1917
Ernest
2012
Ernest Semrad
December 14, 1917 — July 9, 2012
A Rosary service for Ernest T. Semrad, Waukomis resident, will be held at 7PM at St. Francis Catholic Church on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Friday, July 13, 2012. The Reverends Joseph Irwin, Rajesh Mankenna, and Marvin Leven, will officiate, assisted by Deacon Tony Crispo. Interment will follow at Waukomis cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Ernest T. Semrad departed this life Monday, July 9, 2012. He was born December 14, 1917 in a two-room house on a farm two miles north of Hennessey, Kingfisher county, to W.R. And Emma Schovanec Semrad. At the age of two he moved with his parents to a farm three miles southeast of Waukomis where he grew up. He was baptized when an infant at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hennessey and later confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bison where he was a member and sang in the choir.
Ernest T. attended Waukomis schools for 12 years graduating from Waukomis High School in 1935. He was Salutatorian of his class and outstanding Senior boy. He was a member of the band and played cornet from junior high through high school. He excelled in oratory throughout high school and in literary oration contests with other schools.
He started to farm with horses with his father at an early age. A few times the team spooked and had a runaway and he ran home crying. The next day was spent picking up harness pieces over the field and putting them back together.
He raised registered Hereford cattle, exhibiting them at local and national shows. He was a member of the 4-H Club and the Garfield County 4-H livestock judging team, winning high honors at state and local shows.
After their courtship of 2 and ½ years, Ernest T. was united in marriage to his sweetheart Marie Fuxa on June 1, 1938. The Rev. H. B. Mandelartz officiated at the 7:30am Nuptial Mass at the old St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bison. The wedding, a Czech celebration, lasted all day and ended with a Czech Polka dance that night at the old Country Hall near Bison. Three wonderful sons were born to this union – Myron Leslie, Rodney Ernest and Sidney Eugene.
Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm two miles east of Waukomis where they resided all their married life. Ernest T. was a prominent, dedicated and hard-working farmer and dairyman in the community. He operated a grade A Holstein dairy farm for 53 years.
He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where he has been an usher and greeter for 30 years. He belonged to the St. Francis Men's Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge. He was a member of the Catholic Workman Lodge, Branch No. 67 and received his 50+ year membership pin many years ago.
Ernest T. was a member of Enid Gold Spot Dairy where he sold cream and milk for many years. He and Marie helped organize and were members of the Pioneer Rodeo Club. They participated in many rodeos and parades with their ponies.
He played cornet in the Gold Crown Melodiers Polka band. The band played on a local radio station, KCRC, sponsored by Palacek Mills. They disbanded after a tragic car accident while returning home after playing a dance in Ponca City.
Ernest T. and Marie are members of the No. 1 Oklahoma Polka Club and past members of Shirts and Skirts Square Dance club. They held an office in the Northwest District Square Dance Association for eight years; in 1995 they were Visit Nine Chairmen of the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation. They helped organize and were charter members of the Northwest Oklahoma Country and Western Dance Association.
Ernest T. had a terrific sense of humor and it was enjoyable to be around him. He went out of his way to visit with friends and made new ones wherever he went. He knew no strangers; everyone was a friend.
Ernest T. and Marie were blessed with 74 years of marriage. The coupled were honored Nov. 6, 2011 on their 73 years of marriage during a milestone marriage Mass at the Cathedral of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Archbishop Paul Coakley blessed the couple and presented them with a certificate for being the longest married couple in the diocese.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Marie; three sons and daughters-in-law, Myron and Marilyn Semrad, McKinney, Texas; Rodney and Janice Semrad, Waukomis, Oklahoma; Dr. Sidney and Angela Semrad, Mesa, Arizona; 6 grandchildren, Edward, Sally, Stacy, Rachel, Sean and Holly; and 6 great-grandchildren, Braden, Lauren, Miley, Bentley, Kru and Cade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Leon, Robert, and Vernon) and two sisters (Dorothy Markes and infant sister Alice).
Ernest T. Semrad departed this life Monday, July 9, 2012. He was born December 14, 1917 in a two-room house on a farm two miles north of Hennessey, Kingfisher county, to W.R. And Emma Schovanec Semrad. At the age of two he moved with his parents to a farm three miles southeast of Waukomis where he grew up. He was baptized when an infant at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hennessey and later confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bison where he was a member and sang in the choir.
Ernest T. attended Waukomis schools for 12 years graduating from Waukomis High School in 1935. He was Salutatorian of his class and outstanding Senior boy. He was a member of the band and played cornet from junior high through high school. He excelled in oratory throughout high school and in literary oration contests with other schools.
He started to farm with horses with his father at an early age. A few times the team spooked and had a runaway and he ran home crying. The next day was spent picking up harness pieces over the field and putting them back together.
He raised registered Hereford cattle, exhibiting them at local and national shows. He was a member of the 4-H Club and the Garfield County 4-H livestock judging team, winning high honors at state and local shows.
After their courtship of 2 and ½ years, Ernest T. was united in marriage to his sweetheart Marie Fuxa on June 1, 1938. The Rev. H. B. Mandelartz officiated at the 7:30am Nuptial Mass at the old St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bison. The wedding, a Czech celebration, lasted all day and ended with a Czech Polka dance that night at the old Country Hall near Bison. Three wonderful sons were born to this union – Myron Leslie, Rodney Ernest and Sidney Eugene.
Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm two miles east of Waukomis where they resided all their married life. Ernest T. was a prominent, dedicated and hard-working farmer and dairyman in the community. He operated a grade A Holstein dairy farm for 53 years.
He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where he has been an usher and greeter for 30 years. He belonged to the St. Francis Men's Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge. He was a member of the Catholic Workman Lodge, Branch No. 67 and received his 50+ year membership pin many years ago.
Ernest T. was a member of Enid Gold Spot Dairy where he sold cream and milk for many years. He and Marie helped organize and were members of the Pioneer Rodeo Club. They participated in many rodeos and parades with their ponies.
He played cornet in the Gold Crown Melodiers Polka band. The band played on a local radio station, KCRC, sponsored by Palacek Mills. They disbanded after a tragic car accident while returning home after playing a dance in Ponca City.
Ernest T. and Marie are members of the No. 1 Oklahoma Polka Club and past members of Shirts and Skirts Square Dance club. They held an office in the Northwest District Square Dance Association for eight years; in 1995 they were Visit Nine Chairmen of the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation. They helped organize and were charter members of the Northwest Oklahoma Country and Western Dance Association.
Ernest T. had a terrific sense of humor and it was enjoyable to be around him. He went out of his way to visit with friends and made new ones wherever he went. He knew no strangers; everyone was a friend.
Ernest T. and Marie were blessed with 74 years of marriage. The coupled were honored Nov. 6, 2011 on their 73 years of marriage during a milestone marriage Mass at the Cathedral of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Archbishop Paul Coakley blessed the couple and presented them with a certificate for being the longest married couple in the diocese.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Marie; three sons and daughters-in-law, Myron and Marilyn Semrad, McKinney, Texas; Rodney and Janice Semrad, Waukomis, Oklahoma; Dr. Sidney and Angela Semrad, Mesa, Arizona; 6 grandchildren, Edward, Sally, Stacy, Rachel, Sean and Holly; and 6 great-grandchildren, Braden, Lauren, Miley, Bentley, Kru and Cade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Leon, Robert, and Vernon) and two sisters (Dorothy Markes and infant sister Alice).
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