e
g
a
s
s
e
M
s
’
President
Happy New Year to all our members and their families throughout the world! I hope your
holidays were filled with family, friends, laughter, potica, klobasa, and so much more!
Congratulations to all the Branches who hosted Anniversary Celebrations - Branch 20 Joliet, IL, Branch 24 - LaSalle, IL, and Branch 33 - Duluth, MN - on 85 years and to one
of our newest Branches - Branch 108 - Olney, MD on 10 years. Congratulations also to
all those hosting Regional Conventions and to Branch 93 - NYC, NY, for putting on a
spectacular St. Martin’s Day event that included the Republic of Slovenia’s Ambassador
to the U.S. - Dr. Bo`o Cerar.
On November 16th we reached a historical moment in the 87½ years of SUA/SWUA –
our first telephone conference with Member Representatives from coast to coast. Thank
you to all who participated and made it so successful. This will be an easy way to
communicate in the future. The minutes can be read on our website at
www.slovenianunion.org.
WHO WANTS TO GO TO SLOVENIA?
The dates are set – September 18 – 28, 2014.
Mojca Sosteric is coming out of retirement to help create a spectacular tour for this
special occasion of Zarja - The Dawn’s 85th Anniversary. More details will be in the
March/April issue of Zarja - The Dawn. Space will be limited, so act fast if interested.
Contact wprokup@aol.com or 815.223.9596 for more information and to get your name
on this list. I can promise you one thing – this tour is going to be OUTSTANDING!
Enjoy this issue of Zarja!
Bonnie Pohar Prokup
National President, Slovenian Union of America
wprokup@aol.com

SUA Branches Welcome Their New Members
1, Schramm, Sharon
1, Watts, Sue
3, Tate, Lillian
13, Trauner, Ann
20, Bottino, Margie
January/February 2014

20, Crook, Judy
20, Kehoe, Jonathan
20, Lukancic, John
20, Sweeney, Mary Jean
20, Yuvan, Jan

35, Bajda, Tina
35, Bajda, Tom
35, Chad, Daniel
35, Finc, Robert
35, Sadar, Donna

35, Snidarich, John
43, Menchak, Lucija
50, Speck, Josephine
93, Price, Camille
99, Harazin, Genevieve
109, Nisporic, Jacqueline
1

SWU Scholarship Foundation
CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF FINANCIALLY ASSISTING STUDENTS
Mission: To generate funding to financially assist students
with hope that they will promote and preserve Slovenian culture.
During the 1946 SWUA National Convention held in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the introduction of a
scholarship program suggested by Marie Prisland, the
delegates voted to begin a scholarship program for college
student members of the organization. After extensive fundraising for the project, spring l949 brought SWU
Scholarships to the following college bound students: Dr.
Donald Carey, Branch 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Marie
Bombach Dye, Branch 105 - Detroit, Michigan, and
Frederick Pahula, Branch 34 - Soudan, Minnesota.
Dr. Donald Carey was a pioneer in the field of child
psychiatry, has written a number of books on the subject,
and in more recent years has served as Professor and
Director of Child Psychiatry at the Medical University of
South Carolina. Marie Bombach Dye received her
doctorate in the field of Educational Psychology at Indiana
State University. She spent her life working with the deaf,

learning-disabled, and in later years lived in the inner city
of Detroit working with its needy residents. Frederick
Pahula was an elementary teacher, with special emphasis
on art. He taught in several schools in Minnesota.
These, the very first, of over 200 SWU Scholarship winners
have made their contributions to society. Of those who
followed our first three, many were in the medical, financial,
military, government, and educational fields and we are
also proud to have provided assistance for one priest. Of
course, all of our scholarship recipients have served society
well, especially those who chose to be parents, preparing
their young to be leaders of the future. What a wonderful
array of professions! At this time we are extending our
sincere, warm thanks to all contributors of the past and
present, hoping that their interest in our scholarship program
will continue in the future.

THANK YOU MAJOR DONORS OF SWU SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2014!
Frances Barman
Memorial Scholarship
Frances Barman will this year, as in
many past years, have a scholarship
awarded in her name, due to the
generosity of her son, Anthony Colnar.
Frances, born in Slovenia, lost her first
husband due to military injuries while a
Fances Barman
young man. She immigrated to the
United States where she met and
married Joseph Barman, who loved and treated Anthony
Jr. as his own. In later years, Frances not only did intricate
handiwork, but with her son’s help created a huge botanical
garden of over 100 varieties of fruit trees, shrubs, plants,
and flowers. Frances received a number of gardening
awards for her roses and dahlias.
Rose Marie Princ Scholarship
For a Graduate Student majoring in Education
A native of Chicago, Rose Marie is a life-long member of
St. Stephen’s Church and Branch 2 - Chicago. She
2

graduated from St. Mary’s High
School and Rosary College, continued
her studies at Loyola, De Paul, and
Northwestern Universities and earned
advanced degrees at the University of
Chicago and Northern Illinois
University. She taught at Nazareth
Academy and J. Sterling Morton High
School for 27 years and was also its
administrator for 14 years. Rose Marie
has been an interested and generous
supporter of the SWU Scholarship
Foundation for many years.

Rose Marie Princ

Jean Kurilich Memorial Scholarships
Mrs. Jean Kurilich’s daughter, Frances Kurilich
Reichelderfer, will provide several awards this spring in
memory and honor of her mother, Jean Kurilich. Jean, a
Slovenian immigrant, was a very active member of Fontana,
California’s Branch 100, KSKJ, and other Slovenian
groups. She worked hard within these organizations,

Zarja The Dawn

whether cooking for dinners, planning
events, or holding a variety of offices.
She was very proud of her Slovenian
heritage. Jean Kurilich was a firm
believer in the value of an education.
Branch 2 - Chicago, Illinois
Scholarships
Stephen’s Church Hall was the setting
Jean Kurilich
on December 19, 1926, when Branch
2’s Slovenian ladies formally organized. Dues were 25 cents
each month and in 1927 the Branch held an election of
officers. Membership was comprised mostly of young,
immigrant, married women with families. Since that time
hundreds of devoted Branch 2 men and women have
worked tirelessly on fund-raisers, held special Masses and
celebrations, preserved and updated St. Stephen’s Church,
the well- known Slovenian church of Chicago. The Branch
2 members of today represent several generations of people
who preserved and treasured their rich Slovene ancestry.

missed a chance to further his knowledge. He never
stopped learning and thus, we, his children, felt it was
appropriate to have monetary memorials given at his funeral
by family, friends, and Branch 43 members forwarded to
the SWU Scholarship Foundation. It is wonderful to know
that his legacy lives on in two of his most important passions:
his Slovenian heritage and furthering education. We, his
children, would like to thank the SWU Scholarship
Foundation for naming a scholarship in memory of this
most remarkable man.”
High School Seniors and College Students: please check
the SUA website, http://www.slovenianunion.org. Click on
“scholarships” for more information on awards and to
download application forms. Deadline for application is
March 1, 2014.
May 2014 be a bright, shining year for you! For those with
chronic diseases, may these disorders not keep you from
exploring new avenues of fun and adventure. May God’s
love glow brightly on all of our faces and in our hearts!
HAPPY 2014!
- Mary Turvey, Marge Church, and Pat Figurowski
Correspondence can be mailed to:
Mary Turvey mturvey@aol.com
4 Lawrence Drive, Marquette, MI 49855

Branch 2 Members: (left to right)
Mary Podder, Gen Buol, Dolores Puhek,
Meta Hanzlik, and Gisela Lak.

Raymond J. Delopst Memorial Scholarship
A tribute to Raymond J. Delopst by his daughter Judith
Delopst Rechlitz: “Although he was a more recent member
of SUA’s Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Ray had a long and
committed relationship with the organization. His mother,
Gertrude Delopst, was the first President of Branch 43,
almost 90 years ago.
Ray was a man who
was beloved by so
many and also a man
of many talents.
There was not one in
his family, who faced
a problem, who didn’t
go to him for help. He
was a promo potica
maker and gave
baking lessons to
carry on the culinary
tradition of our
heritage. Ray was a
firm believer in
education and never
Raymond Delopst

January/February 2014

Marge Church yemec1@windstream.net
1028 Skyland Drive, Macedonia, OH 44056

Scholarship Donations
Donation $5,000
Branch 2 - Chicago, Illinois, “Branch 2 Members
of the Slovenian Union of America are happy
to present this donation to the SWU Scholarship
Foundation.”
Donation $50
Branch 47 - Garfield Heights, OH, +Kay Yuratovec
Donation $20
Branch 42 - Maple Heights, OH, +Dolores Lipnos
Donation $10
Viola Strupeck
Branch 50 - Euclid, OH, +Frances Pikatic

Hvala! Hvala! Thank you kind donors for your
support of our scholarship program.
3

Death of a Surname
By George Plautz, Zarja Staff Writer
A Record of Immigration

Slovenian Pioneers to America 1840-1879
In the middle 1900s, there were Slovenian immigrants who settled in Colorado. I am looking for descendants of
Joseph Plut, Peter Grabian, Martin Klemenc, Matt Grahek, Jerry Plut, or Jacob Jerman who settled in Colorado
from 1866 to 1878. I would like to include these individuals in my column and there were no censuses prior to
1876, when Colorado became the 38th state.
1875-During this year, John Zeiser arrived in Iowa,
emigrating from Slovenia. He married Mary Stalzer in
Sugar Creek, Clinton County, Iowa, on January 27, 1876.
John was born January 12, 1852, in Sadetz, Slovenia, and
died on September 12, 1931, in Preston, Jackson County,
Iowa. Mary Stalzer was born February 19, 1850, in
Bresowitz, Slovenia, the daughter of Joseph Stalzer and
Maria Osterman, she died August 25, 1928, in Sugar Creek.
John and Mary had the following children: Mary, born
January 12, 1878, in Clinton County, Iowa, died May 29,
1947, in Sugar Creek, married Louis Franzen, in 1896, the
son of William Franzen and Christina Boehmer, he was
born November 3, 1851, in Sugar Creek, died December
7, 1948, in Sugar Creek, they had seven children; Anna,
born August 1879, in Iowa City, Wright County, Iowa, died
in 1937 in Sugar Creek, married Joseph William Franzen,
born May 11, 1868, in Jackson County, Iowa, died January
1, 1942, in Iowa, they had eight children; Frank, born
January 26, 1885, in Iowa, died January 1970, in Clinton
County, Iowa, married Loretta Fier, the daughter of Anton
Fier and Mary Perion, they had four children; Kate, born
April 1887, died before 1930 in South Dakota, married
William Boehmer, they had four children; Magdalena, born
January 13, 1892, died February 12, 1967, in Jackson
County, Iowa, married William Banowetz, listed previously;
Elizabeth, born January 15, 1889, died June 24, 1962, in
Dubuque, Iowa, married Adolph Mesch, born April 9, 1890,
in Zwingle, Iowa, died July 25, 1967, in Dubuque, they had
five children; Joseph Peter, born July 10, 1897, in Waterford,
Clinton County, Iowa, died February 1977, in Maquoketa,
Jackson County, Iowa; and Theresa, married Bill Becker
from Graettinger, Iowa. I could not find Theresa or Bill
Becker in any records, but she is listed in family history.
1876-Gold is discovered in Leadville, Colorado.
March 25, 1876-On this date, Michael Butala arrived in
the United States and settled first in Calumet, Michigan,
then finally settled in Eveleth, Minnesota. He was born
September 29, 1856, in Gric house number 5, Crnomelj
Parish, to John Butala and Katharina Turk. His nephews,
Peter and John Butala, settled in Calumet, Michigan.
4

