National Polka Festival, Ennis.June 14-16 SD, 64th Annual Czech Days Celebration, Tabor.June 15-17 WI, 29th Annual Phillips Czech-Slovak Community

Festival NE, 50th Annual Clarkson Czech Days, Clarkson.July 26/28 NE, 49th Annual Czech Festival, Dwight, NE.Oct. 6 OK, Oklahoma Czech Festival, Yukon, OK.

6 March 2012

Who Can Enter? Any wfla youth member between the ages of 5 and 15.

What Can Be Entered? Any original drawing of your Favorite Summer Activity; no smaller and no larger than 8½" x 11". All entries must be on plain white paper or poster board suitable for mounting. (Do not use tracing or light weight paper).

What Materials Can Be Used? Colored pencils, crayons, water colors, markers, poster paints, ink, oils, or acrylics. No chalk!

General Rules1. Artist must be a member of wfla.2. Entry must be received by May 31, 2012.3. Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final.4. Contestants may submit two entries.5. Contestants can win only one prize.6. Winners will be announced in the August Fraternal Herald.7. Work will be handled at the Home Office with the utmost care and will be returned.

Send all entries and your school photo to: Art Contest Western Fraternal Life Association 1900 First Avenue NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-5372

WFLA reserves the right to reproduce entries.

Youth Art ContestFavorite Summer activity

Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education for all children. Art education develops self-esteem, appreciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with others, and critical thinking skills. These skills are vital to the success of our future leaders, our children. This year our theme is Favorite Summer Activity. Draw your favorite summer activity that you like to do with your friends or family. Be creative in how you picture that activity. Check out our web site with last year's winners www.wflains.org under the contest tab on the left.

How Do I Enter? Entries are due May 31, 2012. Entries need to include a school photo (if possible), along with your name, address, phone number, wfla lodge number, city, and state. Please put your name on the back of your entry and on your photo. Describe what you have drawn on another sheet of paper.

category 1 ages 5-7

First $20 Second $10 Third $5

category 2 ages 8-9

First $25 Second $15 Third $10

category 4 ages 13-15

First $50 Second $30 Third $20

category 3 ages 10-12

First $30 Second $20 Third $15

The Prizes Are

March 2012 7

lodge award Winners The list below indicates the lodges who have received a lodge award for activities performed in 2011. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Management Team, Managers, Agents, and the Home Office staff, I would like to congratulate all the lodges that participated in the lodge award program. Seventy-nine lodges received the Level I Award, nine lodges received the Level II Award, and fourteen lodges received the Level III Award. Fraternally yours, Donald Nieland, Vice President of Information Technology and Secretary

lEvEl I aWaRD california 377 Golden West, Los Angeles, CAcolorado 431 Colorado, Denver, CO

Illinois 330 Pilgrim, Brookfield, ILIowa 7 Cedar, Cedar Rapids, IA 13 Karel IV, Cedar Rapids, IA 85 Iowa, Protivin, IA 160 Klas, Center Point, IA 243 Velehrad, Mason City, IA 262 Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA 400 Four Hundred, Swisher, IA 423 Hawkeye, Cedar Rapids, IA 489 Cedar Valley, Waterloo, IA 500 Five Hundred, Cedar Rapids, IAKansas 19 Novy Tabor, Munden, KS 95 Hvezdnaty Prapor, Timken, KS 121 Trocnov, Caldwell, KS 128 Moravan, Rossville, KS 153 Cesti Vlastenci, Jennings, KS 203 Kansasky Vysehrad, Glasco, KS 246 Western View, Alton, KSlouisiana 260 Kolin, Kolin, LAlower Michigan 225 Michigan, Bannister, MI 242 Owosso, Owosso, MIMinnesota 38 Zare Svobody, Austin, MN 44 Zare Zapadu, Hayward, MN 69 Orel, St. Paul, MN 107 Canby, Canby, MN 127 Owatonna, Owatonna, MN 168 Zahrada Minnesoty, Mahnomen, MN 192 Ledec, Alexandria, MN 219 Boleslav Jablonsky, Strathcona, MN 346 Willow River, Willow River, MN 361 Meadowlands Jr., Meadowlands, MNNebraska 3 Nebraska, Crete, NE 5 Bila Hora, Verdigre, NE

8 Sladkovsky, Verdigre, NE 9 Plzen, Morse Bluff, NE 14 Dennice, Ord, NE 28 Zapadni Svornost, Clarkson, NE 29 Vladislav I, Prague, NE 45 Hvezda Svobody, Omaha, NE 54 Praha-Libuse, Wilber, NE 56 Lipany, Lynch, NE 68 Cecho-Moravan, Brainard, NE 74 Tabor, Dorchester, NE 76 Milligan, Milligan, NE 84 Premysl Otakar II, Table Rock, NE 101 Jan Kollar, Du Bois, NE 112 Slavin, Comstock, NE 152 Cech, Farwell, NE 342 Karlin Junior, Spencer, NE 389 Saline Center, Western, NE 426 Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 437 Loup Valley, Ord, NENorth Dakota 106 Kosobud, Lankin, ND 147 Cesky Zakopnik, Mandan, ND Oklahoma 46 Oklahoma, Prague, OK 109 Laska, Oklahoma City, OKOregan 222 Krasna Budoucnost, Malin, ORSouth Dakota 71 Star of South Dakota, Utica, SD 253 Cechu Vitezstvi, Hamill, SDTexas 446 North Texas, Dorchester, TXWashington 181 Seattle, Seattle, WAWisconsin/Upper Michigan 20 Zapadni Jednota, Whitelaw, WI 32 Samo, Hillsboro, WI108 Verna Laska, Denmark, WI 141 Bratri Novych Hradu, Cadott, WI 142 Verni Bratri, Two Rivers, WI 144 RIP, Mosinee, WI 193 Adams, Adams, WI196 Ratolest Wisconsin, Black Riv. Fls, WI 221 Pokrocilost, Menchalville, WI 236 Nadeje Slovanu, Phillips, WI 332 Northern Star, Weyerhaeuser, WI

355 Severni Cechoslovak, Ladysmith, WI 360 Manitowoc Jr., Manitowoc, WI 365 Kewaunee, Kewaunee, WI 391 Pilsen, Luxemburg, WI 408 City Point, City Point, WI

lEvEl IIlower Michigan 247 Nova Cechie, Flint, MIMinnesota 34 Lumir, Hutchinson, MN 155 Montgomery, Montgomery, MNNebraska 53 Vysehrad, Niobrara, NE 296 Zest, Omaha, NEOklahoma67 Jan Zizka, Yukon, OKSouth Dakota 162 Vesmir, Gregory, SDWisconsin/Upper Michigan 73 Perun, Menominee, MI 126 Ashland, Ashland, WI

lEvEl III aWaRD Iowa 22 Budoucnost, Oxford Jct, IA 39 Fort Dodge, Fort Dodge, IA 104 Cesti Bratri, Clutier, IA 427 Oxford, Oxford, IAMinnesota 2 Cechoslovan, New Prague, MN 10 Cesky Lev, Minneapolis, MN 11 Hopkins, Hopkins, MNNorth Dakota 188 Hodonin, Minot, NDSouth Dakota 237 Winner, Winner, SDTexas 401 Dallas, Dallas, TX 402 Texasska Libuse, Ennis, TX 428 Eduard Benes, Houston, TXWisconsin/Upper Michigan 48 Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 357 Racine, Racine, WI

8 March 2012

PRODUcERS PaGE

Region of the MonthWisconsin Agency

REGIONAL MANAGERS

IA J. David Butler, FICF, LUTCF (319) 358-2522

SD James J. Neuhardt, FICF (605) 554-2020

NE Matthew K. Schernikau, FIC (402) 464-2500 or (877) 464-9352

ND/MN Paul D. Vaagene, LUTCF (701) 799-2150 or (888) 898-8863

MI/OH Daniel J. Zeiger, FICF, LUTCF (517) 202-2362

WFLA Leaders for the Month of January

Randy Kolarik, FICF, LUTCF (WI)

TOP CAREER & MOST ANNuITy PREMIuM

MOST NEW MEMBERS Brad Gilson (KS)

Top 5 CommercialAgentsInga Roth-Kennedy, LUTCFDiane Rook-Johnson, FIC, CLU, CFPChris DirkKathleen Johanning, FICRox Brandstatter, CLU, ChFC

Top 5 Career AgentsRandy Kolarik, FIC, LUTCFRandy Thayer, FICFRudy KolarikCarrie Baeten, FIC, LUTCFMike Brown, FICF

TOP COMMERCIALInga Roth-Kennedy (WI)

PRODUcERS PaGE

Congratulations

8 March 2012

Randy Thayer, FICF (MI)MOST LIFE PREMIuM

March 2012 9

FINANCIAL PLANNING MATTERS

"The Impact of Aging on Decision Making"

What do we do to plan for the problems that arise during our life when we no longer have the ability to manage our af-fairs? Planning for incapacity is necessary so that our children don’t suffer the consequences of our failure to plan. Documents can be drafted and executed now, so that we keep control even when we lose the ability to make good decisions.

The last decade saw hundreds of research projects on cogni-tive abilities and aging. Much of the research concludes that cognitive function starts to decline sometime during our 20’s. This is offset by our experiences, continued education, social knowledge, and wisdom, such that our ability to make our best decisions peak somewhere around age 53. Subsequent to that age, cognitive ability falls at a greater rate than our increased knowledge and experience.

Some of the conclusions and recommendations that the researchers made include:

• Seniors tend to “set aside rationality” and have an unrea-sonably high level of trust in people who call themselves “experts” when the experts may be trying to defraud the senior.

• Seniors should be very selective when working with finan-cial professionals. Seniors should seek out not only highly skilled professionals, but should also seek professionals who are effective in communicating key components of investment and insurance products or strategies.

• Seniors should have directives put in place to control finances, property, and health care decisions. This should be done prior to or at the same time they are making their final plans to begin retirement.

AARP (American Association of Retired People) recom-mends that you consult with a qualified attorney to execute the following documents:

1. Durable Power of Attorney – this document allows a per-son to give someone the authority to make financial decisions on their behalf. Typically the Durable Power of Attorney goes

in effect as soon as it is signed. Some people choose an event in the future, such as a doctor certifying that their patient has become unable to make financial decisions, to trigger the effective date.

2. Health Care Power of Attorney – this document lets a person give a loved one the power to be their advocate and make decisions regarding their medical treatment. Some legal experts feel that having both a living will and a Health Care Power of Attorney is necessary. Making a statement about life-prolonging treatment in the health care power of attorney improves the likelihood that the medical professionals will follow the patient’s wishes.

3. Living trusts – generally a living trust, like a will, directs how a person’s property will transfer after their death. However, unlike a will, a living trust can take effect during lifetime when he/she becomes unable to manage the property, naming a suc-cessor trustee to manage the assets. Only a qualified attorney will be able to determine if a will and living trust are appropriate for your needs.

With the appropriate documents in place, you and your loved ones can rest assured that your assets will be safely ac-counted for and your health care wishes will be met. Take advantage of the opportunity to write your own plan and let your wishes be known to your family. Make your plans before you need them.

If you have not completed your planning, consult with an attorney today. Only an attorney can draft the documents that comply with your state laws. Western Fraternal Life does not give legal advice, but recommends that you seek legal advice from a qualified attorney to execute the documents you need.

fINaNcIal PlaNNING MaTTERS

By Julie Cole, CFP®, FLMI Annuity Product Manager

10 March 2012

KITCHEN TALKCinnamon Bread

Karen Ryba, Lodge No. 106, Lankin, ND 1 pkg yellow cake mix with pudding ¾ C oil 4 eggs ¾ C water 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp almond extract Mix all ingredients together and beat on medium for 8 minutes. In another bowl, mix ¼ C sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Place ½ of batter in greased loaf pans; sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon. Add remaining batter on top and swirl with knife. Bake for 45 minutes in 350° oven. Makes 2 regular loaves or 4 small ones.

Crunchy Marshmallow BarsRose Lee Novotny, Lodge No. 112, Comstock, NE

¼ C oleo ¼ tsp baking powder ¾ C sugar ¼ tsp salt 2 eggs ¾ C flour 1 tsp vanilla ½ C nuts 2 T cocoa 2 C marshmallows 1 C peanut butter 6 oz chocolate chips 1½ C Rice Krispies Cream oil and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in baking powder, cocoa, salt, flour, and nuts. Spread in greased 9x13" pan and bake at 3500 for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 cups small marshmallows. Bake 3 more minutes. Melt 1 C peanut butter with 6 oz chocolate chips. Stir in 1½ C Rice Krispies and spread on cooked bars. Makes 10-15.

CheesecakeCarol Vargo, Lodge No. 330, Brookfield, IL

Crust (you will need a spring form pan) 1¼ C graham cracker crumbs (chocolate wafer or windmill cookie crumbs are good too) ⅓ C melted butter 3 T sugar Mix together and pat into the bottom of a spring form pan and refrigerate while mixing the filling.

Filling 16 oz cream cheese (room temperature) 3 eggs 1 C sugar ¼ tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla Cream sugar and cream cheese together. Add eggs and mix until smooth. Add salt and vanilla.

Topping 1 pt sour cream (room temperature) 1 tsp vanilla 3 T sugar Mix together. Mix the filling and pour onto crust and bake in 3500 oven for 45 minutes (make sure center is set by shaking gently). Let sit out of oven for 10 minutes. Add topping. Bake 15 more minutes. When cool, refrigerate.

Bourbon BallsMarie Cihal, Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE

2 12 oz boxes of vanilla wafers ⅓ C white corn syrup 3 C powdered sugar divided ⅔ C bourbon ⅓ C unsweetened cocoa 2 C walnuts or pecans chopped Mix 2 C sugar with the rest of the ingredients together. Form mixture into 1 inch balls. Roll in remaining sugar to coat. Store in air tight container. The larger the better. Need around 5½ C crushed wafers. Makes 5 dozen.

