Joseph Vidich's family in Kropa

When Joseph Vidich left Kropa he left his entire family behind. This is an agonizing decision for most, and it must surely have been difficult on Joseph since he never saw his mother again. Despite their separation, they stayed in touch by mail. This photo was one of the legacies of this long separation. Found in the collection of photos from Joseph's son Arthur, it contained a description of the individuals on the back side as follows. From left to right are Florjan's wife (her name is not known); Lucija's daughter Morija (Florijan's and Joseph's sister); Lucija Vidic (Joseph Vidich's mother); Polde (Florjan's son); and Florjan (Lucija's son and Joseph's brother). While the photograph is undated it believed to be taken some time in the 1930s.

Pauline and Gary Ruthenberg with the Vidichs

From left to right in back are Pauline and Gary Ruthenberg and in front Pauline and Joseph Vidich. Gary married the Vidich's oldest daughter and went into the restaurant business. He operated a Carvel ice cream store for many years and was one of the favorite uncles of the entire family. The sons of Art Vidich always longed to visit Gary and Pauline because they knew they could have as much ice cream as they wanted. This photo was probably taken in West Allis, Wisconsin sometime in the late 1940s.

Pauline lived a long and healthy life after retirement. For many years she lived in Arizona and outlived her younger brother Arthur. Indeed, all of the Vidich daughters have extremely good health and all were still living at the time of this original posting (June 5, 2009). Today on June 26, 2017, only one sister remains alive - Elizabeth Vidich Jauquet who is now 97 years old.

Vidich's in West Allis in the 1940s

From right to left, Pauline, Joseph, Carl Fritz and his wife Agnes. Known as Aunt Agnes, she lived in New York City for many years during which time Arthur Vidich routinely visited her in her nusing home. In reality, she was not an Aunt but in fact a cousin of Joseph Vidich. Photo is likely to have been taken in the 1940s in West Allis, Wisconsin immediately after World War II.

Joseph and Pauline Vidich

Pauline and Joseph Vidich, Circa 1958

Joseph and Pauline Vidich came to the United States in the early 1900s from their homeland in Kropa, at that time part of the Austrian empire. Joseph Vidich, born in 1886, arrived in the United States in 1911. His future wife, Pauline Pesjak came soon thereafter meeting him in New York City where they got married.  

This photo was probably taken in the late 1950s when they were living in Milwaukee. It appears to be taken in a photo studio since Joseph is wearing a suit and that was not his normal attire. I remember him wearing a light jacket in the fall season with a penchant for conmfortable work clothes so he could dive into his sausage making activities in the basement of their home at 5808 West national Avenue, West Allis, Wisconsin.