Michael died on June 2, 1969, in St. Louis County,
Minnesota. He married Barbara Stefanic, she was born
on December 15, 1867, in Dragatus Parish, and she died
on November 2, 1944, in Eveleth, St. Louis County,
Minnesota. Son, Michael, was born on October 22, 1888,
in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan; son, John, was
born on January 18, 1890, in Calumet; daughter, Mary, was
born January 12, 1894, in Calumet; daughter, Anne, was
born on June 26, 1896, in Eveleth; son, Stephen, was born
on December 26, 1898, in Eveleth, he died on July 18,
1983, in Eveleth. Sometime after this, the family went back
to Dragatus Parish as the next two children were born
there. Son, Joseph, was born March 16, 1900, in Dragatus
Parish, he died on August 27, 1970, in Eveleth, married to
Angela (last name unknown), she was born about 1910.
They had one daughter who married Edward Grierson.
Son, Peter, was born July 19, 1902, in Dragatus Parish, he
died on August 27, 1970, in Eveleth. Peter married Anna
Santa on July 1, 1934, in Eveleth, she was born on February
2, 1906, and died on December 13, 1979, in Eveleth. Peter
and Anna had two children: Jack Lee was born in Eveleth,
and married Susan Kivela; Barbara Suzanne was born in
Eveleth, and married Gerry Shoston; son, Frank, was born
about 1902, in St. Louis County, and daughter, Angela, was
born about 1910 in St. Louis County, both probably in
Eveleth. Very little information was available on this family
line, but a relative still lives in Slovenia.
1876-John Molek lists the following Slovenians as having
worked for Calumet & Hecla Mining Company for 30 to
40 years in 1916. They are: Jakob Agnich, Jakob Butala,
Mihael Butala, Jakob Grahek, Frank Judnich, John Kastner,
John Lakner, Matt Likovich, Nik Zajc (Saitz), Joseph
Zhalec (Shalc), Matt Spehar, Mihael Sterk John Sterbenz,
John Turk, Stephen Verderbar and Joseph Vertachich.
Many of these individuals I could not trace in the databases.
1877-During this year, Jacob Butala, arrived in Michigan.
Jacob is the son of Katharina Butala and born on May 1,
1857, in Gric house number 11. He married Katherine
Bischal on June 23, 1890, at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in
Red Jacket, Houghton County, Michigan. At that time, it

Zarja The Dawn

was indicated on the marriage record, that a George Rom
was possibly his father. His mother later married a Martin
Butala from Gric house number 6. Jacob was a copper
miner in the Hecla Mine. He died about 1932 in Calumet,
Houghton County, Michigan. Katherine Bischal was born
in April 1866 in the Republic of Slovenia. She was the
daughter of Mark Bischal, and died after 1920 in Calumet.
The children of Jacob and Katherine Butala follow: Jacob
Butala, born April 12, 1891, in Calumet, died in February
1965, married Mary Klobuchar on April 6, 1918, in Calumet.
Mary Klobuchar was born about 1897 in Calumet, the
daughter of John Klobuchar and Maria Lovretic. Jacob
and Mary had two children, Jacob and Dorothy, born in
Calumet. Mamie Butala, born August 23, 1893, in Calumet,
married George Geshel on October 11, 1916. George
Geshel was the son of Georg Geshel and Helene Brozich.
George was born on July 8, 1892, in Tamarack, Osceola
Township, Houghton County, Michigan, and died about 1959
in Laurium, Houghton County. Mamie died on November
27, 1954, in Calumet. The children of George and Mamie
are as follows: George Geshel, born April 26, 1917, in
Calumet, died on August 15, 1984, in Covington, Baraga
County, Michigan; Mamie Geshel was born in 1918, in
Calumet; Rudolph John Geshel, born January 2, 1919, in
Calumet, died on February 29, 1992, in Laurium, married
Rose Mary Roth on May 25, 1946, in Lake Linden,
Houghton County, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Rother
and Roseann Gamache. A Geshel child not given a
Christian name was born and died the same day on January
3, 1924, in Calumet. Eleanor J. was born in 1925, in
Calumet, she married Rudolph Kotila on February 7, 1947,
in Hancock, Houghton County, Michigan. Rose was born
July 19, 1926, in Michigan. Helen, born in 1928 in Calumet,
she married Willis F. Belisle on June 13, 1953, in St.
Joseph’s R. C. Church, Calumet. Ralph George, born
March 27, 1927, in Calumet, married Marie-Jean DuLong
on June 17, 1955, in Lake Linden, the daughter of Irving
DuLong and Florida Clouthier. Ralph died in June 1968 in
Lake Linden. Virgil John, born February 21, 1930, in
Calumet, married Carol Ann Ozanich, on July 21, 1973, in
St. Paul’s R. C. Church in Calumet. Virgil died on April 2,
1990, in Calumet. James was born February 27, 1933, in
Calumet. John, born on February 27, 1933, in Calumet,
died on March 5, 1934, in Calumet. Margaret was born in
1934. Francis X., born on December 17, 1935, in Calumet,
married Patricia Emma Grandchamp on April 30, 1955, in
Hancock, the daughter of George Grandchamp and Emma.
Emma was born on February 21, 1937, in Michigan, and
died on October 11, 1993, in Torch Lake, Houghton County.
Daugthers, Christina and Evelyn Geshel, were born in
Houghton County.
Continuing with the children of Jacob and Katherine Butala:
Joseph Butala, born on May 6, 1895, in Calumet, died in

January/February 2014

May of 1977 in Ashland, Ashland County, Wisconsin, his
previous residence was Tomah, Wisconsin; John Butala,
born September 1897 in Calumet, died on January 22, 1900,
in Calumet. Ann-Margaretha Butala, born on December
5, 1898, in Calumet, married a Custer in Ohio and died in
June of 1979, in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio;
Michael J. Butala, born October 2, 1900, in Calumet,
married Rose Eberhard, on August 20, 1929, in Shaker
Heights, Ohio. Rose was born in 1908 in Cleveland to John
C. Eberhard and Sophia Gremchin. Michael married a
second time to Frances Lamovec, daughter of Frank
Lamovec and Frances Steblaj. Michael died on May 20,
1976, in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, and is buried in
Holy Family Cemetery, in Willard, Wisconsin. Michael and
Rose had a child, George, born February 18, 1928, in
Cleveland, died January 10, 1992. Frances was born 1910
in St. Louis County, Minnesota, the family then moved to
Willard and Frances moved to Detroit from Willard after
1930, she married Michael Butala there and died in 1989.
She is buried in Holy Family Cemetery in Willard. Frances
had a daughter from a previous marriage. Olga Lamovec
was born February 24, 1928, in Wisconsin, and died January
26, 2007, in Lake Mills, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. She
married Carlon W. Danz and they had five children,
subsequently she married Toivo J. Torkko. Cathryn Mayme
Butala, born November 23, 1902, in Calumet, married
James McKee on July 4, 1931, in Warrensville, Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, son of William McKee and Agnes
McKelvine. James was born in Scotland in 1905. Cathryn
died on April 4, 1988, in Cleveland. Peter Butala, born
October 24, 1904, in Calumet, died on October 24, 1904,
in Calumet. Rudolph Butala, born in August 1905 in
Calumet, died on July 27, 1907, in Calumet.
1877-During this year, Joseph Vertin arrives in America
and settles in Dubuque, Iowa, near his brother Peter Wertin,
covered previously in this column. Another brother, Mathias
Vertin, settled in Calumet. He moved to Manistique,
Schoolcraft County, Michigan, about 1882. Joseph Vertin,
the son of Michael Vertin and Ana Puhek, was born on
February 25, 1847, in Doblice house number 32, Crnomelj
Parish. Joseph married Martha Andrine Klagstad on
November 3, 1883, in Manistique. Martha was born
September 1859 in Bingen, Modum, Norway. She died
about 1935 in Manistique. Joseph Vertin died about 1931
in Manistique. Joseph and Martha ran a farm. Their
children born in Manistique are: George Peter Vertin, born
January 2, 1885, died March 24, 1946, in Ocala, Marion
County, Florida, he married Emilie Rhue Erskine on
October 29, 1906, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Emily
was born on November 4, 1888, in Binghamton, Broome
County, New York, to Elmer L. Erskine and Jennie Augusta
Grey. She died on July 26, 1942, in Yankton, Yankton
County, South Dakota. George first married Leota Deacon
on January 6, 1931, in Chicago. George and Emilie Vertin
5

had the following family: George Erskine Vertin, born on
August 10, 1907, in Rapid City, Pennington County, South
Dakota, died January 6, 1941, in Chicago, married Edna in
1926. George and Edna were the parents of George
Edward, Bobette, and Phyllis Vertin, all born in Chicago.
Louis Gray Vertin, born February 19, 1909, in Rapid City,
died as the result of a mining explosion on August 9, 1930,
in Rapid City. Edith Jeanette Vertin, born August 28, 1911,
in Rapid City, died February 22, 1932, in Sanator, South
Dakota. Harold Lee Vertin, born on March 13, 1914, in
Rapid City, died on September 17, 1935, in Elgin, Kane
County, Illinois. Donald Dawson Vertin, born October 11,
1916, in Rapid City, married Arlene E. Anderson on June
4, 1941, in Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois. Arlene was
born on September 25, 1917, in Rockford, Winnebago
County, Illinois. She died March 28, 2000, in Pecatonica,
Winnebago County, Illinois. Donald Vertin died on August
30, 1960, in Chicago. Donald and Arlene were the parents
of Faith, Darlene, Patience, Charles, Grace, and Daniel
Vertin. Augusta Lucia Vertin, born January 7, 1919, in
Rapid City, married Elmer Vincent Kowall on August 5,
1944, in Klamath Falls, Klamath County, Oregon, the son
of Frank Kowalski and Rose Wroblewski. Elmer was born
on March 3, 1921, in Chicago, and died on May 13, 1993,
in McHenry, McHenry County, Illinois. Augusta Kowall
died on September 29, 2002, in South Elgin, Kane County,
Illinois. Augusta and Elmer were the parents of Phillip
James Kovall and Kenneth Allan Kowall, both born in
Chicago. Joseph Vertin, born on January 18, 1886, in
Manistique, died on February 1, 1971, in Manistique; Anna
Vertin, born May 15, 1888, in Manistique, married Peter
Nelson about 1918, Peter was born on November 4, 1879,
in Denmark, Anna died on January 15, 1950, in Fresno,
Fresno County, California, Peter and Anna had the
following children: Clifford, Elle, Frederick, Rudolph,
Dorothy, John Stanley, Robert John, and Franklin Peter
Nelson; August Vertin, born January 18, 1891, in
Manistique, died October 1966, in Manistique; John Michael
Vertin, was born December 20, 1894, in Manistique, he
married Mildred Irene Friberg on May 17, 1925, in Detroit,
Wayne County, Michigan. He died November 2, 1977, in
Chicago. Mildred Friberg was born June 23, 1907, in Moline,
Rock Island County, Illinois to George Friberg and Irene
Peters. Mildred died on March 22, 2002, in Chicago Height,
Cook County, Illinois. John and Mildred had a son, James
Allen Vertin, born March 21, 1926, in Chicago, married
Anita Johnson, on September 17, 1954, in Chicago, he died
March 16, 1956, in Chicago. Anita Johnson was born
December 19, 1926, and died March 7, 2007, in Orland
Park, Cook County, Illinois.

