Lloyd F Vrtiska

Lloyd Foale Vrtiska was born on October 12, 1926 to Rudolph and Ida (Foale) Vrtiska on the family farmstead that was homesteaded in 1874 north of Table Rock, Nebraska.  Lloyd lived in the same home he was born in, which was built by his parents in 1925, until his death on January 7, 2017.  Lloyd is survived by his twin brother, Floyd Percy Vrtiska, of Table Rock, NE.  

Lloyd attended Bunker Hill Country School until 8th grade and graduated from Table Rock High School in 1943.  He spent one year in lower grade school in a hospital in Lincoln, having broken his hip on the farm.  He was sent there for recovery and attended classes while in the hospital.  It was a lonely time for him, being separated from his twin, his parents and his friends but he soon caught up with everyone on his return a year later.

Lloyd married Betty (Layden) Vrtiska on October 24, 1948 at the Methodist Church in Table Rock, NE and celebrated 62 years of marriage until Betty's death in 2011.  She was the love of his life.  Lloyd and Betty spent many weekends square dancing, polka dancing, playing cards, movies, and visiting family.  Polka music was Lloyd's passion.  They also traveled across the United States on many vacations throughout their marriage and frequented Branson, MO on a regular basis.  Lloyd was a great steward of the land and loved farming, having received the 100 year Family Homestead Award in 1974 and the WOW-TV Farm Family of the month award in 1965.  He and his twin brother farmed together for 70 years as well as raising purebred Hereford cattle in their operation.  He was a lifetime member of the American Hereford Assn.  Lloyd was also a Surveyor, beginning this trade with his friend and neighbor, Orville Howe.  Lloyd continued to survey well into his retirement and willingly shared a wealth of history about Southeast Nebraska from his discoveries.  Lloyd also celebrated 50 years as NOAA weather bureau observer, possessing the oldest set of weather records in Nebraska.  He was honored with various awards for his contributions in weather recording.  Lloyd left this earth better than he found it.  

Lloyd was a giving person and loved volunteering by helping others in many ways.  He received the honorary award of Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska for his many charitable contributions.  Lloyd's services included:  Boy Scout Leader; Webelos Cub Master; Bunker Hill School Board Treas.; Advisory Board for Table Rock School's new construction; 50 years Table Rock Rural Fire Board Secy/Treas; FHA Board Chairman; and served on the Rural Water District Board.

Lloyd was a faithful and religious man.  He was an active member of the Table Rock United Methodist Church for over 60 years, serving in many capacities.  He belonged to the Methodist Men, was a Sunday School Superintendent and MYF youth leader, Sunday School teacher and Treasurer for over 20 years. He loved teaching the youth and sharing his faith.  Lloyd loved God.

Lloyd was truly dedicated as a Mason, belonging to the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years and served in the Grand Lodge and as a Grand Representative to the State of Illinois.  He belonged to the Sesostris Shrine and the Scottish Rite for over 30 years.  Lloyd was a member of the Railroad Club, the Sesostris Roadrunners and the Shriner Clowns.  His clown name was "POPS" and was loved by all those he entertained.  He was a master balloon maker and shared many animals and object designs with people everywhere he went.  Lloyd appeared at numerous Shrine Bowl games, Shrine Circuses, parades, schools and hospitals.  Everyone loved "POPS".  He was proudly awarded "Clown of the Year" by the Shriners in 2007.  Lloyd's proudest contribution was with the Roadrunners...delivering many crippled children throughout the years to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, MN.  Lloyd helped many and was loved by many.

Lloyd never knew a stranger but a stranger soon knew Lloyd.  He will be missed by those that knew him.  Lloyd was a family man and dearly loved his children and grandchildren.  The grandkids called him "Grandpa Tiska." He was thrilled when they came to visit and he always had a magic trick up his sleeve for them.  

Lloyd is survived by his three children, Gloria (Larry) Joy of York, Joy (Donald) Robison of Tecumseh and Jerry (Sandra) Vrtiska of Table Rock, grandchildren, Steven (Tina) Hunzeker, York, Wesley (Kris) Hunzeker, Nebraska City, Dana Hunzeker, Lincoln, Ryan (Paula) Wiese, Waverly, Gretchen (Corey) Hess, Lincoln, John (Laura) Vrtiska, Cedar Creek, Julie (Brandon) Stake, Burchard, great-grandchildren, Jaiden Verhage, Aleyah Hunzeker, Krynne Hunzker, Cooper Hunzeker, Nolan Wiese, Jolee Wiese, Beau Hess, Neely Hess, Noelle Hess and Candace Stake.  Lloyd and Betty also welcomed Gary Bedea as a young man into their home.  Lloyd is also survived by his twin brother and best friend/partner in life, Floyd Vrtiska of Table Rock and brothers-in-law, Larry (Maria) Layden of Lincoln and Shad Gager of Table Rock, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.  

Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Vrtiska, parents, Rudolph and Ida Vrtiska, father and mother-in-law, J.C. and Dorothy Layden, sister and brother-in-law, Floreine and Andrew Schultz, brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Marian Schwartz, brother and sister-in-law, Rudolph, Jr. and Eloise Vrtiska, sisters-in-law, Doris (Mrs. Floyd) Vrtiska and Lois (Mrs. Shad) Gager, and sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Earl Wilcox. 

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Table Rock, Nebraska with Pastors John Henderson and Dean Joy officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Table Rock, Nebraska. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

Interment will be in the Table Rock Cemetery, Table Rock, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be given to Shriners Children Hospital Transportation Fund or the Table Rock United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to www.wherrymortuary.com.

Wherry Mortuary-Humboldt, Nebraska (402) 862-2915.
 

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