Italian Pauper SoupMarie Kaczmarzyk, Lodge No. 144, Mosinee, WI

1 qt beef broth 2 14.5 oz cans stewed tomatoes 1 qt chicken broth 1 clove of garlic, pressed 2 green peppers, thinly sliced 1 or 2 smoked ham hocks 2 med onions, thinly sliced 2 red peppers, thinly sliced Pour beef and chicken broth into a large stew pot. Add ham hocks and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to simmering. In a separate pot at medium heat, sweat peppers, onions, and garlic until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and then add all the broth with ham hocks. Simmer for 2-3 hours, remove ham hocks, pull meat from bone and return meat to the pot and serve with freshly grated asiago cheese and a bit of crushed red pepper (optional). You can also add 1 can white beans or shell pasta (optional). Serves 8.

York Peppermint Pattie BrowniesAnnette Hulinsky, Lodge No. 112, Comstock, NE

24 sm peppermint patties 1 T vanilla 3 sticks of butter 2 C flour 3 C sugar 1 C cocoa 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 5 eggs Heat oven to 350° (325° for glass baking dish). Remove wrappers from peppermint patties. Grease a 13x9" pan. Stir together butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs, beat until well blended. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Reserve two cups batter. Spread remaining batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties ½ inch apart in single layer over batter. Spread reserved batter over patties. Bake 40-45 minutes. Cool completely. Cut in squares. Makes 36 brownies.

Mae Lee's South Omaha MeatloafTomas Lee, Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE

1 egg 3 T ketchup 3 oz V8 Juice 3 T worcestershire sauce 1 lb ground chuck ½ tsp salt 1 lb Jimmy Dean sausage ½ tsp pepper ¾ C oatmeal 1 pkg Hidden Valley original party dip Mix ketchup and worcestershire sauce, set aside and use for topping. Mix remaining ingredients together. Put in loaf pan and spread ketchup/worcestershire sauce on top. Bake at 3500 for 1 hour. Serves 10. Hint: use mixer and double batch - freeze one.

Correction from February Magazine on Brownie Mix

Buckeye BrowniesDarlene Hrouda, Lodge No. 28, Clarkson, NE

1 19.5 oz pkg of brownie mix (prepare & bake brownie mix) ½ C plus 6 T butter, softened and divided 1 C creamy peanut butter 2 C powdered sugar 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips Prepare and bake brownie mix in a greased 9x13" baking pan according to package directions. Let cool. Mix together powdered sugar, ½ C butter and peanut butter; spread over cooled brownies. Chill for one hour. Melt together chocolate chips and remaining 6 T butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Spread over brownies. Let cool; cut into squares. Makes 2 to 3 dozen, very rich. Tastes just like buckeye candies.

March 2012 11

CALENDARMar. 15 — Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; Morse Bluff

Legion Hall; collect and deliver to North Bend Elementary cash register slips and box top coupons.

Mar. 16 — Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN—5:30 p.m.; get together at American Legion.

— Lodge No. 192, Alexandria, MN—Mtg., 8 p.m.; lodge hall; puzzle party.

Mar. 17 — Lodge No. 38, Austin, MN—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Mower County Senior Center.

Mar. 18 — Lodge No. 121, Caldwell, KS—Mtg., 2 p.m.; St. Patrick's Day; snacks.

— Lodge No. 141, Cadott, WI—Potato Pancake Breakfast; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; mtg to follow.

— Lodge No. 153, Jennings, KS—Mtg., 12:30 p.m.; Bohemian Hall, 256 S. Penn, Oberlin, KS; potluck dinner.

— Lodge No. 168, Mahnomen, MN—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Red Apple Café.

— Lodge No. 193, Adams, WI—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Big Flats Town Hall; potluck meal before mtg; food pantry and family center items accepted.

Mar. 19 — Lodge No. 426, Lincoln, NE—Mtg.; lodge is sponsoring a "Casino Day" in Council Bluffs. If interested contact Sandy Hosek at 402-464-9648.

Mar. 20 — Lodge No. 80, Tyndall, SD—Mtg., 7 p.m.; secretary's home. — Lodge No. 104, Clutier, IA—Mtg., 5:30 p.m.; Myrna Dostal's

home, Traer, IA. — Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sokol South

Omaha Hall; potluck.Mar. 25 — Lodge No. 108, Denmark, WI—noon; Susters Bowling;

bowling for Big Brother, Big Sisters. — Lodge No. 260, Kolin, LA—Mtg., 4 p.m.; Kolin Lodge Hall.Mar. 31 — Lodge No. 260, Kolin, LA—Mtg., 8 a.m.; Kolin Czech

Cemetery; cemetery cleaning.Apr. 1 — Lodge No. 3, Crete, NE—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Centennial Terrace. — Lodge No. 106, Lankin, ND—Mtg., 12:30 p.m.; Lankin

Senior Center. — Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg.; Presentation of

50/75-year pins and initiation of new members; mtg at 10 a.m. with potluck at noon, followed by program; collection for Veterans. Contact Sally Stoll 989-847-2461.

— Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon; City Point Community Center; Easter party-potluck; food pantry collection; egg hunt & bag of goodies for kids and bingo.

— Lodge No. 437, Ord, NE—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Agnes Janda home; clean small park in preperation for Easter egg hunt for Head Start children.

Apr. 2 — Lodge No. 68, Brainard, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sunshine Court, David City.

— Lodge No. 152, Farwell, NE—Mtg., noon; Farwell Fire Hall; Easter.

— Lodge No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA—5:30 p.m. social; WFLA Annex; 6 p.m. dinner, with mtg to follow.

Apr. 3 — Lodge No. 221, Menchalville, WI—Mtg., 8 a.m.; K City Diner; breakfast mtg.

— Lodge No. 262, Cedar Rapids, IA—Mtg., 6 p.m.; WFLA Annex, behind main office on 19th Street.

Apr. 4 — Lodge No. 108, Denmark, WI—Mtg., 7:30 p.m.; VFW Hall on Green Bay Rd, Denmark.

— LodgeNo.247,flint,MI—Mtg., 4:30 p.m.; Walli's East on Center Road, Flint.

Apr. 5 — Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg.; 1775 E Owosso Ave; Dumpling Sale, noon-6 p.m.

Apr. 7 — Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; 1775 E Owosso; Easter egg hunt; open to the public, bring canned goods.

Apr. 8 — Lodge No. 14, Ord, NE—Mtg., 11 a.m.; North Loup Café. — Lodge No. 246, Alton, KS—Mtg., 2 p.m.; Alton Lyman T

Earl Community Park; hide Easter eggs for the community; discuss JHD.

Apr. 9 — Lodge No. 20, Whitelaw, WI—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Kellnersville Community Center; plan JOIN HANDS DAY project for May.

— Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Izaak Walton Bldg; catered meal.

— Lodge No. 142, Two Rivers, WI—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Fire Station.

Apr. 10 — Lodge No. 45, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; South Omaha Sokol Hall; donate cleaning products, toilet paper, etc for Stephen's Center.

Apr. 11 — Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; 1775 E Owosso Ave.

— Lodge No. 342, Spencer, NE—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Dr. Charles & Donna Zidko home.

— Lodge No. 400, Swisher, IA—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids.

Apr. 12 — Lodge No. 332, Weyerhaeuser, WI—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Gerty & Frank Bonczyk; plan JOIN HANDS DAY.

Apr. 15 — Lodge No. 121, Caldwell, KS—Mtg., 2 p.m.; spring party; snacks.

— Lodge No. 153, Jennings, KS—Mtg., 12:30 p.m.; Bohemian Hall, 256 S. Penn, Oberlin, KS; potluck dinner.

— Lodge No. 426, Lincoln, NE— Howard's Pantry, 2548 S 48th Street in Lincoln; noon dine out mtg.

Apr. 16 — Lodge No. 104, Clutier, IA—Mtg., 5:30 p.m.; lodge hall, Clutier.

Apr. 17 — Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sokol South Omaha Hall; bring can of soup (not creamed), sandwiches furnished.

Apr. 19 — Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; Morse Bluff Legion Hall.

Apr. 20 — Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN—5:30 p.m.; get together at American Legion.

— Lodge No. 192, Alexandria, MN—Mtg., 8 p.m.; lodge hall.Apr. 21 — Lodge No. 8, Verdigre, NE—Mtg.; Pishelville Hall; pancake

supper from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.Apr. 22 — Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; 1775 E

Owosso Ave; dinner/dance for 50/75-year members; open to the public; The Hank Haller band.

— Lodge No. 260, Kolin, LA—Mtg., 4 p.m.; Kolin Lodge Hall.Apr. 25 — Lodge No. 236, Phillips, WI— Aspirus Pleasant View

Nursing Home; birthday party with mtg to follow.Apr. 26 — Lodge No. 141, Cadott, WI—Mtg., 5 p.m.; spring cleaning

of the Bohemian Hall.Apr. 29 — Lodge No. 168, Mahnomen, MN—Mtg., 8:30 a.m.; Red

Apple Café; JOIN HANDS DAY project & mtg.May 1 — Lodge No. 262, Cedar Rapids, IA—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Hus

Memorial Church; potluck honoring 50-year members.May 2 — Lodge No. 247, Flint, MI—Mtg., 4:30 p.m.; Walli's East on

Center Road, Flint.May 4 — Lodge No. 141, Cadott, WI—Mtg at 5 p.m. and long live the

Squeeze Box at 7 p.m.May 5 — Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg.; JHD; Friends of

Hospice; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; contact Diane Bradley 989-862-5378.

— Lodge No. 426, Lincoln, NE—Mtg.; Mahoney Manor; JOIN HANDS DAY.

— Lodge No. 437, Ord, NE—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Agnes Janda home; final plans for JHD, making May baskets for Mid Nebraska, clean little park, grade school.

May 6 — Lodge No. 3, Crete, NE—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Centennial Terrace. — Lodge No. 106, Lankin, ND—Mtg., 12:30 p.m.; Lankin

Senior Center; we will honor our 50/75-year members. — Lodge No. 192, Alexandria, MN—Mtg.; Donald Trousil

home; Adopt-A-Highway cleanup at 7 p.m. with mtg to follow. — Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg.; Mother's/Father's Day

program; 10 a.m. mtg, potluck at noon, followed by program. — Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; 1775 E

Owosso Ave. — Lodge No. 246, Alton, KS—Mtg., 11 a.m.; Alton Bull City

Café; 96th Anniversary, celebrating the founding of our lodge. — Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon; City Point

Community Center; potluck, bingo. — Lodge No. 426, Lincoln, NE—Mtg.; Lincoln's Czech Day at

Pla Mor, bicycle giveaway & scholarship awarded. — Lodge No. 437, Ord, NE—Mtg, 1 p.m.; Agnes Jandas home;

final plans for JHD, making May baskets for Mid Nebraska, clean little park/grade school.

May 7 — Lodge No. 68, Brainard, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sunshine Court, David City; Mother's Day.

— Lodge No. 152, Farwell, NE—Mtg., noon; Farwell Fire Hall; Mother's Day.

12 March 2012

CALENDAR

STaTE MEETINGS 2012apr. 14 KS State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 128; Moravan Lodge Hall,

Rossville.april 15 Ia State Mtg, Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids; 10 a.m. registration

followed by 11 a.m. mtg; host Lodge No. 85.april 21 OK State Mtg, Yukon, OK; host Lodge No. 67June 9/10 MN State Mtg, Shooting Star Casino Hotel & Event Center,

770 Casino Rd, Mahnomen, MN 56557.aug. 26 SD State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 80, Tyndall, SDSept. 22 NE State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 101, Du Bois, NE, lodge hall;

10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. mtg.Nov. 4 MI State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 242, Owosso; Lodge Hall,

1775 E Owosso Ave, Owosso, MI 48867; 9:30 a.m. coffee, mtg, 10:30 a.m.

DISTRIcT MEETINGS 2012Mar. 31 WI/Upper MI advisory Meeting, Host Lodge No. 144; 10

a.m.; at Central WI Airport, Mosinee, WI (downstairs).apr. 1 NE District No. 2, Host Lodge 84; 2 p.m.; Table Rock Senior

Center.apr. 8 NE District No. 1, Host Lodge 45; at Ed Svajgl home, 3926

X St., Omaha, NE 68107.apr. 15 MI District, Host Lodge No. 247; Wally's East, Flint; 9:30 a.m.

coffee; mtg. 10:30 a.m. MN District No. 1, Host Lodge No. 219, Cafe LaBree, 315

La Bree Ave. N. in Thief River Falls, Registration at 11 a.m. with noon meal, and mtg to follow.

MN District No. 2, Host Lodge No. 107, VFW Hall, Canby, MN; noon meal with meeting at 1 p.m.

NE District No. 5, Host Lodge No. 342, noon potluck/mtg., American Legion Hall (Main Street), Spencer.

WI District No. 1, Host Lodge No. 48; noon, Grobschmidt Senior Center.

apr. 22 NE District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 426; 7031 Webster St., Lincoln, NE (off 70th St.); 12:30 p.m. lunch (meat, drink, & table service provided), mtg., 1:30 p.m.

MN District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 155; American Legion Hall, Lonsdale, MN.

apr. 29 MN District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 38; Oalkland Town Hall, Oakland, MN.

WI District No. 5, Host Lodge No. 196; noon dinner; Black River Falls, lodge hall.

NE District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 9, Legion/ZCBJ Hall, Morse Bluff; noon potluck. Lodge 9 will provide meat, beverage, and place settings; with mtg to follow.

May 6 WI District No. 2, Host Lodge No. 142; noon, Reindl's in Menchalville, WI.

June 2 WI District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 73; noon, Tradewinds, W3305 State Hwy 64, Marinette, WI.

June 3 WI District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 332; noon, Ponderosa Bar, Chetek, WI.

June 24 MI District, Host Lodge No. 225; Bannister lodge hall, 9:30 a.m. registration, 10:30 mtg.

Host lodges, please send us your 2012 District and State Meeting information for this calendar page.