Calendar of Events
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014
BRANCH 100 - Southern California to host the
Slowind Wind Quintet from Ljubljana at St.
Timothy’s Church in Laguna Niguel. Contact Jean
Koci at ajkoci@cox.net for more information.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014
BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois to host Slovenian
Heritage Day at Claudette’s from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin to host Butare
making starting at 10:00 a.m. at Triglav Park Dom in
Wind Lake for use the next day on Palm Sunday.
Come and learn this Slovenian tradition.
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2014
BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin invites
everyone to bring their butare and wear their Narodna
no{a to Palm Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. John
the Evangelist Parish in Greenfield, followed by brunch
(time and place to be determined.)
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2014
BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin invites
everyone to join for the Navihanke Concert (a 5woman singing-musical group from Slovenia)
performing at the Polish Center in Milwaukee and
hosted by the UWM-Slovenian Arts Council. Ticket
information to be forthcoming.

To contact me by mail:
George Plautz
1307 Dragon Head Drive, Valrico, FL 33594
or by e-mail at doblice@gmail.com
6

Zarja The Dawn

Bogdan Grom 1918 - 2013
He intuitively formed each work; he saw a
deeper existence in the ordinary object.
The world has lost a great man.

With sadness, the Slovenian Union of America announces
the passing of famed artist, Bogdan Grom, on November
18, 2013, at his home in Englewood, NJ. He was 95.
Born in Trieste, Italy, Bogdan graduated from the
Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, and also studied with
famed artists throughout Europe. Bogdan infused these
influences with his own unique spirit and with memories

Left to right: Damjan Kozole, Bogdan Grom, and Joe Valencic

January/February 2014

of his homeland. These ideals have been referred to
as the KARST ETHOS. Through use of multi-media,
he created water colors, oils, sculpture, “woven
graphics,” and “layered paper cut outs.”
On July 12, 2013, Bogdan Grom: Biography of a
famous Slovenian, made its film debut at the special
program, “Salute...The Cultural Expressions of
Slovenia” in Ely, MN. The documentary was written
by Joe Valencic and directed by Slovenian film maker
Damjan Kozole.
The Slovenian Union of America is a recipient of books
from Bogdan’s personal library, donated in memory
of his grandmother, Masa Grom. To realize the talent
and unique spirit of this man, do stop by the Slovenian
Union of America’s Heritage Museum and Library in
Joliet,IL. Page through the works of Bogdan. One
cannot miss the large book entitled, Grom, with its
bright, yellow book jacket.
- Mary Lou Deyak Voelk
SUA Vice President of Culture & Heritage
7

Saving Dolly’s Memories
A Small Town, Ely, Minnesota:
A Slovenian Girl Peering Back at her Life

Albert and I being showered with
rice as we take our first steps into
a 57 1/2 year marriage. It took the
help of many to gather every piece
of rice in Ely, as the country was
still recovering from WWII; rice
was scarce.

Josephine Frances Zaverl Grahek
by Mary Lou Deyak Voelk
8

Zarja The Dawn

Slovenian Events - A Timeline: 1890 - 1910
The decade of my parents’ birth in the area now
Slovenia was “railroad building time;” the
Ljubljana and Kamnik line was completed, as
was the Celje-Velenje line. On Easter Sunday,
1895, the Ljubljana earthquake struck. While it
was most destructive, few people died. A severely
damaged girls’ college and library, housed in
an old monastery, needed to be razed. Today,
this is the site of the famed Ljubljana Central
Market. During those years there were limited
opportunities; one in six Slovenes emigrated,
mostly to the United States. In 1901, the Dragon
Bridge in Ljubljana was built on the site of the
former wooden “Butcher’s Bridge.”

In my keepsakes are several invoices dated from 1910 to
1913, issued from the First State Bank of Ely, Minnesota;
George L. Brozich was its president. My father was
sending his mother, my grandmother, Marjana Zaverl, $10
to $82 for windows and repairs on her home in Slovenia.
How could he have saved this amount of money and yet
had money to live on, all on a miner’s wages at that time?
To my father, his family’s needs always came first.
My mother, Jozefa Pechnik, was born to Frank and Mary
Pechnik on March 19, 1894, in Zapuze St. Vid, Ljubljana.
She immigrated to America in 1913 with the help of her
oldest brother who had immigrated earlier. He provided
the funding for Jozefa, her two sisters, and one brother.

Slovenian Events - A Timeline: 1914 - 1929
My father, John Zaverl, was born on June 16, 1890, to
Five months after John’s and Jozefa’s marriage
Anton and Mary Pogacher Zaverl in Cerklje pri Kranju,
in 1914, Archduke Franc Ferdinand and his
Slovenia. John arrived in
wife, Countess
America on February 12,
Sophie,
were
1910. It had been a well
assassinated in
planned and secret trek,
Sarajevo. It was
an escape over the Alps
the beginning of
to Basil, Switzerland,
World War I, a
where his ticket to
war that was to
America was waiting.
rage over three
Then off to La Havre,
years. Slovenes
France, to board ship for
were conscripted
America. His destination
into the army;
was Ely, Minnesota, to
thousands
of
join his brother, Frank,
Slovenes were
resettled
in
who had arranged his
refugee camps in
passage. John began
Italy and Austria;
work at the Sibley Mine.
thousands
of
I was told stories of such
Slovenes died. It
escapes to avoid
was a time of
conscription. The military Frank and Mary Pechnik Family, St. Vid, Ljubljana.
f o r c e d
would travel house to My mother is in front row, far right. The chain with the small watch
Italianization, the
house, searching for she is wearing is now mine. I wear it with pride.
use of Slovene
potential conscripts.
language in education was abolished,
They would be shown a sleeping fantasy in bed with his
Italianization of Slovene surnames was a
boots on, while the real son, brother, uncle, or husband
requirement, and public use of Slovenian
were traveling over the Alps.
language was denied. In 1918, Slovenia became
part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and
Slovenes; later to be called Yugoslavia. In 1929,
architect Joze Plecnik added two foot bridges.
John Zaverl and Jozefa were married on January 18, 1914,
by the Reverend Father Buh, a well-known and respected
priest who had followed Father Pierz to northeastern
Minnesota. Their first child died at birth. Twins, John and
Anton, were born in 1916; Albin was born in 1920. On
September 27, 1923, I entered the John Zaverl family. I
was named after my mother Jozefa (Josephine), my middle

January/February 2014

9

gardens, and the animals we raised. I remember breaded
veal or chicken, noodle soup, fresh bread, potica, strudel,
flancate, and krofe, all cooked or baked on a wood-burning
stove.
My father, skilled in butchering and sausage-making, hired
out during koline. He had his own set of knives, sausage
making equipment, even the trough used to “dehair the
pig.” Meta, an herb from the mint family used in sausage
preparation, came from my mother’s garden. It was hung
to dry, pulverized, and stored in jars, per my father’s
instructions. Throughout the year he would whittle the spela
that were used in tying the sausage in ring form. My mother
found ways to add to the coffer. She stretched lace
curtains, baked bread for the single miners, and sold
vegetables from the garden.
Christmas and Easter were “holy days.” It was a time to
be with family and friends. Although decorations were
limited, decorating the tree and turning on the lights was
always a delight. Gifts were few, but greatly appreciated.
During Lent we gave up special pleasures; attended the
Stations of the Cross. I remember attending special services
given by Slovenian missionaries who told interesting stories.
On Holy Saturday we brought our special “zegen” basket
of food to be blessed.
John and Jozefa Zaverl - January 16, 1914

name, Frances, after my confirmation sponsor, and “Dolly,”
a nickname given to me by my father.
Ely was located in an area of iron ore deposits. Zones
became known as Locations: Chandler, Pioneer, Sibley,
Zenith, Calumet, 26 Location, and Savoy. There were
seven homes and one duplex in Savoy Location, where I
grew up. This Location housed four Slovenian, one Finnish,
one Swedish, and two English families. I will always
remember Mrs. Ahlstrom of Swedish ancestry, who
requested one quart of fresh pig blood during koline, a
tradition(al) Slovenian word for pig slaughter. I never knew
what she did with it until a few weeks ago, when Mary
Lou Deyak Voelk did a google search and found a recipe
for Swedish Pig’s Blood Rye Bread. You guessed it, the
recipe called for one quart of fresh, pig blood.
My parents rented the property next to our home from
Oliver Mining Company. Each year an agent would stop
by to collect the yearly rent. It was a miniature farm,
consisting of two large gardens, a well-stocked woodshed,
a storage shed, a hay barn, a log barn for raising chickens,
and a pen for a hog or two. The food on our table came
from the abundant lakes and woods in the area, the large
10

The two-room Savoy School, built by the mining company,
housed grades one through four. It was next to our home
and property. We had our own playground, swings, merrygo-round, trick bars, and teeter totter. We would look for a
special, flat, red rock with which we would draw our own
“hop-scotch” squares on the cement sidewalks. The two
teachers taught us well in academics and behavior. When
we entered 5th grade at the Washington School, we became
bus kids, sharing the bus with the Winton kids. We carried
our “newspaper-wrapped and string-tied lunches” to
school. The Savoy School also held citizenship classes
three nights a week. On special occasions, my mother
would make the special egg coffee and krofe for the party.
In 1923, my father left the mine and became a custodian
at the Savoy School; in 1938 he moved to a position in the
high school industrial arts building from which he retired.
Slovenian Events - A Timeline: 1930 - 1945
The Great Depression caused severe economic
problems in every European nation. Germany,
the most severely struck, fell into the grasp of
Hitler and the Nazi party. In Slovenia, the
banking system would suffer. In 1938, the
Slovenian Women’s Union of America organized
their first tour to Slovenia. In 1941, Slovenia
was occupied by Nazi Germany and Italy for
the remaining years of World War II. Thousands

Zarja The Dawn

of Slovenians were forced to move, thousands
killed in battle, and thousands were massacred.
At the end of the war, Slovenia became a
constituent of a socialist Yugoslavia.
I remember the Great Depression. President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, the first President I voted for, brought hope to
the nation’s people. The name Hitler was heard around
the world. Weekly news reels at the local theaters kept us
informed of world events.
In 1934, my family attended a cousin’s wedding in Berwyn,
Illinois. At the same time, the 1934 World’s Fair was being
held in Chicago. The three days at the fair are happy
memories. My mother and I also visited with her cousin,
Mrs. Josephine Erjavec, in Joliet, one of the founders of
Branch 20.
Every object has a story. My story began when I joined
the International Friendship League in high school. With
the onset of World War II, letters from my Estonian friend,
Magda Kass, ceased. Seven years later, in 1946, I received
a letter. She had escaped Estonia and made it to Germany,
and was living in a displaced person’s (DP) camp, a former
Nazi submarine school. Magda’s father had been killed
and her mother taken prisoner and sentenced to Siberia
for 25 years. When Germany divided into the British and
American zones, she was able to write. She had
remembered my address; I was the only one she knew in
the free world. During her internment I had sent her items,
such as cigarettes, that she could sell. Magda’s wedding
gift to Albert and I was a wooden plate, hand carved by a
Latvian DP. Magda was sent to New Zealand after the
war. She and I had a 60 year friendship, until she passed
away. The wedding plate hangs on my wall; using the wood
of God’s creation. When I look upon the plate it reveals to
me my treasured friendship with Magda, her moments of
fear, of loss, of suffering and anguish, and finally peace.
Ely Memorial
High School
was built by
the mining
companies.
The school
c a m p u s
included a
band
and
industrial arts
building
where young
men learned
woodworking
skills. My

January/February 2014

three brothers made a desk, a library table, a china cabinet,
and several end tables. One brother built a toboggan which
we used each winter for years on the hill near our home. I
graduated in 1941 and before the end of that year our
country was at war. I put aside going on to college. I was
an honor student, but scholarships did not exist. Mr. John
Zupancich, Sr. hired me as a bookkeeper in his grocery
store - Zup Supermarket. My seven and a half years at
the store became my supermarket college. When the boss
left town in the big truck, for supplies in Duluth, employees
took turns opening the store at 6 a.m. There was extra
duty, eight hour days were not heard of, especially during
the years of ration stamps. There was much record
keeping. Home visits by a Zup employee, and subsequent
delivery of food orders the following day were the custom.
How else does someone get 50 pounds of flour? The
customer paid the bill on payday. Today there are six Zup
Supermarkets on the Iron Range; credit goes to the hard
work of Zup Sr. and his six sons.

