LaVonne R. Snyder
Born: July 29, 1937 Gibbon, Nebraska
Died: February 26, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Funeral Service: Thursday, March 3, 2011 ~ 1:30 PM
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at St. John Cemetery, Weston, Nebraska
Visitation: Wednesday, March 2, 2011
6:00-7:30 PM at Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: American Lung Association
On July 29, 1937 LaVonne Ruth Snyder was the sixth of seven childern born to Herbert G. and Mary (Logan) Van Housen. At age three, she moved to Aurora, Nebraska with her family where she graduated from Aurora High School.
On July 22, 1955, she met Dale J. Snyder at a summer dance at the historical Riverside Dance Pavilion. They fell in love, eloped to Yankton, South Dakota where they were married on February 24, 1956 They moved to the Wahoo area with their 5 children in 1963.
She served in many community organizations, including president for Saunders County Homemakers, secretary for FCE, Past President of VFW Auxiliary, a past county chair and co-leader for Girl Scouts and Secretary for Christmas on the Prairie. She was a member of the Joy Circle and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo.
Her hobbies and interests were bridge, writing, making specialty cakes, traveling, ceramics, and family camping trips. LaVonne provided daycare, worked at the Haven House, and Federal Home Administration. She became a red hatter after her chemo which provided her with much joy, hope, and laughter. But nothing can compare to the banter and humor that her husband provided for 55 years of loving devotion.
LaVonne is survived by her husband Dale J. Snyder; their children; Gale Vopalensky of Columbus, Vince (Karen) Snyder of Austin, Texas, Evelyn (Patrick Jr.) Martin of Lincoln, Beth (Greg) Wonka of Weston and David "Fud" (Shari) Snyder of Wahoo; sisters and brothers-in-law; Eleanor Strotman of Central City, Evelyn Bullard of Kalamazoo, MI, Willa Burton of Idaho City, ID, Mavis (Leo) Goertzen of Aurora, Mary Van Housen of Daykin, and one brother; Herbert F. Van Housen of Aurora; and 12 grandchildren and a great grandson.
LaVonne is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers-in-laws, a niece, and a grand nephew.
Gary D. Bradley
Born: July 28, 1956 Omaha, Nebraska
Died: February 24, 2011 Ashland, Nebraska
Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Interment St. John Cemetery, Weston, Nebraska
Gathering of Family and
Friends: Monday, February 28, 2011
5:00-8:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: Gary Bradley Memorial Fund
Gary David Bradley was born on July 28, 1956 to Carl and Bette (Ludacka) Bradley in Omaha, Nebraska and baptized into Christ at Living Faith Church. He died February 24, 2011. Gary married Annette Widmark on December 26, 1975. They celebrated 35 years of marriage this past December. Together they had three children: Angel, Christian and Melissa. He was a proud grandpa to Emily, Gavin, Rozzy, Zander, Dawson, Hannah, Asher and Nina. In recent years, Gary and Annette made their home in Swedeburg, Nebraska on an acerage they called "Pooh Corner". It is a place of many gatherings, bonfires and happy memories. He had a passion for AMC's and Jeeps. He loved tinkering with things. He routinely went out of his way to help people, regardless if he knew them or not. Gary was also known for his "gift of gab", meaning he enjoyed the company of his friends and could spend several minutes or more likely, hours, telling you so. He was a hardworking man who loved people as Christ would, served the Lord whole-heartedly, and sacrificed for his family.
Gary is survived by wife Annette Bradley of 35 years; children and spouses Angel and Jason Petersen, Winona, MN, Christian and Angi Bradley, Omaha, NE, Melissa and Curtis Pokorny, Weston, NE; Amanda Sallach, mother of grandson, Dawson; 8 grandchildren, brothers and sisters, Bill, Chuck, Carol, Kathy, Leslie, Judy, Marry Jo, Nancy, Peggy, Gayle; brother and sister-in-laws, John, Lucy, Lora and Kim; loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by mother Bette Bradley, sister Jane Hansen, brother-in-law James Widmark. Friends like family, Tim Fuller, Terry Fuller, Dave Brodd, Chuck Brodd and Joel Brodd.
Helen J. Drieling
Born: December 7, 1938 Omaha, Nebraska
Died: June 18, 2011 Omaha, Nebraska
Memorial Service: Wednesday, June 22, 2011~ 2:00 PM
Alma Lutheran Church
Mead, Nebraska
Helen J. Drieling was born December 7, 1938 in Omaha, NE to Ben and Mae (Gillies) Swanson. She grew up in Craig, NE where she attended elementary school and graduated from high school in 1956. Helen was married to Dorlin Drieling on January 20, 1957 at First Lutheran Church in Oakland, NE. They lived on a farm near Pender, NE until moving to Millard, NE in 1962. The couple moved to Mead in 1971 where she lived until recently when she became ill. She passed away on June 18, 2011 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha at the age of 72 years. Helen worked at Western Electric for 14 years. She also worked at Valmont and J.C. Pennys. She loved gardening, reading and music (especially ABBA, people couldn't believe she liked ABBA). She also loved being with her friends of the shuffleboard club.
