Obituary : Mary Ann Votipka

Mary Ann Votipka was born to Fred & Veronica (Pokorny) Fujan on May 24, 1930 near Raymond, Nebraska. She passed away on October 2, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 9 days. She was one of 7 children born in the family.

Mary Ann married to Rex Votipka on June 9, 1947, and they made there home in Exeter, Nebraska.

Mary Ann enjoyed gardening, traveling, embroidery, cooking and playing cards. She was famous for her pie making.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Fred & Veronica; husband Rex; and siblings Bohumil Fujan, George Fujan, Alice Furasek, Geraldine Palanuk, Fred Fujan, and John Fujan.

Mary Ann is survived by her sisters-in-law Edna Fujan of Lincoln, Nebraska, Delores Fujan of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Lea Ann Votipka of Exeter, Nebraska; nephews Rich Furasek of Lincoln, Nebraska, Fred Palanuk of Oakridge, Oregon, Larry Furasek of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ron Fujan of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Christopher Fujan of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bob Votipka of Exeter, Nebraska, Ron Votipka of Lincoln, Nebraska; nieces Pat Webb of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Charlene Grossnicklaus of Shelby, Nebraska, Susie Freeman of Oakridge, Oregon, Debbie Pinney of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Diane Nold of Castaic, California, Kristin Fujan of Lincoln, Nebraska and Marsha Turbett of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fillmore County Scrap Tire Collection October 26

Exeter-Milligan Tames the Tigers in Dwight

The Bobcats started their contest against the East Butler Tigers with their claws out.

Mitchell Manning received the kick off and stormed down the field straight into the end zone.  The two point conversion was stopped.

East Butler fumbled the ball and the Bobcats took full advantage of it with Edwen Baptista finding the end zone.

The Tigers found the end zone next when they took the ball all the way down on the first down with 9 minutes left in the quarter but were denied the two point.  The score stood at `12 to 6.

 

Baptista barrelled through the Tiger defense for the end zone and then tack on the two points.  With 5:58 left in the quarter it was 20 to 6

On second and one Spencer Pribyl kept the ball and broke through hole and into the end zone. Bobcats could not complete the two point but with 2:15 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers again found the end zone on a pass from #6 to #82 but the Bobcats stopped the two point with two minutes left in the quarter.  The score at the end of the quarter was 26 to 12

The Tigers started the second quarter tacking six points on bringing the score to 26 to 18.

Mitchell Manning found the end zone for Exeter-Milligan/Friend but it was called back for an illegal block in the back.

 

After a huge gain by Pribyl, Manning broke loose and found the end zone.  Baptista took the ball in for two bringing the score to 34 to 18 with 10:10 left in the half.

 

East Butler fumbled and Manning recovered it on the EMF's 23rd yard line. 

 

On fourth down Pribyl sent a Hail Mary pass and Baptista caught it in the back corner of the end zone for six but the two point attempt was no good.  Score was 40 to 18 with 3:30 left in the half.

With :36 left in the half Manning flew into the end zone and Baptista frosted the cake with two more.  Score 48 to 18.

 

Manning had an interception reception to give the Bobcats the ball but EMF fumbled the ball just four yards from the end zone.  East Butler recovered but couldn't convert as EMF backed them up to the one yard line.  

 

Manning received the punt out of the end zone and ran it back upfield for  a touch down.  The two point failed but the score was now 54 to 18 with 1:15 left in the third quarter.
After the points were scored Pribyl had three kick off attempts that ended up out of bounds.  East Butler finally accepted a position and on first down Pribyl chased down the quarter back and caused a fumble when he recovered.

East Butler forced a fumble and clawed their way down the field until a pass attempt the Manning intercepted.

 

Partway through the fourth quarter the younger athletes had a chance to play with Peyton Pribyl making some yards on the ground along with JB Drake.  Pribyl scored with 3:06 left in the game and JB Drake took the ball in for two points.  Final score was 62 to 18  with the Bobcats record at 6-0

Exeter-Milligan Soccer Teams

Exeter-Milligan kindergarten and first grade team includes front row: Axel Erdkamp, Lynn Jurgensen, and Braxton Harre.  Back row from the left is: Tommy Kallhoff, Coach Dan Kallhoff, Piper Grummons and Landri Johnson.  Archer Engert is not pictured.

