Lincolnville man enjoys horses, cattle
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Older Americans find various ways to spend their time. Some continue with their life's work as long as possible, others retire and travel or concentrate on hobbies or volunteer work.
Sylvester Vinduska of Lincolnville finds pleasure in owning livestock. The 85-year-old man grew up around Pilsen and also around horses. He said his father always had horses and was an expert in horse care.
"Any time I had a chance I would skip school and farm (with horses)," Vinduska said.
During World War II, he raised and halter-broke a pair of mules which he later sold to the Army.
He also enjoyed playing in a Bohemian dance band.
He and his wife, Vida (Soyez), were married in 1939. They moved to Marion in 1947, where they lived for eight years while he worked at Badger Lumber Co., later known as Mack-Welling Lumber Co. and, more recently, Nick's Building Center.
The couple later lived and worked in Wichita and were married for 44 years. Vinduska retired in 1983 after 20 years as an employee of Pacific Intermountain Express.
He then decided to move back to the home place northwest of Pilsen. He owned 220 acres, 160 of that in a secluded valley in the Flint Hills about 10 miles east of Antelope.
Although he has slowed down a lot, he still has seven horses including three mares, two colts, and two yearlings, each with a name. He also owns 16 beef cows.
He doesn't ride anymore, but enjoys going out to the farm each day, rain or shine, to take care of the livestock.
Vinduska has five children — Diana, Lisa, Bill, Rebecca, and Martin, four grandsons, and one great-grandson. Martin lives on the home place.
"What I enjoy the best is family, livestock, and dancing," Vinduska concluded.
