Regina Marie Rezac Simecka

1907 - 1998  (91 years)

• Name	Regina Marie Rezac Simecka
  Born	14 Feb 1907	Emmett, Pottawatomie County, Kansas
  Gender	Female
  Died	1 Jul 1998	St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas
  Buried	Valley View Cemetery, St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas
  Person ID	I6281	Rossville
  Last Modified	17 Apr 2020

  
  

  Father	Edward M Rezac,   b. 29 Jun 1884, Emmett, Pottawatomie County, Kansas ,   d. 16 Apr 1962, St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas  (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Cecelia Schroepfer Rezac
  Family ID	F6043	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	William Bryan Simecka,   b. 22 Aug 1904, Delia, Jackson County, Kansas ,   d. 25 Mar 1995, St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas  (Age 90 years)
  Married	15 May 1926	Harrisonville, Cass County, Missouri
  Children	+ 1. Richard D Simecka,   b. 14 Feb 1927, Delia, Jackson County, Kansas ,   d. 14 Dec 2006, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 79 years)   2. William B Simecka, Jr. + 3. Karl Simecka   4. Don Simecka   5. Terry Simecka   6. Betty Simecka
  Documents		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]
  Last Modified	1 Dec 2019 22:02:40
  Family ID	F6040	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Buried - - Valley View Cemetery, St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Documents		Obituary- Simecka, Regina 1 d.1998 Regina Marie Simecka Regina Marie Simecka, 91, died Wednesday, July 1, 1998, at the St. Marys Manor. She was born February 14, 1907, in Emmett, the daughter of Edward and Cecelia Schroepper Rezac. She had lived in St. Marys many years. Regina grew up in the Emmett community, where she attended grade school. She was graduated from Delia High School. She was a member of the St. Marys United Methodist Church and the Friendly Day Circle at the church. She was a member of Artha Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star at St. Marys, where she was Electa for 17 years, and a past Worthy Matron. She was a member of Kaw Better Homes Extension Homemakers Unit, the Senior Citizens group, and the Hoy-Heim American Legion Auxiliary, all in St. Marys. She was married to William Bryan Simecka on May 15,1926, at Harrisonville, Mo. He died March 25,1995. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Corey Simecka. Surviving her are five sons, Richard Simecka, Topeka; Dr. William B. Simecka, Las Vegas, Nev., Karl Simecka, Boulder City, Nev., Don Simecka, Ft. Collins, Colo., and Terry Simecka, St. Marys; and one daughter, Betty Simecka, Topeka; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Friends and relatives met from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Piper-Verschelden Funeral Home. Her service was at 10:00 Monday morning at the St. Marys United Methodist Church. The Hoy-Heim American Legion Auxiliary conducted a memorial service at the church. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys United Methodist Church or to the Northeast Kansas Parkinson Foundation and sent in care of the funeral home.
  		Obituary- Simecka, Regina 2 d.1998 Regina Marie Simecka ST. MARYS — Regina Marie Simecka, 91, St. Marys, died Wednesday, July 1, 1998, at a St. Marys nursing home. She was born Feb. 14, 1907, at Emmett, the daughter of Edward and Cecelia Schroepfer Rezac. She was reared, at Emmett and was graduated from Delia High School. She moved to St. Marys many years ago. Mrs. Simecka was a member of St. Marys United Methodist Church and the Friendly Circle at the church. She also was a member of the Extension Homemakers Unit, Senior Citizens Group, the auxiliary to the Hoy-Heim Post of the American Legion, and Artha Chapter the Order of the Eastern Star at St. Marys where she served 17 years as electa and past worthy matron. She married William Bryan Simecka on May 15, 1926, at Harrisonville, Mo. He died March 25, 1995. Mrs. Simecka also was preceded in death by a grandson, Corey Simecka. Survivors include five sons, Richard Simecka, Topeka, Dr. William B. Simecka, Las Vegas, Nev., Karl Simecka, Boulder City, Nev., Don Simecka, Fort Collins, Colo., and Terry Simecka, St. Marys; a daughter, Betty Simecka, Topeka; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Marys United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery at St. Marys. Mrs. Simecka will lie in state after 2 p.m. Sunday at Piper-Verschelden Funeral Home in St. Marys, where relatives and friends will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys United Methodist Church or to the North East Kansas Parkinson Foundation and sent in care of the funeral home.