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Ben was born at the home of his parents, Joseph
and Francis (Houfek) Pokorny. He attended District 71 through the
eighth grade. Due to his father’s health, Ben was needed to help
with the farm work and was unable to continue his education. This
did not stop him from life long learning. He was an avid reader and
used this knowledge to better his farm operation. In January, 1951,
Ben was drafted into the United States Army. He took his Infantry
Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was then sent to Yokahama,
Japan where he was transferred to Specialist School at Eta Jima,
Japan. He then served in the Signal Corp for 18 months. Ben received
his discharge in Fort Carson, CO in January 1953. He resumed farming
at that time. On March 20, 1955, he married Elaine Buresh of
Fremont, NE, formerly of Riceville, Iowa. During his life, he held
various church offices and served for 29 years on the School Boards
of Districts 71 and 44. He was also on the Farm Bureau and Pork
Producers Boards. Ben was a member of the Malmo American Legion Post
232. He retired from farming in 1996, but continued to help his
son-in-law, Kirk, farm the land until last fall when his health
began to decline. Ben was a lifelong member of the Czech
Presbyterian Church of rural Wahoo. One of his favorite pastimes was
bowling and he was a member of leagues in Wahoo and Lincoln. Ben
loved the Lord and his life reflected his faith. He was a man of
integrity. Ben was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He
was a very proud grandpa and attended his grandchildren’s activities
whenever possible.
Ben was preceded in death by an infant son, Phillip,
his parents, and an infant sister.
He is survived by his wife, daughters Karen (husband Kirk) Kavan of
North Bend, Laurie (husband Jim) Martens of Waterloo, Janette
(husband Doug) Stuart of Omaha, and son James Pokorny of Lincoln. He
will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kyle
Kavan; Melissa Martens; Benjamin, Nicholas, Madelynn and Elizabeth
Stuart. Other survivors include two sisters, Dorothy (husband Gale)
DuBois and Ruth Pokorny, both of Wahoo, a special niece Deb
(husband Curt) Ross of Jessup, Iowa, sister-in-law Evelyn Trutna of
Wahoo, brother-in-law Dale (wife Sue) Buresh of Alabama, and
numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
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