Charles Vrbas

Friday, April 24, 2009

March 15, 1923 - April 22, 2009

PALISADE -- Charles J. Vrbas passed away at the family farm home near Palisade on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

He was born in Beardsley, Kan., on March 15, 1923, to Frank and Mary (Bartosovsky) Vrbas. He attended a country school near Beardsley through the eight grade.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 10. 1944 and served in Germany during World War II. He received a honorable discharge on July 2, 1946. He was a member of the American Legion Post 318 for 38 years.

On Sept. 13, 1948, Charles married Mary Keeney in McCook. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with their family on the farm in September 2008.

They farmed south of Trenton until 1966, when they moved north of Palisade. To this union seven children were born.

He enjoyed his family, farming and ranching. He enjoyed carpentry work and working with his hands, he built many houses and used his welding skills to build machinery and necessary farm items.

In his spare time he enjoyed playing cards, cooking, fishing and watching his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Preceding him in death were his mother and father; son, Lawrence Vrbas; four brothers, Frank, William, Bernard and Raymond; and six sisters, Helen, Alice, Antoinette, Gertrude, Martha and Frances.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of 60 years; his children, daughter-in-law, Susan Vrbas Moreau and husband, Roger of McCook, Thomas Vrbas and wife, Ellen of Oak Harbor, Wash., Dennis Vrbas and wife, Tina of Benkelman, Bryan Vrbas and wife, Julie of Palisade, Jeannie Kressin and husband, Kris of Hayes Center, Tammy Vincent and husband, Paul of Long Island, Kan., Gayle Vrbas and wife, Kathy of Imperial; 17 grandchildren, Ryan Vrbas, Staci Meyers and husband, Jason, Katie Anthony and husband, Dave, Bethany Rolstad and husband, Josh, Christopher Vrbas and wife, Amanda, Tifany Glasco and husband, Terry, Austin Vrbas, Kelsie Vrbas and special friend, Jared Brooks, Heath Vrbas, Kaila and Kirsten Kressin, Zachary, Ian and Shayna Vincent, Ally, Kadin and Ryley Vrbas; and nine great-grandkids.

Visitation is today until 5 p.m. Rosary will be at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton on Sunday, April 26, at 7 p.m., with Father Val Bartek officiating.

A private family inurnment with military honors will be at Fort McPherson Cemetery in Maxwell.

Memorials may be given in his name and sent to Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.