Inductees

* – Denotes Deceased

Names with Red Text denotes link to bio page

2025

NamePositionInstruments
Dick Janak*BandleaderTuba
Bernie Stanislav*SidemanTrumpet Vocalist
Laddie BruhaSidemanButton Accordion, Drums
Ken MolzerSidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Loren Joe StehlikSidemanTuba
Radio KJSKSokol Service Award

2024

NamePositionInstruments
Donna Svanda*SidemanDrums
Johnny Armbrust*BandleaderAccordion, Cordovox,
Button Accordion
Joe A. Masek*SidemanDrums
Charlie Svagera*SidemanButton Accordion
Steve HinesSidemanDrums
Randy SkarkaSidemanTrumpet, Fluegel Horn, Tenor Horn,
Bass Horn, Music Arranger
Greg BlechaSidemanTrombone, Baritone, Trumpet,
Button Accordion

2023

NamePositionInstruments
Herman “Hermie”
Franzluebbers*		SidemanButton Accordion
Raynold Woita*SidemanButton Accordion
Bill Scott*BandleaderTrumpet
Leonard R.
“Lenny Rich”
Siedlik		BandleaderConcertina, Accordion, Bass Guitar, Drums
Jan LhotakSidemanTrumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Horn
Bob ZbylutSidemanDrums, Bass Horn, Vocals
Galen BeckSidemanTrumpet, Baritone, Bass Horn, Button
Accordion

2022

NamePositionInstruments
Walt Bahm*SidemanDrums
Marvin Capoun*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Larry SkarkaBandleaderTrumpet, Trombone,
Baritone, Bass Horn
Jim KuceraBandleaderAccordion, Trumpet, Trombone
Charles & Irene
Warga		Sokol Award
Owners KOTD Radio
Irene Sunday Polka Show

2021

NO INDUCTEES THIS YEAR
Cancelled due to renovations of Sokol Auditorium, now called The Admiral

2020

NO INDUCTEES THIS YEAR
Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019

NamePositionInstruments
Mike BreckaBandleader/SidemanTrumpet
Frank RemarBandleaderAccordion
Gil Krajnik*BandleaderSax and Clarinet
Frank Kostka Jr.*SidemanTrumpet

2018

NamePositionInstruments
Charles Petrmichl*BandleaderButton Accordion
Steve SteagerBandleaderBass Horn/Bass Guitar
Big Joe Siedlik*Polka Music Promoter
Johnny Halama*SidemanBass Horn

2017

NamePositionInstruments
Lou HospodkaBandleaderButton Accordion
Kevin D. KoopmanBandleaderBass, Trumpet, Trombone
Helen Janak*BandleaderVocals
Charles Kral Sr.*SidemanTrombone, Baritone, Bass
Joe YindrickSidemanBass, Trumpet, Vocals
Everett Van Cleve*Service Award, Sokol Omaha

2016

NamePositionInstruments
Kenny Grebenick*SidemanTrumpet
Bud Comte*Bandleader, Recording EngineerTrumpet
Daniel L. Pasonault*SidemanTrumpet, Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Trombone
Gene Benes (Bobby Layne)Bandleader
Ballroom Owner		Alto Sax, Clarinet

2015

NamePositionInstruments
Leonard Kassik*Bandleader
Milligan Brass Band		Brass
Frank Menousek*SidemanSax, Clarinet
Steve SobotaSidemanBass
Jeff JandaSidemanBass
Louis Sevek Jr.Service Award, Sokol Omaha

2014

NamePositionInstruments
Ed Chalupa*SidemanTrumpet, Trombone
George Michka*SidemanTrumpet
Warren “Fritz” Srb*SidemanTrumpet
Ron & Darlene KlimentHall Managers
Starlite Ballroom, Wahoo, NE
Tom HazukaSidemanDrums
Ray Lastovica*Sokol Omaha Service Award

2013

NamePositionInstruments
Joseph J. Cerveny*Polka Music Producer & Promoter
Lonnie L. PiitzBandleaderClarinet, Saxophone,
Accordion, Piano
Barry C. BoyceBandleaderPiano Accordion,
Button Accordion

