Mildred M. Kotas

Mildred Maxine Cacek Stephens Kotas was born September 21, 1930 to Charles and Anna Dvorak Cacek at Odell, Nebraska. She graduated from Odell High School in 1947. She was baptized in the Diller Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher, and was later a member of the Fairbury Methodist Church. She married Wayne E. Stephens on September 9, 1951. Four children were born to this marriage, Roger Wayne, Pamela Sue, Randy Lee and Michael Leslie. They lived on a farm south of Diller. On August 6, 1964, Wayne was killed in an automobile accident. She was later married to Richard Schnuelle and Robert Kotas.

Mildred worked as a bookkeeper and billing clerk at a variety of places prior to her marriage to Wayne, including Dempster Manufacturing, Storekraft Manufacturing and the County Superintendent of Schools Office. She later worked at Fairbury Junior College, Diller Public Schools, Farmers Home Administration and Blue Valley Mental Health.

Mildred enjoyed many community activities throughout her life including: Diller Community Club and Diller Picnic Committee. She was a life-member of the Jefferson County Historical Society and helped at the Diller Museum. Mildred had a love of music and enjoyed dancing. Some of her favorite past-times were sewing and reading, especially pioneer history. Some of her favorite memories were of her childhood during the 1930’s and the years during World War II. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anna Cacek, husband Wayne, an infant sister, brother: Don Cacek, brother-in-laws: Pat Sullivan, Jerry Jurgens, Robert Stephens, Richard Stephens, sister-in-laws Harriet Cacek, Jane Stephens, son-in-law, Tom Busboom.

She is survived by her children: Sons, Roger Stephens of Diller, NE, Randy Stephens and wife Carol of Arvada, CO, Mike Stephens and wife Ruth of Beatrice, NE, daughter Pam of Crete, NE, grandchildren Brandi Sprong and husband Josh, Josh Stephens and wife Nicole, Amanda Busboom, Elizabeth Busboom. Step-grandchildren: Kyle Denny and wife Melissa, Crystal Tjeerdsma and husband Craig, Emily Claassen and Aaron Claassen. Great-grandchildren: Connor Sprong, JayLynne Stephens. Step-great-grandchildren: Carson and Oscar Tjeerdsma, Hadley Denny. Sister: Eunice Sullivan. Brother-in-laws Bill Wrigley, Warren Stephens, sister-in-laws: Marilyn Wrigley, Dorothy Jurgens, Dixie Stephens, Faye (Stephens) Paneitz. Numerous nieces and nephews. Special family: Larry and Sandy Kotas, Kandice Jurgens and family, Kolin Kotas and family.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice with Pastor Mark Schutt officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 - 7:30. Burial will be in Prairie Home Cemetery, Diller, NE. Memorials will go to Diller Community Club or Centenary United Methodist Church. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.