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BORN
1934
DIED
2026
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William Vrtiska Obituary
September 4, 1934 - January 18, 2026
William "Mike" Vrtiska, 91, of Beatrice, passed away Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, at Beatrice Good Samaritan Society. He was born on September 4, 1934, at Steinauer and graduated from Steinauer High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 until 1955 stationed on Guam. On November 18, 1961, he married Carol Cripe at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mike worked for the Natural Gas Pipeline for many years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #27, VFW Post #1077, and Eagles Club, all of Beatrice. Mike enjoyed hunting, gardening, and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Vrtiska, of Beatrice; daughter, Rhonda (Steve) Casey; sons, Mark (Kerry) Vrtiska, and Chris (Janie) Vrtiska; three grandchildren, Matthew Pinkerton, Jenny Pinkerton, and Alex Casey; six step-grandchildren, Jerod (Cally) Ideus, Jaclyn (Rita) Machado, Cassie (Kurt) Boyer, Katie (Clint) Bates, Kristine (Jared) Ray, and Staci Hattan; 17 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Betty (Gary) Bedea; sister-in-law, Linda Essam; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Emma (Obrist) Vrtiska; brothers, Anthony and wife Patricia, Adrian and wife Leona, John and wife Norma, and Charles and wife Clara; sisters, Donata Prendergast and husband James, Madeline Matthews and husband Lloyd, Mary Rinne and husband Norman, Dorothy Gunzelman and husband Linus, and Sister Mary Walter; parents-in-law, Wayne and Patricia Cripe; sister-in-law, Delores (Jerry) Scaggs; brothers-in-law, Richard Essam and Eugene (Katherine) Cripe.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Beatrice with Father Leo Kosch, Celebrant. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice with military rites. Rosary will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Fox Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Wednesday from noon until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family's choice. www.foxfuneralhome.net Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.
Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1116 N. 19th Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
402-223-4096
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for William Vrtiska
Sponsored by Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Beatrice.
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Marlene mailahn chirnside
January 22, 2026
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Beatrice1116 N 19th St, Beatrice, NE 68310
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