Ella Karpisek, 99, of Wilber, passed away Oct. 22, 2020, at the Wilber Care Center, where she had resided for almost 15 years. She was born Jan. 28, 1921, to Eman and Mary (Kohout) Sysel on a farm near Dorchester.
She attended Country School District 71 through the eighth grade and then attended Dorchester High School for one year, after which she stayed at home to help care for her three brothers. Ella went to Czech School at Saline Center and could still speak Czech to this day. In 1941, Ella married Irvin Karpisek of Wilber at the courthouse with Judge Hallstead officiating. They raised two sons, Richard and Ronnie, on their family farm which they worked on until 1967. Ella and her family then moved to Wilber and purchased the market from Elmer and Alma Apfelbeck. Irvin passed away in 1977, so Ella, Rich and Ron continued to run the business. After graduating from college, grandson Russ carried on the family tradition and took over the business.
Ella enjoyed the farm life, and she raised more than 1,000 chickens and 200 ducks. She helped milk the cows and would go to town to sell milk and cream. She also loved quilting, and made them as graduation gifts. Gardening, especially flower gardening, was important to her. She also baked kolaces and made rosettes for M & D Bar as well as special customers. She baked as many as 1,000 kolaces for Czech Days, but it was never enough. Ella also baked wedding cakes and sheet cakes for many occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, FFA and other organizations that requested them. She even made her own decorations and toppers for her cakes. Later on, she made the Karpisek wieners at the market.
She enjoyed Czech music, dancing and square dancing. Ella was always very active in Czech Days and she received the Ladies of Libuse award. Her baking was so well-liked that she received the KOLN Sunshine Award. Ella was a member of the Pythian Sisters and the ZCBJ Lodge, both of which she received her 50-year pins, the Leisure Club from which she received her 25-year pin, the Farmer’s Union Club and the Garden Club. During her later years at the Wilber Care Center, she made new friends and enjoyed playing cards, bingo, socializing and putting together jigsaw puzzles. Ella was a hard worker and she touched many people’s lives throughout her years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Irvin; sons, Richard and Ronnie; three brothers and their spouses; granddaughter, Kathy Karpisek Kubicek; and nephew, Gaylen Sysel. She is survived by her grandchildren, Russ (Jodi) Karpisek, Lisa (Tim) Messman and Dale (Crystal) Karpisek; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Stephanie Karpisek, Jarrod Messman, Joey and Lizzy Kubicek and Lucas and Zachary Karpisek; niece, LuJean Boller; and daughter-in-law, Pat Karpisek.
A funeral service was Oct. 26 with interment in the Wilber Czech Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wilber Care Center or to Wilber Fire & Rescue. Condolences may be left for the family at www.kunclfh.com.