At homemade target range - 1943.
11

Ely was a town of kindness. I lived quite a distance from
the store and was grateful for the offers of rides. From
her window, a grandmother noticed me walking past her
house on the way to and from work. From her I received
a pair of double-knit mittens to keep my hands warm.
When I became engaged, several older women presented
me with gifts. I didn’t get the college degree in Home
Economics that had been my dream, but I guess it just
wasn’t meant to be.
It was the day the church bells pealed to inform us the
War was over; a day I will never forget. Now we awaited
the return of my three brothers. John served in the army
and was in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Albin was in the medical
corp and served in China and India. Anton was a captain
in the US Army Air Corp, and served as a personnel officer.
Slovenian Events - A Timeline: 1945 - 1980
The period after WWII was a time of repression.
Thousands were imprisoned, tens of thousands
left Slovenia; a time of great emigration for
political as well as economic reasons. After the
Tito-Stalin split, repression worsened; Catholic
clergy suffered. Forced collectivization was tried,
but failed. The 1980s was a period of grassroot movements, aimed at independence.

1945, when my parents bought a nice home. In 1958, Albert
and I built our home in the area of town where he had
grown up. We have three daughters - JoAnne Coombe,
Executive Director of the St. Louis County Historical
Society, Judy Omerza, retired from a banking career, and
Rosemary Chickie Harristhal, operator of Canadian Border
Outfitters of Ely and a fly-in fishing resort in Shining Falls,
Manitoba, Canada, and now retired. We have four
grandsons, two great-grand daughters, and two great-step
grandsons.
Slovenian Events - A Timeline: 1990 - 2004
The first free multiparty elections were held in
1990.
December 23, 1990, 88% of Slovenian voters
voted for independence from Yugoslavia.
June 25, 1991, Slovenia declared independence
followed by a Ten-Day War.
December 23, 1991, Slovenia passed a new
constitution.
May 22, 1992, Slovenia became a member of
the United Nations.
March 29, 2004, Slovenia joined NATO.
May 1, 2004, Slovenia joined the European
Union.

Albert S. Grahek was Ely’s first World War II volunteer.
He served in the US Army Medical Corp from 1940 until
the end of the war in 1945. After D Day in France, his
group was sent to Belgium and Germany. He was wounded
in the Battle of Cologne. When Albert returned from the
war, he returned to his trade as a licensed master barber.
Albert and I met at a mutual friend’s wedding, a good oldfashion Slovenian wedding. We were married on August
28, 1948, in St. Anthony Catholic Church. He would
eventually open his own barber and beauty shop in the
new taconite mining town of Babbitt. In retirement he
operated a barbershop in our home and also served patients
at the local hospital and nursing home.
At the age of 10 I was taught to crochet by my mother. It
became a lifelong hobby along with various forms of
embroidery. I purchased my first pattern book at Agnew’s
Variety Store for 10¢. Years later I was intrigued by a
bedspread pattern in that book, only to find the last page
missing. I wrote to Coats and Clark, giving the book and
pattern numbers. After 30 years, that pattern was still
available. This was the start of big projects. Crocheting
kept my hands busy; my mind concentrating on the task at
hand.
My address has changed throughout the years, but I never
went far. From Route 1, Box 68, to 312 C. Chapman St. in
12

Zarja The Dawn

I have worn many
hats throughout the
years: daughter,
sister, wife, mother,
grandmother,
great-grandmother,
widow, and friend.
During my life the
Lord has seen me
through times when
happenings were
too much for the
moment. Deaths of
family members
and friends is
something we all
must face. Losing
our
daughter,
Lucille, at birth was one of the saddest moments of my
life. I lost my husband, Albert, on May 11, 2005, after 57½
years of marriage.
Two most recent memorable times occurred this year. One
was this summer - it was July 12 at Salute 2013 held at

Dolly and Joe
Valencic dancing
with the Barich
Brothers - 2013.

Vermilion Community College. BeBe
Lobe and Cecilia Rolando presented
a room full of my crochet. It was a
dazzling display. Each piece came
into its own, surrounded by Slovenian
artifacts and colored backgrounds.
People I had not seen in years were
in attendance, as was Mayor Ross
Petersen. The day continued with a
delicious Slovenska Miza at Creek
Ridge Lodge, with music by the
Baraga Brothers. I danced with the
most handsome man at the party, Joe
Valencic of Cleveland and the Polka
Hall of Fame. I had the time of my
life.

On September 27, 2013, I
celebrated my 90th birthday with family, friends, music,
dancing, sausage, potica, and strudel, making the day more
than a birthday. September 27 was also a celebration of
my Slovenian heritage. From birth and throughout my life,
I have proudly carried my Slovene ancestry in my genes
and in my soul.

“From birth and
throughout my life, I have
proudly carried my
Slovene ancestry in my
genes and in my soul.”
- Josephine “Dolly” Zaverl Grahek

January/February 2014

13

Theresa Wargo
Tribute to a Long-Time Member
by Patricia Budzilek

The story of Theresa Wargo, born in Gilbert, Minnesota,
cannot be told without telling the story of her family,
especially her mother, Frances Perme Marolt, also a SUA
member, who bore 16 children, all single, healthy births; 11
boys and 5 girls - Theresa being the 15th child. Often friends
did not know the children’s names, but referred to them as
the 10th child, etc. Both Slovenian and English were spoken
in their home, with the older children being fluent in
Slovenian and the younger ones understanding Slovenian,
but answering in English. Family life revolved around three
important principals: their Catholic faith, education, and
their work ethics. The family said the rosary together every
day after the evening meal, always attended Sunday Mass,
and never missed attending every devotion from Forty
Hours to feast day celebrations.
Theresa’s parents, Matt Marolt from Velike Lasce,
Dolensko, who came to America in 1906, and Frances
Perme from Brest, who arrived in 1910, went to Eveleth,
Minnesota, where they met and married in 1911. One of
the children became Sister Mary Ad Nives (Our Lady of
the Snows), a Franciscan from Lemont, Illinois, who taught
in many places including St. Christine’s in Euclid, Ohio.

Matt Marolt and Frances Perme on their wedding day.
Eveleth, Minnesota, October 10, 1911

When Sister professed her vows in Lemont, family
members attended. Five children became teachers, and
eight boys served in World War II, with only one being
wounded and later fully recovered. Theresa’s mother
prayed constantly and it worked! Most of the children
remained in the Gilbert area and
raised their families there. Three
children are still living.

MAROLT FAMILY REUNION - 1955
Front row left to right: Frances, Sr. Mary Ad Nives, Mother, Father, Mary, Edward
Middle Row: Joseph, Angela, Rudy, Theresa, Tony
Back Row: Matt, Frank, Lawrence, Paul, Jack, Louis, John
14

It was not always an easy life for
such a large family living in a
modest house, but their needs
were satisfied. As the children
became older they helped with
the younger ones, but all 16
children never lived in the house
at the same time as the older ones
moved on with their lives. Two
of the boys helped in a funeral
parlor while in high school to earn
money for college, and both
became licensed funeral directors
and one still helps out today. In
spite of the short growing season
in the Iron Range, their father
always had a garden which
helped supply fruit and vegetables
for the family. Theresa and her
siblings often went to the garden

Zarja The Dawn

and picked berries in the morning, cleaned up, and then
sold the berries door to door in a neighboring town. In
addition, they often went into the woods and picked berries
there to sell.
Education was very important in this Slovenian home and
Theresa’s father even became a member of the Board of
Education in Gilbert; quite a feat for an immigrant teenager
who arrived in America knowing no English. He also
sponsored an immigrant displaced family after WWII.
Theresa attended the University of Minnesota in Duluth
where she received a degree in elementary education. She
taught at first in Minnesota, then in 1954 moved to
Cleveland, which was familiar to her because two of her
sisters, Angela and Frances, had worked at Weatherhead
there during WWII, after which they returned to Gilbert.
Theresa moved to the Collinwood area of Cleveland and
immediately joined St. Mary’s Church and its Slovenian
choir. She married at St. Mary’s in 1957, and moved a
short distance away to Lyndhurst in 1960 where she still
resides today with her son. She has two children, Joey
and Ann, and two grandchildren, Daniel and Katie, both of
whom are college graduates. She left teaching when her
children were born, but had to return after nine years of
marriage when her children were six and eight because of
her husband’s poor health. She spent 24 years at St. Paschal
Baylon teaching fifth grade, and has been a widow since
2006.
Theresa remembers as a small child taking her mother’s
SUA dues to the home of the treasurer, sometimes walking
through tunnels of snow! Today Theresa is an active
member of Branch 50 in Euclid, Ohio.
These are two special SUA members; Slovenian women,
Frances Marolt and Theresa Wargo, who saw to it that
their families were raised with the principles of education,
Catholicism, and a strong work ethic. Additionally, Frances
Marolt deserves our admiration for all her efforts after
being blessed with many children, each of whom she treated
as a child of God.

WANT TO GET
MORE INVOLVED?
Looking for volunteers who
love their heritage.

We need help
in our Museum
in Joliet, Illinois,
with scanning,
sorting, cleaning,
and creating exhibits.

WANTED
Heritage Museum Director
Membership Director
Heritage Museum Librarian

Tribute to Long-Time Members

Museum Window Dressers

Note: Please notify me if you would like to suggest
a SUA/SWUA member to be profiled in this feature.
Remember - they must have been active for many
years, and are probably in their 80s.

Heritage Museum Cleaners
Zarja - The Dawn Writers

My e-mail is pbudzilek@oh.rr.com.
January/February 2014

15

SUA’s “Shrine”
to Slovenian Heritage

by David Sodac
Branch 89 - Oglesby, Illinois

If you are seeking to get some kicks out on Route
66, the route may lead you to a quaint, pocketsized Heritage Museum, nestled on the corner of
N. Chicago Street and W. Clay Street, in the midst
of the old, historic, Slovenian section of Joliet,
Illinois. This little, two-story, former Slovenianoperated drug store, was transformed into the
SWUA Slovenian Heritage Museum in 1978
through the efforts of Irene M. Planinsek Odorizzi
and the ardent energies of many members of the
Slovenian Union of America’s (SUA/SWUA)
Branch 20 - Joliet. This cultural museum is
dedicated to preserving the Slovenian heritage and
doubles as the home records office for the SUA.
The first floor store-front of the museum features
displays of traditional Slovenian garb, family
memorabilia donated by its members, collections
of photographic displays of immigrants to the
United States, old Branch membership photos,
along with an assortment of books, folk and polka
CD’s, mementoes, special occasion gift cards, and
much more. SUA members from across the
United States have donated family items, Slovenian
keepsakes, and just financial contributions that are
used in maintaining the store operations, and for
creating displays of historic artifacts.
The creative mind behind establishing this
Heritage Museum, Irene M. Planinsek Odorizzi, attained
some notoriety through her writing of the book “Footsteps
Through Time,” published in 1978. The storyline was a
collection of Slovenian immigrants’ life stories in America
in the early part of the 20th century. Irene was born in
Joliet, IL, and became very active in the SWUA, not only
in leadership roles, but as an author of a column in the
Zarja - The Dawn magazine. The column was called
“Immigrants.”
Joliet has long been considered one of the major U.S.
centers of Slovenian culture since the first wave of
immigrants arrived in 1873 seeking to work the steel mills
in far southeast Chicago or the Joliet Iron and Steel Works.
As the immigrants began settling into Joliet, the area
became known as “Slovenian Row.” This ethnic
neighborhood of Joliet sprung up around the area bounded
on the north by Columbia Street, on the south by Crowley
Avenue, on the east by the railroad tracks, and by the Des
Plaines River on the west. As more and more families
16

arrived, housing, stores, and businesses developed to serve
their needs and eventually a Slovenian church and school
was built in the center of the area. The original cornerstone
of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was laid in 1891 to meet
the religious needs of its Slovenian immigrant flock.
Today, across the corner from St. Joseph’s Church, is
SUA’s Slovenian Heritage Museum. A life-size, Cor-Ten
steel silhouette of a Slovenian, immigrant woman stands
out front on the corner. This steel silhouette was one of
two dozen life-sized statues of individuals being recognized
for their contributions and erected along this Heritage
Corridor Project that spanned from Chicago to La Salle.
The Corridor is an 862 square mile region encompassing 5
counties and 57 communities. The purpose of this
government project… “Is to retain, enhance, and
interpret, for the benefit and inspiration of present and
future generations, the cultural, historical, natural,
recreational, and economic resources of the Corridor.”
This silhouette standing stoically on the corner of N.