BOaRD MEETINGS 2012May 10/11 Board of Directors Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IAJuly 13/14 Board of Directors Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IAOct. 26/27 Board of Directors Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IA

— Lodge No. 155, Montgomery, MN—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Flipside Pub & Grill, New Prague; RSVP 507-744-2716.

— Lodge No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA—Mtg., 6 p.m.; WFLA Annex; 6 p.m. dinner, with mtg to follow.

May 8 — Lodge No. 45, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; South Omaha Sokol Hall; collecting for YES Kids - personal care products, snacks, t-shirts, socks.

— Lodge No. 221, Menchalville, WI—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; Com-munity Center.

May 9 — Lodge No. 342, Spencer, NE—Mtg., 8 p.m.; Frank & Connie Zidko home.

— Lodge No. 400, Swisher, IA—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids.

May 10 — Lodge No. 332, Weyerhaeuser, WI—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Virginia Biednon; plan district mtg scheduled for June 3.

May 12 — Lodge No. 108, Denmark, WI—Mtg.; Maribel Caves; JOIN HANDS DAY with the Boy & Girl Scouts.

May 14 — Lodge No. 20, Whitelaw, WI—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Kellnersville Community Center.

— Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN—Mtg.; Izaak Walton Bldg; 6 p.m. potluck with mtg to follow.

May 15 — Lodge No. 80, Tyndall, SD—Mtg., 8 p.m.; Margie Hovorka's home.

— Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—6 p.m.; dinner to honor 50/75-year members.

May 16 — Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—Mtg.; Bohemian Café, 1406 So. 13th St.; Dinner to honor 50/75-year members, 5:30 p.m. social, dinner at 6 p.m. Call Sandy Hayek at 402-734-2381 or Martha Talmon 402-731-4121 for reservations and information of menu and partial costs.

May 17 — Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; Morse Bluff Legion Hall; JOIN HANDS DAY project.

May 18 — Lodge No.127, Owatonna, MN—5:30 p.m.; get together at American Legion.

May 19 — Lodge No. 38, Austin, MN—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Mower County Senior Center.

May 20 — Lodge No. 121, Caldwell, KS—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Mother's-Father's Day; covered dish.

— Lodge No. 168, Mahnomen, MN—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Red Apple Café.

— Lodge No. 193, Adams, WI—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Big Flats Town Hall; potluck meal before mtg; food pantry & family center items accepted.

— Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 2 p.m.; 1775 E Owosso Ave; Vesela Kapela Band; open to the public, cost $8; sandwiches & dessert extra.

— Lodge No. 260, Kolin, LA—Kolin Lodge Hall; annual fish fry at 2 p.m. with mtg to follow.

June 2 — Lodge No. 430, West, TX—Mtg., noon; Nors Sausage & Burger House.

June 3 — Lodge No. 3, Crete, NE—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Centennial Terrace. — Lodge No. 106, Lankin, ND—Mtg., 12:30 p.m.; Lankin

Senior Center. — Lodge No. 437, Ord, NE—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Agnes Janda Home;

audit books, donate items for the crisis center. Final plans for bike giveaway for Father's day.

June 4 — Lodge No. 68, Brainard, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sunshine Court, David City; Father's Day.

— Lodge No. 152, Farwell, NE—Mtg., noon; Farwell Fire Hall; Father's Day.

June 6 — Lodge No. 108, Denmark, WI—Mtg., 7:30 p.m.; VFW Hall on Green Bay Rd, Denmark.

— Lodge No. 221, Menchalville, WI—Mtg., 6 p.m.; community center.

— Lodge No. 242, Owosso, MI—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; 1775 E Owosso Ave.

— Lodge No. 247, Flint, MI—Mtg., 4:30 p.m.; Walli's East on Center Road Flint.

June 10 — Lodge No. 14, Ord, NE—Mtg., 11 a.m.; North Loup Café. — Lodge No. 193, Adams, WI—Mtg., 1 p.m.; Big Flats Town

Hall; potluck meal before mtg; food pantry & family center items accepted.

— Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon; City Point Community Center; potluck, bingo.

June 11 — Lodge No. 20, Whitelaw, WI—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Kellnersville Community Center; plan August summer picnic.

— Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Izaak Walton Bldg.

— Lodge No. 142, Two Rivers, WI—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Fire Station.June 12 — Lodge No. 45, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6:30 p.m.; celebration

honoring 50/75-year members; RSVP to Jerri 689-3299 or Janet 733-5252.

June 13 — Lodge No. 342, Spencer, NE—Mtg., 8 p.m.; Dr. Charles & Donna Zidko home.

March 2012 13

SPOTLIGHT

Members of Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE Elaine Walla (80-years

old) and Virginia Beranek (89-years old) celebrated their

birthdays in January.

Members Louise Weber and Ordella Rolfson of Lodge No. 38, Austin, MN combined have held offices for over 70 years. They have both decided to step down. Lodge 38 can never thank them enough for their dedication

and perseverance.

Member Violet Spinler of Lodge No. 346, Willow River, MN

celebrated her 90th birthday.

Member Margaret Homolka of Lodge No. 389, Western, NE celebrated her 90th

birthday with sons Kevin and Arnie Homolka.

Member Bessie Stanek of Lodge No. 141, Cadott, WI

celebrated her 99th birthday.

Members Karen and Norman Sokolik of Lodge No. 389, Western, NE pictured with their seven grandchildren who

are all wfla members.

(l-r) Members of Lodge No. 74, Dorchester, NE Alvin, Dillon holding Dalton, Gertrude, and Duane Aksamit are a 100%

wfla family.Referrer Name ST lodge Referral Shirley Anderson TX 401 1Kenneth Chan MN 192 1Kelly Duffy SD 237 1Clarence Glotfelty WI 332 1Beth Horak NE 389 3Darrell Kotas NE 389 3Marie Krikava MN 44 4Violet Kycek MN 44 1Ada Mattas MN 361 1Dorene Mozdzierz WI 408 1Marcella Nelson MN 44 1Gilberta Racek NE 9 3Bruce Sostak MN 346 2Agnes Styczynski WI 332 2

2012 Lodge Referral ProgramCongratulations to the members who submitted referrals

between January 16, 2012 - February 15, 2012.

YOUTH

14 January 2012

Youth Member Ellie Haeska, and her mother, brought a large bag of stuffed animals to the January meeting of Lodge No. 38, Austin, MN. Lodge 38 will team up with Law Enforcement in Rochester, MN to provide a stuffed animal when a child is involved in a crisis situation.

YOUTH IN THE NEWS

Kelsey WegnerYouth Director

1. What’s old is new again! Have you heard that there are more young women knit-ting? What about young people who are interested in cooking a real home-cooked meal or baking? Or rebuilding old cars? A new website called Pinterest even allows users to swap craft and recipe ideas online. Many young people are getting tired of the pre-made, packaged, impersonal products they are bombarded with each day. They want to be able to take ownership in something they didn’t just buy at the store. Like older generations, young people enjoy the fruits of their labors. Each of the examples requires not only knowledge but skill; often they look to others to help them gain further skills and knowledge on the subjects they pursue. This revival in crafts and the slow-food movement could bridge the expanding gap between generations. A great example is the event Lodge 222 did in Malin, OR. The older members helped to teach the young members how to make Jaternice sausage. Both age groups worked together to help create the main course. This can be done in your lodge! Your lodge could sponsor a craft

show, car show, or bake sale which might inspire some of your lodge youth to display their crafts. If you have multiple knitters in your lodge, consider starting a knitting night. Another idea might be to have a cooking night with the youth. Don’t forget your lodge must put in effort to making other members aware of the events you hold.

2. A recruitment committee Most lodges have the same goal: to grow, thrive, and continue to provide services to their community. And many lodges have the same problem: not bringing in new and inactive members into the lodge, resulting in low meeting turnout and member fatigue. One way to combat this issue is to develop a recruitment (and retention) committee within your lodge. This means you could have two or three lodge members in charge of contacting new and inactive members regularly. My advice is to not only invite them to a meeting, but hold a “recruitment party” for several new families or inactive members. The party could be an informative meeting; consider having a speaker from a charity come or do a small service project. While this may not work for all lodges because of distance and funding issues, all members have the opportunity to improve their lodges and the desire to increase membership. Consider the recruit-ment efforts an investment, not only in the lodge but in the community. The lodge officer’s handbook has many resources, including a sample welcome letter, examples of lodge activities to do with new members, and a comprehensive lodge model.

Youth member Elise Nyenhuis of Lodge No.44, Hayward, MN was chosen as Outstanding Young Adult by the MN Women of Today Organization. She was honored at their winter meeting on January 28 at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis. Honorees are chosen by their leadership skills and volunteerism in their community. Elise is a senior and honor student at Glenville-Emmons High School. She is the daughter of Karen and Harry Nyenhuis and granddaughter of Joe and the late Elsie Pacovsky and Georgia and the late Henry Nyenhuis.

If you have a youth member in your lodge who has done a community service project or has been recognized for some-thing special, please send us his/her picture and a short article so we can highlight this young person in our Youth in the News section. Please mail them to Fraternal Department, Western Fraternal Life Association, 1900 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

March 2012 15

FRATERNAL FOCUS

CaliforniaLodge Golden West No. 377, Los Angeles, CALinda Phillips, Correspondent Members met at Alpine Village in Torrance for our annual Christmas party. We had a large turnout and collected a variety of new toys for our Toys for Tots collection. A good time was had by all.

Members enjoying the Christmas party.

Our Ja nua r y meeting was held at Kountry Folks restaurant in Van Nuys. We voted to keep our existing

officers in their current positions. Correspondence was read by John Winslow. We set our calendar of dates and places for our meetings for this year. We also had a lively discussion of projects to do this year such as, Valentine treat bags for veterans, mother and baby bags for St. Anne’s, a food drive, school supply bags, and Halloween bags for preschoolers. We would love to have input from other members for other projects. Our February meeting was held at Marie Callender’s Restaurant in Glendale. President Larry Phillips talked about the tree planting in honor of Ethel Winslow and Antoinette Chemlir on March 6. We then filled 50 bags with Valentine’s candy that members brought for the veterans. Members will deliver the bags to the Sepulveda Veteran’s hospital on Valentine’s Day. Our March meeting will be held in conjunction with Sokol LA’s Spring Social on March 25, at Knollwood Country Club in Granada Hills. Reservations are needed. We are still collecting small travel size toiletries, greeting card fronts, eyeglasses and cases, box tops and soup labels for education, pop tops, gently used magazines, and books. We would love to see more people at our meetings. Come and see what you are missing out on. For more information you can contact Larry and Linda Phillips at (818) 368-4855 or email LtoLp@verizon.net. Please put wfla in the subject line. We will be glad to email you our meeting information if you give us your email address.

ColoradoLodge Colorado No. 431, Denver, CORuby Henderson, Correspondent Our potluck meeting, held January 14, was at the Bear Creek Village. President Chuck Henderson called the meeting to order. Eileen Severson, past president, installed the officers for 2012 as follows: President Chuck Henderson, Vice President Fran Starck, Secretary Lee Schwarz, Treasurer Ruby Henderson, and Correspondent Phyllis Holec. We welcomed new members Robert and Sherry Mason of South Fork, CO.

Our agenda for the coming year was discussed, and we have many plans. Prepared food will be taken to House of Hope on March 3. We spoke to Holly, who indicated they need paper products along with canned goods. Our service is welcomed there for help serving meals, clean up, and working with the children to help them with their school work. House of Hope is part of Family Tree, which helps people overcome child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness to become safe, strong, and self-reliant. On April 13, we will take a trip to Longmont, CO to Homestead House Adult Daycare. We will play and sing for an hour and provide cookies. For JOIN HANDS DAY, we are considering working with young people from Littleton Bible Chapel. A meeting will be held to see how we may help with what they decide, or where there may be a need.

IllinoisLodge Pilgrim No. 330, Brookfield, ILBlanche Hobart, Correspondent Our lodge met on February 9 at the Bohemian Crystal Restaurant in Westmont, IL since the Sokol Stickney was still unavailable. A certain percent of the bill is going to Outreach for Du Page County residents. We spent time completing the 2011 reports. We received letters from the Home Office regarding the 50 and 75-year members. Congratulations to all who have completed 50 and 75 years. Please contact the Home Office if you would like to receive your pins. We would like to plan a Pin Ceremony later this year. A committee will determine if enough members wish to attend. Rosemary Davis would like to send congratulations to the members of her original MN lodge with whom she started her journey. Members are reminded to read the local papers to see how the lodge might be able to help in our community. Please bring non-perishable goods to be donated to a food pantry, can tabs, and soup labels to each meeting. Bill Strejc asked about getting a Social Status for Bill Davis who has been most helpful to our lodge. Officers will check various places to see where we could hold our lodge meeting if Stickney Sokol Hall will not be available to us in the future. Plans for JOIN HANDS DAY were discussed. Ed Ledvina will check with the Mayor about a community activity for the lodge. Our meeting was closed at 1:30 p.m. with a photo shoot of the 75 year members. Any questions, please call Rosemary Davis and leave a message on 630-620-5324. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month.

IowaLodge Cedar No. 7, Cedar Rapids, IAMelissa Clapp, Correspondent Our ‘Bowl for Kid’s Sake’ event to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of IA on January 29 was a huge success. A good time was had by all. We had 24 wfla members from Lodges No. 7, 13, 262, 423, and 500. We brought in $2,879 to help

16 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSBig Brothers/Big Sisters, earning the top fundraiser spot for our shift. All teams combined brought in $8,835.10 for our shift. It was a solid team effort to help kids who need mentors. Lodge 7 member Cheryl Taylor was the high scoring female. Lodge 7 member and agent Mike Sabers bowled along with his little brother through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Group of wfla bowlers.

Members Chris and Ron Schantz ready to bowl.

At February’s meeting, we cut out fabric hearts for the Mended Hearts project to provide pillows for heart surgery patients. We created an

assembly line of folders, pinners, and cutters. The election of officers was also on the agenda. If you would like to be included in our email distribution list for up-to-date information on events and meetings, please send an email to mclapp@wflains.org SUBJECT: Lodge 7 distro list.

