Vaclav John "v.j." Rozanek

Vaclav John "V.J." Rozanek

West Des Moines

Vaclav John "V.J." Rozanek, 47, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was called home to his dear lord on Friday May 30 after a severe asthma attack.

V.J. was born October 13, 1966 in Fremont, Nebraska. He graduated from Judson High School in Arizona. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and graduated from the Kansas City School of Mortuary Science.

V.J. was an extraordinary athlete, still holding track and downhill snow skiing records from his school days. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of David City, Nebraska, and the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered for the Lincoln Sertoma Club, the American Cancer Society, and the West Des Moines Community School District.

He worked as a loading supervisor for UPS in Des Moines, and spent time in management at Casey's General Stores in Des Moines, and at Knott Funeral Home in David City, Nebraska. V.J. could fix or do just about anything, and he demonstrated that by his many varied interests. He will be fondly remembered by so many who worked with him.

He was an avid football fan and enjoyed NASCAR racing. He was happiest when the Cornhuskers and Tony Stewart won. He loved listening to Elvis and Gavin DeGraw with his daughter.

Family and friends were so important to V.J. He lived his life to help others and his strong faith was a guiding force in all he did. He was a rare soul who really tried to listen, never stopped learning, and never gave up. His daughter was the light of his life. He will forever be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched.

V.J. is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Hope; his partner, Laura Wright; his father and stepmother, Rod and Teresa Rozanek; his sister, Dawn Caspers; his brother and sister- in-law, R.A. and Gina Rozanek; sister-in-law Heather Wright; his nieces, Alexandra Caspers, Tarynn Rozanek, Shalynn Rozanek, and Josie Wright; his nephews, Logan Rozanek, Ethan Rozanek, and Ronnie Caspers, and many other friends and family members throughout the country who loved him and will cherish their time with him.

V.J. was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Claire Vesely Rozanek, and his grandparents, Adolph and Elsa Rozanek, and other beloved family and friends he is catching up with now.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 5, from 2-9 pm with a Rosary beginning at 8pm at Wadlow Rozanek Funeral Home, 5200 R Street, Lincoln. Family will be receiving relatives and friends from 6-8 pm.

A funeral service will be held at 1 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 840 South 17th Street in Lincoln, on Friday June 6.

Memorial contributions may be made to The V.J.Rozanek Memorial Fund FBO Kathryn Hope Rozanek; Iowa State Bank, 3601 E.P. True Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50265, or the American Lung Association.