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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Dorothy
Vanis
June 1, 1931 – November 3, 2024
Dorothy (Policky) Vanis was born on June 1, 1931, in Bee, Nebraska, Seward County to Leonard John and Wilma Stazie (Pelan) Policky and passed away on November 3, 2024. Dorothy lived on the family farm near Bee and attended District 28 Country School.
Upon completion of school, Dorothy worked for Johnson's Café in Seward and there she met her future husband, Fred Vanis. Dorothy and Fred were married on August 3, 1953, at Fort Pickett, in Blackstone, Virginia while Fred was in the Army. Once Fred returned home, he and Dorothy made their 'forever home' on their farm in Butler County.
Dorothy worked for many years helping with the farm and raising their eight children. At such a time all eight children were school age, Dorothy began her full-time position with Walker Manufacturing in Seward. Dorothy retired from Walker Manufacturing after 15 years when she reached age 65, and spent retirement with Fred, going to Bingo, or dancing or just taking a ride to "look at the beans."
Fred and Dorothy relocated to David Place in David City in October 2016, where they resided together until Fred's passing on October 12, 2022.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Wilma Policky; her husband, Fred Vanis of 69 years; five brothers, Victor (Vic), Robert (Bob), infant brother, Eldon Policky, Edward (Ed) Policky and Donald (Don) Policky; sister, Lorraine Rezac; brother-in-law, Elmer Rezac; sisters-in-law, Amy Policky and Helen Policky.
Also preceding in death were her in-laws, Ray Vanis, Vincent Vanis, Jr., Julius Vanis, Henry Vanis, Joe Vanis and Ted Vanis; sisters-in-law, Eliska Vanis, Martha Shonka, Tillie Danaher, Eleanor Rezac, Georgia Palmer and Bibianna Schmillen; one great-granddaughter, Kinsley Lynn Wahr.
Survivors include her children, Deb (Rich) Besse of Columbia, Missouri, Fred Vanis, Jr. (Joleen Noxon, significant other) of Ulysses, Pat Vanis of Lincoln, Barb Vanis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tony (Jackie) Vanis of Seward, Sharon Vanis of Gilbert, Arizona, Tami (Bruce) Lavicky of Papillion, and Dori (Dan) Austin of Davenport, Iowa; brother, Leslie (Theresa) Policky of Woodstock, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Kathy Policky of Seward, Jan Policky of North Carolina and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Dorothy had 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Grandchildren: Brock Besse, Brittany Besse (Rob) Wahr, Martina Vanis, Rachelle Vanis (TJ) Hansen, RaNae Muenchrath, Kaleen Vanis, Nathan (Kristen) Vanis, Garrett (Ashley) Vanis, Spencer Lavicky, Easton Lavicky, Dane Lavicky, Trent Lavicky, Tashington Austin, Brogan Austin, Chandler Austin and Amara Austin.
Great-grandchildren: Hunter Muenchrath, Jackson Hansen, Layken Hansen, Kennedy Wahr, Liam Vanis, Aiden Vanis and Joseph James Vanis-Lopez.
To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Dorothy. A memorial fund has been established in Dorothy's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation.
Visitation
Zabka - Perdue Funeral Home - Seward
1:00 - 7:00 pm
Family Receiving Friends
Zabka - Perdue Funeral Home - Seward
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Rosary
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Starts at 1:30 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Starts at 2:00 pm
Graveside Services and Interment
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Ulysses
Starts at 3:15 pm
Visits: 0
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