Gala Event Center

Hank & Julia Vondera created the name Prairie Dell. Henry E. (Hank) Vondera married Julia Klenke in 1916. Hank was ambitious and worked hard in St. Louis during the early 1920s to save enough money to purchase property East of Union. In 1927 electricity came to this valley when enough property owners agreed to each purchase an electric range for $125.00 from the utility company. With the advent of electricity, this adventuress couple decided to open a café and gas station on the newly opened U.S. Highway 50 just North of the new Silo Plaza. A name was now needed for their new enterprise. As Hank looked out over the land he observed that it was unusually flat and fertile. The word Prairie came to mind. Julia's contribution was the word Dell derived from her sister's name, Adele, a favorite sibling of Julia's 6 sisters. Prairie Dell Café & Service Station became an instant success because of Julia's fried chicken and Hank's fuel to service the motorist. With good food and hard work the business was successful. People from near and afar began making this Prairie Dell establishment a frequent stop. An early photo catches a prideful moment in front of the

café with the proprietors' two children, Mildred (Ransom) & Annette (Kruel). In 1936 Hank & Julia sold their business. Prairie Dell Café and Service Station stayed in continuous operation until 1964 when the alignment of U.S. Highway 50 was changed to its present location. While only memories remain, almost 100 years later the whole region is still associated with the name Prairie Dell.

Hank & Julia's legacy lives on. Today, Prairie Dell is in the center of Union's Eastward expansion. In 1996, their grandson, Neil Kruel and his wife Hanna developed Prairie Dell Plaza in which Gala Event Center is located. Through their trust in God, the family entrepreneurial spirit lives on.

#52 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive, Union, MO 63084
Phone: 314-719-7804, Fax: 314-719-7806
e-mail: info@galaeventcenter.com