Julia Martinovic was born in the little village Gilentinci, in the County seat of Novagradiska in Slavonia, on February 9, 1909, and baptised at the church of Sveti Rok in Cernik. Julia was a year old when her father, Stejpan Martinovic emigrated to the United States in 1910. He arrived in Pittsburgh, then went on to Detroit to work in the coal mines before permanently settling in Omaha to work in the packinghouse. Julia's mother, Veronica (Matosevic) Martinovic had remained is Europe until Steven was settled and could send for her and their two daughters.
In Slavonia, the family was poor and Julia's mother, Mrs. Martinovic, had to work very hard in others' employ. If someone brought her a load of wood or grain, in exchange she would have to work for them two days in the fields. Then she would have to work in their own field to tend to their crops. Julia said she always liked the movie, "Home Alone", because they were so frequently alone. Mrs. Martinovic would leave when it was dark so that work could begin at daybreak, then would stay in the fields until it was dusk.. Julia and her sister, Mary would go to bed and maybe not see their mother for several days. It was a hard life. They had nothing; no livestock, no milk. Julia said they never had white bread, only corn-meal for corn bread. In the Fall of the year, people would have a pig killed to make sausage, bacon, and ham which would be hung up in the attic. Lard would be made. Then for Christmas, no matter how poor, everyone would have a young piglet, about 35 lbs., to roast on Christmas Day. Someone would always give Veronica Martinovic and her two daughters a young piglet for Christmas.
With no church in their village in Novagradiska, they walked to Cernik about 15 miles awayand never missed attending Mass. Julia and her sister (like other children in their village) had no shoes for everday wear. When they went to church, they carried their shoes, then put them on before entering. When the children came out of church, they all sat down, removed their shoes and carried them home.
In 1918, Veronica Martinovic contracted the Asian Flu. After only three days of illness, Mrs. Martinovic, who had been a healthy woman, died at the age of 30. It was difficult for Julia's aunt to write and inform Stejpan in America of his wife's death. Months later when he finally received word, he began making plans for his two daughters to join him. In 1920, Julia and her sister, Mary came to the United States, joining their father in Omaha. They arrived three days before Christmas.
In those days, people used to take in boarders. Mr. Martinovic was boarding with the Frank and Anna Madjerc Family on 35th and U Street. When Julia and Mary joined their father at the Madjerc home, that made a total of eight people living in the three room house. There were two beds in each room, and a roll-away bed in the kitchen. The Madjerc's were very kind and gracious people; so even though the house had no electricity, plumbing or modern conveniences, all residing in the tiny home lived in harmony.
Next to the Madjerc family lived the Borovacs with 12 children, three girls and nine boys. Their home also had no, electricity or plumbing, and only 1 bedroom. The Mickells' family lived in the same neighborhood - they had 12 children. Times were hard; all the families were very poor. When Julia and Mary left Croatia, they had nothing and that status remained so for many years. At Christmas time, Stejpan Martinovic was laid off his job at Doud's Packing Plant. After Christmas, he returned to the packing plant to try and get his job back, but5 was unsuccessful, possibly because he as hard of hearing. While working the coal mines in Pittsburgh, there was an explosion in the mine which resulted in his hearing damage and impairment. All winter, Mr. and Mrs. Madjerc kept Stejpan Martinovic and his daughters. Mrs. Madjerc baked her own bread and would put milk in the pitcher for them to drink. She would cut the bread and tell Julia in Croatian, "Julie, eat the bread, eat all you want." Julia loved her for that- she was endeared to Mrs. Madjerc forever. (About three years before Mrs. Madjerc died, Julia took care of her, looking after her needs, trying to repay her for all the care and goodness she bestowed upon the Martinovic family.
In the Spring, Stejpan Martinovic got a job with Ostronic Plumbing on 13th Street, digging ditches for the water and sewer lines. Afterwards, he began working with cement which then became his trade. He did whatever he could to help out around the church - working with Joseph Lesac and cutting the grass in the hollow with a scythe so the children could play there, and after learning the cement trade, doing concrete repairs, fixing the steps, etc. For his livelihood he started digging basements, raising homes and putting in foundations.