Helen was a member of Alma Lutheran Church, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2971, Order of Eastern Star and the Wahoo Shuffleboard Club.
Helen is survived by her son and daughter in law, Lane and Trudy Drieling, Fremont, NE; daughters and sons in law, Paula and Boyd Paulson, Elkhorn, NE, and Lori and Jack Spath, Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Tiffany, Chase, Brett, Jordan, Jena, Drew, Cameron and Joel; great granddaughter Ava; sister Eunice Swanson, Blair, NE; brother Carl Svensson, Sweden. She was preceded in death by her husband Dorlin Drieling and her parents.
Rosa A. Coufal Wilson
Born: August 4, 1922 Ringgold, Georgia
Died: February 13, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Memorial Service: Monday, February 21, 2011 ~ 10:00 AM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Inurnment Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park
Omaha, Nebraska
Memorials: In care of the family
Rosa A. Coufal Wilson was born August 4, 1922 in Ringgold, Georgia. Her parents were Michael and Clara (Dusatko) Coufal. She grew up on a farm south of Brainard and was a 1939 graduate of East Butler High School. Rosa was married to Anton Novak on December 2, 1939 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard. They lived on a farm near Brainard and raised five children. During this time, Rosa also had a business of baking wedding cakes for many couples. They moved into Brainard in 1975 where they operated the Novak Gas Station. In 1976, she moved to Omaha and was married to Marvin Wilson on June 23, 1979. Rosa worked at Avolon and later at Eppley Air Field. In 2005 they moved to Valparaiso, NE. Rosa entered eternal rest on Febr. 13, 2011 at the Saunders County Care Center in Wahoo, NE at the age of 88 years. Rosa was a former parishioner at St. Francis Catholic Church at David City where she was a member of the altar society. She had been a member of the Carter Lake VFW Auxiliary. Rosa enjoyed cooking, baking and canning. She also did a lot of sewing and liked music, singing and dancing. She played the accordion, organ and the clarinet. She loved being with her children and grandchildren.
Rosa is survived by her children, Joe and Joan Novak, Lexington, NE, Helen Samek, Lincoln, NE, Gladyce Bouc, Lincoln, NE and Don and Joette Novak, Brainard, NE; her 19 grandchildren, and many step grandchildren and great and great great grandchildren; her sister in law Helen Novak, David City, NE and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husbands Marvin Wilson and Anton Novak; son Dennis Novak; granddaughters Kayla Jo Novak, Susan Cropp and Samantha Jo Novak; sons in law Robert Bouc and Valerian Samek; and 2 sisters and 2 brothers.
Edmund J. "Ed" Vitek
Born: March 22, 1928 Linwood, Nebraska
Died: February 13, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, February 17, 2011 ~ 10:00 AM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation: Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Visitation: 4:00-8:00 PM
Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: Guardian Angel Fund or church masses
Edmund J. "Ed" Vitek was born March 22, 1928 in Linwood, NE to Robert and Victoria (Hobza) Vitek. He grew up attending school in Prague, NE while staying with his aunt and uncle. Following his school years, he worked with his father on the family farm and he served in the Army National Guard. On January 9, 1951, Ed was united in marriage to Dorothy Pernicek at St. Luke Catholic Church in Loma, NE. They lived for a few years in Scribner where Ed worked for a rancher/farmer. They moved to Wahoo in 1954 and he worked for Louis Stara as a welder and painter for several years. He worked as a truck driver for many years for Breunig Rendering Plant near Wahoo until an injury forced him to discontinue. When he recovered, he worked as a bus driver for SCOMR and also was a handyman there. His last job was at Sunmart as a shelf stocker.
Ed died on February 13, 2011 at the Saunders County Care Center in Wahoo at the age of 82 years. Ed always enjoyed music, reading and dancing. He enjoyed working on his cars and personalizing them. He was a parishioner at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; son Edmund R. Vitek, Ceresco, NE; daughter Linda Mueller and companion Mike Dreith, Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Jason and Jeremiah Mueller, Kaitlyn Vitek; two great grandsons; sister Mary Ann (Robert) Schense, Wahoo. He was preceded in death by his brother Martin Vitek.
Gary L. Turnwall
Born: June 2, 1943 Wahoo, Nebraska
Died: January 31, 2011 Weston, Nebraska
Funeral Service: Friday, February 4, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
Svoboda Funeral Home, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at Weston Cemetery, Weston, Nebraska
Visitation: Friday, February 4, 2011
8:30-10:30 AM at Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: Weston Fire and Rescue Department
Gary L. Turnwall was born June 2, 1943 in Wahoo, NE to Leonard and Ileta (Dooley) Turnwall. Gary attended Weston elementary school and graduated from Weston High School in 1962 where he earned All State Basketball honors. After graduation he farmed with his father on the family farm north of Weston. He was married to Ina Sue Carroll and together they had four children, Brian, Carey, Craig and Susan. Gary also served in the Nebraska National Guard. Except for a few years living in Fremont, NE, Gary always made his home in Saunders County, mostly in Weston. Gary enjoyed collecting John Deere toys of all kinds. He was known for his quick wit and liked listening to country music. He used to enjoy going hunting and fishing.