Zarja The Dawn

Chicago and W. Clay was intended as a
landmark designating the Slovenian Row
in Joliet, as well as identifying the
Slovenian Heritage Museum. This metal
artwork was modeled after the likeness
of Mary Lehen Setina, who had
operated a candy store on that very same
Chicago Street. When the Heritage
Corridor Association’s metal artist began
researching the design for the artwork, they wanted the
likeness to be of a Slovenian, woman immigrant, and one
who had preferably operated a store on that street. The
candy store owner, Mary Setina, fit that ideal. Mary
emigrated from Ljubljana, arriving in America during 1903,
and resided with her family in that same St. Joseph’s
neighborhood. Her husband, Simon Setina, a wellrespected stone carver, operated a burial monument store
next door to his wife’s candy store. The family all resided
in the upstairs apartment of the building.
Ironically, Simon and Mary Setina are the grandparents of
today’s manager of the SUA/SWUA records and of the
Slovenian Heritage Museum, Jonita Erjavec Ruth. Jonita
has had an extensive history of active involvement within
the Joliet Slovenian community and a life-long dedication
to the SUA/SWUA. She shared that, “Since before she
was even born, she was a SWUA member while in her
mother’s womb.” Jonita’s mother, Josephine Setina Erjavic,
herself was very active, holding national offices within the
SWUA, and the desire to serve the Slovenian community
seems to have definitely been inherited by Jonita.
Recently, I had the opportunity of rising to the challenge
extended by the new Regional President of Illinois/Indiana,
Barbara Bruch, of taking a road trip from Bettendorf, IA,
to this Slovenian shrine in Joliet. We arranged to meet in
LaSalle, IL, along I-80 and drove non-stop, talking the
remaining 50 miles we traveled upstate to Joliet. We let
our Garmin GPS direct us to park right across the
street from the SUA Heritage Museum. The black,
steel silhouette of an immigrant woman seemed
to beckon us to enter the corner building. The
long-time operations manager, Jonita Ruth,
unlocked the door and greeted our arrival. The
nostalgia and warmth of Slovenian ancestry
immediately fills your senses, as you begin to
explore the displays, nooks, and display cases of
this one-room museum. Several button-box
accordions, now muted from the lively polka
sounds, were arranged atop a large case in the
corner. A collection of yesteryears wedding
dresses adorned mannequins along a wall. A foottreadle sewing machine that was a staple of every
Slovenian home sat silent next to clothing items

January/February 2014

representative of a bygone era. There was a large,
commercial, floor display fixture with swing panels
arranged with old photos of past SWUA Branches and
activities through the years. We began to turn the panels
and came across a large, fading photo taken in 1929 of a
gathering of women at the All Slovenian Catholic
Conference that was marked as being held in Lemont, IL,
July 7, 1929. The ladies in the front were holding a large
banner with the wording “Slovenska @enska Zveza –
Slovenian Ladies Union.” Glancing closer at the old photo,
we noticed that it was labeled as the combined members
of Branch 24 - La Salle, Illinois, and of Branch 12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Barbara Bruch and I are both
members of Branch 89 - Oglesby, IL, which was an
offshoot of the original Branch 24 - LaSalle, IL. We were
entranced, discovering our old Branch photo and looked
closer at each face in the photo. Coming immediately into
focus from that photo was the face of Barbara Bruch’s
grandmother, Teresa Piltaver Terselic. She would have
been 47 years of age in that photo. Teresa happens to be
the younger sister of my paternal grandmother, Mary
Piltaver Sodac. Mary also was a member of that same
SWUA Branch, so fervently I browsed through all the
smiling faces of the women holding still for this picture,
hoping to locate my grandmother. But, obviously she didn’t
attend this All Slovenian Catholic Conference with her
sister. It was disappointing, but I scanned again looking
carefully for a face that I might have difficulty recognizing,
given her age at that time. Again, nothing… but then an
all-familiar face seemed to rise out of this 1929 gathering.
It wasn’t of Mary, but of my maternal grandmother,
Antonia Papez Muhich. Amazing! I would have never
guessed that this mother of 10 children, would have had
the time to travel to Lemont, IL, and participate in this
conference. Antonia would have been 45 years of age.
The women were all wearing what appeared to be the
same dress outfits that were possibly representative of
their Slovenian Heritage. The same village dress that I’ve

17

seen before in a photo of me as an eight year old, holding
hands with my grandmother at a SWUA festival in Peru,
IL. What an unforeseen surprise!
We asked if it was possible to explore the original
registration records down in the basement of the building.
Jonita was very willing to get us started, so we followed
her into the basement “treasure” chamber which housed
hundreds of thousands of SWUA documents, jam-packed
into file cabinets lining the walls, cardboard boxes and
storage cases of contributed artifacts and mementoes, as
well as the official storage section for Joliet’s Branch 20
materials and relics in the back half of the basement. Now,
both Barbara and I had a purpose in combing through these
old SWUA membership files from ages past; we had hopes
of possibly finding our grandmothers’ original applications
for membership. In no time, Barbara Bruch unearthed her
grandmother’s application, stuffed in a dog-eared manila
file folder, tightly crammed into an over-used, antiquated,
filing cabinet. Amazing! The original form was dated
October 17, 1928. Teresa Terselic had been accepted into
Branch 24 - LaSalle, and her signature was affixed. This
application for membership in the SWUA was completed
one year prior to the photo taken at the Lemont Catholic
Conference. Teresa had been a charter member!
We spent what seemed at least an hour scrounging through
the “M” (Muhich) or “S” (Sodac) folders, in what seemed
at times, an unorthodox filing system. Who am I to cast
stones about alphabetical order? For all I know, they may
have been arranged in the letters of the Slovenian alphabet.
Eventually, we were awarded for our perseverance, as I
found one of my maternal grandmother’s applications.
However, the application wasn’t for
the Branch 24 - LaSalle as I
expected, but Branch 89 - Oglesby,
IL. The Oglesby Branch formed its
own group, splitting off from the La
Salle Branch. We never could locate
her original La Salle membership
application. However, the Oglesby
Branch happened to be the very
same Branch that I was cajoled into
joining by my compatriot, Barbara
Bruch. She’s the same person who
challenged me to take the road trip
to the Slovenian Heritage Museum.
How ironic to belong to an
organization in which our
grandmothers were considered as
charter members. The date affixed
to the application was 5 February
1939. Her file also contained a
Medical Certificate of Death; a
18

death that had been seen by my family as ruining her 100th
birthday celebration that was being meticulously planned
for five months later. The SWUA was originally designed
to be a burial insurance society for women and required a
minimum of two years membership to have the family
receive a burial payout. Well, both of our grandmas
deserved that burial insurance payout, as they lived
considerably well beyond that requirement by attaining 99
years of age for Antonia and 100 years for Teresa, and
SWUA memberships lasting almost 60 years apiece.
Finally, our visit to the museum needed to end, much to the
expressed disgust of the museum director, Jonita Ruth, who
would have entertained us late into the evening. We
purchased a few items in the gift case, and got back on
Highway 66 to I-80 and headed south, pleased with the
unexpected discoveries of the day. We both truly believe
in the karma of our family ancestors. Those ethereal
essences of our grandmothers, somehow shepherded us
to travel down that highway and see what the past can
provide us here in the present. We truly did get our kicks
on Route 66, as it steered us directly to Joliet’s Slovenian
“Shrine” and a glimpse into our own SWUA heritage!
General Information on the Heritage Museum
MEMORIAL PLAQUE: Donations ($100) are accepted
for the Memorial Plaque and are displayed in the
museum. You may have your name or that of a friend or
relative displayed on the walnut plaque. Donations are
recognized in Zarja - The Dawn.
MEMORIALS: All donations of a lesser amount are also
recognized in Zarja - The Dawn. A memorial donation in
memory of a deceased person is a
fine tribute. Acknowledge a birthday,
anniversary, or special occasion with
this unique remembrance. These
donations reflect our Slovenian
descent and the existence of our
Heritage Museum!
The museum continues to be
managed by Jonita Ruth and Carol
Novak (volunteer) - both of Branch
20 - Joliet. They try to maintain
normal business hours during the
week, but since the museum is run
by volunteers that may not always
be possible. Please call ahead if you
really want to visit – 815.727.1926.
Street Address:
431 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432-1703

Zarja The Dawn

Slovenian Union of America

R
E
P
0
0
0.
1
$

T
E
CK
I
T

27th National Convention
2015 in Lemont, Illinois

“April’s Showers of
Dollars” DRAWING
April 2014 Fund-Raiser
Top Seller Prizes:
1st Place - $130
2nd Place - $90
3rd Place - $50

CASH PRIZES TOTALING $2,790
26 Daily Drawings at $60
April 1st and 20th at $200
April 13th and 30th at $130
30 Daily Seller Prizes at $10

C
U
T

H
E
R
E

You are eligible for all daily drawings in the month of April, 2014. Sellers of the winning entries will receive $10 as
an award for their selling efforts. The daily drawing amount and the seller’s $10 prize will be mailed to the
winners of record the next business day. Winners will be sent an e-mail and names posted on the SUA website.
For information on how the Fund-Raiser works - see page 20.

The following entry form should be printed clearly and accompany your $10 entry fee.
Detach at perforation

“April’s Showers of Dollars” Entry Form (Copies Accepted)
Entrant’s Information:
Name:____________________________________ Address:______________________________
City:______________________________________ State:_____________ZipCode:_____________
Phone:____________________________________ E-mail:________________________________
Seller’s Information:
Name:____________________________________ Address:______________________________
City:_____________________________________ State:_____________ Zip Code:____________
Phone:____________________________________ E-mail:________________________________
Branch Number and Location:________________________________________________________
Please send completed form (Print) and $10 check payable to SUA to:
Denise P. Bartlett
SUA Director of Special Projects
7902 West Howard Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53220-1612
Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com
January/February 2014

19

Slovenian Union of America
Need additional entries?
Copies accepted or contact Denise P. Bartlett at:
Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com

27th National Convention - 2015 - Lemont, Illinois

“April’s Showers of Dollars” DRAWING
April 2014 Fund-Raiser
www.slovenianunion.org
2015 SUA/SWUA National Convention. SUA/SWUA holds its National Convention
every four years in host cities around the country. These gatherings are important not
only to conduct SUA/SWUA business but to have a forum for Branch Member Representatives to come together to give their reports, share their ideas, discuss concerns, and
further cement their mutual love and respect for all things related to their Slovenian heritage. Our next SUA/SWUA National Convention will be held in Lemont, Illinois, in 2015.
Plans are underway to make this another memorable event. The successful completion of
this “April’s Showers of Dollars” Fund-Raiser will provide monies to help defray the
costs of conducting SUA/SWUA’s National Convention. The Convention Committee
strives to offer an affordable convention package to enable Member Representatives and
members from every SUA/SWUA Branch to attend. The entries make excellent gifts for
the holiday season, birthdays, and to say “Thank You.”
How Does the Fund-Raiser Work? Everyone participating in the SUA/SWUA “April’s
Showers of Dollars” Fund-Raiser has the chance to win cash prizes. Each day in the
month of April, 2014, one winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day $60, $130, or $200. In addition, each day the person who sold that day’s winning ticket
will win $10. The daily winner and seller can be one and the same and win both prizes.
The month of April 2014 has much to celebrate - including April No Fool’s Day, Palm
Sunday, Easter Sunday, and the last day before May’s flowers. The winners chosen on
April 1st - April No Fool’s Day - and April 20th - Easter Sunday - will win $200 each. The
winners chosen on April 13th - Palm Sunday - and April 30th - “Here Come May Flowers”
- will win $130 each. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will win $130 and
$90 and $50 respectively. It’s a WIN opportunity for everyone.

