For Family's Sake

Mary Josephine Dolezal

This post is dedicated to my great-grandmother, Mary Josephine Dolezal.

It has been my habit to write about my great-grandfather, Joseph E. Dolezal and his life. In fact, what I "know" about him is the focus of the "Bundle of Sticks" family history story I have published.

Today I write about my great-grandmother, Mary, the "underappreciated, quiet leader" for our family legacy.

I can only imagine the sacrifices and compromises Mary made.

She was "there" for great-grandfather as he paid his dues for being a "Sooner" during the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. She was supportive of great-grandfather "taking a leap of faith" to participate in the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893.

She was the loving caregiver and nurturer for their 8 children. She was willing to live with simple means so that she and great-grandfather could purchase eight 160-acre tracts of land in Noble County for the children's inheritance.

As the matriarch of their family it would seem she was the anchor who kept the family connected and I am positive she was very resilient in dealing with the demands of raising 8 children, taking care of the household, and supporting great-grandfather's dreams and aspiriations.

I am thankful for my great-grandmother Mary and for all she did for "Family's Sake."