- Date Of Birth: September 22, 1927
- Date Of Death: March 17, 2014
- State: Nebraska
Twilla June (Mahoney) Kalina, 86, of Table Rock, Nebraska was born on September 22, 1927 in Tecumseh, Nebraska to Ed and Gretta (Tennant) Mahoney. She grew up in Tecumseh and attended public school. Twilla graduated from TecumsehHigh School with the class of 1946. Growing up, Twilla got her nickname “Dutch” from her dad. She loved to whistle, tap dance, and entertain along with her sister Phyllis by singing and dancing. In high school, Twilla was the head majorette of the band. In her early adult life, Twilla loved to go to the dances on Saturday night at which she met Marvin “Pud” Kalina, the love of her life. She was 13 and he was 18. A few years later a relationship developed. Later on, out of curiosity the kids asked “What attracted you to dad?” Mom replied laughingly, “when I first met your dad the only reason I went out with him was because the fool could dance.”
To this union six children; Terry, Jack, Linda, twins Donnie and Ronnie, and LuAnn, were born. Twilla and Pud lived their entire married life in Table Rock. While Pud worked for Burlington Northern Railroad and farmed, Twilla stayed at home to raise their children. She was a loving mother and homemaker who also worked hand in hand with her husband operating Pud’s Bar and the Saddle Rock Tavern. Many lively moments and memories were made there. Twilla was not just a bartender, but also the bouncer because Pud couldn’t do it. After selling the bar, Twilla began working at the Pawnee Manor. After the loss of her husband in 1978, she took on the responsibility of raising her youngest child LuAnn which she said many times “thank God she wasn’t a twin.”
Twilla was a member of the Table Rock Legion Auxiliary for 32 years and will always be remembered for her sense of humor, wit, and personality.
Twilla passed away on Monday, March 17, 2014 at the Pawnee Manor in Pawnee City, Nebraska having reached the age of eighty-six years, five months, and twenty-three days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin “Pud” Kalina, son Terry Kalina, brothers: Jack and Dick Mahoney, sisters-in-law: Lois Mahoney and Elsie (Kalina) Wenzbauer, a great-nephew Bradley Tomek, and special friend Lauton Kehler.
Twilla is survived by her children: Jack (Donna) Kalina of Table Rock, NE; Linda (Frank) Williamson of Table Rock, NE; Donnie Kalina of Table Rock, NE; Ronnie ((Sandy) of Gretna, NE; LuAnn (Rick) Hunzeker of Table Rock, NE; 10 grandchildren: 9 great-grandchildren; a sister Phyllis (Gene) Daniels of Lincoln, NE; sisters-in-law: Betty Mahoney of Pawnee City, NE; Erma Jean (Alfred) Penkava of Beatrice, NE; daughter-in-law Carol Zubrod of Lincoln, NE; special family friend Luetta Schnieder of Columbia, MO; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and tons of friends.