Exeter-Milligan second and third graders played another season of soccer in the Geneva Youth League.  Pictured in the from the left are Gavin Mueller, Levi Jurgensen, Scout Grummons, Boden Graham, Richard Hickman, Deacon Erdkamp, Hannah Petersen, Brynnlye Johnson and Titus Petersen.  Their coach, TJ Mueller, is behind the team.

Exeter-Milligan Kindergarten Class 2018

Exeter-Milligan kindergarteners stopped during a busy afternoon to pose for a picture.  Back row from the left: Kaidence Koehler, Saydee Kassik, Brooklyn Lawson, Connor Hafer, Kyson Holtzen-Mitchell, Anton Classen, and Willie Lock.  Front row from the left:  Dahlia Zeher-Lewis, Kora Havel, Landri Johnson, Kolton Songster, Tommy Kallhoff, Braxton Harre and Archer Engert.

Death Notice: Mary Ann Votipka

A Funeral Mass for Mary Ann will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Monsignor Daniel Seiker will officiate the services.

A Graveside Committal will be held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter.

Exeter Volunteer Fire Department

Exeter Volunteer Fire Department Members are pictured back row  from the left: Lane Strate, Mitch Schlegelmilch, Dennis Johnson, Joe Miller, Jackie Miller, Alan Michl, Daniel Hartman, Marv Swanson, Dylan Axline, Derek Axline, and Ed Mark.  Front row from the left: Mark Crawford, Beth Crawford, Shari Michl, Dan Votipka, Ken Strate, Hope Strate, Adam Chrans and Mark Beethe. Standing behind on the truck is Richard Erdkamp.

Not pictured Nate Brandt, Adam Erdkamp, John Graham, Logan Harre, Nate Kahler, Doug Papik, Starlene Benorden, Tim Wilbeck, Joel Maxson, Jim Anderson, Dave Polak, and Terry Salyer.

The Exeter Volunteer Fire Department has seen some changes this year.  Long time Fire Chief John Mueller notified the department he would be stepping down from his position.  In January, the department held their elections and Ken Strate was elected Fire Chief.

Strate has been on the department for 16 years and his wife, Hope, serves as the Rescue Captain for the department.

Strate is focusing on training for this year.  “With the way the state and federal laws are coming down we have to have more certified in different fields to keep up with what they require.”

“We are here for the community as volunteers doing this because we want to help and take care of the community .  It’s tough being a volunteer and having time to do all of the training we need to do.  My goal as the Fire Chief this year is to get the department to where it needs to be and still provide good community service.”

Serving alongside the Strates’s are assistant fire chiefs Dylan Axline, Nate Kahler and Alan Michl.

The department is looking at the possibility of replacing the attack truck as a medium range goal and potentially a new rescue unit.  According to Hope Strate, “We just need some upgrades.  Internally it (the rescue unit)works fine but the wear and tear and the rust are showing its age.”

One of the upgrades the rescue captain would like to see is “a cot that automatically loads with no strain to the EMT’s but it is $25,000 to retrofit to our current unit.  However, it makes it easier for three or four people to do the job of five or six.”

Hope also serves as the training officer and reports that the department is alternating training at their monthly meeting.  One month they focus on rescue training and the next month is fire.

“We’ve had everything from Burlington Northern who came and did a presentation about how to handle situations with the trains, even how to tell what’s in the cars, to refresher and newbie training on the SCBA breathing apparatus training.”

This year the department has held storm spotter training in multiple locations, had two house burns and hosted a Hazardous Materials awareness class taught by the state fire marshal.  Eight members of the department went to fire school this year.

The department again hosted a summer weekend celebration with the Sons of the American Legion in Exeter.  The festival held downtown included a car show, parade and evening meal which featured a polka band. This year the department added a bake sale with a celebrity baking auction which was very successful.