WAUKESHA - Henry J. Dvorak, 96, of Waukesha, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001, at the Heartland Health Care Center. He was born in Lyndon Station on July 18, 1905, to Frank and Barbara (nee Sedlacek) Dvorak.

Henry had a lifelong love of music and played in various bands. He and his brother had a band called The Objibewins, and they played in various places around Chippewa Falls, Cadott, Drywood, Thorp, Chetek and Barron. On June 1, 1927, he joined Slims Imperial Mochars and they played around Cornell, Ludington , Eagleton, Bloomer and Fall Creek.

In 1928 Henry moved to Milwaukee to follow the love of his life, Opal Clark. Once in Milwaukee he worked at Seaman Body and played with the Jack Moore Band. Later that year, Henry and Opal were married Nov. 29, 1928. Together they opened Dvorak’s grocery store Nov. 30, 1928, the day after they were married. The store was located on South 124th Street in New Berlin. For 42 years they worked side-by-side ordering, stocking, cleaning and waiting on customers. On Nov. 30, 1970, they retired.

Mr. Dvorak was a member of Waukesha Elks No. 400 B.P.O.E. where he and Opal were involved in many bowling tournaments.

Henry will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 73 years, Opal Dvorak of Waukesha, and their two children, Henry J. (Patricia) Dvorak of New Berlin and Darline (Thomas "Jake") Gosa of Waukesha. He is further survived by six grandchildren, Debra (Dan) Butch of Oshkosh, Kathryn (Earl) Schellin of Mosinee, James (Jeanette) Dvorak of Pewaukee, Michael (Robin) Gosa of Waukesha, Jeffrey (Michele) Gosa of Coleman and Patrick (Barbara) Gosa of Waukesha, and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank and Edward, and his sister, Emma Robarge.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. Elks Lodge of Sorrow service Saturday, Dec. 29, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 16000 W. National Ave., New Berlin. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. David Filut officiating. Entombment will be held at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Waukesha Elks Lodge No. 400 are appreciated.

For more information, call Randle-Dable Funeral Home at 547-4035.