This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lRC.2ACE/3485 Message Board Post: WALSH HERITAGE, ND: VOL 4, 1881-1981 PAGE 1336 VLAST G. VEJTASA was born of pioneer parents: Frank and Frances Vejtasa on 8 Nov 1903 in Silvesta Township, Walsh County, ND. He went through the 8th grade in a small school, called the Vejtasa School. He received a class pin for not missing one day in the first five years of school. Eleven children were raised in the Vejtasa family. On their homeplace there were large vegetable gardens, all kinds of fruit trees, every form of animal life, even fur-bearing animals. The Vejtasa farm was often called the Red Fox Farm. In this large family every one had to work, even at a young age. Very few illnesses occured and when they did, their Mother, who had been a nurse, seemed to know just what to do - using methods very similar to those employed by massage therapists of almost a century later. For the first 75 years of history in North Dakota, no one of the Vejtasa family needed hospitalization. In 1928, when Vlast was 24 years old, he married Rose Landsem of Edmore, ND. They farmed for almost 25 years. during these years, Vlast served as chairman of the local school board; was chairman of the Farmers Union Local; was a director of the Ramsey County Farmers Union board; and chairman of the Newland Township board. He was also active in the church, serving as an officer in the Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a member of the hospital board, as clerk of construction, when the hospital in Edmore, ND was being built. There were personal trials, including the Great Depression: seven years of grasshoppers and drought, turning over most of his cattle to the goverment to prevent them fra starving to death. There was no market, $12 to $20 dollars for a cow, and $5.00 for calves. That same winter sudden blindness overtook Vlast and after two months came the unanimous verdict, fra eye specialist consulted, that there was no hope and thathe should try to adjust to life without sight. During the long days and nights, he often prayed that the Lord would call him out of this world, so he would not be a burden to his wife and small daughter (later another lovely daughter completed the family circle). Then one day, he took the advice of an elderly eye specialist, to use steam packs on his eyes several times daily. After nearly two months, a miracle happened - he began to see light. Slowly eyesight returned to complete normal, and has had no recurrence of any eye problems since. About 6 years later, severe back pains developed. After 48 chiropractic treaments, with no results, a bone specialist was consulted. After numerous x-rays the diagnosis was generalized as arthritis, resulting fra a kick by a horse, when he was about 18 yrs of age. An eight-inch bone removed fra his leg was recommended as a spinal graft; this would have left him cripped on both leg and back. The nest seven years were a battle with arthritis, sometimes being confined to a bed. A visit to the West Coast found a massage therapist at Bellingham, Washington and after 52 treatments, the arthritis pain was all gone. Now, 39 years later, there is still no back pain and he has not lost one day of work in his clinic for 28 years. Prior to opening his Health Clinic in Edmore, ND, Vlast travelled constantly. He worked four years with the Educational Department of the North Dakota Farmers Union. He spent the summer of 1951 in Alaska. In the late 1940's he lobbied in Washington, DC fighti! ng for R.E.A., so that farmers could have electricity. In his travels he talked to so many people like himself, who could not obtain help through medical procedures, but who might respond to some other form of therapy. After much thought and prayer came the decision - to enroll in a course in scientific massge, in a college in Chicago, Illinois. After graduation Vlast worked in one of thelarge hospitals in Chicago. An emergency called him back home to Edmore, ND. Plans were to return to Chicago. The college advised him not to start work in Edmore as the town of 400 people was too small and also, it was his home town. However, friends urged him to stay. So he decided to give it a try, starting out giving massage treatments in a large room in his home, this making it easier to move if it became necessary. As the years passed, people came for help not only fra surrounding areas but far away states and Canada. Many times, Vlast wondered at the power of the Almighty and the many miracles of life, that manifest themselves through that which the Creator had apparently let flow through, as he puts it, his humble hands. Mrs Vejtasa helped her husband in this growing practice and the teamwork served many so well. Her death came in 1969, leaving a great void in Vlast's life. In 1964 he built a new office with facilities for the latest methods in the field of massage therapy. Soon it was necessary, even without any form of advertising, to keep a strict appointment schedule. Vlast has proved that one can be successful in the massage profession, even in a small town. All are encouraged to good habits of living, that help protect their health while they still have it, and prevent, as long as possible, serious physical problems. Two daughters were born to Vlast and Rose Vejtasa: Delores Fjalstad, Anaheim, CA; and Phyllis Hefti, Orange, CA. There are eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. On 26 sept, 1980, Vlast married Charlotte R. Muehlen of Penn, ND; also a graduate and licensed massage therapist. PHOTOGRAPH: Rose, Phyllis, Delores and Vlast Vejtasa PHOTOGRAPH: Emelia and Vlast Vejtasa PHOTOGRAPH: Vlast and Charlotte ~~Volunteer Posting~~