these children, John Lukesh was the one to continue farming the Lukesh family farm.

Raymond W. and Christina (Riehle) Lukes.

Lukes, John and Emma (Fisher)

(JoAnn C. Dostal)

John and Emma Lukesh spent their married life farming the land purchased in 1855 by John’s grandfather, Martin. There was a lovely large house that had been built on the farm. John and Emma had 2 children, Viola and Raymond W. Viola married Edward G. Kovarik. They farmed most of their married life. They are the parents of 3 children: Stanley married Marcella Berka and lives in Cresco, IA; Larry married Sharon Meier and lives in the Elma area; Mary Jane married Gerald Stika and they live in OK. Raymond W. married Christina Riehle of the Spillville area.

John and Emma retired to Protivin, IA and Raymond W. and his wife, Christina, continued farming the family farm.

Raymond W. and Christina had 8 children: Madonna married Arthur Samec and moved to Jesup, IA; Mary Ann married Duane Panos and live in Swisher, IA; Raymond J. married Joyce Goldsberry, a native of Pueblo, CO and resides in Protivin, IA; Marguerite married Linus Barloon and lives in the Decorah area; James married Linda Hageman and lives in Decorah; Marcella lives in Calmar, Richard married Julie Tollefsrud, and lives in Calmar; Millie married Larry Vine and lives in Davenport, IA.

After Christina suddenly passed away in March 1981, Raymond stayed on the farm for a few years renting out the land. He later sold the farm and retired to Protivin where he lived until his death in April, 1990.

Lukes, Joseph John and Anna (Tupy)

(Laura Meyer)

Joseph John Lukes, better known as ‘J.J.”, was born in the United States 13 Feb 1857. He married Anna Tupy in 1880. They became the parents of Stella, Frances and Rose. Anna (Tupy) Lukes died in 1886. Later in 1887, J.J. married Anna Nohale, from Bohemia, and to this union seven children were born. Mary, Rudolph, Godlove, Anna, Elizabeth, Robert and Alois, who died in infancy.

J.J. Lukes died 12 Jan 1936 and was buried beside his wife in the Protivin Catholic Cemetery.

The year 1995 was a special year for the J.J. Lukes family. It marked 150 years since Martin Lukes and his wife Anna (Koudelka) Lukes arrived in the United States from Porezanky, Bohemia. It was a long voyage by boat, landing at Ellis Island, NY and slowly making their way to Sumner Twp. in Winneshiek Co., IA. Friends had told them what a beautiful area Iowa was, and as some of their friends lived near Protivin, they decided to make their future home in that area. Frank was their first child, followed by James, Joseph John, Fred, Henen, Mary and Rose. Rose eventually married George Einwalter from the Ft. Atkinson vicinity.

J.J. and Anna (Tupy) Lukes’ daughter Rose married Frank Vsetecka 24 Nov 1903. Their children were: Loretta Marie, Daniel Frank and Ellen Mae. Rose died 23 Mar 1957 and Frank died 8 Mar 1963. Both are buried in the Protivin Catholic cemetery.

Rose Vsetecka and Loretta Vsetecka.

Loretta Marie, or “Laura”, as she is more commonly known, married Daniel A. Meyer of Ft. Atkinson in 1924. They had nine children: Virginia Mae, John Dale, Robert, Charlene, William, Carole Ann, James Anthony, Daniel Thomas and Peter. They are all married and living with their families near Ft. Atkinson, Lawler and Waucoma, IA, California and Texas.

The Lukes family have a reunion every year, the third Sunday of July in Protivin. Relatives gather from a large