Obituary of Louise KOUDELKA, St Clair County, Illinois

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives
Copyright 1999  Karen Souhrada


[Source: Obit Notice posted in the News-Democrat newspaper of Belleville,
Illinois; written by Cheryl Eaton]
CZECH IMMIGRANT DIES AT 101 [Louise KOUDELKA] dated 1988

        LOUISE KOUDELKA, a 101 year old Belleville resident and native of
Czechoslovakia, died Wednesday at the Four Fountains Convalescent Center.
        Louise Koudelka was born February 28, 1887, in Czechoslovakia, her
grandson MILTON KOUDELKA, said.  Louise Koudelka  married a cousin, DAN
KOUDELKA, who immigrated to the United States.  Louise Koudelka stayed in
Czechoslovakia with their son, JERRY KOUDELKA, while Dan Koudelka worked in
the Southern Illinois coal mines, saving enough money to bring his wife and
son to America.
        Louise Koudelka joined her husband in the U. S. in 1912, leaving her
son with relatives until enough money was saved to pay for his way said
grandson Milton Koudelka, 62, of Belleville.
        My dad (Jerry Koudelk) was about 12 years old when he came to the
country.  They came one at a time because they couldn't afford to come
together.  I don't know how they made it over here." Milton Koudelka said.
        Louise Koudelka was happy living in the United States and soon
learned to speak English, but she spoke Bohemian when she got the
opportunity, Milton Koudelka said.
        One of the things at which she excelled was cooking.
        "She could cook.  When she cooked supper, she started in the morning
and cooked until it was done in the evening.  It wasn't one of those
10-minute meals," Milton Koudelka said.
        Louise Koudelka was preceded in death by her husband and two sons,
Jerry and LESLIE KOUDELKA.  She is survived by two grandchildren - Milton
Koudelka and NORMA BILHARTZ of Richardson, Texas - and four
great-grandchildren.
        A private funeral service will be held Friday at the Pete Gaerdner
Funeral Home in Belleville.  Burial will be in the Valhalla Gardens of
Memory in Belleville.

[Research Notes: This lady was a cousin of, and wife to DAN KOUDELKA, who
was the son of KARL "CHARLES" KOUDELKA and MARIE VALTA/WALTA.  Marie Valta
Koudelka was the daughter of VACLAV VALTA and his wife MARIE HANUS KOUDELKA.
All of above were born in Czechoslovakia and who emigrated to Belleville,
Illinois, United States of America,  in the early years of the 1900's.
See related obit posted at St. Clair co. Archives, for: CLARA BENESH, nee
LIDISKY]
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Karen Souhrada
<souhrada@bigfoot.com>