Lodge Iowa No. 85, Protivin, IACindy Kostohryz, Correspondent Our next meeting will be at noon on March 18 at the Blue Moon in Protivin.

Agent Lyle Bodensteiner presenting a check to Troy Luban, Scout Leader of Waukon.

Member Matt Wagner and Lyle Bodensteiner

present a donation to Loren Mitchel

of the ambulance department.

Lodge Cedar Rapids No. 262, Cedar Rapids, IASarah Fowler, Correspondent Our lodge met at Hus Memorial Church on February 7. Our meeting started with pork loin sandwiches made by Deloris Becicka and Angie Rohlena. Josh Mason, member of Lodge 262 and Stream Line Kids founder, spoke to us about his partnership with Future Stars Soccer League. Future Stars is a soccer league that has been created for children ages 5-13, and will be held at Taylor Elementary School starting this spring. The children will have the opportunity to practice soccer skills with a professional coach and then play matches with eight kids per team. Future Stars will also be helping Taylor Elementary fix up their soccer fields to help create a safe, fun learning environment for the Taylor Elementary students and Future Stars players. Future Stars is accepting financial donations to help children and families pay the $45 registration fee that includes a soccer jersey. In return of financial donations, the donator will be able to get their name on the soccer jersey and a sign on the soccer field.

Member Josh Mason talked about possibly sponsoring his Cedar Rapids Soccer team.

T h e A u d i t Commit tee re -viewed the 2011 Financial report. Trea su rer Tom Hruska d id an

excellent job last year. Applications for new members were accepted and a member questioned “why don’t any of these new members ever come to the meetings?” With that ques-tion, a discussion was started about how the lodge could get new and old members to come to meetings. It was decided to start a phone committee. A phone committee will call new and old members of the lodge and invite them to attend a meeting. When that new person comes to the meeting, the lodge member they spoke with will be designated their “meet-ing buddy” in hopes of creating a new and lasting friendship. The new and old officers of our lodge were accepted and inducted. Kathy Valenta will be returning as president, Sarah Fowler will be the new vice president and correspon-dent, Marge Petrzelka will be secretary for the 10th year in a row, and Tom Hruska will be treasurer for even longer than Marge has been secretary. District Director Don Krall formally inducted the lodge officers. He encouraged our lodge to nominate a Fraternalist on the Year and encouraged us to start thinking about volunteering for roles in the 2015 National Convention that will be held in Cedar Rapids. Our lodge is going to start a new monthly project. Each person is responsible for bringing two cans of food to take to the local food shelter. Food in plastic containers and dried goods are also accepted. Marge was informed that the most popular donated items were peanut butter and jelly. The annual Chili Cook-Off is during our March meeting. Everyone was encouraged to bring a chili or soup to enter for the contest. Last year we had 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place. After the Chili Cook-Off, we will start our Earth Day project. We will be making book marks for the first

March 2012 17

FRATERNAL FOCUSand second graders of St. Jude’s School in Cedar Rapids on April 22. The lodge will be donating bookmarks and coloring books that are focused on the environment, and the teachers will be able to use with Earth Day education.

Director Don Krall (r) installed the officers as follows: (l-r) Vice President Sarah Fowler, Treasurer Tom Hruska, Secretary Marge Petrzelka, and President Kathy Valenta.

Lodge Four Hundred No. 400, Swisher, IAMary Ann Siems, President Members met at the Riverside Casino Buffet. We received correspondence from Waypoint, from President Howard Wolfe stating the 2012 password, and from HACAP asking for volunteers for the Special Olympics. The auditing committee reported that the books were in order. We made a donation to the American Heart Association. Our next meeting will be at the Clarion Inn at 11:30 a.m. on March 14.

President Mary Ann Siems presenting

Mayme Cechura with her Certificate of

Honorary Membership.

Lodge Five Hundred No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IATrudy Plotz, Correspondent Thirty-five members and two guests, Ryan and Sarah Fowler, met for our “heart healthy” potluck and 7 p.m. meeting. President Lee Merta introduced our speaker, Agent Ryan Fowler, a member from Lodge 262, and Chairman of the Board for Streamline Kids. Streamline Kids is a nonprofit group that helps children from needy families receive scholar-ships to participate in extracurricular programs such as music, sports, art, and other events. Ryan spoke about three fundraisers that they will have this year. President Lee Merta presented Ryan with a check for the Streamline Kids program. We voted to accept new member Amayah L. Snodey. Lee Merta indicated that he received The Annual Letter from President Wolfe. He also received a bylaws book and a proceedings book. He noted that there were 235 delegates at the Convention. Director Don Krall reported he will be attending the first Board meeting of the year and would discuss our concerns. He congratulated the lodge on reaching its referral goal. Don also encouraged the lodge to recognize a member as Fraternalist of the Year.

Community and Fraternal projects for the coming year were announced and planned. Members were asked to bring personal products for women and canned fruit for Bridgehaven, formerly Aid to Women for our March meeting. Financial donations for the coming year were announced. The members voted and approved the yearly donations. Seventy-two volunteer hours were reported. Emmy Turkington took 16 magazines to St. Luke’s, and Don Krall took 5-7 lbs of can tabs and prescription bottles to Camp Courageous. Betty Krall took 278 Swiss Valley milk caps to the Holy Family School. Charles Fisher took 75 lbs of batteries to the recycle center. The State Meeting will be April 15, and a sign-up sheet was provided for those who wished to attend. We will have a guest speaker at our March meeting, Charlie Becker from Camp Courageous. Marrilyn and Lee Merta will purchase a ham and members are asked to provide side dishes. Our April 2 meeting will be at the Annex, and we will have a wine tasting experience prior to the 6 p.m. meeting.

KansasLodge Trocnov No. 121, Caldwell, KSVlasta Albert, Correspondent The first meeting of 2012 was held in regular session on January 15 at 2 p.m. on a beautiful winter afternoon. “Let it Snow” was the theme. The new password was passed out. All of the officers were voted to serve another term and were installed. Several new projects were discussed. New 2012 activity programs were handed out. A moment of silence was held for member Michiel Prochaska who passed away. We are sorry for our lodge’s loss. We also discussed having a celebration for 110 years of the ZCBJ lodge in March. The celebration will be at 2 p.m. on March 18 at Nostalgia Nook, 4 N. Main, Caldwell. Also, we’ll have a presentation of 75 and 50-year members.

Lower MichiganLodge Michigan No. 225, Bannister, MIJoanne Fornusek, Correspondent The February 12 meeting was called to order, a moment of silence was observed, and the Lord’s Prayer recited in memory of Waunetta Goldman. We extend prayers and sympathy to her family and friends. A thank-you card was received from the Goldman family expressing appreciation for the luncheon put on by the members. Correspondence included a letter from the American Red Cross thanking the lodge for sponsoring a blood drive during the Christmas holidays. They reported that enough blood products were collected to touch the lives of 87 patients. The family of Mary Jane Wassa thanked the members for the floral arrangement sent at the time of their loss. Gratiot County Toys for Tots thanked the members and the lodge for their generous donations and stated that they were able to provide gifts for 650 children this year. Diane Korienek thanked the members for the cards she received at the time of her retirement and her surgery. Director Mary Bradley reported that she had sent letters

18 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSto all the young members who may be eligible for scholar-ships through wfla, the MI Fraternal Alliance, and the MI Fraternal Insurance Counselors. Information is also available at the lodge’s website www.zcbjbannister.org and Facebook page ZCBJ Lodge #225. Through her efforts the lodge has been certified to honor local community volunteers through the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. Mary also informed the members that Michigan is one of only two states that have shown an increase in lodge membership. She commended the members for participating in the lodge referral program and also praised the wfla agents and Manager Dan Zieger for their efforts. Members thanked Jim Porubsky for building a special cupboard for kitchen workers’ purses. Ruth Malek reported that 602 copies of the 100th Anniversary Cookbook have already been sold.

John and Sally Stoll are shown with bags of gently used clothes donated to a local mission by members.

A mid-winter Ja mbore e took place on February 26. The public was invited to this free

celebration of music and dancing with music provided by several volunteer musicians. Doors opened at 11:30 a.m. with a potluck at noon. An appreciation dinner was tentatively scheduled for March 4 to thank the members for all their work on behalf of the lodge and community. Due to a scheduling conflict, the date for JOIN HANDS DAY has been changed to April 28, and the Mother’s and Father’s Day meeting, potluck, and program have been changed to April 29. Members made a monetary donation to the Ovid Elsie Baseball Team to help purchase new equipment. WFLA agent Ed Fornusek also purchased a sign for the outfield fence, advertising the lodge and its insurance products. All members present received a large candy bar. Coming Events: April 1 is the presentation of 50 and 75-year pins and initiation of new members. Meeting is at 10 a.m., potluck at noon, followed by the program. We will have a collection for veterans. April 15 is the District Meeting in Flint with coffee at 9:30 a.m. and a 10:30 meeting at Walli’s East. On April 28, we will have our JOIN HANDS DAY event for Friends of Hospice. Be there at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. April 29 is the Mother’s and Father’s Day Program. Meeting at 10 a.m. with the potluck at noon, followed by the program.

Lodge Owosso No. 242, Owosso, MISharon Bronson, Correspondent Here is a list of upcoming events that will be happening at the lodge: April 5 we are having a Dumpling Sale. We will need your orders to be in on April 3 and 4 so they can be sold on the 5th. Remember, no orders will be taken on the 5th. Easter dinner is coming and these are really great to go with the meal.

April 7 is the annual Easter egg hunt. Bring your Easter baskets and be ready to pick up Easter eggs. Bring a canned good for the needy in the area. Flyers will be in the mail mid-March. We hope to see you there. April 11 is our lodge meeting at 1:30 p.m. We would love to see all the lodge members present. On April 22, we are having the 50 and 75-year member pin ceremony. The Hank Haller Band will be playing. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served, then the award ceremony will begin. There will be dancing for those who would like to dance or just plain listening for those who want to listen to the music. April 28 is our Arbor Day and JOIN HANDS DAY celebration. We have purchased four trees to be planted in and around the lodge or parking lot. We will start at 10 a.m. A hot dog lunch and drinks will follow. On May 20, the Vesela Kapela Band from Lennon will start out the polka season as the first band to perform. The dance will be held from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the charge is $8. A meal of sandwiches and desserts can be purchased for a small fee. This event is open to the public. On June 2, we welcome Big Band Era. This show is also open to the public. Dinner and dance tickets will be available and more on this at a later date. On June 24, the Stan Saylor Band will play. The cost is $10 and is open to the public. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. A meal of sandwiches and desserts can be purchased for a small fee.

MinnesotaLodge Lumir No. 34, Hutchinson, MNJoLen Bentz, Correspondent

WFLA volunteers worked at a Valentine’s dinner on February 12 in Silver Lake. (l-r)  Barb Micka, President Jeff Micka, Bonnie Sustacek, David and Dorothy Micka, Wayne Micka, and Ken Bentz prepared, served, donated food, and helped clean up the well-attended event.

Wherever there are cookies to decorate,

“kids” of all ages gather!  Members who donated and made the

cookies: (L) Abigail, Ian, and Eliana Jerabek, Deb

and Brittany Jensen, (back) Andy Bentz, and

Gavin Jerabek.

Lodge Zare Svobody No. 38, Austin, MNMary Haggerty, Correspondent Members met on January 14. Bonnie Sawyer called the meeting to order with Agent Beth Atz present. We welcomed our member, Mike Ruzek, who gave us a brief review of his life and his family.

March 2012 19

FRATERNAL FOCUS We read thank-you notes from the Heifer Project and the clothing drive. Ordella verified the meeting dates for 2012. Planners were passed out so each member could keep track of the meetings. Also, the meeting dates will be published in the Fraternal Herald.

DuWayne Harrington, Ellie Haeska, and Bonnie Sawyer enjoying a delicious lunch.

Members at our meeting.

Our lodge will host the District 4 Meeting at the Oakland Hall on April 29 at noon. We discussed invitations, set up time of 9:30 a.m., door prizes to be awarded, and raffle items. We will be celebrating our 115th anniversary in 2012. The idea of having a special celebration and handing out souvenirs was discussed. Mike Ruzek suggested the Honorary Tree Program where the lodge could purchase a tree for $150, plant it, and have our name put on a plaque to celebrate 115 years. After discussion, plans were tabled until our next meeting. DuWayne Harrington talked about using Channel 6 in Austin to make members aware of our meeting dates. Possibly it could also entice new members to join our lodge. Bonnie and DuWayne agreed to have their phone numbers on the announcement as contact people. DuWayne brought desk calendars for members to take home with them if they so wished. Melissa Haeska suggested our lodge have a garage sale in May. She offered their garage as a location. The matter will be brought up again at the next meeting. Mike brought up the idea of our lodge getting involved in the Spruce up Austin Project. Louise Weber suggested we give a donation from our lodge for flowers to beautify Austin project. Bonnie reminded us of all the items the lodge is collecting: pop tabs, pill bottles, milk tops, cancelled stamps, soup labels, used glasses, batteries, and used greeting cards. Mary Haggerty suggested a lodge project of making special greeting cards made from used cards. We would all be involved in the project as a fundraiser. Melissa and Ellie Haeska brought a bag of stuffed animals to the meeting. Our lodge will team up with law enforcement in Rochester to provide a stuffed animal when children are involved in a crisis situation. Jerry and Beth Pestka donated books in the name of wfla to the Salvation Army.

Ordella Rolfson and Louise Weber are stepping down from their offices in the lodge. We want to thank them for the many, many years of dedicated service. (See Spotlight page 13) Bonnie reminded all high school seniors or college students to get their scholarship forms filled out. Beth Atz spoke briefly. She handed out her calling cards, since she is now working out of her home and has a new telephone number. She emphasized getting referrals for the lodge. Our meeting was adjourned and lunch was served by Robert Baley, Sr., Bonnie Sawyer, Dorothy Denisen, and Mary Haggerty. The afternoon ended with dirty bingo conducted by Ellie Haeska.