The Bandola Grocery Store was located at 5519 South 36th Street, with proprietor, Mark Bandola being a man who was inclined to help those less fortunate. It was Julia's task to get the groceries and she would have to tell Mr. Andola that they could not pay, they had no money. Mr. Bandola would kindly say, it's OK, just go ahead and get what you need. At one time the Martinovic family had over $200 charged on the books. The Bandola's lived in a two story house with no basement, so Stejpan Martinovic, wanting to take care of his debt, went to work and dub them a basement. This he did alone, all by hand, with a pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow. He raised the house and put in a basement; thus their grocery bill with the Bandola's was paid.
Mr. Bandola trusted and helped so many of our Croatian people during the depression. Credit was extended; many had outstanding accounts which ran to $400 and more. That was a great sum of money in those days. Those who received credit form the store on a regular basis remembered that a sack of candy would always be given to them upon payment of their account.
When the Martinovic girls arrived here, Mary, who was 15 years of age, went right to work. Julia, who was about 11, attended Westside school (now Indian Hills) through the 9th grade. At age 14, she was confirmed at Sts. Peter and Paul Church by Archbishop J. J. Harty. She took the name of "Margaret", as her confirmation sponsor was Margaret Goricki, wife of Paul Goricki. Julia lovingly recalled how kind and generous the Goricki's were to everyone and especially to her.
Paul Goricki took great pride in our church even before he became the custodian. He was one of the pioneer men who scouted the area looking for suitable lots to build the new church of Sts. Peter and Paul. Before the parish could even be considered, a sum of $2500 was needed to begin, then each family was asked to pledge $100; this was a lot of money. Most of the immigrants had large families and lived in extremely small houses. They had no second income. The women didn't work outside the home- they were at home taking care of their family and garden. Because a number of our people were living in the area around 27th & Q Street, the men first went to look at lots for the new church around Swift's Packing Plant which was located south of the Q street bridge at 27th. Mr. Goricki thought the lots at 36th were much more suitable than down by Swifts. Some of the men asked him, "what do you want to do�build a church in the prairie wilderness?" He held his ground and the lots were purchased at 36th Street. Look what the prairie grew into! At that time, it was wilderness - all cornfield and pasture, with just a few homes in the area and 36th Street a gravel road.
Paul Goricki was one of the very few who had a car at that time. He owned a tavern located across from the Armour Packing Plant at 29th & Q Street. During an outbreak of the Asian flu, he kept many of our people supplied with "spirits" for medicinal purposes. There was no medicine for the flu and many people succumbed to it. The Goricki's, who had no children of their own, also helped a number of our Croatian people. Julia remembers one particular father who came to Omaha from North Dakota with his four children, leaving behind his wife who had died. He was looking to find work in the packinghouse. The Goricki's picked the family up at the depot, found them a house and paid their rent. Margaret Goricki enlisted a parishioner seamstress to make clothing for the children, and helped the family out until the father could get on his feet and begin earning a wage. (The Goricki's meeting the family at the depot reminded Julia of when she and her sister, Mary came to Omaha three days before Christmas. An uncle met them at the depot, bringing coats for the Borovac girls who lived next door to the Madjerac family.)
Mrs. Goricki was also a good cook and had Father Zaplotnik and Father Juricek over to their house for meals. They had bedrooms upstairs in their home and when the parish would have a mission or novena, they would invite the visiting priests into their home, offering gracious hospitality.
Julia remembers when anything needed to be done around the church, so many of our early pioneer men were there to lend a hand. She remembers her father accompanying Father Zaplotnik, and later on, Father Juricek on the Epiphany blessing of homes. They had to walk so far, he would wear out a pair of shoes. They would have to park quite a distance from the houses and they would visit every home.
