History

The Bohemian Cemetery was incorporated on April 25, 1883, by fifteen founding members. Ten acres were purchased for $800 at 54th and Center streets (now 52nd street). Initially 38 blocks were platted, a block containing four lots of 12 graves each. For a long time the cemetery remained in a not very improved condition. Lots were sold at first at $10.00 apiece, consequently there were no funds for betterment. The cemetery has been managed since its origin by an association of lot owners: the Bohemian Cemetery Association | Český Hřbitovní Spolek.

 

ORIGINAL PLAT MAP

IMPROVEMENTS

Of late, however, notable improvements were instituted, so that with the flowers and trees and many beautiful monuments, the cemetery is attractive. Additional land was purchased in May 1913 – sixteen lots (old Eckerman school) adjoining the original cemetery were secured from Harrison & Morton for $2,000. In 1924 a brick building was erected, the front part being used for a waiting room and columbarium for urns, the rear for the caretaker’s home. Sewer and grading work also was done, all costing $7,214.31. In 1925 further improvements were made, fence, piers, walks, enlarged driveway and installation of a city water system. In 1945, the Cemetery was replatted, replacing the original systems of block numbers (1-122) to the current system of 23 numbered sections. In the early 1950’s a group of Czech ladies raised funds to repair and extended the fence surrounding the cemetery. From 1955-1958, more than 500 graves were leveled. Crest View and Hillside sections, south of the original Cemetery were added later. A new outdoor marble columbarium and scattering garden was added in 2012.

FIRST BURIALS

Within Cemetery records are recorded thirteen burials from 1883, the earliest being Frantisek Jelinek (S5 L92 G6) who died in Omaha on 15 May 1883. Below is a short obituary from an early Omaha newspaper:

A sad case is reported from South Omaha. Frank Jelinek, an aged man, with his wife and four children, arrived in Omaha three weeks ago from Bohemia. Jelinek had the consumption and died yesterday leaving his family without a supporter and without money, to make their way in a new world. The remains were taken to Undertaker Jacobs and will be interred in the new cemetery of the Bohemian Association. The deceased was 62 years of age.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75199585/frantisek-jelinek

CEMETERY FOUNDERS

 Omaha Daily Bee, 10 Oct 1882:  “The entertainment held on Saturday evening for the benefit of the fund for the Bohemian Cemetery netted about $75, which was quite a satisfactory beginning.”

Omaha Daily Bee, 27 Apr 1883: “Articles of Incorporation of the Bohemian Cemetery Association of Omaha
were filed filed in the office of the county clerk yesterday.  The trustees are John Rosicky, J. J. Smrz and Frank Jelen.  V. L. Vodicka is clerk of the association.”

Omaha Daily Bee, 07 May 1883: “A New Cemetery – What the Bohemian Association is Doing. 
A few days ago THE BEE mentioned the fact that articles of  incorporation had been filed at the office of the county clerk by the Bohemian cemetery association, and that they were looking for a suitable site for a cemetery.  They have at length purchased the n.e. part of the s.w. 1/4, section 30, township 15, range 13, a tract about one mile southwest of the poor farm, containing 10 acres.  The association now numbers 50 members, and is officered as follows:  J Rosicky,
president; V.L. Vodicka, secretary; Joe Kavan, treasurer; J.J. Sweesh (Smrz), F. Jelen, J. Rosicky, trustees.  The cemetery will be at once fenced and laid out into lots, members being each entitled to a lot.  The balance will be sold as need, to Bohemians only, but without regard to creed.  Those who will not be able to buy a lot or place for a grave, will be
furnished a burial place gratis.  There are now five hundred Bohemian families in the city, and the number is increasing each year, so that in ten years there will certainly be no less than two thousand families.  Heretofore their dead were scattered through the cemeteries, Catholic Bohemians mostly burying at Cassidy’s (St. Mary’s).  Now the majority, without doubt, will bury at this cemetery.”

All but one of the founders are buried here within Sections 5 and 7:

  1. Vaclav Jablecnik, (1840-1902)  S5 L33 G4
  2. Vaclav Vancura, (1856-1932)  S7 L23 G11
  3. Frank Kaspar, (1857-1909)  S5 L87 G9
  4. Frank R. Chrastil, (1857-1904) buried in Schuyler
  5. John Rosicky, (1845-1910)  S7 L18 G10
  6. Joseph Klofat, (1841-1886)  S5 L28 G3
  7. Jakub J. Smrz, (1835-1905)  S7 L24 G4
  8. Frank Jelen, (1833-1903)  S5 L80 G4
  9. Joseph Kavan, (1857-1910)  S5 L79 G5
  10. Frank Pivonka, (1839-1905)  S7 L38 G9
  11. Vaclav Fiala, (1839-1897)  S5 L26 G10
  12. John Svacina, (1852-1932)  S7 L35 G10
  13. Frank Pycha, (1844-1907)  S5 L67 G5
  14. Frank Salda, (1856-1917)  S5 L91 G2
  15. Vaclav L. Vodicka, (1844-1917)  S7 L25 G2

From: A History of Czechs (Bohemians) in Nebraska. 1929.  Rose Rosicky; Omaha Daily Bee and Cemetery Archives