Pilsen families report Thanksgiving celebrations
By LEONA LONEY
Pilsen correspondent
(620) 924-5417
Thanksgiving Day guests of Marguerite Jirak included Alan and Cindy Mueller and Chelsey and Steve Jirak and Jakki, Assaria; Kim Klein, Mason and Miles, Jim Jr. and Kelita Jones, Kyle and Alyssa, Doug Hoesli, Douglas, Dane, Jordan, and Brandon, Salina; Jim and Becky Jones and Cassie, Solomon; Randy Jirak, Matt and Brittney, Winfield; Larry and Kelly Montgomery, Amanda and Michael, Lindsborg; Hank Jirak, Abilene; Jason and Shelly Plett and Taylor, Hillsboro; Kerri and Ashley Mueller, Manhattan; Deb Hedberg, Will and Mikayla, Marquette; and Caleb Gray, Enterprise.
Joe and JoAnn Nowak enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Jennifer and Tim Frasher and family of Wichita. Other guests included Joe and Yo Nowak and family of Goddard, John and Judy Nowak and family of Inman, and Jan and Jayson Hanschu and family of Hillsboro. Judy and Kevin Steinborn and daughters were Sunday morning breakfast guests of the Joe Nowaks.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Meysing Nicholas and Jacob of Oklahoma City, Okla., were Thanksgiving Day guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dorman Becker. The Larry Meysing family was Friday dinner guests of Paul and Alice Meysing and Don. Paul and Alice drove to Colwich Sunday and visited Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Schippers and Mr. and Mrs. Junior Schippers and family.
Damien Svitak and Jenni Stevens of Manhattan were home from Wednesday evening to Sunday night for the Thanksgiving holiday. Randy, Kathy, Damien, and Jenni were among the Thanksgiving Day dinner guests at the home of Bob and Irene Finley.
Kathy Svitak and Paulette Holub had a good visit Friday afternoon as they decorated Renegades for the upcoming Christmas season.
Kathy and Randy Svitak hosted a Thanksgiving gathering at their home Sunday evening with the traditional Czech meal of roasted duck, potato dumplings, and sauerkraut. Those attending were Terry and Linda Schmidt of Marion, Gerald and Paulette Holub of Lincolnville/Hesston, George and Charlene Svitak, Damien Svitak, Jennie Stevens, Shane Svitak, Jennifer Schmidt, Bob and Irene Finley, Melissa, Katie and Rebecca Finley of Herington, and Chris Finley of Woodbine/Lyona area.
Magdalen Dvorak's family started arriving Wednesday for the weekend. Included were Roger and Lolita Dvorak, Nancy and Silvester Harrison III of Killeen, Texas, David, Gina, Jessica, and Joshua Dvorak of Rapid City, S.D., Russell, Carrie, and Lindsay of Englewood, Colo., and Dale, Chris, and Micah Dvorak of Aurora, Colo. Others joining them for Thanksgiving included Don, Karen, Melanie, Matt, and Kara Druse, John and Carol Dvorak, and Patrick Jordan, all of Marion, Tom and Janel Dvorak of Newton, Jennifer and Kristain Dvorak of Wichita, Dave, Sue, and David Dvorak of Andover, Tom and Margaret Niles of El Reno, Okla., Mike, Carleen, and Ryan Dvorak of Emporia, John and Marlene Clayton and Michael Vinduska of Ellinwood, Maggie Vinduska of Emporia. David, Marie, Davie, Cory, and Quinton Smith and their friend Jadie DeMoss of Newton, and Darrin, Janelle, Derick, and Zachary Dvorak of Springfield, Mo.
Millie and Lillie Vinduska drove to Rose Hill where they enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Kay and David Tharp and family. They were joined later by Clarence and Carol Sponsel and family of Wichita, Cindy Mueller of Assaria, Carol, Clarence, and Arlene Sponsel, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pauls and daughter Abigail of Texas, and Mrs. Kerry Rowden and son Joseph. Kerry had to work so his son was staying with his mother.
Sylvia Bezdek, Harvey and Frances Falen, and Dan and Marcia Falen enjoyed Thanksgiving Day dinner at Barb's Place in Herington.
Jim, Rosalie, and Wendy Rudolph attended Blake Miller's Thanksgiving program at Marion Elementary School on Monday. Jim, Rosalie and Wendy Rudolph drove to Wichita Thursday where they were dinner guests of Ron and Sandi Stika. The Jim Rudolphs hosted a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. Their guests were Deb and Scott Steward and family and Tracy and Kaylynn Rudolph and family.
Lou and Ruby Vinduska accompanied Terry, Cindy, and Jill Vinduska and Melissa and Daniel Stuchlik to Topeka Friday where they had dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Ron Vinduska. The "girls" enjoyed the afternoon shopping and I understand the "guys" enjoyed other means of entertainment.
Melvin Wesley of Salina and his daughter Laura of California visited Saturday evening with Lou and Ruby Vinduska. They enjoyed a tour of the newly-redecorated Pilsen church.
Twenty-one women and Father Steve Gronert enjoyed the dinner Sunday evening hosted by St. Ann's Altar Society at Butch's Diner, Tampa. Carols were sung and a gift exchange was held after some right and left moving of gifts. All reported a "fun time."
Ed and Margaret Vinduska drove to Overland Park for Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Darlene, Dick, and Cecilia Nancarrow. They were joined there by Carolyn, Don, Mike, Matthew, Melinda, Mark, and Amy Meerian of Overbrook. The group enjoyed viewing the video, "Li'l Abner," which was presented by Santa Fe Trails High School and in which Mike Meerian had the leading part.
Richard and Loretta Noone enjoyed Thanksgiving Day dinner at the home of Ralph, Alice, Michelle, and Jordan Noone in Valley Center.
Terry Klenda and her grandson visited Amelia Vinduska on Monday. Margie Stroda visited Amelia after church Thursday morning. Ken and Bonnie Vinduska took Amelia with them to the community Thanksgiving dinner which was served at the middle school in Marion. Margie and Arthur Stroda visited Amelia after Mass Sunday.
Dr. Eugene and Verna Vinduska were Thanksgiving Day dinner guests of Mary and Steve McNeil and family of Valley Center.
Marie Konarik of Manhattan spent the Thanksgiving weekend with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Konarik and their houseguest Karen's mother, LaDonna Kirkendall. The Konariks, Marie, and LaDonna were among dinner guests of Vickie Melcher on Thanksgiving Day. The Konariks and LaDonna hosted a pre-Christmas dinner at their home Monday evening. Guests included Ed and Marge Harms of Newton and Lowell and Lena Good and Ivan Bert Bontrager, all of Hesston.
Tim Holub of Loogootee, Ind., arrived Wednesday to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his mother, Ruby Holub. Terry, Iliana, Tia, and David also came for the weekend. Tim, Crystal, Theresa, Emily, and Victoria of Cheney arrived Thursday. All of them, along with Dan, Ron, Mollie and Tamra of rural Marion and Ben Holub of Newton, attended the Frank and Mary Holub family reunion Thursday in dining room of the Pilsen church.
Tom and Sandy Holub and family hosted a Thanksgiving Day dinner at their home. Their guests included Lavada Holub, Ron and Roberta McGlachlin and Serena and Derich Eldridge and family of Newton, Amanda and Gerald Goddard and Kalyn, all of Newton.
Mr. and Mrs. John Klenda of Tulsa, Okla. and Ted Jr. and Holly Klenda and friend Sherry, and Sister Alice Klenda of Wichita came Tuesday and left Sunday after spending time as houseguests of Emma Klenda. The group enjoyed the Thanksgiving Day dinner at the community gathering at the middle school in Marion.
Thanksgiving Day dinner was enjoyed at the home of Maxine Svitak. Guests included Terry and Kathy Silhan, Frankie Svitak, Wes and Christy Hiebert and Mike of Newton, Alice Hiebert of Mulvane, Meggan and Geoff Daniel of Wichita, Ella Winter of Marion, Fred Silhan of Salina, and Staci Thurston of Emporia.
Dean and Pat Bina were Thanksgiving Day dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson of Marion. Others joining them were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Holub of Peabody, Jeff, Terri, Justin, and Brendon Bina of Pilsen, and Robin Nelson of Newton. Dean and Pat enjoyed the Christmas home tours in Marion Sunday evening.
Scott, Joy, and Emma Wituk were Saturday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Helmut Wituk. They had lunch together at Kingfisher's Inn.
Jill Vinduska of Manhattan was home for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Kleiber and family hosted Thanksgiving Day dinner at their home. Guests included Terry, Cindy, and Jill Vinduska, Leona Kleiber, Adeline Bernhardt, and Becky and Dean Routh and family of Augusta.
