Love My Community: Wilber
Wilber is a one-of-a-kind place. Tucked into Saline County about 35 miles southwest of Lincoln, it’s close enough to bigger cities for a weekend trip, but far enough away to have traditions, history, and a community that’s entirely its own.
The First Settlers
Professor Charles Dana Wilber founded the town, which was platted on March 10, 1873. Two years later, the first Czech settlers arrived and brought with them their language, culture, and customs. Over 50,000 Czechs settled in Nebraska, carrying with them a love for music, drama, gymnastics, education, and traditional Czech food and drink.
By 1900, nearly 90% of the town’s 1,250 residents were of Czech descent. Czech culture showed up at every celebration, dance, parade, and street fair. Today, the population stands at approximately 1,940, many of whom are still of Czech descent and helping keep that spirit alive.
Why Wilber?
Wilber’s a wonderful place to raise a family. It has the comfort of a small town and the kind of friendly, genuine people who make you feel like you belong here. Wherever you go, you’ll see neighbors talking on the street corner, kids with fishing poles heading to Wilber Lake, or someone lending a hand just because that’s what people do here.
There are beautifully preserved buildings that still carry the charm of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, alongside a great school, a pool, parks, and plenty of active organizations for youth and adults alike. The people are truly what make Wilber, Wilber. They volunteer, they donate, they show up. They’re friendly and caring, while always looking out for the town’s future.
Life in Wilber
Life here is simple and good. Grab a coffee downtown and catch up with a friend. You’ll find busy residents on their way to work and retirees out for a morning walk. Kids heading to school, fishing at the lake, or taking a dip in the pool. If you wander down Main Street, don’t be surprised if you hear Czech music gently drifting from the sound system.
Wilber is also home to many well-kept historic buildings that have stood the test of time, alongside newer developments and renovations, showing a town that’s growing without losing what makes it special.
The Czech Capital of the U.S.A.
In 1962, four citizens came up with the idea to make Wilber the Czech Capital of Nebraska. They started an annual festival, built a museum to preserve Czech literature, culture, and artifacts, and set something in motion that’s still going strong today.
A year later, Governor Frank Morrison made it official. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan designated Wilber as the Czech Capital of the U.S.A., a distinction the town has carried with pride for nearly 40 years.
Today you’ll see Czech on storefronts and street signs. You’ll see “Vítáme Vás,” which means “We welcome you.” You can buy kolaches, rye bread, and traditional Czech meats from local markets, and pick up Czech costumes and crafts at the Czech Craft Shop.
And each year, on the first full weekend of August, Wilber hosts the Czech Festival, now nearing its 65th year. It’s one of the great community traditions in Nebraska, and it draws people from all over the country.
Rich Past, Bright Future
Wilber has always been a town that looks forward without forgetting where it came from. Long-established businesses sit alongside those that have just opened, and new developments continue to take shape. The American Legion Memorial Park, with its mature trees and top-notch ball fields, was planted decades ago by members who were already thinking about the future.
The Wilber Pathways to Progress group transformed an NRD pond on the edge of town into Wilber Lake, surrounding it with 100 new trees, walking trails, a shelter, and a handicap-accessible fishing pier. It’s an ongoing effort and a great example of what this community does when it decides something is worth doing.
Farmers & Merchants Bank in Wilber
On January 4, 1902, the Articles of Incorporation of The Bank of Wilber were filed, and on January 20, the bank officially opened its doors on the corner of 3rd and Main. In 1977, a new building was built just south across the alley. In 1995, the Dunlap family purchased The Bank of Wilber, and it became part of the Farmers & Merchants Bank family.
We’ve happily been part of the Wilber community ever since and plan to keep it that way. The folks behind our counter here live in this community, care about it, and show up for it every day. We’re honored to be here.
Our People
A community bank is only as good as the people who show up for it. At our Wilber branch, we’re fortunate to have some of the best.
Katie Kjolhede, Internal Auditor
Katie’s been with us for over five years and knows this bank inside and out. She’s detail-oriented, dependable, and genuinely invested in doing right by every customer she serves. She cares about this community and shows up for it.
Kurt Kiesel, Loan Development Officer, NMLS #2794225
Kurt spent 34 years teaching and coaching at Wilber-Clatonia before joining Farmers & Merchants Bank. He’s patient, easy to talk to, and deeply connected to this town. There’s a good chance you already know him, too.
Katie, Kurt, and the rest of our team are always here to help with whatever you need. Stop in and say hello!