Alice Vrbas

Alice Vrbas

May 12, 1922 - Jan. 14, 2014

BENKELMAN. Nebraska -- Alice Vrbas was born May 12, 1922, to Joseph and Marie (Podskubka) Vachuta in Rawlins County, Kansas. She received her elementary education at Lone Tree School in Rawlins County. She walked ¾ miles to and from school except when it snowed. She graduated from McDonald Rural High School in McDonald, Kansas in 1940. She was married at St. John's Church in 1942 to Blase Vrbas. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton and served offices for the Altar Society. She was treasurer for the Grant Deanery. She taught CCD. She was a 4-H sewing leader for 20 years and received a pin for her services. She was a treasurer, one term, for the Hitchcock County Council. She participated in Ground Observers Corp. She loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens. Many flowers were put on the altar at church. Her special flower were her tea roses. It was her pride and joy to give produce to friends, relatives and nursing and retirement homes. She liked baking her Czech recipes. She would always have kolaches, cinnamon rolls, M&M cookies and cupcakes in the freezer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, James Purnell; infant grandson, Christopher Mendoza and grandson-in-law, Keith Blomme.

Survivors include her daughters, Sharon and husband, Richard Polson of Stratton, Verneta and husband, Donovan Dirks of Omaha, Charlene and husband, Robert Mendoza of Gering and Lynet and husband, Robert Purnell of Trimble, Missouri; one son, Gaylord and wife, Ronda Vrbas of Stratton; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mary Schwerdt of Benkelman and Julia Diehl of Stratton.

A Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. (CT), Satuday, Jan. 18, 2014, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton with Father Tom Wiedel officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. (CT), Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton.

A Rosary will be recited for Alice at 7 p.m. (CT) on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Benkelman Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.