G. (Wacha) Novak. She attended school in the Spillville area and graduated from Calmar High School.

Julius farmed all his life and also worked for a short time at Deco in Decorah as a die cast operator. The farm had been in the family since 1904. Julius was the 2nd generation to farm the land. Julius died 1 Apr 1978 of a heart attack. Phyllis continued to farm with her sons until 1987 when she moved to Spillville. The oldest son David moved to the farm with his family. Phyllis started driving a school bus for the South Winneshiek School District in 1979 and continues to do so today. Julius and Phyllis enjoyed going on family outings and spending time together with their 5 sons. The family belonged to the South Winneshiek Community School District and the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.

David Joseph after graduating from high school went to work at Camcar Textron in Decorah. On 22 Sep 1979 David married Kathy Jirak at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, the first child of Paul and Sharon (Milz) Jirak. David and Kathy are the parents of 2 daughters and one son: Jill Marie, Dawn Marie and Robert Joseph. David bought the family farm in 1989 and with his family now farms there. Kathy works part time at the Mini Mart in Spillville.

Michael Anthony was born 8 May 1960 and attended Calmar NITI. Mike worked as an auto mechanic at Valley Auto in Spillville. In 1985 Mike had a cancerous brain tumor removed which grew back. He died 2 Jun 1992 at the age of 32.

Richard James attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on a scholarship and graduated with a degree in Biology. Richard then attended the University of MN and earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. On 23 May 1987 Richard married Janet Marie Forst at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McGregor. Janet is the daughter of Francis and Teresa (Scheckel) Forst. Richard and Janet now live in Wilmington, DE where Richard works at Hercles Inc. and Janet works at Zeneca Pharmaceutical Co.

Phyllis Riehle and sons Left to right: David, Michael, Richard, James and Ronald in 1987.

James Gerald after graduating from high school worked at the Spillville Mill. James presently lives in Temecula, CA and works at Pedley Gas Company.

Ronald Joseph after high school worked at Wisconsin Dairies. Ronald is presently working at Donaldsons Company in Cresco and lives in Spillville.

Richie, William and Christina (Soukup)

(Alice Kuhn)

William Riehle, son of Conrad (5th German settler of Spillville) and Anna (Jarosh) Riehle, was born 3 Feb 1878 in Winneshiek Co. He married Christina Soukup, daughter of Albert and Mary (Chekal) Soukup. She was born 23 Apr 1885 in Winneshiek Co. Will and Christina were married 6 Jul 1904 in St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville. They were the parents of 9 children: Mae (m. Adolph Mashek), Alice (m. James Kuhn), Oscar (died at age one), Conrad (remained single), Norbert (m. Angline Sabelka), Christine (m. Ray Lukes), Wilma (m. Ervin Sabelka), Julius (m. Phyllis Novak), and Dorothy (m. Russell Hanson).

Will and Christina attended school in Winneshiek Co. Their children attended St. Wenceslaus School in Spillville. Will and Christina belonged to a number of church societies, such as the Catholic Workmen, the Rosary Society, and St. Anne’s Society. Their children were all baptized, received their First Holy Communion, and were confirmed in St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville.

Will and Christina’s farm was located in Calmar Twp. sec 29. They built the buildings and their new home in 1916. They farmed from 1904 to 1945 when they moved to Spillville and rented the farm to their son Julius. Julius purchased the farm in 1955. Will not only did general farming of livestock and crops but aiso maintained roads with 4 horses in a Strait drag from Spillville to Calmar to Conover for a number of years. He threshed wheat, barley, and oats for neighbors. Christina did general housework, family sewing, gardening, chores, and worked around the family farm.

Will and Christina had the first golden wedding anniversary celebration to take place in the new St. Wenceslaus School gym (built in 1953). In 1954 they had 37 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Will died 22 Jun 1964 at the age of 86. Christina died 12 Jun 1981 at the age of 96.

Riha, Arthur and Evelyn (Leibold)

(Marie Riha)

Arthur Riha, the son of Wendel and Anna (Bina) Riha and Evelyn Leibold, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Dobrodinsky) Leibold were married 7 Jun 1937 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Arthur and Evelyn grew up as neighbors southeast of Ft. Atkinson. To this union were born 7 children: Gerald, Robert, Alvin, Duane, Larian, Dianne, and Charles.

Gerald married Mary Person 13 Aug 1960. They reside in Antigo, Wl. Gerald and Mary have 2 sons, Mark and Mike. Robert married Diann Kurash 7 Mar 1964. They reside in Charles City, IA. They have 2 daughters, Deborah and Marsha. Alvin married Alberta Richmond 7 Jun 1965. Their resi