2012

NamePositionInstruments
Robert “Bob” Luksa Jr.*SidemanTrombone, Clarinet,
Saxophone, Drums
Rich Foral*SidemanDrums
Eddie Hanna*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Marla Hansen JanakSidemanTrumpet, Music Arranger

2011

NamePositionInstruments
Mike HelgesenSidemanTrumpet,
Trombone, Saxophone
Frank SiedlikSidemanTrumpet,
Trombone, Saxophone
Gary Masek*Sokol Omaha Service Award
Ron NadhernySokol Omaha Service AwardTrumpet, Music Arranger

2010

NamePositionInstruments
Don Korinek*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Jim Kostka*SidemanTrumpet, Trombone

2009

NamePositionInstruments
Jerry Hospodka*SidemanDrums, Trumpet
Dennis PavlikChairman,
Sokol Omaha Polka Hall of Fame
Leo V. Piitz*SidemanDrums
Helmut Putler*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone

2008

NamePositionInstruments
Ken Janak Jr.Bandleader, Nebraska
Czech Brass Band		Clarinet, Saxophone
Dick Janak Jr.SidemanDrums, Vocals
Bob ZagozdaBandleaderClarinet, Saxophone,
Trumpet

2007

NamePositionInstruments
Greg Trojan*SidemanPiano Accordion,
Button Accordion
Joseph D. Slezak*Polka Music Promoter

2006

NamePositionInstruments
Bob StepanekSidemanBass Horn
Bill AndelSidemanClarinet, Saxophone, Vocals

2005

NamePositionInstruments
Allen MoravecSidemanBass Horn
Edward J. “Sonny”
Svoboda		BandleaderPiano Accordion,
Music Arranger

2004

NamePositionInstruments
Mark VyhlidalBandleader, Radio DJ,
KJSK Radio		Accordion, Trumpet
Jerry Chalupa*SidemanTrumpet, Bass Horn, Vocals

2003

NamePositionInstruments
Duane Stehlik*SidemanAccordion, Bass Horn
Gary Berka*SidemanTrumpet, Vocals

2002

NamePositionInstruments
Frank Sobota*SidemanBass Horn, Saxophone, Vocals
Glenn KocaSidemanTrumpet, Music Arranger

2001

NamePositionInstruments
Joe Cada*SidemanBass Horn
Elmer NemecSidemanBass Horn, Vocals
Charles Jirkovsky*SidemanTrumpet

2000

NamePositionInstruments
Leonard Piitz*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Don Horacek*SidemanBass Horn

1999

NamePositionInstruments
Kenny ShudaBandleaderButton Accordion
Gawaine DvorakSidemanAccordion, Concertina

1998

NamePositionInstruments
Norman Sodomka Jr.*SidemanTrumpet, Trombone
Clifford Koutnik*SidemanPiano, Clarinet,
Music Arranger
Bob Palensky*Bandleader,
American Czech Brass Band		Trumpet, Accordion

1997

NamePositionInstruments
Norman Sodomka Sr.*SidemanTrumpet
Dean FornoffSidemanDrums

1996

NamePositionInstruments
Leonard Becwar*BandleaderButton Accordion
Leonard Vidlak*SidemanTrumpet, Vocals

1995

NamePositionInstruments
Paul MenousekSidemanClarinet, Saxophone, Vocals
Vernon Belik*BandleaderButton Accordion

1994

NamePositionInstruments
Jim BochnicekBandleaderDrums
Ed Vanek*SidemanBass Horn

1993

NamePositionInstruments
Eddie Washinowski*BandleaderAccordion
Anton Pokorny*SidemanTrumpet

1992

NamePositionInstruments
Ernie Hovorka*SidemanBass Horn
Rudy Dvorak*Bandleader,
Omaha Czech Brass Band,
Radio DJ, KOTD Radio		Bass Horn

1991

NamePositionInstruments
Frank Hazuka*BandleaderAccordion
Bob BlechaBandleaderButton Accordion