Julia began working at the Cudahy Packing Plant at age 14 �, but was let go when they found her to be under 16 years of age. Because Julia wanted to contribute to the family finances, she then had her birth certificate altered to show her age as 16 and went on to work at the Skinner Macaroni Company. She was laid off after two weeks, then found a job at the Gordon Candy Company. Because of production decline, she was again laid off work. Mr. Gordon had a nurse who also worked at the Dold Packing Company (pre Wilson & Company) and he enlisted the nurse to help Julia get work at the Dold Packing Plant.
Julia remembers the rented homes they lived in. Though rent was cheap- about $8 a month, the houses were not good. There were no storm windows or screens (she would have to get a piece of screen to put in the windows to keep out the flies), no running water, sewer or bath, no paved street or sidewalks. They also had no radio or television. It was a way of life. But children went to school, people waked to church (nobody rode - no one had a car), and our church was always full. Parishioners who lived in Albright also walked to church, as well as those who lived quite a distance past Harrison Street. And everyone survived.
Mary Martinovic and Michael Novak were married on September 15, 1923 by Father John Zaplotnik. Their marriage was witnessed by Andrew and Barbara Drzaic. Michael's friend, Jacob Ritonya, was also an attendant who stood up for their wedding with Julia Martinovic. This was their first meeting. One afternoon about a year later, Julia and a friend were attending the movies at the Roseland Theatre, located on 24th between N & O Street in South Omaha. Jacob Ritonya was also at the Roseland Movie Theater that day. And thus their courtship began.
Julia Martinovic and Jacob (Jack) Ritnoya were joined in matrimony on August 8, 1925 by Father John S. Juricek. Their attendents were Laddie and Elizabeth Zivny. Jacob and Julia had four children: Jacob (Delores Jean Miller) & 2 sons; Rosemarie (William Gill) and 5 children; John (Rose Turco) & 4 children; Jerry (Francine Fila) & 3 children. The Ritonya great-grandchildren number 23 and there is one great-great granddaughter.
The Ritonya's were active in parish life. When Father Juricek was brought to the rectory to begin his tenure as pastor, Jack and Julia were at the hose to greet him; they became good friends. Jack sang in the Glee Club, with Mr. Hruban being the director. The Glee Club numbered about 30 members. The parish also had a beautiful choir which sang at the 10:30 AM High Mass. Jack, their son, Jack, Jr., and daughter, Rosemarie were members of this choir and sang for many years. Jacob (Jack) Ritonya, along with Mathew Rhye, served as a trustee of the parish for several years. Jack was active in the Holy Name Society; he was one of the organizers of the Athletic Club, and a charter member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. As members of the St. Vincent de Paul, he and Mathew Rhye worked hard to help those in need. Julia remembers a family with 14 children who lived behind St. John's Cemetery. When visitors came to this family home, they would have to leave their car on the highway, there being no pathway to the home, but through the cemetery. Through the auspicious of the St.Vincent de Paul Society, Mathew Rhye and Jack would take the family coal, food and clothing, sometimes coming home soaking wet after wading through the snow to bring material assistance to them. They would also take children to get eyeglasses. There was a young boy in the parish who lost his eyesight due to the measles. Jacob took him to the doctor and saw to it that he received braille books to read, etc. When the young man was about 18, he became a door-to-door salesman for an invention that removed the air from canning jars. The young man was deeply indebted to Jack. He told Jack how grateful he was and how much he had to thank him for. The young man felt he was successful- he owed his ability to go out on his own to work, be productive and lead a useful life- all because Jack had taken the responsibility to see that he received glasses and learned to read braille. This was the work of the St. Vincent de Paul.
Julia and Jack worked hard on many of the bazaars and dinners for the church. In the early days, the bazaar would be held two days at a time, on Saturday and Sunday. Julia would go out so often to merchants and parishioners alike, asking for donations and prizes of any kind for the various booths at the bazaars, as well as for the dinners. Raffle chances were sold 5 cents a piece. When the bazaar would be coming to a close on Sunday evening and because there was no place to store anything left over, they would go around the grounds and sell chances on the remaining items at 2 for a nickel! And even at that price, sometimes they were hard to sell! They were always trying to get as much as they could for their fundraisers. Julia said they would never even take a bottle of pop and there was no dinner afterwards- no party. Everything done was for the parish. Julia and friend, Mary Kasparek would sit on the steps- they could hardly move after running all over the grounds, and could barely get themselves home. The parish also used to have lotto and Julia would also go out and get the prizes for lotto. When she would come around tot the people again, they would say, "Julia, what do you want now?" Julia said every time she came around, she was looking for a donation for the church, but the people were most kind and they always, always, gave us something.
