Marlion L. Bruha, 86, of Ord passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Arbor Care Center in Ord, Nebraska.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord. Mass Celebrants will be Father Scott Harter and Father Mark Maresh. Burial will be at the National Bohemian Cemetery west of Ord. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Church. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Family’s Choice to be designated as per Marlion’s request. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.ordmemorialchapel.com.
Marie Leona “Marlion” was born March 15, 1938, at Elyria, Nebraska, to Lloyd and Velma (Palu) Konkoleski. She was raised on the family farm north of Elyria with her seven siblings. Marlion attended District #60 Country School from Kindergarten to the 4th grade and District #63 Country School through the 8th grade. She completed her education at Ord High School, graduating in 1955. While attending high school, Marlion boarded in Ord and following graduation she worked at Cliff’s Grocery and the Ord Café.
While attending a dance, Marlion met Edward O. Bruha, the man who would become her husband of 59 years. The couple was married on May 11, 1957, at St. Mary’s Church in Elyria, Nebraska. They spent their entire married life farming and raising their family in Valley County, eleven miles west of Ord, Nebraska. In February of 2011, they retired and moved into Ord. Edward passed away on January 19, 2017. Marlion continued to make her home in Ord until her passing.
Marlion was devoted to her church and rosary. She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Geranium Township where she was instrumental in the meal preparation for the parish’s annual bazaar. After the closure of the Church, she became a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, and also volunteered at St. Mary’s School.
Marlion was an original member of the Helping Hands Extension Club, was a leader of the Trying Our Best 4-H Club, and was a FFA supporter.
Marlion worked hard her entire life; she had a strong and diligent work ethic. She taught her offspring to show respect and hospitality to others and to value family and neighbors.
Marlion was an avid reader, especially the Bible. She kept a daily journal, and collected recipes and newspaper clippings. She was an exceptional seamstress and sewed clothing for her family. She also enjoyed music, including Czech and Gospel, and loved attending Polka dances. She learned the Czech language to be able to share her husband’s ancestry and also enjoyed genealogy.
Quilting was one of her favorite pastimes and she found solitude in embroidery work. Never one to waste anything, she made quilts for her family, quilted for herself and others on the quilting frame that was made by her husband.
A large garden was a must for her; she also did a lot of canning and freezing vegetables and making jellies. She had a beautiful yard full of flowers and spent time watching the birds and raising chickens.
Marlion was an accomplished cook. She was known for baking cinnamon rolls and kolaches. All of her children and grandchildren had “favorites” which they frequently requested, from her pumpkin pie to her poppyseed kolaches. She always had the coffee pot on and would make a meal in minutes for anyone who stopped by.
Survivors include three sons, Steve Bruha of North Loup; Martin (Jolene) Bruha of Burwell, Anthony (Cathy) Bruha of Comstock; five daughters, Sandy (Darrell) Fischer of Burwell, Joann (Tim) Laible of Atkinson, Janet (Dave) Setlik of Ord, Ann (Ed) Hajek of Odell and Mary Wagner of Wood River; a daughter-in-law, Michelle Bruha of Kearney; grandsons, Nick Fischer, Joseph Bruha, Dylan and Evan Laible, Alan Setlik, Zachary Hajek, Lane Wagner, Christopher Bruha, and Tye Bruha; granddaughters, Kelly Schumacher, Melanie Satorie, Melissa Neville, Kelsey Skinner, Kaci Bruha, Dani and Jordyn Laible, Nichole Sutton, Annie Lawton, Samantha Lienemann, Madison and Jaedyn Hajek, Megan Bernt, Jessica and Ashley Bruha, and Ashley Olivas; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Daryl (Carol) Konkoleski of Lincoln; a sister, Louise Suchanek of San Dimas, CA; a brother-in-law, Harold Boyce of Ord; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Laddie E. and Darlene Bruha of Ord.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Velma Konkoleski; her husband, Edward O. Bruha; infant son, Paul Bruha; son, James Bruha; daughter Carol Bruha; granddaughter, Jessica Gutierrez; four brothers and a sister-in-law, David, Michael, Wayne and Larry and Judy Konkoleski; a sister, Virginia Boyce; and two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law, Wilma and Leonard Hruby, Bill and Mildred Kolar and Lonnie Suchanek.
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