Lodge Zare Zapadu No. 44, Hayward, MNMarie Krikava, Correspondent Our lodge met February 5 at the Glenville Legion for a delicious potluck dinner, followed by our meeting. The financial statement for 2011 was presented at this meeting and was approved. It will be clipped into the secretary’s book. Our lodge participated in the Rendezvous Fundraiser at the Wedgewood Cove in Albert Lea January 27. Money raised is used for the hundreds of students who are bused to the Rendezvous each year. This event portrays life in colonial America, the first weekend of October. It is open to students Monday thru Friday and to the public Saturday and Sunday. Members Beth and Leah Atz made 200 dessert cups of crème brulee. There were 26 food stations offering appetizers to desserts. It was a full house, but no one went hungry. The MN Historical Society was awarded a MN Historical and Cultural Program grant of $2,830 for the Lodge Zare Zapadu Historical Marker project. It will be a bronze marker with the history of our lodge and hall. Violet Kycek thanked us for the card from the lodge. A thank-you note was also received from recipients of the fruit plates we delivered in December.

Agent Beth Atz and Leah Atz serving dessert to Marcella Nelson at the Rendezvous Fundraiser.

Lodge Owatonna No. 127, Owatonna, MNBreyonna Stursa, Correspondent Our lodge meeting was held on February 13 at the Izaak Walton Building. Due to weather conditions, only 17 members were able to attend. We thank those who braved the weather. Lunch was served by Eunice Meixner and Diane Vosejpka. Congratulations to new treasurer Harold Bartsch and new trustee Karlene Hansen who were elected at this month’s meeting. Also, congratulations to Evelyn Kaplan who recently became a member of our scholarship committee. Plans are being made for our annual lodge bus trip to Grand

20 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSCasino, Mille Lacs. The trip is being planned for April 21. Those interested may contact Dan Stursa at 507-451-4613 and Debbie Burnham at 507-528-2376. We recognized those who sent in referrals in 2011. A total of 25 were turned in. Great job members! We are currently working on ideas for our JOIN HANDS DAY project. We will focus on this discussion at our next monthly meeting. Eunice Meixner has volunteered to take on the task of organizing a group to work at a Cash Wise Food Stand this summer. Proceeds will be going towards scholarship and Bohemian Cemetery projects. We thank her for her efforts. Our next social gathering will be held at the American Legion in Owatonna on March 16 at 5:30 p.m. We hope to have a great turn out. Lodge Ledec No. 192, Alexandria, MNDonald Trousil, Correspondent Our January meeting was held at Donald Trousil’s home. Correspondence consisted of thank-you cards from two food shelves and two first responder units. We have an invitation to the District Meeting in Canby on April 15. We extended an invitation for a United Way representative to discuss projects involving them. We will be collecting books for the “Friends of the Library” book sale. Our financial report was audited and approved. The calendar of events was set up for this year. We thank everyone who sent in referrals to meet our quota for 2011.

NebraskaLodge Plzen No. 9, Morse Bluff, NEElaine Vech, Correspondent Members met on January 19 for a 6:30 p.m. potluck meal. A sympathy card was signed and sent to Raymond Odvody’s family with a memorial. We discussed how to get youth involved in the lodge. The Amiel Beranek family sent a check as a memorial in Amiel’s honor. The upcoming District 4 Meeting was discussed. The 2012 projects were set for each month. In February, we made lap blankets for the nursing homes. We celebrated Virginia Beranek’s and Elaine Walla’s January birthdays.

Lodge Dennice No. 14, Ord, NEDiane Spilinek, Correspondent Lodge members met January 8 at the North Loup Cafe. The volunteer hour’s sheet was passed around. Letters from the Home Office were read. Correspondent Diane Spilinek reported that we had collected 37 lbs of can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, recycled 75 milk jugs, and collected 44 lbs of food for the Ord Food Pantry for the 2011 year. We had a secret Valentine exchange at the February meet-ing with a $1.50-$2.00 limit and Valentine Royalty crowned after the meeting. The youth present signed valentines that were delivered to a care home after the meeting as a youth activity. Members decided to collect old card fronts and pill bottles

as some of their 2012 projects. Our February meeting was held at the North Loup Cafe with an 11 a.m. meeting, dinner, and Valentines party to follow. Our next meeting date and place is in April at the North Loup Cafe at 11 a.m. meeting, with dinner immediately following.

Lodge Zapadni Svornost No. 28, Clarkson, NEDarlene Hrouda, Secretary Lodge members met at Adies in Snyder on January 13. After the noon meal, a short special meeting was held. Our adopted Grandma Helen King, and her daughter Mavis Lass, were present. We presented Helen with kolaches for a belated Christmas gift from the lodge. A fine social afternoon was enjoyed by those present.

JoAnn Mejstrik presenting kolaches to Helen King, our adopted grandma.

Lodge Hvezda Svobody No. 45, Omaha, NEJerri Underwood, Correspondent The lodge would like to express its condolences to the families of Daniel D. Hoult, Donna M. James, Robert J. Sterba, Marilyn A. Warner, and Rose Ann Clark who passed away recently. We will keep them in our prayers. Thanks to President Jerri and Secretary Janet for lunch this month. We had homemade potato soup and sandwiches. This month we brought scarves, gloves, hats, and coats for the homeless who frequent Sienna Francis House in Omaha. The nights now are very cold. We discussed the project list for 2012 and added Campbell Soup labels to the list. We approved the financial report for 2011. We will collect canned and dry goods for St. Vincent de Paul’s pantry at the March meeting. The April meeting is April 10. We will bring cleaning products for Stephen’s Center at that time. We will also discuss JOIN HANDS DAY. Won’t you join us at a meeting soon?

Lodge Praha-Libuse No. 54, Wilber, NEDoris Hynek, Correspondent Our lodge met for the monthly meeting on February 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wilber Care Center with President Jerry Petracek presiding. A moment of silence was observed in memory of deceased members, Mavis D. Houser and James Tenopir. Correspondence was read from the Home Office, a thank-you card from the memorial for Mavis Houser, from Evelyn Tyser for the Christmas remembrance from the lodge, and a letter from the Wilber Clatonia Jr. and Sr. prom committee asking for a donation.

March 2012 21

FRATERNAL FOCUS Get-well cards were sent to members. A bingo report was given by Richard Kasl. On January 20, 16 residents at the Wilber Care Center showed up for bingo. Workers were Richard and Hilda Kasl, George and Doris Hynek, Virginia Filipi, and Irene Tenopir.

Three young members, Matthew Petracek, Michael Gushard, and Drew Tenopir enjoying a game before eating.

Member Carmen Hynek, Director Terry Hynek, and

guest Joann Vilda after they enjoyed the Christmas

dinner.

Donations were made to the Wilber-Clatonia PTO Elementary Carnival and the Jr. and Sr. Wilber-Clatonia Prom Committee. We will give two bikes away at the Wilber-Clatonia PTO Elementary Carnival on April 27. Lodge Lipany No. 56, Lynch, NEMarita Placek, Correspondent Our lodge met at the Lynch Community Hall on Monday evening, January 16, with Paul and Denise Fisher hosting. President Paul opened the meeting. Members scanned the report forms to make sure everything was completed for the lodge award. Discussion was held on hosting a dance at the hall in the fall. Paul will contact Freddy’s Combo to check on available dates. Trudy passed around the wfla National Convention proceedings book and Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. March 31 is a tentative date for a Spring Women’s Tea with an Easter theme. The same officers were retained for 2012, they are: President Paul Fisher, Vice President Francis Fisher, Secretary Trudy Nelson, Treasurer Martha Nelson, and News Correspondent Marita Placek. Lodge Tabor No. 74, Dorchester, NEMarilyn Clark, Correspondent Our lodge didn’t have a February meeting but had a big event in January. On January 15, we held a Czech Dinner at our hall. We advertised for members and nonmembers to attend, and happily we had both. Pork, potato dumplings, gravy, sauerkraut, rye bread, dessert, coffee and tea were served. Thanks to all those who attended, we enjoyed the afternoon food and socializing. We especially want to thank

all our members who prepared, served, and cleaned up after the meal. We had so many who pitched in to help make this a success.

Lodge Premysl Otakar II No. 84, Table Rock, NEEvelyn Michaelis, Correspondent Members met at the Table Rock Senior Center on February 7 at 10 a.m. President Rudy Fritch called the meeting to order. Donations were made to Make-A-Wish, TRHS Prom, and the American Heart Association. Plans were made for the District Meeting to be held on April 1 at the Table Rock Senior Center at 2 p.m. Everyone can bring something for show and tell. Scholarships will be given to eligible members graduating from high school. You can contact Rudy Fritch for a scholar-ship application; they are due back by April 10. Following the meeting, members remained for lunch.

We presented Valentine treats to Storyhour children.

We presented Valentine treats to the Headstart

children.

Lodge Jan Kollar No. 101, Du Bois, NEMary Barker, Correspondent Members met at Bob Blecha’s residence with eight members attending. The President called the meeting to order, the reading of the minutes were approved, and the treasurer’s report was given. Election of officers will remain the same with the exception of Ila Helms, who will be missed but who served with the utmost excellence. Mary Barker will fill in until another can be acquired. A commercial cooler and kitchen stove has been purchased for the hall kitchen per state inspection. Three members visited the Manor and participated in activities. Valentines were made and letters written for service men in Afghanistan. Suggestions are needed to encourage more people to become receptive to attending functions and meetings. As we all realize, the more the merrier. Please consider, your time is welcome and appreciated. Our next event will be a dance at Southern Cross on March 17.

22 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSLodge Slavin No. 112, Comstock, NEShirley Knapp, Secretary Members met for our monthly meeting on February 2 at 6:30 p.m. We signed Valentine’s Day cards for couples and shut-in’s from our lodge. We signed 25 cards and sent them for the veterans confined to the G.I. Veteran’s Hospital. There was discussion about when to hold the 50 and 75-year member pinnings. We also discussed what could be done as a youth project and also for JOIN HANDS DAY. Everyone is encouraged to save store coupons for our servicemen and women. Our lodge delivered 43,907 cancelled stamps to the VFW Auxiliary to be further delivered to their resources. We received notice of the death of member Raymond Dawson. President Bilka informed everyone that the District Meeting will be March 25 at the Valley County Fairgrounds. Our lodge members will be hosting a community card party on April 29 beginning at 2 p.m. Invitations will be sent to other lodges inviting them as well. Prior to our meeting, we had finger food and a Valentine’s Day game and gift exchange.

Lodge Karlin Junior No. 342, Spencer, NEDarlene Cizek, Correspondent Members met on January 18 at 7 p.m. at Frank and Connie Zidko’s home. The election of officers was held with the following officers elected for 2012: President Don Cizek, Vice President Charles Zidko, and Secretary/Treasurer Connie Zidko. The three trustees are: Kenny Hoffman, Ron Eilers, and Ray Nemec. Thank-you notes were read from the Spencer Rescue Unit, Connie and Frank Zidko, Donna and Charles Zidko, Riverview 4-H Club, and the Children’s Inn from Sioux Falls, SD. A letter from wfla President Howard Wolfe was read. We would like to thank Lavern Ludwig and family for the donation to the National Cemetery. Frank reported that he has talked to Carl Ruda about designing a directory for the National Cemetery. It was discussed and will be voted on at a later date. We need more information on this. Charles inquired about spraying for weeds this spring at the cemetery and will contact the lawn company. We voted to spray again this year if the company can spray early and not damage any plants. Our lodge has two 75-year members and three 50-year members. Don will order the pins for these members.

Lodge Saline Center No. 389, Western, NEJoan Kotas, Secretary The judges chosen for the honor of determining the best chili at the January 28 Chili Contest were: Adam Schoenbeck, Mark Kratonchvil, Dave Houser, Robert Brochmeyer, Matt Van Weston, and Scott Woitalewicz. They did a tremendous job of selecting a winner. Placing 1st was Brian Zoubek, 2nd place went to Kayla Homolka, and 3rd place went to Roxy Hayek. On February 6, the meeting was called to order by President Kotas with many members attending. A moment of silence

was held for our latest departed, Dorothy Kotas and Ronnie Karpisek. Memorials were sent to the families. Dorothy’s funeral service and fellowship was held at the hall on February 3. Joan Kotas spoke on behalf of the lodge. Dorothy was the lodge secretary, followed by kitchen manager for many years till her health began to fail. She also was a delegate to many District, State, and National Conventions.

Winners and judges from the January Chili Contest.

A g e n t T i n a Harrill reported t h a t w e h a v e a couple of new

members. They are: Mike and Denise Rezabek; welcome! We encourage them to come to meetings and other scheduled events. We reminded graduating seniors wanting to apply for a scholarship to contact Judy Kohout at 402-947-2236 for more information. The deadline is April 15. The container for recycled batteries was brought to the hall by Joan Kotas. Batteries may be given to any member or brought to the hall where they will be collected. Margaret Homolka was presented her 75-year pin at her 90th birthday party on February 5. The president announced the meeting dates for the year. There is still time for saving receipts from Food Mesto, the deadline is March 30. Since all official business for this meeting was exhausted, the meeting was adjourned. Members enjoyed refreshments furnished by Lumir, Joe, and Arnie. Our next meeting will be April 2 at 7 p.m.