Julia recalled the dance floor outdoors. John Kopcanski usually had the cigar box - it was 5 cents a dance/5 cents a couple! Then down in the basement, there was the Croatian band and that was free.
Julia would not only get supplies for the dinners that were held to raise funds for the parish, but would also help to cook the dinners. Live chickens would be obtained (which they would kill and dress), flour, sugar, eggs, etc. When our young servicemen came home after World War II, Julia again solicited provisions and then helped to prepare a banquet for the soldiers. The donated chickens, vegetables, home-made noodles, desserts, pastries, etc. were proudly served to our heroes in the school cafeteria. Rose Gregurich, with two ladies to assist for every table, was there to serve the young men. There was no standing in line. Everything was done the hard way years ago. It was a different life from today. They were poor, but young and happy. Mrs. Furlich and Mrs. Krizanac helped with the dinners. Mrs. Kizanac, a small thin woman, handled the big kettles. Rose Gregurich was one of the women who always did so much around the parish. Women of the parish would clean the church and take care of the sanctuary; they crocheted and made beautiful linen altar cloths. Anne Katusin made beautiful lace for all three altars and the communion rail. Anna Adlesic did the washing of the linens and received remuneration from the Altar Society for this. Julia would go and help Mrs. Adlesic iron the linens which would have to be very wet for ironing in order to get the wrinkles out. It was quite a job.
Many children growing up in the early days of the parish remember Stejpan Martinovic, Julia's father. In those days, there was a lot of visitation between families and friends. Because of his hearing impairment, Stejpan talked loudly. Children coming home from school would pass by a house, and upon hearing his distinctive voice, would know that Stejpan Martinovic was visiting there. In conversing with Julia now, those children (now adults) fondly remember her father. Stejpan Martinovic died on August 15, 1951.
When the Ritonya children were little, tennis shoes cost 95 cents a pair. Hightop shoes also cost only 95 cents a pair. When the bottoms would wear out, the children would go over to their grandfather's. He had leather and supplies to fix shoes. Julia would tie up their shoes with a string to hold them together, and they would go over to Grandpa's and wait for him to fix their shoes. The shoes cost only 95 cents and you could half-sole and fix them. There aren't too many shoes that can be fixed today.
The Ritonya boys played sports and Jacob (Jack) was active in the sports program. Son, Jerry played baseball and basketball for our school, was an alter boy and on the school safety patrol. Son, John was quite an athlete who acquired numerous trophies for basketball, baseball, horseshoes, etc. John was recruited and signed up with the St. Louis Cardinals, which were based in Duluth, MN at that time. In July, 1948, he went to Euclair, WI to pitch his first game. The St. Louis Cardinals won the game. Returning back to Duluth from Euclair, the team bus was in a collision with a Hamm's Beer dry ice truck. Nine players were killed.
Many of the young St. Louis Cardinals, including John Ritonya, suffered severe injuries. John's numerous injuries included a broken jaw, tow broken legs and seven breaks in his right pitching arm between the elbow and wrist. John was never able to pitch again. After recovery, he did continue to enjoy softball and other less strenuous sports, but the accident took its toll; on January 27, 1977, John Joseph Ritonya died at the age of 48.