“Larger Prize
Amounts This Year!”
20

Your Participation is Appreciated!

Good Luck!
Zarja The Dawn

Slovenian
Union of America
Branch Reports
BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Contact Information: Mary Ann Schellinger
920.457.7946/rhmas@yahoo.com
October was a busy month for Branch 1. On the 13th we
held elections. New officers for the next term are as
follows: President – Mary Ann Schellinger, Vice President
– Denise Schueffner, Secretary – Betty Repenshek, and
Treasurer – Marilyn Hendricks. The members were
treated to delicious treats baked by the board. All enjoyed
fruit and nut breads, apple cake, and coffee. Not many
crumbs were left.
On October 27th Branch 1 hosted the Wisconsin Regional
Convention. It was held at Sts.
Cyril & Methodius Church in Fr.
Cherne Hall. The day started
with a Mass concelebrated with
Fr. Paul Fliss and Fr. Richard
Cerpich. The church choir
honored the day with many
Slovenian hymns. Mary Ann
Schellinger, President of Branch
1 and also our Wisconsin
Regional President, welcomed
the guests. We paused for a
moment of silence for all SUA
members who passed away.
Czech Please catered the buffet
luncheon and, of course, pink tea
and potica were served.
A business meeting was
conducted at which time an
election was held for a new
Wisconsin Regional President.
Jackie Smith of Branch 43
graciously accepted. A short
program was given regarding the
importance of family in our lives.
The Nightingals provided
entertainment, followed by raffles

January/February 2014

(30 donated baskets), door prizes comprised of items
donated from nine Sheboygan area businesses, and
presentation of a Slovenian doll that was donated for the
event by Ceil and John Smolic. It was a day of fellowship,
food, fun, and frolic.
BETTY REPENSHEK
BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Contact Information: Phyllis phyllisswu5@aol.com
New Year’s greetings to all Branch members! Many
thanks to all who attended our “KOFFEE-n-KROFE,” and
our holiday dinner at the Iron Skillet! These meetings are

21

very popular
with
our
members. Is
it the good
food or the
g r e a t
company?
Either way,
all had a good
time!
Our
sympathy
goes out to
s e v e r a l
members
who
lost
loved ones
during the Junior Member Stephen Fon Jr., (in black)
just completed his Varsity Soccer season with
past year.
his team winning the 2013 Sectional title!
Please keep Stephen was named to the Indianapolis Allthe Smith, City Soccer Team, and also played in the
Z u p a n c i c , Indy Elite North-South Soccer competition
D a l t o n , with players from all over Indiana. Stephen
Konechnik, is a junior at Cardinal Ritter High School,
P o w e l l , member of Campus Ministry, Student
L o v i s c e k , Ambassadors, and National Honor Society.
and
Fon Congratulations, Stephen!
families in
your thoughts and prayers.
Got any suggestions for a fun, new event that we can do
for our meetings? Contact any officer with your idea! May
your winter be safe and warm... bring on the snow!!
KAREN, MARY & PHYLLIS
BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California
We want to send our deepest sympathy to Dora Simenc
and family on the loss of her husband, Alex Simenc. He
was the father of five children, grandfather of seventeen,
and great-grandfather of one great-grandson. Alex Simenc
was the accomplished composer, organist, and choir
director at the Church of the Nativity for over 60 years.
The holiday season is over. Hope everyone had a
wonderful and blessed Christmas spending time with family
and friends. Can you believe how quickly the years are
flying by? Happy New Year 2014!
A belated happy birthday to Virginia Sustarich and Agnes
Leach. These two great ladies never miss our monthly
meetings. February is almost here and as our Aunty Gini
Sustarich said to us last year, “Love is in the air, Happy
Valentine’s Day!” With that note we want to wish our
treasurer and her husband, Michele and Denny Twers, a
very loving and happy birthday.
MOREEN SPENCER

22

BRANCH 16 - South Chicago, Illinois
Contact Information: Marjorie Mitchell
773.646.4392/Dolores60617@yahoo.com
At our October meeting we had the election of officers:
President & Secretary – Terri Rossi, Vice President &
Auditor – Alberta Corey, Treasurer – Mary Jane Struss,
Zarja Reporter – Dolores Franko.
At our November meeting Terri Rossi gave a brief talk
on the “road to sainthood” for Bishops Anton Slomsek and
Frederic Baraga. It is truly a long road to becoming a saint!
Still making progress in the health department is Helen
Nowicki. Our dessert table was brimming with potica
(Victor Sebehar), apple strudel (Alberta Corey) and cheese
strudel (Dolores Franko). With ethnic cookies and candy,
we had a delicious “Slovenianfest.” Our Christmas lunch
was held on December 14 at Cavalier Inn in Hammond,
IN. All members attending had a portion of their lunch
covered by Branch 16. That was a nice Christmas gift!
DOLORES KRAL FRANKO
BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois
Contact Information: Patricia Schager
815.439.0062/patricia.schager@att.net
Our two most important events in September and October
continue to remind us of more news. The raffle money
winners from our Grape Harvest Festival Dance in
September were: member Catherine Emery - $300; Judy
Hann - $200; Colleen Kovic - $100; and Friends of Pat
McGuire - 50/50 jackpot.
During the 85th Branch Anniversary Celebration we
honored Jenny Kochevar, our Branch’s oldest member at
98 years, and Millie
Pucel, 90, a 79-year
member of the Branch
who still actively
attends our events.
Zarja - The Dawn
editor, Debbie Pohar,
was the lucky winner of
the
handmade
Slovenian doll and a
centerpiece. Meta
Hanzlik of Branch 2
also won a centerpiece.
Gene Novak won a Branch 20 President Char Kobe
beautifully arranged and Millie Pucel.
and very large wine
basket. We welcomed the support of the many members
from other Branches who helped us celebrate 85 years.
Announcing officers for 2014: Char Kobe, President;
Jeanne Warsaw, Vice President; Barbara DeLaney,
Treasurer; Robyn Coyne, Correspondence Secretary; and
Diane Hohenwater, Recording Secretary. Continuing on
as Auditors are Jo Lustik, Bernice Nemanich, and Pat

Zarja The Dawn

Butterbach and Sgts. At Arms, Nancy Horwath and Sandra
Kehring. Our Spiritual Director, the Rev. Tom Paul, will
conduct the installation during our meeting on Sunday,
January 19.
A very large thank you to Diane Hohenwater for her
additional notes on the Anniversary Celebration, and to
Barb DeLaney for her picture taking expertise of the
accompanying picture of Char Kobe and Millie Pucel at
the Celebration dinner.
This will be my last Zarja report. It has been an honor to
serve, and many good wishes to all who continue the work
of SUA. I had a wonderful time meeting and making new
friends while being “volunteered” by some of my fellow
Swooses. And you know who you are. It’s been fun.
PATRICIA SCHAGER
BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois
Contact Information: Bonnie Prokup wprokup@aol.com
Branch 24 celebrated 85 years with a beautiful party held
at Starved Rock Family Fun. Looking out those huge
windows with the pretty trees and the leaves - just perfect
for Fall. One would guess if you were in LaSalle, IL, or in
a little gostilna in a tiny village in Dolenska. The meal was
catered by Paramount Club and paid for by Branch 24.
We had 34 members, Brother Luke McLachlan of St. Bede
Academy, and two babies in attendance. We listened to
an assortment of Slovenian music chosen by Jonita Ruth
of the Home Office and enjoyed the special Pink Tea
recipe that Branch 1 of Sheboygan, WI, writes about.
On November 2nd our members met in the St. Vincent’s
Cemetery for our 2nd Annual All Soul’s Day event. Led by
Brother Luke it was another moving experience. Later,
those in attendance went to Four Star Restaurant for
dinner. The Christmas Party held at Senica’s Banquet
Center was enjoyed by all.
We hope to see everyone in the year 2014!

Branch 24 members: Mary Ann Pieczynski
with Madison, Karson, and Melissa Actis.

January/February 2014

BRANCH 33 - Duluth, Minnesota
On Sunday, October 20, our branch met to celebrate our
85th birthday! We met at Borders Restaurant and had a
wonderful time reminiscing about the “heyday years” and
how many changes have taken place over time with SUA.
Many stories were shared about past conventions and
activities that we had; it gave us time to share with each
other what was happening in our own lives. We had a

delicious birthday cake for dessert, but we learned one
thing and that is to make sure you have “a real
photographer that knows how to operate the camera”
amongst the group! There wasn’t a group shot with the
cake, but it was lovely, wasn’t it?
ANN MENART
BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota
Contact Information: John Star
johnks6@yahoo.com
Our Regional Convention in September went very well.
In the order of business, we filled the Regional Secretary
and Regional Treasurer positions: our new Regional
Secretary is Marianne Nanti and the new Regional
Treasurer is Frances Kovatovich. Both are members of
Branch 35. Thank you ladies!
Miro Medved, newly appointed Honorary Consul to
Slovenia, was our speaker. His slide show/commentary
was very interesting and well presented. He showed us
what a beautiful country Slovenia is!
Our sympathy to Mae Klun’s family. Mae passed away
recently. Anne Orazem is at home after a recent stay in
the hospital. We wish her good health and many blessings.
At our November meeting the members voted to cancel
2014 meetings in February, June, July, and August.
January will be our Christmas Party-Dinner, traveling
Bunco, and possibly a Christmas Trivia game. The date
has to be finalized and members will be contacted. Because
our February meeting is canceled, the Dime Auction for
23

BRANCH 40 - Lorain Ohio
We are continuing our luncheon meetings on the second
Wednesday of each month. We are few in number, but it
is something we look forward to each month. We would
love to see some new faces - please call me if you need a
ride.
I am sorry to report our Aggie Serazin is still in Amherst
Manor. Please know you are in our prayers, Aggie. Our
Francine Pavlovcic’s husband, Fritz, is in Vermilion’s
Kingston for therapy. Hope you can bring him home soon,
Francine!
There are many things people do in volunteering. I sing
with the Singing Seniors - something I truly enjoy. We visit
area nursing homes twice each week, where we sing songs
of the season - mostly old songs that the residents enjoy,
and they often join in singing with us. Several times, my
son Michael has come with his button box accordion, and
has lifted up everyone’s spirits with a lively Slovenian Polka,
or two!
By the time we read this, the holidays will be behind us
and we will be settling in for a few cold months - and after
that - can Spring be far behind? Enjoy each season! Stay
warm!
STEPHANIE POLUTNIK