Lodge Lincoln No. 426, Lincoln, NEVelma Kotas, Correspondent The lodge members and guests had a very enjoyable day Sunday as we enjoyed a soup dinner, meeting, and bingo. At the beginning of our meeting, six children came to the front and led our membership in the Pledge of Allegiance with Mel Svoboda. During our meeting, the children worked on Valentines for their family and friends. Each child came to the front and explained the Valentines they made and told us who was going to receive the cards. We could learn from children; they are proud of their work and friendships. We thank Susan Casne for always thinking of our children and using wonderful ideas to get projects started. Susan always brings supplies and ideas for our kids, which keeps them interested while adults are having the meeting. Betty Soukup brought receipts in for the items collected by our lodge members; Betty gave these items to an organization that will use them to help our community. Used greeting cards were turned into Ambassador Nursing since they use the cards for art projects and to make recycled cards. We gave 1½ lbs of pop tabs to the Methodist Church and they will give them to the Ronald McDonald House. Good Will

March 2012 23

FRATERNAL FOCUSand the City Mission received items of clothing collected by our membership as well. The Neighborhood Extra is part of the Saturday edition of the Lincoln Journal Star, and we were happy to see an article submitted by Erma Ruhl with the large printed title: “Western Fraternal Life Association, accepting applications for Scholarships.” The article is accompanied with a picture of the 2011 recipients of our scholarship. The deadline for submitting your application is March 31. If any member of our lodge is interested in the scholarship, please contact Dorothy Benes at 402-435-8912, Donna Aschwege at 402-421-0803, or Erma Ruhl at 402-488-6361. Hey, if you are a student they will be happy to hear from you. We elected the delegates and alternates to the State Convention and they are: Rich Hosek, Denise Spale, Mel Svoboda, Betty Soukup, and Velma Kotas. Our alternates are Sandy Hosek, Donna Aschwege, and Erma Ruhl. We look forward to seeing you at the State Convention. Sandy Hosek took information regarding those who will be attending our lodge’s Casino trip to Council Bluffs, IA on March 19. I think we have our own bus, and we will leave at approximately 8 a.m. and return at approximately 4 p.m. Many friends are attending these activities who are not lodge members. This helps our organization become known in the community; if you would like to go just call Sandy at 402-464-9846. It may not be profitable, but it sure is fun all day and on the bus. The food is good too. Our lodge is looking forward to hosting the District 3 Meeting on April 22 at the WOW Hall. It is located at 7011 Webster Street; we look forward to seeing all of the members in District 3. We will have a Fraternal Day. Lodge Loup Valley No. 437, Ord, NESandra Psota, Correspondent Members met at the home of Agnes Janda. We held a moment of silence for Mildred Hrebec who recently passed away. Members packaged 1,993 coupons for donation to the Ord Township Library for supplies, St. Mary’s Elementary School for new chairs, and kits for a kids’ organization.

(l-r) Treasurer Linda Placnik, President Doris David, Secretary Sandy Psota, Vice President Agnes Janda, and Correspondent Sandra Psota.

Member William David delivered food collected

for the food pantry.

A newsletter and 2012 calendar will be mailed to a ll members.

St. Mary’s Elementary students and members will make Valentines and deliver them to the Valley View Living Center in Ord. Congratulations to William David, as his bowling team won districts and will now advance to the state tourney. Cards and Valentine treats were enjoyed after the meeting.

North DakotaLodge Kosobud No. 106, Lankin, NDJoAnn Ryba, Correspondent Members held our meeting on February 5. President Daniel read a thank-you letter from the Pregnancy Health Center and the Adams Quick Response for 2011 donations we gave them. Louise is wondering if we have any more information about the Cedar Rapids National Czech and Slovak Museum. The Pisek church has a painting and they are honoring the painter. The Secretary received 50 and 75-year pins for the members we will honor at our May 6 meeting. We decided to have a bike-a-thon again in October. Our president will look into bike deals for the event. Member Austin Koenig will be a Park River High School graduate this spring. If any other lodge members will be graduating from high school or college, let us know or send their name to the Home Office. Members brought can flip tops and canceled stamps to the meeting. Box Tops for Education and Campbell labels were given to the Lakota, Fordville, and Park River schools. Youth and adult members made homemade valentines for Park River Rest Home residents at the meeting.

Members making Valentines.

Finished Valentine cards our members made.

Lodge Hodonin No. 188, Minot, NDJoan Smatt Peterson, Correspondent Vesele Vanoce a Stastny Novy rok for our December meeting at the Senior Center. Sewn ornaments found their way to each person, Pat gave out candy Santas, and Elaine made Kolacky to mention a few of the pleasantries we enjoyed. It is with gratitude that we can walk to the Senior Center

24 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSwithout having several feet of snow impeding our progress. Such was the case last year, and we are dreading the next few months when our snow blowers travel more miles than our cars. Our January meeting was held at the Moose Lodge for dinner and dancing; however, lodge business has a habit of intervening during dinner. Bring on the music! There will be more action next month with labels, tabs, etc. as our secretary, Jackie, lost her sister, member Mary A. Hambek on January 13. Our next meetings will be held on April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11 at noon at the Senior Center, unless notified differently.

OklahomaLodge Jan Zizka No. 67, Yukon, OKNatalie Stejskal Jasinski, Correspondent Members met January 15, and President Elaine Benda in-formed us of the new password. Members gathered all the donations we made to Pets and People in 2011, and we took them in after our meeting. We will be hosting the OK State meeting on April 21 at the Yukon Czech Hall. Everyone is invited! The meeting will start at 5 p.m., and the meal will begin at 7 p.m. All who attend the meeting will be our guests to the Polka Dance that will start at 8 p.m. and go until 11:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing everyone, as the afternoon and evening promise to be fun.

Members John and Natalie Jasinski and Eugene Novotny (Lodge 89) at the Pets and People Dinner and Auction.

Members Marilyn Berousek, Berniece

Kolar, Greg Seymour, Scott Shedeck, and

Elaine Benda gather up donation items for Pets

and People.

Lodge Oklahomsky Rolnik No. 89, Oklahoma City, OKBetty Muzny, Correspondent Our lodge met on February 7 on a brisk afternoon. After a great buffet luncheon, which our lodge provided, we began our meeting at 2 p.m. Happy Birthday was sung to our treasurer Myrtle Santin. It is always nice to see the birthday taking away the age and years. This is a warning to our President Gene Novotny whose birthday comes up in March. We are ready for you Mr. President. Are you ready for us?

The main topic of our meeting was to find the proper place for our donations. We plan to make at least three each quarter, making a total of 12 per year. The discussion resulted in a donation being made to St. Jude’s Hospital for our youth against cancer. The second is to be made to our Children’s Convalescent Hospital in our hometown of Oklahoma City. The third is to be made to the Czech National Cemetery to help with the upkeep there. A quick ancestral inventory showed us that each lodge member present had family in our cemetery. This is another way for us to say thank you to our ancestors for what they made possible for us. After some discussion about an outing as a group, we arrived at no answer, so we’ll keep discussing and thinking until our next meeting.

OregonLodge Krasna Budoucnost No. 222, Malin, ORKaren Rasmussen, Correspondent On January 28, our lodge made 1,290 Jaternice sausages for the Jaternice Dinner in February. There were 45 members and 2 guests who helped make the sausage. Lunch was served to all. The old members showed the young members how to make the sausage, how to put the meat mixture into the casings, and how to tie it together. It was a good day for all. The lodge wants to thank everyone who helped in making the Jaternice. More information is to come next month on the Jaternice Dinner.

Youth learning how to make Jaternice for the

dinner.

Members cooking the Jaternice.

South DakotaSOUTH DAKOTA WFLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Scholarship Board wishes to remind eligible students that the April 1 deadline to apply for the two SD wfla scholarships of $250 each is drawing near. The application form and eligibility requirements can be found on the wfla website at www.wflains.org, click on the subheading “SCHOLARSHIPS” at the left, and scroll down to State and Lodge Scholarships, and then click on South Dakota. At our State Meeting in August of 2011, the SD Scholarship Board provided a financial statement reporting our assets

March 2012 25

FRATERNAL FOCUSand the fact that interest earned was so low that it no longer provided the income to pay the annual scholarships. We asked the South Dakota Lodges to each do a fundraiser to benefit the scholarship fund. To date, we have received sizeable donations from Hamill Lodge No. 253 and Winner Lodge No. 237. Generous personal donations have been received from Shirley Woods, Darlene Vlasak, and from Alois Ruman in memory of Mildred. We have received memorial gifts honoring deceased members from Utica Lodge No. 71, Wagner Lodge No. 81, Tyndall Lodge No. 80, and Winner Lodge No. 237. If your lodge has not had the opportunity to participate, or if you wish to make a personal donation, you still have time. Donations should be made payable to the SD WFLA Scholarship Fund and sent to Jo Haffield at PO Box 133, Winner, SD 57580. A complete and detailed accounting will be given in the financial statement at the wfla State Meeting in August.

Lodge Star of South Dakota No. 71, Utica, SDShirley Woods, Secretary On January 15, our lodge hosted a meal at JoDean’s Restaurant at 12:30 p.m. in Yankton, SD for the 50 and 75-year members. Lodge members were invited for the meal and the lodge meeting was held afterwards at Stan Wood’s residence.

Members enjoying the lunch with our

honored 75 and 50-year honorees, plus Randy

and Holly Pechota. 

75-year member Edwin Stibral, President Alois Ruman presenting pins, and Laddie Pechous (sitting) accepting his wife’s, Marlene Pechous, 50-year member pin.

Lodge Winner No. 237, Winner, SDEva Watzel, Correspondent Members met at the home of Harold and Eva Watzel. Birthdays recognized were Mildred Stritecky on January 9 and Helen Maska on February 16. Correspondence was received from President Wolfe letting us know the new password and a letter showing each lodge’s 75/50-year members. We also received notification of three members of our lodge passing away. They were Emil Vavra, Edna Hedlund, and Tony Hazuka. A sympathy card was sent to each member’s family and a donation was made to the wfla SD Scholarship fund in memory of each of them. Members handed in their volunteer hours for the year. Greeting card fronts were gathered and will be sent to St.

Jude’s for their recycling program. Stamps were collected by members to be sent to the Lions International stamp club for veterans. These will be mailed in by your secretary. Pop tabs were collected and given to the Ronald McDonald House. Also, most of the members reported recycling and delivering to the local recycling plant.

Member Harold Watzel and the firemen on

September 12.

Members Eva Watzel and Helen Maska handing out treats at the church for Trunk & Treat.

Plans were made for a 50/75-year dinner to honor these members. We

will hold the party on May 26, with a noon meal at the Tripp Co. Library Community Room. Your secretary will write a letter to each of these honorees inviting them to this function. All officers will remain in their positions for the 2012 year. Harold closed the meeting and members played a few hands of cards, followed by a lunch of coffee, pie, and brownies.

TexasLodge Dallas No. 401, Dallas, TXSarah Martin, Correspondent Our lodge did not have a meeting in February, but we have had an eventful month so far. On February 11, Sarah Martin attended the Fraternal Alliance of TX Scholarship Bowling Tournament. We had a silent auction while the tournament was going on. On February 13, many of our members attended the Fraternal Council meeting at the Catholic Czech Club in Dallas. After a wonderful meal, we had a business meeting. Then we had a few games of bingo with some great prizes. On February 14, Lillian and Willie Honza, Sarah Martin from our lodge, and Ken Bowen and David and Della Spivey of Air Force SGT Association, met at the Dallas VA Medical Center in Dallas and gave out about 400 Valentines and sugar-free candy to the veterans. I am not sure who got the most out of the trip. We really enjoyed handing out the cards and treats, and the veterans really appreciated the effort. Faith Family Academy School Pre-K through 12th grade students made the Valentines for us to hand out. They wrote special messages on the cards for the veterans. As the veterans read the cards, some would have big smiles and others had tears in their eyes. The week of February 13-17 was National Salute to Veteran’s Week.

26 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUS

WashingtonLodge Seattle No. 181, Seattle, WAMarjorie Bianco-Vernon, Correspondent Members gathered on January 14 at McGrath’s Fish House in Federal Way. We had a good turnout for our first meeting of the New Year, despite the snow storm threat that kept some of us homebound and without power throughout the following week. We welcomed Greg Holm to his first lodge meeting. Greg was accompanied by Ryan (eldest son), Amanda (daughter-in-law), and Claira (Greg’s first grandchild). Bill Zila entertained us with his immense knowledge of Czech politics, geography, and history. Members brought canned food items to support our food drive for Hopelink, magazines for donation to Providence Clinic, and box tops for Canyon Creek Elementary School. A monetary donation was made to the wfla Education and Charitable Foundation in memory of George Vanek. Another cash donation was made to the Northwest Kidney Centers as a thank you for helping our lodge member transition to home dialysis.

Member Greg Holm attended his first lodge

meeting with family members – Claira

(new granddaughter), Amanda (daughter-in-law), and Ryan (eldest

son).

Member Steve Soucek started home dialysis treatments thanks to the Northwest Kidney Center. (Photo provided with family approval)

We discussed the possibility of providing toiletry kits to the homeless and volunteering for some Special Olympics winter games. Our lodge will participate in an upcoming Heritage Day at a local church

by providing Czech pastries. Rosemary Bodien, our lodge president, facilitates the monthly Czech Slovak Interest Group (CSIG) meetings to help people trace their Czech and Slovak family roots. Our lodge schedules several business meetings each year to immediately follow the CSIG gatherings, for the convenience of our members who travel long distances to attend both functions. Upcoming joint meeting dates this year are August 11 and November 10. Rosie additionally e-mails a periodic Czech Slovak Tidbits newsletter that provides helpful refer-ences for genealogy research, and announces ethnic-related conferences, festivals, gatherings, and contacts. Please email Rosie at trosie@bodien.org to get on the distribution list. We are grateful to, and congratulate our faithful members

who are celebrating their 75 and 50-year memberships this year. We salute Brian Bianco, who achieved the Dean’s Honor List in the College of the Sciences at Central Washington University. We also applaud Lawrence Reichle, who is maintaining an “A” average as a graduate student at the University of MI, majoring in Public Health. Lawrence spent last summer in San Francisco as an intern for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an EPA press release, Lawrence was acknowledged for his development of fact sheets for the Toxics Release Inventory Regional Analysis Project. This provides information on the disposal of more than 600 toxic chemicals from thousands of U.S. facilities. Our upcoming meetings for April and May will be determined at the March meeting. The June 13 meeting will be at 11 a.m. at McGrath’s Fish House in Federal Way.

