it's the story...
​
and the picture!

Plenty of stories are on our website, and some of the editor's favorites are collected on a page called simply, "It's the Story."  On this page are more stories. 

honored at a mothers' tea
Lena zelenka mertes, emma rabstejnek, & minnie hubka

Photo 838

Originally, there was only the picture with names, one of many in the Historical Society's collection.  

Unless one knew any of the ladies, there was only basic information available.  For example, Lena Mertes died in December 1979 at the age of 92. Emma Rabstejnek died in January 1972 at the age of 76. Minnie Hubka died in 1976 at the age of 90.   Once posted on Facebook, however, and the memories came forth:

Joyce Wopata Newton

Aunt Emma (Wopata) Rabstejnek was my Aunt. She was a sister to my maternal grandfather Albert Wopata ll. A sweet and wonderful lady. Minnie Hubka was related on my Mother’s side . She was Grandpa Tenk’s sister and a close friend of my Grandma Tenk who took me to Aunt Minnie’s house many times. She lived next to the Layden house. Those ladies could talk in Czech for hours. I know Larry Layden remembered her. Joy Robison, do you remember Minnie Hubka and all her cooking ? Her son Lad Hubka was a walk on at University of Nebraska football. Maybe the late 60s, because i graduated in 1962 and they looked just like this, even before that year.  (Joyce Wopata Newton)

I’m glad that know who Ladas Hubka’ s mom was! He was quite a big deal in his day. (Sharla Sitzman Cerra)

Do you know what years he played at UNL?

Marcia Kay Lang Schlegelmilch

He is listed for 1933, 1934 , 1935 at least. (Marcia Kay Lang Schegelmilch)

Shirley Cacek Aksamit

Emma Rabstejnek was my Great Aunt and a younger sister to my Grandma Annie Stanek. Aunt Emma will always be remembered as a very sweet, kind and wonderful person.

Joyce Wopata Newton

I guess she would be my great aunt, correct Shirley ? I never thought I would be these women’s age, but here we are

Amy Hanna Klepper

These three ladies are so beautiful

Marcia Kay Lang Schegelmilch

Minnie Hubka ... it is wonderful to see that sweet face again. She was my grandparents' across-the-street neighbor.

Minnie made the best homemade rye bread.

She wore slippers without backs and always looked like what I pictured the dear grandmother of a Hummel figurine would look like.

​I loved her. She was Lad's mother; Table Rock was sure proud of that guy! Lad was later with the State Patrol at Grand Island. Minnie's daughters were Emily & Agnes.

Joyce Wopata newton

She was the quintessential Czech lady for sure. Grandma and I always went in the back door and set in the kitchen. They could talk endlessly 

Shelley Baker Kyle

AUNT MINNIE!!!!! Grandma Anna Hubka Hanna's sister! What a joy to see a picture.

Joyce Wopata Newton

Shelly, how are you related to Aunt Minnie Hubka ? I spent lots of hours in her kitchen as a kid with Grandma Tenk. I can’t remember how the were related , but think Grandma was a Hubka before marriage

Shelley Baker Kyle

I married Anna Hubka Hanna's grandson, Bob Kyle. Bob's parents were Anna and Ed Hanna (Ed had a general store in TR. He and Anna had three children. Evelyn Hanna Miller, Tecumseh, Elsie Hanna Kyle, CA and Eddie Hanna (Tommy Bishop Band) of Oakland.

Ed Hanna died in TR and left Anna, a widow when Eddie was 4-8.

Minnie and Anna were sisters. However, Minnie had passed when Bob and I married in 1963.

Bob and I and our two sons visited TR, Tecumseh and Oakland a number of times.

As I remember Minnie was for a time married to a Charlie.

I have been divorced for years and I have remained in close touch and am considered still part of the family.

Elsie Hanna Kyle and spouse, Virgil James Kyle are buried in Sabetha KS cemetery the hometown of Virgil, Harold and Helen Kyle. Harold was the Sinclair dealer in Auburn, NE and Helen Kyle Tingley lived in Albuquerque NM.

Debbie Hanna Anderson in Oakland has done much research on Hanna side; not certain about Hubka. Do you know if anyone who has researched Anton? Hubka?. I believe that was Anna's father's name. I have a small photo of Anna's parents, Joyce.

​I hope to make one last trip to NE while I am able. I'm nearing 82 and in decent shape....however, time goes REALLY fast these days.
Regards, Shelley Kyle, Scappoose OR

I’m familiar with many of those names. My maternal grandma Mary Hubka Tenk visited often with Aunt Minnie. I’m trying to remember if Grandmas brother was Aunt Minnie’s husband? She was a widow the whole time I knew her .

Those two could talk Czech and carry on some long conversations .

​My maiden name was Wopata and I know much more genealogy about that side than the Hubka/Tenk side. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Emma Rabstejnek was my husband, Chuck Rabstejnek's grandmother. I wish I could have met her!!

She was my favorite aunt. So very kind. ​