Family Group Sheet for William Bryan Simecka / Regina Marie Rezac Simecka (F6040) m. 15 May 1926 : Rossville Kansas area genealogy

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Anniversary- Simecka, Bill and Regina
Congratulations, Bill and Regina
by Dorothy N. Hoobler
If you read the message on the signs at the First National Bank and Bernie's Mini Mart this past week, you already know that Bill and Regina Simecka celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at May 15. We'd like to add our congratulations and warm best wishes to this couple who have spent their lives in the St. Marys/Delia vicinity.

Regina is the daughter of Ed and Cecelia Rezac. Bill's parents were John and Nettie Schnidegger Simecka. The Schnideggers came from Bern, Switzerland. The Simecka family was one in the group of immigrants from Moravia, a part of Czechoslovakia, who homesteaded in the Delia area in the 1880s.

The young couple was married in Harrisonille, Mo. After all these years, they really aren't sure just why they drove all the way to that little town south of Kansas City, got married, and then drove home again on May 15, 1926, except that their attendants suggested it was a good place for a wedding.

They farmed awhile, then Bill began working in the barber shop in Delia. He worked a year learning the trade, purchased his barber tools, passed the exam, and then bought the shop.

Barbering wasn't all that great, so the young couple moved briefly to Topeka where Bill found a job running a cleaning route for the Dollar Cleaners. "He earned $40 a month, and we paid $16 a month for rent," Regina reminisced. "And then the car conked out," Bill added. It's easy to laugh now, but it wasn't much fun in those desperate depression years.

Moving back to Delia, Bill ran a filling station. In October, 1937, the Simecka moved to St. Marys where he became a car salesman. There were five agencies and 18 salesmen in St. Marys in the late 1930s and early 1940s. You can imagine how they competed for sales and jobs. Over the years, Bill sold Chevrolets for Jack Rauch and Virgil Enos, but he also sold Fords, Kaisers, Frazers, and Dodges.

During the war, Bill worked at Fort Riley as a time-keeper, and later in Topeka at the Supply Depot. He remembered buying an old truck from Bill Lytle and using it while working on construction of the Depot warehouse.

There was also a time in the late 1950s when Bill and Regina owned and operated the St. Marys Cafe on the south side of Bertrand Avenue. For four and one-half years, they ran the cafe they'd bought from "Chub" and "Ma" Allen. Bill did a lot of the cooking, but, "We really had good help," they recalled, "people like Agnes Pauly, Marie Seaton, and Rita Brockish.

"I did a lot of different things over the years," Bill said. "At first, it was hard to make a living, but it got easier as time went by. I really started to do a man's work when I was only 12."

What Bill enjoyed most was his work in real estate. He sold for Don Dainties and for John Browne, and finally got his own real estate license. He was a good salesman, too, but he eventually gave it up at age 82. "I took my own advice, that old people should quit working and let the young people have the jobs," he smiled. "Besides, the laws got tougher (like the mandatory hours of schooling to renew a license), and it seemed like a good time to retire.

Now, Bill is a young almost 87-year-old, and he still keeps busy. On Tuesdays, he's the errand boy at the Rezac Sale Barn. Then there's a big garden and the pretty lawn to care for at the beautiful home at 300 Durink that Bill and Regina share with their son, Terry.

The Simeckas are members of the St. Marys United Methodist Church. They have been active in the Masonic and Easter Star organizations. Bill has served five times as Master of Pottawatomie Lodge #52, AF&AM. Regina, a past matron of Artha Chapter #238, Order of Eastern Star, served as Electa for 17 years.

They both enjoy traveling. Regina accompanied Lorene Holvorson and other members of Kaw Better Homes E.H.U. to many national conventions. "I've been in all the states but five," she said, "and in Canada, Puerto Rico, and Europe."

Their favorite country overseas? No question about it - Ireland! The people are so friendly, the countryside so beautiful. All those lush green pastures with their picturesque rock fences, the herds of fat cattle, and huge flocks of fine sheep. Cattle, wool, and woolen articles are among Ireland's chief exports.

Bill didn't care much for the Blarney Stone, however, and he definitely didn't kiss it. Even though he climbed the steep, winding stairway of the castle, he did not lean backward, while the attendant held his feet so he could kiss that ancient rock. (Anyhow, a salesman like Bill really din't need to kiss the Blarney Stone.)

Regina still loves sports, especially baseball, But don't question her too closely about the Royals this season. Like most Royal fans, she's disappointed, to put it mildly.

Although this still-active couple observed their 50th and 60th anniversaries with well-attended, memorable receptions, their main celebration this year will be the family reunion of the John and Joe Simecka descendants in June. It should be a very special reunion.

Besides, Bill and Regina have just returned from an early May trip to Nevada. They visited son Bill and family in a new home in Las Vegas, and with Karl and his family in Boulder City. They also tried their luck at the machines, too. Bill will gladly show you a snapshot of his good fortune, if you ask him.

Besides Bill and Karl, the family includes Dick and Betty, Topeka, Don, Denver, Colo., Terry, St. Marys, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Many of them will be home in June to share in the Simecka reunion and a belated 65th anniversary celebration.

Have a wonderful day!

[From 28 May 1991]

Family: William Bryan Simecka / Regina Marie Rezac Simecka (F6040)