Wisconsin/Upper MichiganMiss Czech-Slovak Wisconsin State Pageant Do you have a daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaugh-ter, or friend who you think would be a good candidate to run for the Miss WI Czech-Slovak Queen candidate? Please pass this information to that young lady. A state-wide search is underway for candidates to take part in the 14th Annual Miss Czech-Slovak WI State Queen Pageant. This pageant will be held in Phillips, WI on June 15-17 at our festival. Candidates must be of some Czech, Slovak, Moravian, or Silesian heritage and between the ages of 17-25, to compete. Cash prizes go to all winners. The Queen will compete at the national pageant in Wilber, NE the first weekend in August, all expenses paid. Queen Candidate Information Packets are available on our website: www.czech-slovak.festival.com. Further information is available on request. If you know anyone who might be interested in this, and lives in WI, please contact Vernette Moravek at 715-820-0368 or e-mail VJAM47@aol.com for more information. The deadline for entering is May 31.

Wisconsin District 2 Meeting Dinner/Dance Dorothy Schmoock, Secretary The meeting was called to order at Wertel’s Inn in Green Bay, WI by President Joyce Cisler. After our wonderful meal, we had a moment of silence for our deceased members. Roll call was held and six lodges were present with 39 members in attendance. Rudy Kolarik will be our chairperson for the dinner/dance. The meeting will be held at noon on April 22 at Rendezvous Inn, in Luxemburg. The Ron Gillis Band will be our entertainment. Each lodge should bring four gifts each worth $5 and unwrapped. Please invite all your 50 and 75-year members to attend. Our District 2 Meeting will be held May 6 at Reindl’s Supper Club in Menchalville, WI. Lodge 142 will be the host lodge. The dinner will be at noon with a meeting to follow. Our State Convention will be held at Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, WI on October 12-14. Lodge No. 108, Denmark will host this meeting.

March 2012 27

FRATERNAL FOCUSLodge Samo No. 32, Hillsboro, WIBrenda Osterman, Correspondent We held our first meeting of the year on January 7 and completed our lodge award forms for submission to the Home Office. We also planned our meetings and activities for the 2012 year. We have discussed what’s working and what’s not. We are moving forward with webinars this year when we have our meetings. That way our lodge members who are a distance away from our meetings can still attend. This is also useful for some people who are not able to attend our meetings on our scheduled meeting dates - they can view the archives of the meetings at a later time. In February, we provided Valentines to the Kindred Hearts home for their Valentine party. New for 2012, we are starting a calling campaign by calling our members within a 60-mile radius. We are also making plans to reach out to the local businesses in the area to educate them about wfla and our lodge. We have learned that it is easier to reach out to groups and businesses in addition to our local Chamber of Commerce, instead of having the expectation that they will reach out to our lodge. We will continue with our quest of reaching out to educate the schools as to who we are and what we are all about. We do this at times when we donate items to the schools. For more updates or information about our lodge, don’t forget to check out our website at www.hillsborosamolodge32.shutterfly.com.

Lodge Milwaukee No. 48, Milwaukee, WIDarinka Kohl, Correspondent Members met on December 17 at Three Brothers for a combined meeting and lodge Christmas party. A brief meeting was held to discuss President Jim Wolfe’s letter stating youth phone numbers were not available. The Home Office sends an annual roster of names and addresses for adult members. We can request 12-18 youth or 16-30 without phone numbers. A delicious dinner and wonderful party followed. President Jarka Axtell called the meeting to order. Youth Director Kelsey Wegner recently spoke with Jarka about how to get younger members involved. Each lodge can have one extra delegate at the next conven-tion if they are under the age of 40. We had three directors retire and our new District 2 Director is Brenda Osterman. Gerald Novotny received our support and a grant from the WI Humanities for his Sokol project. We will contact the Milwaukee Sokol about the pizza party for their gymnasts. Fran Marlenga proposed we have the pizza party in April when the weather is better. Vera Fraizer asked for help auditing the books and with the activities. Lodge Verna Laska No. 108, Denmark, WIJean Van Lanen, Correspondent The regular lodge meeting was held on February 1. The newly formed Youth Group is meeting on February 3 and 4 at Randy and Jody Kolarik’s home to bake and decorate cookies. On February 11, members met at St. Vincent de Paul to help sort items to be sold in the store.

In March, members bowled for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. A donation will be made from the lodge. For the April meeting, the lodge is collecting used clothing for St. Vincent de Paul. Our Christmas party was a huge success with more than 50 children present to visit with Santa. There was also a magician to entertain the members. Canned goods were collected for the food pantry and members also brought items for Toys for Tots. Two bikes were given away at the Christmas party and were won by: Max Krueger and Genevieve Kleiber.

Members working at St. Vincent de Paul.

Judy Klika and a Marine with the Toys for Tots donation.

JOIN HANDS DAY was discussed and a date was set. JOIN HANDS DAY will be on May 12 at the Maribel Caves, where members will gather at 10 a.m. to clear the area of mustard grass. Lunch will follow for all the workers. Our lodge is hosting the WI State Convention. The Convention will be held October 13 and 14 at Fox Hills Resort in Mischot.

Lodge Bratri Novych Hradu No. 141, Cadott, WICade Sikora, Correspondent Bessie Stanek celebrated her 99th birthday on January 29. She was our lodge secretary for 50 years. She still goes to the nursing home daily to help with the patients. Our lodge is also getting ready for the potato, pancake, and jaternice breakfast scheduled March 18. Check us out and find out more lodge information, as well as our scholarship, online at www.cadottbohemianhall.com. Lodge Ratolest Wisconsin No. 196, Black River Falls, WI Allyson Ullerich, Correspondent We are all proud of Pat Brauner who helped save the lives of a family in a motor vehicle accident. For the story, see page 5 of Member in the News. Way to keep a cool head about you, Pat. I know there are some people out there who are quite proud of you and a few who are very thankful. Pat is the son of Cathy and past president of our lodge, Joe Brauner, Jr. One last reminder, in April we will have a meeting, clean up time, and then later in the month a District Meeting will be held in our lodge. Reach out, get active, and get involved. Get

28 March 2012

FRATERNAL FOCUSto know the lodge members and what each has to offer. Don’t forget about JOIN HANDS DAY!

Lodge Nadeje Slovanu No. 236, Phillips, WITherese Trojak, Correspondent While cleaning her attic, Carole Zellinger found a box of three U.S. Marine Corps jackets worn by her husband Laddie when he trained at Quantico, Parris Island, and Camp LeJeune from 1957-1961. She washed and mended them and sewed on buttons. Pictured in front with grandfather Laddie, are Jacob age 12, Nicholas Aguado age 11, (back) Tony Aguado age 16, and Joshua Kuhlmann age 11. All are wfla members except the dog Duke.

Laddie Zellinger with his grandkids wearing the Marine Corps jackets.

Lodge Northern Star No. 332, Weyerhaeuser, WIGertrude Bonczyk, Correspondent Our lodge met on January 22 for our Christmas party at the Receipt Box Cafe in Bruce. We recognized our 50 and 75-year members. They will be receiving their pins from the Home Office. We audited the books at Gertie Bonczyk’s home with four people attending. We also prepared the awards papers to send to the Home Office. Agnes reported at the party about what we do through the year. Members brought items for the raffle. There was also a special raffle of homemade wine and a gift certificate from our local grocery store, which went for our hardship fund. Everyone had a good time. We held our election of officers and new officers are: President Frank Bonczyk, Vice President Stefania Mazon, Secretary Gertie Bonczyk, and Treasurer Agnes Stycynski. We met on February 9. President Frank Bonczyk opened the meeting at 1 p.m. We discussed that the Christmas party went well and we would like to come back to the Recipe Box again next year. One of our members is fighting cancer, so we voted to make a monetary donation to this person. Virginia and Sandy reported on their fun time taking young people out shopping from the Chetek Weyerhauser school for Christmas presents. The lodge made a monetary donation to cover the shopping spree. Clara Shadik will take care of the bags of prescription bottles. She will go to Eau Claire which is 70 miles from here. The lodge has decided to compensate her for the mileage. The Bucks Lake Insurance company sent the lodge a copy of the insurance premium payment, which gives them the right to use the lodges facilities. We welcome new member Clarence Godfelty to our lodge. Our next meeting will be April 12 at Gertie Bonczyk’s home at 1 p.m.

Lodge Severni Cechoslovak No. 355, Ladysmith, WI

Member Don Dvorak presented Boyd Bears to Marlene Tuma of the Rusk County Ambulance.

Lodge Manitowoc Jr. No. 360, Manitowoc, WICathy Groelle, Correspondent Our lodge met on January 14 at the American Legion in Manitowoc. We held an election of officers, they are as follows: President Carol Jebavy, Vice President Florence Rusboldt, Secretary/Correspondent Cathy Groelle, Membership Coordinator Elaine Naidl, Treasurer Lumir Jebavy, Guide Marvin Kliment, and Guard Vic Naidl. We set up our meeting schedule for the New Year. Our tentative dates are: April 14, May 12, July 14, August 11, September 8, and November 10. In February, Carol Jebavy, Cathy Groelle, and Florence Rusboldt audited the books from last year. We discussed our activities for the upcoming year and decided to do blankets again for Project Linus, the Fishing Derby, and the Soap Box Derby for children’s projects. We will do JOIN HANDS DAY in conjunction with the youth from Barb Schneider’s church in Oshkosh, where we go to feed the homeless and needy. Our lodge also decided to do bingo at River Hills. We will discuss other projects again when we meet in March.

Lodge Kewaunee No. 365, Kewaunee, WICarolyn Kinstetter, Correspondent Members lunched at the Waterfront Grill on February 7, with Mary Jane Schanilec as the host. The books were audited and in perfect balance. Magdalene put in a lot of work for the awards. We have 271 members. Plans for the coming year (2012) are lined up. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Dinner/Dance on April 22 at the Rendevous in Luxemburg. There is always good food, and it is nice to get reacquainted with old friends. Lodge City Point No. 408, City PointJoan Rapp, Correspondent We had a delicious potluck dinner, then we called the meeting to order to discuss our upcoming events. We have two of our members on the sick list, and we wish them well. After the meeting, we played bingo. It was a nice winter day to be out.

March 2012 29

IN MEMORIAM

In MemoriamLife is but a stopping place,

A pause in what’s to be,A resting place along the road,

To sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

But never meant to stay.

Our destination is a placeFar greater than we know,

For some the journey’s quickerFor some the journey’s slow.

And when the journey finally endsWe’ll claim the great reward, And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the Lord.

Robert S. OdvarkaLodge No. 28, Clarkson, NE

Brother Robert Odvarka was born November 27, 1953 in Schuyler, NE to Dr. Robert Charles and Arlene (Fayman) Odvarka and died January 19, 2012 in North Bend. A memorial service will be held at a later date, with interment at Clarkson National Cemetery. Survivors include mother, Arlene Odvarka; brother, Scott (Stephanie) Odvarka all of Lincoln; sister, Sandi (Keith) Weeder of Aurora, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Darlene Hrouda, Secretary

Evelyn L. KohlschmidtLodge No. 3, Crete, NE

Sister Evelyn Kohlschmidt was born March 16, 1920 in Swanton to John and Agnes (Pesek) Sipek and died January 18, 2012 in Crete. Funeral services were held January 21, with interment at Riverside Cemetery. Evelyn married Harold Kohlschmidt May 13, 1941 in Fairbury. She was a 75-year member. Survivor include daughter, Joyce (Don) Rezny of Crete.

Helen Cejka, Secretary

Waunetta Rose GoldmanLodge No. 225, Bannister, MI

Sister Waunetta Goldman was born May 29, 1920 in Ashley, MI to Frank and Golda (Brewbaker) Shinew and died January 10, 2012 in Ashley. Funeral services were held January 12, with interment at Ford Cemetery in Gratiot County. Waunetta married William Goldman Sr. August 8, 1936 in Ashley. She was a 75-year member. Survivors include son, Wil lard (Marilyn) Goldman of Bannister; many grand, great-grand, and great great-grand children.

Tom Bradley, Secretary

Elinor D. BundaLodge No. 39, Fort Dodge, IA

Sister Elinor Bunda was born April 1, 1927 in Fort Dodge to Carl and Edith Anderson and died December 27, 2011. Funeral services were held December 31, with interment at Graceland Cemetery. Elinor married Lawrence Bunda in 1940. Survivors include daughters, Carolyn (Ben) Hinds of Badger, Karen (Chuck) Reedholm of Boxholm, Renee (John) Badger of Fort Dodge; sisters Berniece Dobmeier of Fort Dodge and Lois (Gerald) McMahon of Rockport, MO; brother, Charlie (Bert) Anderson of Humboldt; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

LaVonne Linn Hallegan, Secretary

Doris D. RamsdenLodge No. 39, Fort Dodge, IA

Sister Doris Ramsden was born September 6, 1923 in Elkhorn Township to Frank and Emma (Jondle) Pliner and died December 21, 2011. Funeral services were held December 27, with interment at North Lawn Cemetery. Doris married Ernest Ramsden June 21, 1948. She was a 75-year member. Survivors include daughter, Sharon (Carl) Plumb of Johnston; son, Lloyd (Gayle Biggs) Ramsden of Fort Dodge; 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

LaVonne Linn Halligan, Secretary.

