Lumir J. Filipi

Lumir Joseph Filipi was born on May 31, 1925 to Rosie (Zenisek) and Albert Filipi on a farm near Tobias, Ne. Lumir was the second oldest of 5 children. He passed away after a brief illness at the Fillmore County Hospital on February 22, 2012 at the age of 86. Lumir lived a full life enjoying his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandpa, as he was most called by his family, enjoyed listening to every story that came his way. He gave a caring ear to everyone, and everybody’s story was important. Lumir was raised on a farm northeast of Tobias. He attended Opossum Hill School through the eighth grade and then attended Tobias High, graduating in 1942. Attending the Alumni Banquets was an important part of Lumir’s heritage. He was three months short of attending his 70th reunion. He was drafted into the United States Army on February 20, 1945. He departed for the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations on August 15, 1945 as an infantry replacement with the final destination of Korea. He was assigned with the 40th Infantry Division which soon dissolved and was transferred to the Seventh Infantry Division. Lumir was appointed to the Elite Guard of the Seventh Division Palace Guard serving duty at the Tuk Suh Palace in Seoul, Korea. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal and the Expert Infantryman Badge. He was discharged from the service on December 13, 1946 with the rank of Corporal. After the service, Lumir joined the American Legion of Milligan and then transferred his membership to the Tobias Post. He was a 66 year member, serving as Post Commander and was a member of the firing squad, later becoming Squad Leader. Alice remembers him missing only one funeral and attending every single Memorial Day service since they were married. Lumir married Alice Jean Placek on April 28, 1951 and to this marriage, four children were born - Gary, Larry, Loren and Donna. He raised his family on a farm near Western, Nebraska, where he lived and farmed until his retirement in 1990. Lumir enjoyed attending the sporting and school events of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would travel to Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and throughout Nebraska watching, football, soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball, and any other event the children were in. Grandpa was always “ready to go”. Gramps knew how to fix everything. He would spend five nights a week in the garage with the knipco heater and a car up on blocks, replacing motors, transmissions, car doors and any other breakdown the boys had on their 1967 Chevelle, 1966 GTO and 1968 “442” from their weekend outings. On Monday he would start over again. Anyone who knew Lumir knows that he loved to “junk”. Driving by the alley behind their house, you would see the pile of iron from many hours of labor. After selling the iron, he treated his family to supper at Bubba’s Anytime in Strang, one of his favorite places to go for prime rib. Other interests of Lumir’s included making rabbit bologna from an old family recipe, making sauerkraut and souse, growing garlic and potatoes, and enjoying the evening hours with Alice on their backyard swing, him with a red beer and her with an iced tea. He was also a self-taught barber, cutting hair for kids and grandkids for many years. After retirement, Lumir and Alice filled their time caring for James Sluka for six years. They grew very fond of him and treated him as one of their own. Lumir is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice; Sons and wives, Gary and Judy of Shickley, Larry and Deb of Milligan, Loren and Bev of Milligan; Daughter and husband, Donna and Norm Wentworth of Lincoln; Grandchildren, Gene Filipi of Point Richmond, CA, Dan Filipi of Littleton, CO, Nate Filipi of Lincoln, Lindsay and Amber Filipi of Lincoln, Troy and Amanda Filipi of Lincoln, Dustin and Kendra Filipi of Columbus, Tyler Wentworth of Sioux City, IA and Kyle Wentworth of Lincoln; great-grandchildren Dylan Filipi of Lincoln and Carter and Samantha Filipi of Columbus; Brother and wife, Elvin and Rose Filipi of Tobias, Brothers and Sisters-in-law Maxine Filipi of Dorchester, Larry Strouf of Lincoln, and Bob and Judy Slama of Crete; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Preceded in death by parents Albert and Rosie, parents-in-law Jerry and Emily Placek, Brothers, Jerome and wife Norma Filipi, Brother, Arnold Filipi, Sister, Emma Williams and husband Erwin, Sisters-in-law Annie Slama and Dorothy Strouf, and Granddaughter-in-law, Renee Filipi. Services for Lumir were held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium with Pastor Karla Sheffy officiating. Karen Kohler accompanied Dan & JoAnn Vavra in the singing of “Life’s Railway To Heaven.” The recorded selection “Innocent’s Waltz” was also played during the service. Pallbearers for the service included Gene Filipi, Daniel Filipi, Nathan Filipi, Troy Filipi, Dustin Filipi, Tyler Wentworth, and Kyle Wentworth. Honorary bearers included Lindsay Filipi, Amber Filipi, Carter Filipi, Samantha Filipi, Dylan Filipi, Amanda Filipi, and Kendra Filipi. Military Graveside Services were performed at the Atlanta Cemetery by the Tobias American Legion. Memorials are directed to the family. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

Lumir J. Filipi

May 31, 1925 - February 22, 2012