President, Rita Majerle Klug (Branch 43) and Vice
President, Mary Ann Schellinger (Branch 1), both due to
their family’s needs. We thank them for their service and
are pleased to announce that our Branch 43 member, Jackie
Smith, was unanimously elected to fill the term of Regional
President. We are confident that she will do a great job.
Congratulations, Jackie!
We are also proud of Branch member, Rose Chepeck,
who recently received another Volunteer Award from the
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center for her 16 plus
years of volunteerism through the Red Cross at the Center’s
nursing home. Her eyes sparkle when she talks of her
special Veterans and how much they appreciate her time
and attention.
Once again we will be making butare on Saturday, April
12, 2014, at the Triglav Park Dom in Wind Lake. Come
and learn this Slovenian tradition! Please join us the next
day, April 13, for the Palm Sunday Mass at 11:00 am at St.
John the Evangelist Parish in Greenfield, where we will
proudly proceed into church carrying our butare and
wearing Narodna no{a. After Mass we will gather together
for brunch at a local restaurant. The time and place to be
determined.
Another date to look forward to is April 27, 2014, when
Navihanke (a 5-woman singing-musical group from
Slovenia) will perform for us at the Polish Center in
Milwaukee. Tickets will be available soon from the UWM
- Slovenian Arts Council.
MICI BREGANT

BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Contact Information: Jan Gehm
414.321.1413/twogames@wi.rr.com
The Holidays are over and I hope that all had a great
one. Since this article was due before our first attempt at
a Slovenian News Year’s Eve Celebration, you will have
to wait until my next writing to hear about it. With the
New Year here, I’m sure all are planning for an activityfilled 2014. I hope that all of our members, after receiving
our Branch event calendar, will refer to it throughout the
year.
At our October meeting all of our 2013 Branch Officers,
Sgt-At-Arms, and Auditors graciously accepted and were
unanimously elected to serve again in 2014, led by President
Jan Gehm. Denise Bartlett was elected to represent our
Branch for 2014 with U.S.P.E.H. - representatives of eight
local Slovenian organizations.
Several of our Branch members attended the Wisconsin
Regional Convention in Sheboygan on October 27. They
all reported that once again it was a great day. The Mass,
meal, program, entertainment, raffle baskets, and door
prizes were top notch. There was much Slovenian Spirit
throughout the Convention! The office of Regional
President had to be filled, because of the resignation of

BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio
Contact Information: Debbie Duris 330.467.2281
Happy New Year! Our Christmas Celebration on
Saturday, December 7th at the Valley View Community
Center was a good time for all that attended. The food
was delicious and desserts were incredible. A big thank
you to all those members who came and shared in our
fellowship and the spirit of the season.
The members that attended the Ohio Regional Convention
had a wonderful time. The Slovenian Mass at St. Vitus
was so very meaningful. The catered brunch was delicious
and our speaker, Rose Marie Jisa, was very informative
about all of the activities of the Slovenian Genealogy
Society. A special thank you to Rosemary Toth, Cookie
Maxin, and the members of Branch 50 for a well-planned
event.
On a personal note I would like to thank everyone in
attendance for participating in celebrating my mom’s, Olga
Dorchak, 85th Birthday. I will gladly share any of our
members’ activities. Just call me on my cell 330.730.8951
or e-mail me at kjferrante@gmail.com and I will include it
in the next Branch report. Wishing everyone a healthy and
happy 2014!
KATHLEEN FERRANTE

the Northern Pines Rest Home Activities Department will
be held at our March meeting.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to Everyone!
MARLYS RABB

24

Zarja The Dawn

BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois
Contact Information: Jim Ebner
815.883.3268/deadendbluff@yahoo.com
In October, our Branch gathered for our regular meeting,
followed by dimming of the lights, lighting of candles,
reading the names of all deceased members of Branch 89,
and saying the Rosary. On a windy, blustery Saturday
afternoon/evening of November 2, several members of
our Branch joined members of Branch 24 of LaSalle at St.
Vincent’s Cemetery in LaSalle to remember deceased
family and SUA members in prayer and by lighting candles
at their gravesites. Those who were able to attend describe
this as a “very fulfilling and moving experience.” The
candles left glowing in
the darkness of the
cemetery provided a
very impressive sight.
If the dead could
speak, I can only
imagine they would
say, “Thank you for
remembering us.” An
evening meal was
later enjoyed at Four
Star Restaurant.
Great anticipation
filled the air as we
gathered Monday
evening, November
David Sodac and his cousin,
11th, for our regular
Linda Sodac-Wallock.
meeting. Celebrating
Martinovanje, St.
Martin’s Day, the day the grape juice in the barrels
traditionally turns to wine, we looked forward to not only
our meeting, but especially to a wine-tasting, including
wines of Slovenia. Wines were presented from Primorska,
Slovenia, Germany, a private winery in Missouri, as well

Barbara Bruch at wine tasting.

January/February 2014

as an American favorite. Cheese, crackers, and smoked
sausage complimented the wine table. In unique fashion,
the tasting began before our meeting, continuing throughout,
allowing for a casual, relaxed atmosphere with time to enjoy
each selection. It was definitely a very enjoyable social
evening! We look forward to hosting our 3rd annual Branch

Branch 89 members enjoying the day.

89 Slovenian Heritage Day again this year at Claudette’s
on Saturday, March 29, from 4 to 7 p.m.
By the time you read this, we will have had our Christmas
party. This is always a great time before the holidays to
share a delicious meal and of course, there are always
plenty of light-hearted moments within our “White
Elephant” gift exchange. There is a wide variety of gifts,
from the nice, decorative, hand-me-downs to the
outrageously funny items, which leave people wondering,
“What in the world is this?” and “What am I going to do
with that?” Memorable items from recent years include
a can of “evaporated water” and a stringer of crudely
carved, wooden fish! We have learned from experience
that it is sometimes the most beautifully wrapped gifts
that contain the real “zingers!” On that note, we wish
everyone near and far good health and Happy New Year!
JIM EBNER
25

BRANCH 93 - New York, New York
Contact Information: Elizabeth Gross 718.335.8459
Our branch had a stirring Martinovanje feast at St.
Cyril’s Church - complete with roast goose, mlinci, both
red and green cabbage dishes, kale with garbanzo beans,
green salad, home baked bread, and of course, poticas!
And since St. Martin is (amongst other important callings)
the patron saint of wine growers, a fantastic selection
of diverse Slovenian wines provided by Emil Gaspari
enlivened all as everyone lifted glasses and joined in
singing “Kol’kor kapljic, tol’ko let” with gusto. Honored
guests were Ambassador Dr. Bo`o Cerar and UN
Ambassador Andrej Logar with their wives (Cvetka
Logar makes a tasty red cabbage!), and Valentin Inzko,
UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We were also happy that Kamnik artist, Andrej Schlegel,
was there to speak about his miniature paintings of New
York that were on exhibit, and everyone enjoyed
Kenneth Price playing his violin as we relaxed over our
second glass of wine! After giving a rousing cheer to
Ria Whitmire for planning, procuring, and cooking most of the
food, and organizing the dinner, members went to welcome
Minister Roman Jaki~ who was arriving in New York City that
afternoon.
Our Slovenian internet classes are coming to a close, and we
feel a bit Oliver
Twist-ish, asking
for
“More
Slovenian, please?”
We’re still hoping
we can work
something out so we
can continue on our
quest to master this
language. Well probably not master
- but make someone
able to comprehend
what we’re trying
to say!
On the horizon for
the new year - a trip
NYU Medical student Kenneth Price
practicing for Martinovanje.
to Bethlehem, PA,

Igor Cesarec, Ph.D. candidate in Economics at
New York University with Ambassador Dr. Cerar,
and Dr. Carole Ryavec, Documentary Director.

for the 100th Anniversary Mass at St. Joseph’s, another
butarice workshop, and Bernarda Fink’s concert. If you’re
in New York City, be sure to include coming to church at
St. Cyril’s at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays - chance to meet some
of our members and hear the Mass in Slovenian.
ELIZABETH GROSS

Ambassador Dr. Cerar with Father Krizolog,
Church of Saint Cyril, New York, NY.

Martinovanje at Church of Saint Cyril, New York, NY.
26

Zarja The Dawn

BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois
Contact Information: Jana Hlade jmhlade@hotmail.com
Happy
New Year!
We hope you
had a very
blessed
Christmas
season. In
October, several members of our Branch attended the
Illinois/Indiana Regional Convention and 85th Anniversary
of Branch 20 in Joliet. Also in October, we held our 10th

Annual Bunco event. Congratulations to raffle winners:
Burkland family - $100, Gen Buol - spa basket, Vidmar
family - beer basket, Germaine family - $100, and Julie
Kaluza - liquor basket. Also congrats to Barbara Ann
Pendergas for winning the special anniversary raffle of
$100. And many heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteers
who helped with Bunco, donated raffle prizes, and brought
bakery. You truly make this event successful!
Another thank you to all bakers who donated cookies for
our annual Cookie sale in December. And thank you to
Mary Mavec and Paula Mavec for organizing the event.
Many thanks to Linda Schultz, our secretary, for being
the Member Representative (delegate) of our Branch for
the SUA annual meeting held in November via conference
call. Per our new 501(c)(3) status, our organization must
hold annual meetings with all Branches represented.
We would like to send our sympathy to the family of
Anne Rupert who passed away in August. In her earlier
days, she enjoyed playing the accordion with her brother,
Joe Kovich.

January/February 2014

Recently, our branch donated $100 to the Bishop Baraga
Association which supports the sainthood of Slovenian
Bishop Frederic Baraga, who was the first Bishop in
Marquette, Michigan, in the 1800s.
The new 2014 calendar is on its way, so watch your
mailboxes for fun activities of our Branch.
Wishing you all a very prosperous New Year!
JANA HLADE
BRANCH 100 - Southern California
Contact Information: Jean Koci ajkoci@cox.net
Many of our members attended and helped at the Vinska
Trgatev celebration in Fontana. The host organization was
the California SNPJ Federation, but almost every one of
our active members belong to both associations and enjoy
the activities together. Slovenians are few and far between
on the West Coast, although we run into them here and
there, and it is always a joy to find someone who hasn’t
“connected” since they left their grandparents in Ohio or
Wisconsin or Minnesota.
By the time you read this, most of the Christmas parties
will be over, but we will still be enjoying New Year
celebrations and gatherings. It will be good to have some
family get-togethers and dinners. It is always fun to have
the kids home from school for a while, so that cousins and
siblings can catch up on what they have been doing.
If all goes well, we might have Fr. Peter Ro`i~, s.j. with
us over New Years. That would be a true blessing for our
friends and family. We had a wonderful time with him when
he was here in April. I understand that he will be hosting
the Slowind Wind Quintet from Ljubljana at Santa Clara
University on February 26th. Slowind will also be here in
Laguna Niguel at St. Timothy’s Church on Saturday,
February 22nd for their fourth concert here in the past 13
years or so. It has always been a highlight for our Slovenian
community as well as the parish, the music lovers in our
area, and students from the local high schools.
The church staff and guests who come from all over
Southern California to hear them welcome the talented
and charming musicians warmly. Of course, the homebaked traditional Slovenian pastries are welcomed also!
If you are in the area, please check with me for more
information!
27

Photo: Slowind Wind Quintet from Ljubljana.
In February, on the West Coast, the Slowind Wind Quintet
will play classical music including some pieces by
Slovenian composers.