Close friends wanted to keep alive the memory of a great athlete and friend and at the same time, do something good for others. Approximately one year after John's death, Stephen Cavlovic, Father Anthony Petrusic, Samuel Buscher, Thomas McKernan, Antthony Palma, and John's wife, Rose, decided to start a golf tournament in John's memory, with the proceeds going towards scholarships for deserving, underprivileged youth. At the present time, over $90,000 had been awarded to underprivileged youth attending South Omaha High Schools who desire a college education. Also, teachers throughout the metropolitan Omaha area with creative ideas have also received over 100 grants from this scholarship program. What a wonderful continuing tribute to John Ritonya, a fine sportsman. The scholarship golf tournament which began then as the John J. Ritonya Scholarship Golf Tournament is now known as the Ritonya-Buscher-Poehling Scholarship Golf Tournament and is held every May.
Jacob (Jack) Ritonya worked for a tire company for 22 years before opening up his own gas station on the corner of 30th and Madison Street. This was later taken over by his son, Jack, Jr. Jacob (Jack) Ritonya was ill for about one year and died on January 16, 1955 at the age of 54.
In May of 1945, at the conclusion of World War II, the Croatian Army surrendered to the British with hopes of returning to their homeland. Prime Minister Winston Churchill advised the Croatian soldiers to lay down their arms, assuring them they would not be harmed. Britain then turned the troops over to Marshal Tito (Josip Broz, Communist leader of Yugoslavia 1943-1980). Returning home after turning in their weapons, the first regiment was slaughtered between Bleiburg and Maribor near the Austrian-Hungarian Border. Over 100,000 died under Tito's direct orders. A monument has been erected at Maribor in memory of this fateful event. In 1946, Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac was seized and put under house arrest. This was done with the intention of destroying the moral fibre of the Croatian people. Cardinal Stepinac was condemned to life imprisonment on October 11, 1946 and died February 10, 1960. Many clergy and Croatian people died and suffered terrible injustices because of their religious beliefs. Hostilities toward the Croatian people continue yet today.
Peter Leko had been in the army at Drventa in Yugoslavia and could not return to his homeland. Like thousands of other, Peter came to the United States as a displaced person. Upon arriving in Omaha, Peter went to work at the Cudahy packing plant. Mathew Rhye was responsible for helping a lot of our men obtain jobs at Cudahy's.
Peter soon became involved in his new parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, taking part in many of the activities. He played the Berda (bass) in the Croatian Sons Tamburitza Orchestra for about 15 years, along with Joseph Cupich, Alex Roehr, John Sutej, Dewey Nekich, William Zalovich, John Zeleny, and Andy Vincek. Steve Galovich who played lead Prim, was their musically talented director.
Peter Leko and Julia Martinovic-Ritonya's marriage was blessed on April 24, 1968 by Father Juricek and witnessed by John and Antonia Gasper. Peter and Julia correspond with Peter's two sons and three daughters who still reside in Europe. Four of his children have lost their homes (they were burned to the ground) during the recent conflict in Bosnia-Hercegovina. Two grandsons have been wounded and are in the hospital. Men in the family have stayed behind to guard where their homes stood in the burned out villages. They related how the enemy came and took the livestock, chickens, grain, furniture, clothing, everything they could, and then came back to burn the houses. The following day they came with bulldozers to demolish the homes till there was nothing but bare ground. Peter's family writes that the people don't want war, they just want to live in peace. Peter's oldest daughter lives on the outskirts of Slovinsky Brod. They hear bombs and shelling, but still have a roof over their head. Relatives and others who have lost their homes have come to them for refuge; they have people lying on the floor and anywhere there is room to lay their head.
Peter suffered a stroke August 17, 1990. Though it affected his left side, Peter is mobile and alert, and is able to remain at home because of Julia's tender and loving care.
Peter and Julia, with nostalgic affection, remember the early days of our parish, the pioneers and the people who gave Sts. Peter and Paul its foundation and wonderful legacy. Julia recalled the warmth and holiness of Monsignor Zaplotnik, the strength and leadership of Monsignor Juricek and Father Petrusic - all good friends, and now finding all of the above endearing qualities, love and kindness in Father Shane. They have beautiful memories of the old brick church with the large crucifix in the entry way and the lovely statues that aesthetically graced this edifice, this special and holy place of worship. This was a haven and a place of comfort for those who came from near and far and for those whose deep faith never wavered. It was a wonderful life!