Arnelda Irene Kepka

Arnelda Irene Buras Kepka, of Dorrance, KS, passed away on April 28, 2024, at the Wilson Care & Rehab, at the age of 96. She was born on July 17, 1927, to Walter and Florence (Glazik) Buras in Omaha, NE. Arnelda married Raymond Anton Kepka on August 22, 1953, at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Omaha. They were blessed with 7 children: Pamela, Debra, Henry, Michael, Ray Jr., John, and Paulla.
Arnelda grew up in Omaha and graduated from South Omaha High School in 1945. Her last year of high school she also worked at Boys Town personalizing letters. She was a secretary for the Board of Education at Joslyn Castle for three years and was a secretary/payroll supervisor for Tumpane for five years. She then left the big city and all her family and friends to move to a small farm in the middle of Kansas where she raised her family with great joy, never complaining about having to leave Omaha.
Arnelda was a woman of deep love and devotion, and her faith in God was not only a constant source of strength for herself, but also for her family and friends. She was such a caring person who always thought more about others than herself. Her pride and joy were her children and she watched over them like a mother hen watching over her chicks. Arnelda spent much of her time in the kitchen cooking and baking cookies for her family. She also spent a lot of time patching clothing and writing letters to her numerous extended family members, never missing a birthday acknowledgement for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Arnelda will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the celebration of her life and memories will never be forgotten.
Arnelda is survived by her husband of 70 years, Raymond; children, Debra Weber (David) of Holyrood, KS, Henry Kepka (Ruth) of Dorrance, KS, Michael Kepka (Linda) of Dorrance, Ray Kepka Jr. of Dorrance, John Kepka (Sandra) of Owasso, OK, and Paulla Harris (Jerold) of Hays, KS; sister, Lorraine McCrea of Omaha; 14 grandchildren, Carry Suchy (Jamie) Tonganoxie, KS, Corry Kepka (Amber) Topeka, KS, Carmen O'Neal (Jeff) Farley, MO, Cayla Robison (Dustin) Clafin, KS, Cole Kepka (Rikki) Wilson, KS, Paul Weber (Shelle) