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Archive for: V

Jeffery Alan Vachal

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Jeffery Alan Vachal – 49 was born on March 11, 1970 in Lincoln NE to Ron & Linda Vachal.  He attended Messiah Lutheran Elementary School, Lincoln Lutheran Jr High, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1988.

He began his career as a mechanic when he was a toddler.  Tearing apart carburetors and “helping” all the other mechanics at the gas station on 48th & Pioneer, operated by his parents. His wealth of knowledge allowed him to become a fine mechanic and wrench on several vehicles including his friend’s sprint cars.  Which created many never-ending friendships that still exist today.  He had a love for NASCAR, drag racing, and especially sprint cars.

Jeff’s truck driving profession included; Pegler’s, Frontier CO-OP, Whitehead Oil Company, Truck It Trucking, and Distribution Inc.

Jeff became a very proud father to Corbin on October 2, 1990 and again to Riley on June 4, 2008.

Jeff fought a very courageous battle with cancer for the last year and a half.  He passed away peacefully on November 13, 2019 at home surrounded by family and friends.

Survivors:  parents; Linda Vachal and Ron Vachal, children; Corbin and Riley, brother; Brad nephews; Carson and Landon, and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration gathering with food and drinks will be held on January 17, 2020 at Sesostris Shrine 1050 Saltillo Rd, Roca NE starting @ 5:00 pm.  Memorials may be given to family for future designation.  For condolences use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Rick Van Dyke

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From Lincoln, Nebraska

Born on April 17, 1959.

Passed away on March 5, 2019.

Service in the near future.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.





Rita Gertrude Becker Vornhagen

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Rita G. (Becker) Vornhagen, 96, Lincoln, died Monday, March 4, 2019. Born in St. Helena, NE, 6/3/1922 to Marcus & Mary (Paltz) Becker. Rita was a caretaker from the time she was young. She took care of local mothers and newborns of relatives and friends. She worked at a small restaurant in Yankton, SD. Then Rita moved to Omaha where she worked in a warehouse and bakery. About a year after that, she married Ray, on her 25th birthday, June 3, 1947 in St. Helena, NE. They moved to Niobrara in the spring of 1948, where they farmed, and Rita always had a HUGE garden. Rita was a long-time member of St. William’s Catholic Church in Niobrara until she moved to Lincoln to be near daughter, Patti.

After years of hosting “Camp Vornhagen” to many nieces and nephews, Ray & Rita welcomed four children into their home: Regina (Jean), Richard, James (Jim), and Patricia (Patti).

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, parents, Marcus & Mary Becker, son, Richard, brothers Donald Becker, Wilford Becker & Florenze Becker and sister Mercedes Becker.

Rita is survived by her children: Patti (Scott) Beasley of Lincoln, Jim (Deanne) Vornhagen of Norfolk and Jean Opitz of Spearfish, SD; her grandchildren: Patrick, Alex (Brianna) & Chris Beasley; Scott, Adam & Jay Vornhagen, Sabelle Opitz, Jamie (Troy) Winslow & Ilise Opitz, Dayleen (Mike) Eiselein & David Vornhagen; and five great-grandchildren: Arielle Opitz-Brownelle, Tehya & Mihari Winslow, Nathan & Markus Eiselein. She is also survived by sisters Rose Marie (Sis) Paulsen of Emerson, Genevieve Scholte of Emerson and Charlotte Wiebelhaus of Omaha, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Those of you who knew Rita cared for her almost as much as we did. Thank you for loving her and filling her heart with joy and laughter over the years. She was one of a kind, and she will be missed. But God needed to fill His garden with this special flower. She is now our Angel, watching over us all and keeping us safe.

Memorial Service on April 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church in Niobrara, Nebraska.   Memorials to the family for future designation.  Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.

God looked around His garden and He found
an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth, and saw
your tired face.
He put His arms around you and lifted
you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He always
takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering; he knew
you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on
earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough and the
hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids, and
whispered, “Peace be thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t
go alone.
For part of us went with you the day God
called you home.

We miss you already…
your loving Family



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Ravona Van Lear

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Age 79

From Lincoln, Nebraska

Born on May 14, 1939.

Passed away on March 22, 2018.

Private service.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

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Pearl L. Vidlak, age 89, of Lincoln, passed away on January 9, 2018, at the Journey House. She was born on September 16th, 1928 in Norfolk, to William and Anna (Borgmeyer) Nicolay.

Pearl is survived by her sister Lorna Fundum of Norfolk, children Lea (Tim Evers) Vidlak of Wilmington, DE, Theresa Crispin of Des Moines, IA and Tony (Cheri) Vidlak of Scottsdale, AZ, grandchildren Alex Evers, Michael Evers, Max Evers, Joe Crispin, Luke Crispin, Denise Mulkey and Capi McLean, 9½ great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Sisters-In-Law, Marge Smith and Mary Vidlak. She was preceded in death by her husband Anton Vidlak and eight brothers and sisters.

Cremation.  No visitation. A memorial service will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church at 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial to the Tabitha Journey House, Southwood Lutheran Church Memorial fund or charity of your choice.  Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.