LEON BLAHNIK - from the
Smrzovice Blahnik family line
Leon is truly a remarkable man. I
visited Leon on Joel at Leon's home in Two Rivers, WI last summer. I was
greeted in his driveway by a sign inviting Bohemian visitors. Leon made a
traditional soup that was absolutely wonderful, offered drink, stories, photos
and shared his wonderful personality. Joel brought some kolache from Tom's
Pastry in Kewaunee and I also got to meet Jon and Cheryl from the Wenzel Blahnik
and Anna Tic family line. We relaxed and shared our stories.
Leon and Joel enjoyed speaking Czech and laughing. It was an enjoyable
experience. Leon's basement is full of many interesting items which
include instruments and old photos. He does indeed live his Czech/Bohemian
heritage.
Leon will turn 90 in 2010 and we want to wish
him a very happy birthday and thank him for all of the marvelous things he has
done for the people he has known- Lori Dollevoet, editor of this
web.
Notes from
Leon's
daughter Cathy:
Leon was born in Kewaunee, WI to Frank and Katherine
Blahnik in 1920.
Family photo
shows top row:
Frank & Katherine Blahnik - holding Leon; Joe Shimanek, Anna Shimanek-Blahnik &
Louis Blahnik
Second row: Josef & Katherine Blahnik and Alvina & Josef Shimanek
Bottom Row: Art Blahnik [father of Joel & Jim], Betty Blahnik [deceased in her
20's], Myrtle & Olive Blahnik
Leon's family was one filled
with music and musicians. Leon himself played the clarinet. His love of music
has remained to this day. Leon & Mary were both
choir members. Leon still sings in the 85 person choir at St. Peter the
Fisherman Catholic Church. He married Mary Ellen Charlton in 1946.
She was with the Civil Service working as an
airline mechanic in Seattle and my dad was also in aviation and based with the
US Navy. He trained in Chicago and then served
in Seattle, San Francisco and Hawaii. They settled in Kewaunee the first 10
years of their marriage and then moved to Two Rivers where he was a wood plant
supervisor for Hamilton's - later sold and renamed American Hospital.
Leon and Mary had two daughters , Catherine and Rebecca.
[Leon & Mary,
children: Cathy & Becky] on Easter in our home in the early 1950's
After retirement Leon & Mary traveled extensively to see
friends and relatives. Their travels were mostly in the west as his sister
Birdie lived in Coeur d'Alene, ID, I live in Casper, WY and Becky in Denver, CO.
Mother's brother lived in Seattle, making for great
road trips. Leon has been devoted to his family.
Leon with Becky & Clay and Marena,
Cathy and her husband Bill
at Christmas 2009. Rebecca and Cathy are his two daughters.
Notes from Leon's nephew, Joel Blahnik of Fish
Creek, WI:
Leon
loved Indian motorcycles. Just out of high school he bought a used 1929 Indian
motor cycle and was the "terror' of Kewaunee. During WWII, his brother, Arthur,
kept it and gave rides to keep the machinery running! Hence, motorcycles have
been a partial passion of the Blahnik line ever since; Joel, James, Jon.
Leon loves Czech music. His famous quote of
the past 25 years is "Czech music keeps me alive!"
(true quote).
I also brought him to the Czech Republic 12 years ago. Leon
went to the family homestead and made a big hit there for he could speak the old
Czech of 150 years ago, that his grandfather brought to America.
He also entertained many Czech students of the
past 10 years who came up to work in Door county. I'd bring them to him and
we'd have a great time. Most sharing language and culture. The difference in
several generations.
He has a great passion for music
as evidenced by his record collection of Czech music and also of the Instrument
collection which is displayed magnificently in his "sklep" (basement)---
(Leon and Joel -
Photo taken 2009 in his sklep)