Gary is survived by children and spouses Brian and Kim Turnwall, Valparaiso, NE, Carey and Dave Burnley, Firth, NE, Craig and Shannon Turnwall, Chicago, IL, Susan and Greg Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren; mother Ileta Turnwall, Wahoo, brother and sister in law Gene and Dian Turnwall, Weston; loving companion Karen Hrdlicka, Weston, nieces Pam Osborne, Omaha, NE and Jenn Tefft, Lincoln, NE. He was preceded in death by his father Leonard.
Wilma R. Kavan
Born: April 6, 1922 Bee, Nebraska
Died: January 31, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, February 5, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
Sts. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, Valparaiso, Nebraska
Interment St. Vitus Cemetery, Touhy, Nebraska
Visitation: Friday, February 4, 2011
Visitation: 2:00-4:00 PM at Svoboda Funeral Home
Visitation: 6:00 PM
Wake Service & Catholic Daughters Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
Sts. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church
Memorials: St. Wenceslaus School or Bishop Neumann High School
Wilma Kavan, 88, of Valparaiso joined our Lord on Monday, January 31, 2011, at the Saunders County Medical Center of Wahoo. She was born on a farm near Bee, Nebraska on April 6, 1922 to John and Emma (Samek) Bartunek. Wilma graduated from Garland High School and attended Peru State Teachers College. She taught in rural schools in Surprise, Garland and Valparaiso area until she married Stanley Kavan on June 6, 1946 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church of Bee. They resided on the family farm near Valparaiso where they raised their family.
She was member of St. Vitus Catholic Church, Touhy and was a member of the St. Vitus Altar Society. She also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Our Lady of Peace Court #1956 and was the Regent from1989-1993. She was a member of TOPS NE #388, the Valparaiso Women's Club, Farmerettes Extension Club and was a Rock Creek Precinct Election worker for many years. Gardening, crocheting, reading and playing cards were a few of her hobbies. She also was an avid fan of all Bishop Neumann activities. She had a positive outlook on life, and loved a good laugh.
Wilma is survived by her children, four sons Greg and Jeanine of Wahoo, Mike and Mary of Valparaiso, Dave and Lori of Lincoln, and Lew and Cher of Denton; a daughter Kathy and Ken Foner of Niobrara; 12 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marge Shonka of Wildwood, Florida, and Delores Zitek of Lincoln, NE, and a sister-in-law Florence Kobza of Seward. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her four sisters and spouses Georgia and Leonard Rerucha, Lucille and Ernest Helgoth, Emma and Ted Rerucha and Alice and Chuck Bauer, and a brother John Bartunek; her sisters' and brothers'-in-law George and Elsie Hellerich, Vince and Celestine Polacek, Philip Kavan, Lillian Kavan, Joe Shonka and Joe Zitek .
Judy L. Keller
Born: August 3, 1940 Uehling, Nebraska
Died: January 30, 2011 Omaha, Nebraska
Funeral Service: Friday, February 4, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
United Methodist Church, Ithaca, Nebraska
Interment at Hooper Cemetery, Hooper, Nebraska
Visitation: Thursday, February 3, 2011
Visitation: 3:00-8:00 PM
Family will be greeting friends from 6:00-8:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: United Methodist Church, Ithaca, Nebraska
Judy L. Keller was born in Uehling, NE on August 3, 1940 to Glen and H. Lorraine (Wedergren) Voskamp. Judy attended country schools districts #15 and #64 and the Uehling Public School. On June 16, 1957, she was united in marriage to Marlin Keller at the Congregational Church in Uehling. They made their home on a farm southeast of Ithaca. Besides raising four children, Judy worked at the Ithaca Grocery Store and Elsie's Café in Ithaca. In Wahoo, she worked at the Eagle's Club, Hinky Dinky, the Sale Barn and the Wahoo Newspaper. Judy enjoyed socializing with friends and family and playing sheeps head and pitch. She was a bird watcher and liked doing crossword puzzles and any kind of puzzle. Her children said she liked to spoil her grandchildren.
Judy died on January 30, 2011 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha at the age of 70 years. She was a member of the Ithaca United Methodist Church.
Judy was preceded in death by her daughter Teresa and her parents. She is survived by her husband Marlin; daughters Rhonda (Tim) Vanderford, Lincoln, NE, Ann Keller, Ithaca; son Tim (Laura) Keller, Wahoo, NE; grandchildren Brian Hoback, Nate, Trevor and Jared Vanderford, Bryson and Miranda Keller; sisters Pam (Reg) Linder, Oakland, NE, Deb (Chris) Whitmore, Shelby, NE, Michelle (Robert) Oligmueller, West Point, NE; brother in law Lloyd Keller, Phoenix, AZ; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
