Eugene Gaylord Vejraska departed his earthly life and entered Heaven on August 19, 2014. He passed away peacefully at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska, with family at his side. He was 83 years old.
Gene was born to Lillian (Hamouz) and James Vejraska on August 5, 1931, on a farm just northwest of Tobias, NE. His family moved to a farm north of Ohiowa, NE when he was 3 years old, where he grew up along with siblings Melvin, Jim and Kathryn and attended rural school through the eighth grade. Gene attended high school in Tobias, living with his maternal grandparents, and helped his grandfather and uncles operate the family service station and fuel business, both during his high school years, and after his graduation. He graduated from Tobias High School in 1948. It was during that time that he met his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 59 years, Elinor Adele Roesler. Through his relationship with Elinor, Gene came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. He was baptized and confirmed into the faith at Zion Lutheran Church, southeast of Tobias, in 1952.
Gene was inducted into the United States Army on October 22,1952, and served with distinction as an infantryman in the Korean War. On July 16,1953, at Kumwha, North Korea, he was injured severely by the explosion of an enemy mortar shell during combat operations. By God’s grace, he survived the explosion and was transported first to Tokyo, Japan, then back to the United States. He was hospitalized at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, where he underwent surgeries, treatment and rehabilitation for 6 months. Gene was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his combat wounds, along with a Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, a National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal, and received an honorable discharge from the Army on March 31,1954, with full disability retirement benefits. He lived with physical pain, difficulties and limitations from his combat injury for the rest of his life, but he didn’t let those limitations stop him from pursuing his goals and dreams, and from living a rich, full life. He attended pharmacy school at the University of Nebraska on the GI bill, and was an avid Cornhusker fan for the rest of his life.
Gene and Elinor were married at Zion Lutheran Church on August 20, 1954. It is very exciting to contemplate the anniversary celebration that they may have enjoyed mere hours after they were reunited in Heaven, after a little more than a year apart. They lived in Lincoln from August, 1954, until July, 1959, while Gene attended pharmacy school.
Elinor and Gene were blessed with three children to their marriage, Scott Douglas in September of 1957, Mark Thomas in May of 1959, and Beth Deanne in January of 1961. During the early years of Gene’s pharmacy practice, the young family lived at Beatrice, NE from July, 1959, until August of 1964, then in Kimball, NE until August of 1967, in Gordon, NE until August 1970, and finally in Alliance, NE, where Elinor and Gene resided since establishing Gene’s Pharmacy Inc., which they owned and operated together until their retirement and the sale of the business, in January of 2001.
Elinor and Gene raised their children in the Christian faith, and Gene was a faithful servant of God and his church. He served in multiple leadership capacities in all of his church congregations. He also gave of his time and talents in many civic groups, including the Jaycees, the ESU 13 school board, and the Alliance Parks board. Gene served as a volunteer at Box Butte General Hospital following his retirement.
Gene was a devoted husband and businessman, father, and grandfather, and took great interest and pride in the activities and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Following their retirement, Elinor and Gene were regular fixtures at the Hay Springs High School sporting activities of their “local” grandsons. They also traveled as much as they could to take part in the activities of their grandchildren in New York and Colorado. Gene was an avid and accomplished cook. Grandpa’s spaghetti always was in demand as the opening night entrée for any visit from his Colorado grandchildren. Gene loved to hunt and fish, and overcame the “handicap” of a fused right elbow to become quite accomplished at both. He shared his love for those pursuits with his children and grandchildren, and several of them have become equally passionate and accomplished. His roots in and love for farming translated into beautiful and productive gardens and a strong interest in the family farm his son Scott and daughter-in-law JoElla ran for many years. He pursued excellence in his pharmacy practice and business, and his love for the profession has been passed on to two children and multiple grandchildren.
Gene is survived by his children Scott (JoElla) Vejraska of Mirage Flats, NE, Mark (Karen) Vejraska of Grand Junction, CO, and Beth (Tad) D’Ambrosio of Pittsford, NY, grandchildren Heath (Terra) Vejraska of Papillion, NE, Cole Vejraska of Mirage Flats, NE, Andrew and Christian D’Ambrosio of Pittsford, NY, and Paul and Sara Vejraska of Grand Junction, CO, and great grandchildren, Karsyn and Jack Vejraska of Papillion, NE. He also is survived by his sister, Kathryn (John Randall) Freeman of Geneva, NE, brother, Jim (Jan) Vejraska of Sun City West, AZ, brother-in-law Gerald O. Roesler of Valparaiso, IN, sister-in-law, Norma Jean Holtmeier of Omaha, NE, sister-in-law Esther Roesler, of Western, NE, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Melvin Vejraska, brother-in-law, Edward D. Roesler, sister-in-law, Rose Roesler, mother and father-in-law, Caroline (Lena) and Edward Roesler, and granddaughter, Kalea Vejraska.
Gene is and will be mourned and missed, but we lift up thanks that he is with our Lord and Savior, and with many friends and loved ones whom he has missed.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. Martin Schnare and Rev. Richard Mueller will officiate. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium.
Memorials may be given to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Box Butte General Hospital Foundation, or Jane’s Closet. Memorials may be sent to, 4246 450th Road, Hay Springs, NE 69347.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.