We send our best wishes to all for a Happy New Year
2014. Srecno Novo Leto!
JEAN KOCI
BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland
Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons
bettekfitz@verizon.net
On October 5, 2013, Branch 108 celebrated its 10-year
Anniversary with a festive celebration filled with Slovenian
songs, dancing, slide
show presentations of
potica making, and
slides depicting the
history of 108’s
Branch events. The
traditional Slovenian
fare from main dishes,
to sides, desserts, and
Slovenian wine was a delight to savor. Branch 108
members/friends and guests will long remember this
wonderful day of celebration, including a congratulatory,
poignant address by the Ambassador of Slovenia, Dr. Bo`o
Cerar to commemorate its 10 year milestone. Branch 108
President, Bernadette Fitzsimmons, provided her speech
centered around envisioning goals and fulfilling them to
achieve success; she also presented an original watercolor
painting to the Ambassador, “Most na Soci” created by
member artist Estelle Zorman.
It was truly an honor to have Mary Lou Deyak Voelk,
National SUA VicePresident of Culture
and Heritage, present
as guest speaker to
emphasize
the
importance of music,
food, and dancing at
28

Slovenian gatherings. It was also very kind of Ana Sonc
Jevti~ to graciously accept a request to offer a
congratulatory statement on behalf of Branch 103,
Washington, D.C. Participants were treated to a beautiful
music program by “Megaron,” an award-winning choral
group from Slovenia, comprised of 40 members who were
on tour in Canada and the U.S. for their 10th anniversary.
The Branch 108 anniversary event was made possible
by numerous contributions, combined of time, talent, and
dedication to our Slovenian heritage. The possibility of
celebrating at the Embassy of Slovenia was first discussed
and envisioned between Nu{ka Zakraj{ek and President
Fitzsimmons in October, 2012, and subsequently presented
to members last fall;
with
enthusiasm
members followed
through to make it
happen
in
collaboration with the
Embassy staff and
dignataries. Branch
108 is forever grateful
to Nu{ka Zakraj{ek,
Cultural
and
Diplomacy Officer,
for her cooperation and persistence to fulfill the wish of a
weekend event. This occasion became a reality; fulfilled
through intensive planning and meeting goals along the way
that led to the unfolding of a triumphant, successful
anniversary celebration.
Thanks to members/friends of Branch 108 - 10 th
Anniversary Celebration participants and donators. MANY
THANKS (Lepa hvala) to the dedicated individuals listed
below who helped
make the anniversary
event complete: Anne
Stratton, Margie
Whitmore,
Lynn
Koiner, Lea PlutPregelj, Erika, Ayla,
and Brielle Roda,
Tereza Bevec, Nika Kovacic, Helen Sisto, Fran Hrastar,
John and Judy Klansek, Bernadette, Juliana, Thomas, and
Tim Fitzsimmons, Ale{ Psaker, Frank Vidergar, May, Lisa,
and Erika Kokal, Marie Robinson, and the Embassy staff.
Thanks to the Embassy of Slovenia for donating the wine
to compliment the meal, the concert by “Megaron”, and
thanks to Nu{ka for arranging the details for the choral
group tour to be in D.C. during the weekend to complement
the Anniversary Celebration, collaborating on many of the
food details, and assisting Branch 108 in its celebration of
this occasion at the Embassy of Slovenia.
BERNADETTE K. FITZSIMMONS

Zarja The Dawn

Everything was in place on Saturday, October 5, 2013, for the 10th Anniversary of Branch 108 - Olney,
MD. What an absolute perfect setting for this anniversary event. Carnations in crystal vases stood tall
at the Slovenian Embassy.
Voices of Chamber Choir “Megaron,” the sounds of Frank Vidergar’s button box, the splendid display
of traditional Slovenian foods; one could sense the elation throughout the afternoon hours. The scene
brought to mind our ancestors, long buried in Slovenian soil, who never experienced life in an independent,
democratic Slovenia. Could they have ever imagined a Slovenian Embassy in the United States of
America or a Slovenian Union of America celebrating an anniversary in the Embassy? I believe they
were rejoicing...... “up there.”
The elation continued into Sunday. There was not a dry eye in Our Lady of Brezje Slovenian Chapel at
the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The sounds of choir members
from Megaron reached the heavens; crowds gathered outside the chapel.
How to explain this elation? It could not be touched, seen; it had no physical substance. I have never
been so moved, so proud, to call myself a Slovenian American.
Congratulations to Branch President Bernadette Fitzsimmons and the members of Branch 108 for this
gala event, held in this notable building. This day is now etched in the history of Branch 108. It was an
honor for me to represent the Slovenian Union of America.
- Mary Lou Deyak Voelk, Vice-President of Culture and Heritage

Thank you for sending the Embassy newsletter. I found
it very interesting and having pictures of Branch 108
included was special, as it will be noticed and enjoyed
by many! I hope you’re still enjoying memories of the
success of this unique event. You planned and worked
so hard, the dear Lord blessed your efforts and made
it a very special celebration. - Irene Odorizzi

January/February 2014

Just want to tell you that the Anniversary event at the
Embassy for 108 was a fabulous success... I think it
turned out better than we could have hoped.
- May Kokal

29

SUA Branch 108 10th Anniversary Address
Dragi prijatelji!
Dear Friends,
Deeply honored and humbled by Mrs. Bernardka Fitzsimmons’ invitation to say a few words at the occasion
of the 10th anniversary of the SUA’s Branch 108, I would like to express my great joy and profound gratitude
for the countless graces given to so many of us through the work and life of the Slovenian Union of America
and its jubilee-celebrating branch.
Shortly after my arrival to Washington, D.C., and shortly before the 5th anniversary of Branch 108, Mrs. Nika
Kova~i~ invited me on the behalf of the (then-called) Slovenian Women’s Union of America to join them in
a meeting. As I was eager to learn about what they do, as I was curious about how they live and as I wondered
about what these Slovenians and their friends cherish, I accepted her invitation. While I intended to participate
in one meeting only – as I thought these are women-only gatherings after all – I soon found myself going to their
meetings on a regular basis. Their attitude towards the Slovenian heritage, their dedication to it, and their
enthusiasm about it won me over and enchanted me. What is more, encircled with these pleasant, energetic
and committed women – and some men also – I not only enjoyed their company but I also started promoting
their cause.
I was honored to become the spiritual advisor to this fine group of women and men. Ever since, I have prayed
for the group, your work and your families. I count as a gift from above the five memorable years I was
blessed with to spend as a member of your Branch 108. You helped me learn how dedicated Slovenes can be
in serving one another and how exemplary you are in cultivating your American and Slovenian identity. Moreover,
as members of the SUA, you taught me that your dedication to the Slovenian-American cause does not take
place in Olney, MD only, but also across the United States and beyond. I have met remarkable SUA’s women
and men in Milwaukee, Chicago, Cleveland, California and elsewhere – thanks to being a part of your community.
Finally, it was during these meetings where I witnessed that reconciliation and mutual understanding among a
diverse and colorful group of persons is not only possible but also represents a pledge of a bright and hopeful
future.
It is my deep desire that the fruits of the noble legacies promoted by the women and men of the Slovenian
Union of America be faithfully handed on to your children and your children’s children. [e ve~, ~lanicam in
~lanom Branch 108, kakor tudi vsej Slovenski (@enski) Zvezi `elim, da bi va{e plemenito delo obrodilo
sadove pravi~nosti, miru in ljubezni. Naj Gospod podpira delo va{ih rok, blagoslovi va{e dru`ine in
vse ljudi, s katerimi se tako radovoljno dru`ite. Ob deseti obletnici vam `elim obilo blagoslova.
Zato vam pravim, Bog vas `ivi!
May God Bless the Slovenian Union of America, its Branch 108, and all Slovenes and Americans of good and
happy will.
Fr. Peter Ro`i~ SJ
October 2013
30

Zarja The Dawn

January/February 2014

31

BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota
Contact Information: Norm Setnicker
651.777.6106/normas188@msn.com
With the harvest “zetev” season, as well as the holiday
season “prazniki letni cas” behind us, Branch 109 collected
its own Slovenian harvest with many member contributions
that enriched our Slovenian heritage.
** Norm Setnicker and Fran Strukel made 57 rings of
“Krvavica” (blood sausage) for the 8th time - using a timetested Slovenian recipe from Ed Bernik.
** Norm and Mary Ann Setnicker made 30#’s of “South
American Specials,” which were treats for us in the 1950s.
When the Italians and Slovenians cleaned up their gardens,
they took the red and green peppers, pepperoni, hamburger,
endive, tomatoes, some jalapeños, and onion and ground
them up and made a sandwich spread on a dense piece of
bread.
** John Skubitz hosted a Martinovanje celebration at his
home with about 40 members in attendance. Mary Medved
gave a brief history of this Slovenian tradition. Hvala lepa,
Janez and Katica.
** Rick Pisa gave the results of the Slovenian calendar
photo contest. Pictures taken by members who visited
Slovenia were included in a calendar, which went on sale
in October.
** Katica (Kathy) Muhvic Wilson headed up our first ever
“Family History Day,” which was sponsored by the
Hennepin County Library in Minneapolis. Kathy provided
the tools for Slovenian genealogy searches.
** Tea Rozman, our newest Slovenian native, made a multimedia presentation of Narodne no{a (Slovenian national
costumes) at our November meeting. Tea and Norm will
be working on recording oral histories of our immigrant
members in January.
** Janez Skubitz orchestrated the design and sales of
Slovenian place mats. Funds from the calendar and place
mat sales help in financing the Festival of Nations display
in May.
** Mary Ann Palmer and Norm Setnicker are in the

process of collecting resources to write a 10-year history
of Branch 109 - Twin Cities Slovenians.
** Janez Zakelj represented the TC Slovenians at the
annual Immigration History Research Center dinner held
in November.
**Yul Yost and Jean Smith attended a play entitled
“Steerage Song,” which focused on the period of greatest
migration in the history of civilization, roughly 1845-1924.
What made this play special was the Slovenian song,
“Danici,” - an original Slovenian song from Matija Valjavec.
Ksenija Rener Sitar, a native Slovenian who was a member
of the TC Slovenians, helped with this theater production.
** Chuck/Jean Podominick had a chance encounter with
David Setnicker while visiting in Ptuj at the Gostilna Ribic.
They were doing genealogy research.
** Pat Dahl made her first trip to Slovenia and in the
process talked to the Slovenian musical group, Navihanke,
about their upcoming tour of the U.S. in April - May.
Election for officers of Branch 109 - TC Slovenians was
held and all incumbent officers, led by President John
Zakelj, will continue into 2014.
SRECNO NOVO LETO! “Drzi smehlaj” Keep smiling!
NORM SETNICKER
“Born in USA with Slovenian Parts”

A Visit To Willard!

Left to right: Corinne Leskovar with Branch 102 members Joanne Trunkel, Rose Pakiz, and Frank Pakiz. Rose served as
a past president of Branch 102 for 11 years.
(Photo by Nace Rebrica, of Lemont.)
32

Branch 102 in Willard, Wisconsin, is a part of a very small
community of Slovenians who were pioneers in the past
agricultural life of the Midwest, and remain active in their
Branch and the activities of Holy Family Church. Willard
was a stop on the Bishop Baraga Pilgrimage trip to Duluth,
Minnesota, in October, by a group of Chicago, Lemont,
Joliet, Waukegan, and Milwaukee Slovenians. It was an
interesting visit to northern Wisconsin thanks to our tour
leader, John Vidmar, who is a historian of the life of Bishop
Frederic Baraga when he was a missionary in the 19th
century among the American Indians in the Great Lakes
area. Last year Bishop Baraga was named Venerable by
the Catholic Church.
- Corinne Leskovar, Branch 99 - Lemont, IL

Zarja The Dawn

NON-PROFIT
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE
POSTAGE
PAID
PAID IL
LASALLE,
LASALLE, ,IL