Stanley Dvorak

88 year old Stanley Dvorak of West Point died August 18th at West Point Living Center. Stanley was born March 2, 1922 to Mike and Rose (Kulhanek) Dvorak at Howells. He spent his early years living and working on the family farm near Howells with his parents and brother Frank. He left school after the 6th grade to help his family. In his 20's Stan lost his left arm in a machinery accident and simply got on with his life farming until his parents retired, sold the farm and moved to Howells. He lived with and cared for both aging parents for the remainder of their lives. After the farm was sold Stan started selling oil in the 1940's. He was just given a pencil and blank paper with no directions or training, but he turned the job into a successful career that he enjoyed. He delighted in placing more than one million miles on his old Dodge while meeting people and making friends in Nebraska and Colorado. He had a knack for maintaining a car and to be able to talk to anyone about practically anything. Stan moved from Howells to West Point in 1997. He had a fondness for his ancestry and still had the oxen yoke that his paternal grandparents used in 1887 to make the journey from Maryland to Nebraska after their ship docked from Bohemia. His apartment was filled with old memories, including his parents' framed marriage certificate written in Bohemian. Throughout his life, Stanley remained very tough and independent until his health began to fail during the past year. While he was able, he enjoyed helping people, whether it was chauffeuring those in need of a ride, or helping his wonderful landlords, Gloria and Clarence Uhing, at his apartment complex. Stan is survived by cousins, Carol and Kathleen Dvorak of Colorado and other cousins and many friends His kindness and friendship will be missed by many. He was simply a good man and neighbor. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Frank. Funeral lunch will be served at St. John's School. To leave a message for the family - at the top of this page click "Send Condolences" / fill in YOUR name and e-mail address / type in your message / click PRIVATE (type in code) or PUBLIC / click "Add Memorial entry".