Ingeborg Magarete (Luda) Vinicky
September 24, 2019
Ingeborg Magarete (Luda) Vinicky, known
by her friends as Inge Smaha, 93, of Baraboo, passed away on Tuesday, September
17, 2019 at St. Clare Meadows Care Center. She was born on Dec. 2, 1925 in
Lipzig, Germany, the daughter of Maximillan and Marta (Schadlid) Luda. Inge was raised in the circus life
and began her performing career in 1937 in a roller skating act called the
“Champions”. The Troup was well known in Germany and throughout Europe where
they received honors for best performers. She moved to Spain in 1941 and
continued on tour for the next four years. In 1946, Inge met her husband,
Antonin Vinicky while touring with the Apollo Circus, and together they began
working with horses and elephants in the circus shows. They moved to Australia
in 1950, and toured in the Wirth Circus until 1955 when the family came to the
United States with the King Brothers Circus. They settled in Baraboo in 1961
with the Wilbur Deppe and his “Old Time Circus”. Throughout her life, Inge performed
with various circus acts in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with many of
the highlights being presented on the Jackie Gleason, Ed Sullivan and Royal
Lipizzan Stallion shows. She made Baraboo her home when not performing on the
road. Inge is survived by her
granddaughter, Regina Vinicky Smaha; daughter-in-law, Rena Vinicky Smaha; goddaughter,
Stephanie Bredesen; and Inge’s “Little Poopalie”, Kirsten Booth and other
relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and
husband; Inge was preceded in death by three sons, Pero, Antonin Jr. and Jenda;
grandson, Christian; brother, Rudolph; two sisters, Elfriede and Traudel. A memorial visitation for Inge will take place from 10 a.m.
until 12 p.m. noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 followed by a time of sharing
memories at Baldwin Funeral Services, 520 East St., Baraboo. Pastor Lisa
Newberry will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the
Circus World Museum.
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