Melissa and Daniel Stuchlik were Thursday evening and overnight guests of Terry, Cindy, and Jill Vinduska.
Dennis and Mary Steiner left Tuesday and returned home Monday morning after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with Jaime and Shane Prideaux in Hurst, Texas.
The John Goentzel family spent Thanksgiving with Marlene's mother, Mary Pfeiffer in Tipton. John returned home Thursday evening, and the rest of the family stayed until Friday evening. The Goentzel family drove to Hays Sunday to help Keith celebrate his 22nd birthday. The Goentzels attended the 4-H meeting Monday evening at the Marion Activity Center.
Ralph, Ida, Shelly, and Chad Steiner of Salina hosted Thanksgiving Day dinner at their home. Their guests included George and Kathleen Oborny, Barbara and Willie Rodriquez of Hutchinson, Jerry and Vernie Base of Smolan, Jerod Base of McPherson, Jay and Camille Kiser of Manhattan, Frank, Rita, and Ron Steiner of Tampa, John, Lisa, and Kristen Steiner of Abilene, Ken Steiner of Ellsworth, Val and Julie Klenda and family of Tampa, and Steve and Jeannie Blue and family of Salina.
David and Sam Oborny and children spent from Thursday until Saturday in Jefferson City, Mo., visiting Robert and Mary Ann Schepker, other relatives, and friends.
Val and Julie Klenda and family, David and Sam Oborny and family, and Jeannie and Steve Blue and family were Sunday dinner guests of Kathleen and George Oborny. George had his own dinner guests Friday since Kathleen was at work. His guests were the Klenda children — Brian, Phillip, Laura, and Alfonse — who came to do some "honey-do's." First, I wonder what George fed his crew, but wouldn't you know it, guess who dropped in to join them for dinner? Father Paul Oborny and Jim Oborny. I bet they "licked the platter clean."
Joe Tajchman attended Grandparents' Day at Marion Elementary Tuesday morning. His grandson Jordan Laurin is a student there. Barbara joined Joe and Jordan for lunch. Jenna Tajchman of Manhattan was home from Tuesday until Sunday, spending her Thanksgiving vacation with her parents, Joe and Barbara. Barbara and Jenna attended Jordan Laurin's school program Tuesday evening. Dr. Jessica and John Laurin and family were Thursday dinner guests of the Tajchmans and Jenna.
Vernie and Gene Konecny hosted a Thanksgiving Day dinner. Their guests included Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Morgan and family of Hutchinson, Dee Lucas of Augusta, Elizabeth Moffitt of Lawrence, and yours truly.
I drove to Wichita Sunday to attend Mass at Resurrection Church and to attend the baptism of Connor and Audra Loney. Both children wore baptismal gowns that had been worn by their respective families.
The Kevin Hill family drove to Great Bend to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day dinner with Bill and Mary Hill. Heath stayed to spend some time with his grandparents. Teresa, Nellie, and Cassidy met Bill and Mary in McPherson Saturday noon to pick up Heath. They had lunch together before returning home. Kevin, Teresa, Nellie, and Cassidy spent Friday with Hazel Clothier helping her with several chores. Teresa and Cassidy met Hazel Clothier in Florence Monday and they drove to Newton.
Thanksgiving was celebrated Saturday at the Edmund Kroupa home. Their guests included Sharon and Kris Kuhn of Wichita, Staci and John Smith and family of Overland Park, William and Linda Kroupa and family of Fort Worth, Texas, Mark and Theresa Jirak and family of Atchison, and Martin and Kimbra Kroupa of rural Marion.
Lloyd and Carole Sklenar attended the community Thanksgiving dinner in Marion. Lloyd and Carole visited with Russell and Yvonne Schroeder and family Friday and had dinner with them. Darla Kasper, Kevin Searl, and Dustin Stevens all of Newton, visited the Sklenars Saturday afternoon.
We will be decorating the Pilsen church for Christmas at 2 p.m. Sunday. We need your helping hands. The more the merrier.
Irene Tajchman is a patient in the Hillsboro hospital. Remember her in your prayers.
Leo, Rachel, and Alex Waner of Waunakee, Wis., were guests of George and Patsy Waner from Wednesday to Saturday. All were guests of Steve, Ann, and Claire Buckendahl of Benton for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Other guests were Dr. David and Mary Kay Holland, Matthew and Katie of Shawnee, Okla. The George Waners were Sunday afternoon guests of the Buckendahls in Benton.
