Wilma L. Cerny

     Wilma L. Cerny, 107, of Fairbury, passed away on Sunday, April 14, at the Heritage Care Center.    Wilma was born June 24, 1916 on a farm near Narka, Kansas. She was one of 5 children born to Mary and Charles Tuma.

     She attended Narka Grade School and then graduated from Narka High School in 1935.   Wilma married Clement Cerny on December 27, 1939 in Denver, Colorado.    Wilma and Clement had two sons: Dale was born in Denver, Colorado and Dean was born in Belleville, Kansas after they moved back to Kansas in 1943.

      They lived in Narka, Kansas. While living in Narka, Wilma was the cook at the grade school from 1950 until the school closed in1971. She then cleaned the law offices of Rodney Peake and Bill Navis in Belleville, Kansas. She also did babysitting and cleaning in their homes. Clement worked for Republic County maintaining roads around Narka. Clement died in 1987.

       While living on their acreage in Narka, they raised chickens and always had a big garden. There was nothing better than fresh eggs, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, fresh vegetables and kolaches. Wilma was known for her delicious kolaches.

       Wilma moved to Fairbury in 1995 and lived in a duplex on 20th Street until 2017 when she moved to Cedarwood. In February of this year she moved to the Heritage Care Center.

       Wilma lived through the Spanish Flu, the Dust Bowl, World War I and II, the Vietnam War, and of course, the covid pandemic.

       Wilma is survived by her son, Dean, and wife, Carol, of Fairbury, daughter-in-law, Linda Cerny of Council Bluffs, IA, five grandchildren: Ann (Shane) Dolph of Lincoln, Jason Cerny (Sarah) of Lincoln, Paul Cerny (Libby) of Council Bluffs, IA, Mark Cerny (Julie) of Omaha, and Janet (Jerry) McDonald of Bellevue.

      She also has twelve great-grandchildren: Ellen, Erica, Erin, & Emerson Dolph, Timothy & Thomas Cerny, Kileigh, Connor, & Cooper Cerny, and Brandon, Bradley, & Marissa McDonald, and several nieces and nephews.

      Wilma is preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Dale, grandson Tony Cerny, and brothers, Harold, Ludwig, Alvin, and sister, Laura.       

       Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the National Cemetery, rural Narka, Kansas, with Kathleen Marsicek, officiating.

       Interment will follow the graveside services.

        The casket has been closed, but friends may call from 1 PM until 8 PM, Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas.   

        The family will receive friends from 6 PM until 8 PM on Friday at the funeral home.

        Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com

        Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th St, Belleville, KS is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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