Ruth (Thomas) Tucek Interview by Jeana Ganskop

              Montana Preservation Alliance
Danvers Touchstone Project
Interview with Ruth (Thomas) Tucek by Jeana Ganskop
Interviewer: Ganskop, Jeana
Interviewee: Tucek, Ruth (Thomas)
Date: July 20, 2012
Location of Interview: 127 B Street, Lewistown, Montana
Archive or Library Repository: Lewistown Public Library, Lewistown, MT
Description:
Ruth (Thomas) Tucek was born on May 23, 1927 and grew up in Moore, Montana, a
small town outside of Lewistown. A job teaching school brought her to Danvers, Montana
where she met her husband, James Tucek, and was involved in the Women's Club and a member
of the St. Wenceslaus Church.
Danvers is a small agricultural community settled largely by Bohemian Catholics and
located on the Milwaukee Road. St. Wenceslaus Church, a symbol of the Bohemian religious
and cultural heritage, was built in 1916. Much of the town's social gatherings revolved around
the church and the hall located across the road.
Mrs. Tucek's recollections describe life in a small rural Montana town and how social
organizations like the church and the women's club were important venues for seeing neighbors
and learning new things. Particularly interesting are her stories about what the women's club
was and what it was like to marry into a Bohemian Catholic family.
Mrs. Tucek speaks very clearly and I have been able to transcribe most of the interview
as is; however, I have occasionally removed unnecessary conjunctions. While her words are
clear in the transcript, the text fails to convey the emotion behind them. For a richer
understanding of the interview, researchers should consult the audio recordings.