1990

NamePositionInstruments
Alfred Cochnar*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Teresa Cochnar*BandleaderTrumpet
Jim Holubar*SidemanTrumpet
Frank Jakes*Sokol Omaha Service Award

1989

NamePositionInstruments
Allen ValishBandleaderTrombone
Dean Hansen*BandleaderAccordion

1988

NamePositionInstruments
Bok Krivohlavek*SidemanTrumpet, Drums
Frank Kucera*BandleaderButton Accordion

1987

NamePositionInstruments
Joe Prochaska*SidemanBass Horn
Math Sladky*BandleaderDrums

1986

NamePositionInstruments
Jerry Jaros*BandleaderClarinet, Saxomphone
Irvin Cidlik*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Herman Liska*SidemanTrumpet, Saxophone

1985

NamePositionInstruments
Adolph Nemetz*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Charles Dvorak*Bandleader, Omaha Czech
Brass Band		Trumpet, Clarinet, Saxophone
Jim Velehradsky*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone

1984

NamePositionInstruments
George Hovorka*BandleaderTrombone
Vern Luddington*BandleaderBass Horn

1983

NamePositionInstruments
Frank Kostka*BandleaderAccordion
Emil Korbelik*SidemanTrombone
Sen. Roman Hruska*Sokol Omaha Service Award
(56 Years)
Joseph J. Susterka*Sokol Omaha Service Award
(41 Years)

1982

NamePositionInstruments
Al Grebenick*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Stan Kucera*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet
Vic Kaspar*Service Award,
Ballroom Manager
Sokol Omaha

1981

NamePositionInstruments
Johnny Matuska*BandleaderAccordion
Ron NadhernyBandleaderTrumpet
Jerry Koci*BandleaderButton Accordion

1980

NamePositionInstruments
Don Hamsa*BandleaderTrombone
Frank Mokry*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Emil Olsufka*BandleaderClarinet
Rose Sinkule*Service Award, Sokol Omaha

1979

NamePositionInstruments
Joe Sinkule Jr.*SidemanDrums
Milo Palensky*SidemanDrums

1978

NO INDUCTEES THIS YEAR

1977

NO INDUCTEES THIS YEAR

1976

NamePositionInstruments
Eddie Janak*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Ernie Kucera*BandleaderDrums

1975

NO INDUCTEES THIS YEAR

1974

NamePositionInstruments
Ray Dusatko*Sideman – TeacherBass Horn, Accordion
George Huttlemaier*Sponsor,
Modern Appliance Co.
Al Young*Sponsor,
Modern Appliance Co.
Moostash Joe Spellerberg*Bandleader, Radio DJ,
KHUB Radio		Trumpet
Fanny Jelen*Service Award, Sokol Omaha
Ed Svoboda Sr.*BandleaderAccordion, Drums

1973

NamePositionInstruments
Rev. Ed Chapuran*Band Conductor
Johnny Swoboda*Sideman – TeacherAccordion
Del Hamann*Sideman, Radio DJ,
KOTD Radio		Accordion
Joe Lukesh*BandleaderButton Accordion
Dave Huskey*BandleaderTrumpet
John Wyszkowski*Sideman
Henry Koenig*Ballroom Manager, Avoca, IA

1972

NamePositionInstruments
Jim Hovorka*BandleaderButton Accordion, Piano Accordion
Joe Sinkule Sr.*Bandleader
Charlie Kucera*BandleaderDrums
John Kovarik*BandleaderTrumpet
Jim Tourek*BandleaderClarinet, Saxophone
Milt Jaworski*BandleaderAccordion
Joe Ruzicka*Service Award, Sokol Auditorium
Vaclav Dvorak*SidemanBass Horn
Mike Kucera*SidemanBass Horn
Pete Janak*SidemanClarinet, Saxophone
Bennie Petru*SidemanTrumpet
Frank Vomocil*Bandleader
Dick McCann*Radio DJ, KBON Radio
Harry Snyder*Radio DJ, KHUB Radio
SmetanaBand