Helen M. RihaLodge No. 142, Two Rivers, WI

Sister Helen Riha was born April 27, 1928 in Two Rivers to Robert and Florence (Johnson) Staab and died January 1, 2012. Funeral services were held January 5, with interment at Holy

Cross Cemetery in Two Rivers. Helen married Adolph Riha February 15, 1947. She was a 50-year member. Survivors include daughter, Mary (Gerald) Wilson of Two Rivers; brother, Robert (Sally) Staab; sisters, Mabel (Ray) Ploeckelmann and Rosemary (Mike) Bodart; 2 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

Ruth Sleger, Treasurer

June A. MarekLodge No. 142, Two Rivers, WI

Sister June Marek was born June 22, 1933 in Two Rivers to Forest and Estelle Gustavson and died December 31, 2011. Funeral services were held January 4, with interment at Knollwood Chapel. June married Frank Marek October 15, 1955. Survivors include husband Frank; daughters, Sally (Charles) Eckart and Peggy (Mark) Nornemacher; son, Steve (Lynnette) Marek; sister, Joy (Robert) Sonnenburg; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

Ruth Sleger, Treasurer

Walter KnoepfliLodge No. 46,

Prague, OK

Brother Walter K noepf l i wa s born June 17, 1925 in Prague t o G o t t f r i e d a n d A n n a (Unterk ircher) K noepf l i a nd

died November 24, 2011. Funeral services were held December 1, with interment at the Prague Cemetery. Walter married Isobel Logan in 1953. He was a WWII and Korean Conflict Veteran. He was also a 50-year member and served as lodge Vice President. Survivors include wife, Isobel Knoepfli of Norman; daughters, Karla Knoepfli of Norman and Karen (Gary) Buck of Houston, TX; sister, Helen Packard of Lake Jackson, TX; and 2 granddaugh-ters.

Cindy Fridrich, Secretary

Raymond John OlsonLodge No. 400, Swisher, IA

Brother Raymond Olson was born May 20, 1937 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Lawrence and Eleonora (Sternad) Olson and died January 31, 2012 in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services were held

30 March 2012

IN MEMORIAMFebruary 4, with interment at Czech National Cemetery. Raymond married Marilyn Feight June 16, 1959. He was a 75-year member. Survivors include wife, Marilyn Olson; sons, Curtis (Pam) Olson of Walford and Eric (Jodi) Olson of Cedar Rapids; brother, Robert (Cindy) Olson of Cedar Rapids; and 4 grandchildren.

Mary Ann Siems, President

Adeline Lopata LorencLodge No. 400, Swisher, IA

Sister Adeline Lorenc was born October 7, 1912 in Fairfax, IA to Louis and Sylvia (Serbousek) Lopata and died January 20. Funeral services were held January 24, with interment at Czech National Cemetery. Ade l ine ma rr ied Iva n L orenc November 16, 1937. She was a 50-year member. Survivors include sons, Donald (Marilyn) Lorenc of Venice, FL and Allan Lorenc of Walford; daughter, Kathy Lorenc (David) Illig of Fairfax; 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann Siems, President

Helen A. HendricksLodge No. 147, Mandan, ND

Sister Helen Hendricks was born June 19, 1912 in Garrison, NE to Joe and Anna (Semerad) Rada and died December 25, 2011 in Hankinson, ND. Funeral services were held January 6, with inurnment at Bohemian Cemetery. Helen married Tony Hendricks August 26, 1934. She was a 75-year member. Survivors include daughters, Helen Marshall of Glendora, CA, Betty (Willard) Hill of Veblen, SD, and Donna Peterson of Elk River, MN; 5 grandchil-dren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Betty Hill, Daughter

Libbie V. ShimekLodge No. 19, Munden, KS

Sister Libbie Shimek was born October 18, 1914 in rural Cuba to Bart and Frances (Benyshek) Shulda and died January 9, 2012 in Belleville, KS. Funeral services were held January 13, with interment at Kopsa Cemetery. Libbie married Ben Shimek October 24, 1933. She was a 50-year member. Survivors include son, Gaylin Shimek of Clyde; daughter Angela Reeves of Salem, AL; 2 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and 1 step great-grandchild.

Charles V. HeinaLodge No. 19, Munden, KS

Brother Charles Heina was born January 19, 1915 in rural Cuba, KS to John and Frances (Havel) Heina and died December 28, 2011 in Belleville. Funeral services were held January 2, with interment at St. Isidore’s Catholic Cemetery. Charles married LeEnora Klaumann August 12, 1940. Survivors include wife, LeEnora Heina of Belleville; son, Fr. Steven Heina of Ellsworth; daughter, Louise (Michael) Kieffer of Jacksonville, AR; sisters, Bessie Holechek of Concordia and Blanche Kauer of Omaha, NE; and 1 granddaughter.

Ronnie J. KarpisekLodge No. 389, Western, NE

Brother Ronnie Karpisek was born September 9, 1944 in Wilber, NE to Irvin and Ella (Sysel) Karpisek and died February 3, 2012 in Wilber. Funeral services were held February 8, with interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery. Ronnie married Beverly Kottas October 17, 1964 in Friend. He was a 50-year member. Survivors include mother, Ella Karpisek of Wilber; son, Russell Karpisek; 2 grandchildren; and sister-in-law Pat Karpisek all of Wilber.

Joan Kotas, Secretary

Dorothy E. KotasLodge No. 389, Western, NE

Sister Dorothy E. Kotas was born December 20, 1925 in Dorchester, NE to George Sr. and Emma (Rezabek) Kasl and died February 1, 2012 in Friend. Funeral services were held February 3, with interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery in Wilber, NE. Dorothy married Lumer Kotas February 24, 1948 in Wilber. She was a 50-year member and was a former lodge secretary. Survivors include sons, Lumir (Mary Ann) Kotas of Friend, Allen (Judy) Kotas of Milligan; brothers, Robert (Marva) Kasl, George Jr. (Shirley) Kasl, Richard (Shirley) Kasl, and Evelyn Kasl all of Dorchester; sisters, Evelyn Kranzovskey of Fremont; Helen Halada of Lincoln, Gladys (Warren) Burda of Wilber; 10 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Joan Kotas, Secretary

Irene S. StejskalLodge No. 74, Dorchester, NE

Sister Irene Stejskal was born March 10, 1916 southwest of Friend, NE to Joseph and Christina (Bors) Stejskal and died January 8, 2012. Funeral services were held January 12, with interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery. Irene married Louis Stejskal November 25, 1935. She was a 75-year member. Survivors include daughters, Dianne (Ron) Corbett of Friend; Phyliss Schmucker of Denver, CO; son, David (Cheryl) Stejskal of Crete; 10 grandchil-dren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn Clark, Secretary

Raymond S. DawsonLodge No. 112, Comstock, NE

Brother Raymond Dawson was born April 15, 1929 in Elgin, NE to Clayton and Doris (Spurling) Dawson and died January 13, 2012. Funeral services were held January 19, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE. Raymond married Florence Wright February 2, 1951 in Lincoln. Survivors include daughters, Elizabeth Henning of Hebron, Stephanie Dawson of Edward, Cynthia Feeser of Sergeant Bluff, IA, and Jennifer Miller of Waterloo; and 5 grandchildren.

Shirley Knapp, Secretary

Leslie Robert RadilLodge No. 192, Alexandria, MN

Brother Leslie Radil was born March 17, 1931 in Lake Mary Township, MN to Frank and Lillian (Muzik) Radil and died February 2, 2012. Funeral services were held February 8, with interment at St. John Nepomuk Cemetery in Lowry. Leslie married Ramona Zimmel April 26, 1954 in Belle River, MN. He served in the Army and was a 50-year member. Survivors include wife, Ramona Radil of Alexandria; sons, Max (Lyla) Radil, Mark (Marilyn) Radil, Lee (Beth) Radil, and Dean (Judy) Radil all of Alexandria; daughter, Connie (Kevin) Klimek of Glenwood; sisters, Ruth Roers of Millersville, Dorothy (Mike) Dunn of Alexandria, and Carol (Rod) Karrow of Alexandria; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Bernice Trousil, Secretary

Mavis D. HouserLodge No. 54, Wilber, NE

Sister Mavis Houser was born November 14, 1926 on a farm west

March 2012 31

IN MEMORIAM

Auld, Esther R .................... Marengo, IA 146 1937 01/03/12Beranek, Amiel L ................ Fremont, NE 9 1935 09/22/11Boss, Erma E....................... Andalusia, IL 201 2000 12/08/11Brundage, Thomas F .......... Florissant, MO 104 1967 05/23/11Chemlir, Antoinette ............ Mission Viejo, CA 377 1944 07/23/11Clavin, Beatrice S ............... Omaha, NE 296 1933 01/10/11Corporan, Arlene A ............. Omaha, NE 53 1948 02/27/11Dlabaj, Karel ....................... Conyers, GA 330 1924 12/24/11Fisa, Albert E ...................... Wisconsin Rapids, WI 408 1976 01/04/12Frandson, Lorraine ............. Edina, MN 11 1960 09/21/95Glass, Willie ...................... Janesville, WI 357 2011 11/02/11Heckroth, Janice L .............. Des Moines, IA 104 1939 12/18/11Hedlund, Edna B ............... Olympia, WA 237 1937 11/18/11Jansen, Wayne C ................. Appleton, WI 144 2002 12/21/11Jasek, Jeraldine L................. Houston, TX 289 1947 12/04/11Jesina, Vivian E ................... Traer, IA 104 1941 12/09/11Josifek, John A .................... St Paul, MN 141 1951 09/20/11Kasl, Velma D ..................... Crete, NE 389 1952 11/17/11Kluzak, Laura A .................. Grand Forks, ND 218 1963 11/09/11Kohel, James J ..................... Wilber, NE 54 1946 11/18/11Kvetensky, Joseph M ........... Grand Island, NE 112 1948 11/02/11Latting, Joann ..................... Grinnell, IA 104 1947 12/14/11Liegl, Mildred M ................ Burke, SD 162 1960 12/14/11Liska, Robert ...................... Verdigre, NE 53 1934 10/31/11Malkowski, Shirley ............. Manitowoc, WI 142 1938 12/18/11Marek, June A ..................... Two Rivers, WI 142 1963 12/31/11Marik, Anthony Jr .............. Los Angeles, CA 377 1935 10/23/11Mattson, Gloria A ............... Fargo, ND 168 2008 12/01/11Mc Gill, Ann M .................. Bernalillo, NM 475 2002 11/09/11Moudry, Leonard J ............. Burwell, NE 112 1931 10/11/11Muckey, Alvin L ................. Tarpon Springs, FL 385 2003 12/25/10Odvody, Raymond D .......... Fremont, NE 9 1943 01/03/12Olson, Sarah Ann ............... St Cloud, MN 168 2002 12/10/11Pecka, Robert L .................. Crete, NE 54 1944 11/25/11Prochaska, Michiel T .......... Salina, KS 121 1947 11/21/10Psenicka, Lionel J ................ Birnamwood, WI 144 1942 12/09/11Pumala, Margaret E ............ Grand View, WI 126 1943 12/15/11Ramsden, Doris D .............. Ft Dodge, IA 39 1931 12/21/11Riha, Helen M .................... Two Rivers, WI 142 1951 01/01/12Roehlk, Nadine P ............... Bettendorf, IA 201 1979 01/05/12Sauer, Helen L .................... Manitowoc, WI 20 1949 12/01/11Sebek, James J. .................... Seattle, WA 330 1979 12/06/06Sedlacek, Alvin J ................. Gowrie, IA 39 1962 11/06/11Stoneking, Ceresa H ........... Prairie City, IL 262 1996 12/17/11Talaga, Letetia P ................. Appleton, WI 360 2007 12/07/11Toman, Anna ...................... West Allis, WI 48 1960 10/20/10Van Dyke, Helen A ............. Fargo, ND 28 1932 11/23/11Warner, Marilyn A .............. Guthrie Center, IA 45 2007 12/02/11

Lodge Became Date of Name Place of Death No. Member Death

CLAIMS FOR DeCeMbeR 2011of Wilber, NE to Joseph and Emma (Slepicka) Svarc and died January 14, 2012. Funeral services were held January 20, with interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery. Mavis married Tommy Houser September 2, 1948 in Wilber. She was a 75-year member. Survivors include daughters, Dianne (Curtis) Wanek and Doris (Kenneth) Koll; son, David Houser all of Wilber; sister, Shirley (Donald) Ray of Lincoln; brother, Orin (Mary) Svarc of Mesa, AZ; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Doris Hynek, Correspondent

James Franklin TenopirLodge No. 54, Wilber, NE

Brother James Tenopir was born December 30, 1920 on a farm near Friend, NE to John and Mary (Svehla) Tenopir and died January 29, 2012 in Wilber. Funeral services were held February 2, with interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery. James married Irene Tenopir June 27, 1950 in Wilber. He served his country from October 5, 1942 until November 7, 1945. Survivors include wife, Irene Tenopir; daughter, Sharon Birch of Lincoln; son, Dennis (Anne) Tenopir of Wilber; brother, George Tenopir of Whittier, CA; and 3 grandsons.

Doris Hynek, Correspondent

What Fruit Flies Can Teach Us About Life Insurance

Not much we can learn from fruit

flies, right? Actually when it comes to

planning for the future, they can show

us a lot. There are very few “tomorrows”

for fruit flies (fewer than 30 days for most). Their plans

for the future have to happen now, because they know

how fast time can (eh-hem) fly. We humans may have

longer life spans than fruit flies, but how much longer?

The truth is, we just don’t know.

Fruit flies live knowing the end is always near, so the

word “procrastination” isn’t in their vocabulary. When a

need for life insurance arises, they act fast. You may not

have hundreds of little mouths to feed like fruit flies Frank

and Fran, but it only takes one—

one person who depends on you

financially or otherwise—for you

to need life insurance. You don’t

want to leave the financial future

of your loved ones in jeopardy.

OK, enough about fruit flies. You love your family and want to make sure they’ll

be taken care of, come what may. That means protecting them with life insurance

today. To get started, visit www.insureyourlove.org. It explains who needs life

insurance and provides tools to help you determine how much and what kind of

life insurance might be right for you.

This piece has been reproduced by Western Frateral Life Association with the permission of the Life andHeath Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), a nonpro�t organization dedicated to helping consumersmake smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ �nancial futures. LIFE does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. ©2012 LIFE. All rights reserved.

That’s why life insurance

is such a no-brainer.

We live our lives knowing

the end is never far away.

Don’t miss this web exclusive: See what Frank and Fran have to say about life insurance. At www.insureyourlove.org, you’ll find funny fruit-fly videos as well as answers to the most frequently asked fruit-fly questions!

The Fruit Fly Fables