Carl F. Michl, 92, of Friend, NE passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Tabitha in Crete, NE. He was born on a farm in Saline County on June 25, 1924 to Frank J. and Anna Brejcha Michl. He attended country school through the eighth grade with history being his favorite subject. Carl did start ninth grade, but decided farming suited him more.
Carl entered the Army in February of 1946, training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and served in the Eleventh Field Artillery Battalion with the Army occupation in Japan, from June 1946 to August 1947, returning to the United States and being discharged in September of 1947.
Upon returning from the service Carl started farming. On September 6, 1951 Carl married Elsie Pavlish in Crete, NE. Together they farmed and raised registered shorthorn cattle. They had one of the early soil conservation plans in Saline County, receiving the Soil Conservation Farm Photo Award in 1981. Carl served on the organizing board of the Swan Creek Watershed, nine years on the Farmers Coop board of directors, sixteen years with the Rural Fire District boards, and twelve years on the school board of District #100.
Carl is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Elsie, his parents, infant sister, Elsie, two year old sister, Clara, brother, Albert and wife, Alice, brother, Herman and wife, Irma Michl Naimon, brother, Leo, sister, Sylvia and husband Joe Girmus, brother-in-law, Jess Schropfer, brother-in-law, Lyle Knudsen, father-in-law, John and wife, Nora Zajic Pavlish, Jr., sister-in-law, Lillian and husband, Frank Druba, brother-in-law, Edward and wife, Mildred Pavlish, brother-in-law, Calvin and wife, Gabriella Pavlish, sister-in-law, Mary and husband, Stanley Chrastil, brother-in-law, John H. Pavlish, nieces, Nancy Liska and Nyla Pavlish, nephews Don Pavlish and Duane Pavlish.
He is survived by sister, Georgia Schropfer, sister, Blanche Knudsen, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pavlish and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 8 at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber, NE with interment at the Wilber Czech Cemetery. Memorials may be addressed to Tabitha of Crete.
Carl loved life and loved people making friends with people of all ages. Carl and Elsie enjoyed their simple, quiet life on the farm raising grain and livestock. Even though Carl's formal education ended with the eighth grade, his love of learning never ended. He subscribed to magazines, such as Discover, National Geographic and Nebraska Farmer, reading them cover to cover, along with the Journal Star newspaper. Carl liked to share his Discover magazine, and would loan it out with the understanding that it would be returned to him.
Carl lived a rich and full life in his 92 years experiencing both sorrow and joy. Carl was only nine years old when his brother, Leo passed of a ruptured appendix at an early age. The passing of his brother, Herman also left a void he carried throughout his life.
One of Carl's fondest childhood memories was of a family trip to Colorado to visit relatives. His father drove their black model T Ford and an uncle went along to help drive. Riding in the back seat were Carl, his mother, Leo, Georgia, and baby Sylvia. Carl's recollection was of them leaving home in the dark very early in the morning with his mother having packed food for the trip. They drove all day and reached their destination just as the sun was setting. Carl thought they probably drove at the speed of 35 miles per hour. Carl remembered fishing in Colorado on the trip and that they returned home in time for him to attend school the next day.
One of Carl's greatest joys was when he found his beloved Elsie to share his life. While cleaning out Carl and Elsie's house, letters that he had written during their courtship were discovered. Mother Nature did not make his courtship easy and that summer was one of the rainiest. So Carl resorted to writing letters and sending cards when he could not visit Elsie in person. Carl proposed to Elsie on Valentine's Day, 1951 and set an August 14th wedding date. Little did they know that Elsie's brother, John had proposed to Mary Ann that same Valentine's Day setting an August 14th wedding date. With John being drafted into the Army, Carl and Elsie moved their wedding to September 6th.
Carl continued to farm into his 80s, cultivating and nurturing not only the land, but also relationships with relatives, neighbors and friends. One nephew remembers Carl's kindness and easy going nature with the story of having bent the hitch on a silage wagon and fearing the repercussions of that mishap with Carl's response being "I think we can fix it".
When health issues forced Carl to leave the farm he eventually ended up at Tabitha of Crete. He endeared himself to all the nurses and staff with his wit and smile. They spoiled him with treats, especially ice cream, special food, small gifts and also took to calling him by such nicknames as "Carlos" and "Curly" which always brought a smile to his face.
Carl was a resilient man and recovered from a broken elbow and a cracked neck vertebra after 90. He surpassed all expectations as to the length of his life and remained thankful to the very end. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services are Friday (7-8-2016) at 10:30 am at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber, NE. Visitation is on Thursday from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home. Interment: Wilber Czech Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers to Tabitha of Crete.