Tech 5, (Cpl), US Army, Felicia (Jeri) Mary Strychniewicz Kasalka Van Buskirk

Born: February 2, 1921, Newark, New Jersey

Died: February 27, 2012, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Technician 5^th Grade Felicia “Jeri” Kasalka Van Buskirk joined the Women’s Army Corps with some medical knowledge. This is evident by the Technician rank, created especially for World War II to give pay to those who entered the service to their country with knowledge that was useful, and she was assigned to Bruns Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico.^1,2 The Earl Bruns Hospital was commissioned by the US Army in December of 1942 and had 1575 beds.³ When exactly she joined is a mystery, but she likely joined when her husband, Theodore Kasalka, was drafted, or possibly when he was killed in action in Italy in 1944.⁴ Kasalka Van Buskirk would have been released before the hospital closed in December of 1946.⁵

Felicia Mary, known as Jeri, was born on February 2, 1921, in Newark, New Jersey to Anton and Carolyn Strychniewicz.⁶ She grew up in New Jersey with her family, and in 1942, she married Theodore Kasalka. He was killed in action in Italy.⁷

With Kasalka Van Buskirk’s work at the Bruns Hospital, she met New Mexico native Francis “Van” Van Buskirk as he was repatriated after the Bataan Death March and his internment by the Japanese until 1945.8 They were married in 1946 and settled down in Santa Fe to raise a family.^9,10,11 The couple had five children and enjoyed dancing, bowling, and golf.^12,13,14,15 They were exceptional golfers and entered tournaments together.¹⁶ Kasalka Van Buskirk also joined the local chapter of the women’s support sorority Beta Sigma Phi.¹⁷ Her husband worked in construction, then started his own business and in the 1970s, Kasalka Van Buskirk sold the custom homes he built.^18,19

The pair enjoyed retirement together, but Van Buskirk passed away on February 7, 2008.²⁰ Kasalka Van Buskirk continued to volunteer at St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce until the summer before she passed away on February 27, 2012.²¹

Images & Documents

Notes:

1. “Seeking Explanation of Duties of Army Tec 5” History Hub. Answer by: Jason, National Archives. Copyright 2020. Accessed 21 August 2023.
2. “New Jersey Wac is Betrothed to Mr. Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 25 January 1946. p. 2.
3. “WW2 Military Hospitals Zone Of Interior (United States)” WW2 US Medical Research Centre. Copyright 2007-2023. Accessed: 16 August 2023.
4. “Kasalka, Theodore L. Interment.” U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, Interment Control Forms, 1928–1962. Interment Control Forms, A1 2110-B. NAID: 5833879. Record Group 92, Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985. The National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
5. See note 3.
6. “Strzelnaewicz, Anthony.” Year: 1940; Census Place: Newark, Essex, New Jersey; Roll: m-t0627-02424; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 25-419. Some of the children’s names appear wrong according to Ancestry.com, for example, Felicia must be Fanny here, but the surname is an unusual one, so it might be her family.
7. See note 4.
8. “Van Buskirk, Francis Hall.” Prisoners of War, Far East: Fukuoka POW Camp, Japan; Name List, as of 15 August 1945. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; WO 361 Causalities and Missing Personnel 1939-1945; Reference Number: WO 361/1978. He won the Purple Heart for his service.
9. “New Jersey Wac is Betrothed to Mr. Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 25 January 1946. p. 2.
10. “Marriage Licenses.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 26 February 1946. p. 10.
11. “Van Buskirk.” National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Roll: 3579; Page: 79; Enumeration District: 26-36B.
12. “Felicia (Jeri) Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican: Obituaries. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 3 March 2012. p. 8.
13. “Champion Dancers Chosen at Revue: Santa Fe Couples Listed as Winners.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 27 February 1957. p. 5.
14. “Women’s Bowling Team Champions.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 24 February 1969. p. 6.
15. Fiorina, Mary Ellen. “Santa Fe Women Golfers Compete Against Duke City.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 25 January 1946. p. 15.
16. Maldanado, Jim. “Bob Tiano and Tone Brady Win Golf Titles: Van Buskirks Win Most Prizes.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 14 October 1968. p. 6.
17. “Alpha Beta Had Model Meeting at Vanderwoods.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 19 March 1954. p. 5.
18. “Francis Hall Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican: Obituaries. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 12 February 2008. sec C p. 3.
19. “Southwest Realty.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 7 September 1977. sec B p. 12.
20. “Francis Hall Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican: Obituaries. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 12 February 2008. sec C p. 3.
21. “Felicia (Jeri) Van Buskirk.” Santa Fe New Mexican: Obituaries. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 3 March 2012. p. 8.

Compiled by: A. D. McLean, MA, MLIS. Central New Mexico Community College, retired 2022.

Featured Image:

“Jeri Van Buskirk.” From: Maldanado, Jim. “Bob Tiano and Tone Brady Win Golf Titles: Van Buskirks Win Most Prizes.” Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 14 October 1968. Retrieved: 16 August 2023. https://www.newspapers.com/image/583245123 p. 6.