Vennie and Mary Ann (Chapek) Kavan grew up on farms around Wahoo. They met when Vennie was home on leave from the Navy at a District #70 Halloween Dance and were married February 16, 1957 at St. Wenceslaus Church, making the Kavan family farm their home and livelihood.
Their nine children all attended Bishop Neumann – John ‘76, Carol ‘77, Jackie ‘78, Mark ‘79, Dale ‘80, David ‘81, Doug ‘81, Harold ‘83 and Janet ’85 – along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Vennie and Mary Ann were proud members of St. Wenceslaus Church, where Vennie was a part of the Knights of Columbus and Mary Ann was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and The Sewing Group.
Additionally, Vennie and Mary Ann were active at Neumann over the years, with Vennie serving as a member of the school board under Fr. McCabe and Mary Ann running the cafeteria for over 20 years, serving countless students and faculty over her career.
They were also active members of the American Legion and Auxiliary Post #82, the Nebraska Pork Producers, and the Saunders County Historical Society.
Most of all though, Vennie and Mary Ann loved their family, and the education they were able to provide their children through Neumann. Their Guardian Angel Scholarship is a way to memorialize their legacy by supporting families that may be experiencing financial difficulties with the opportunity for a great education at Bishop Neumann.
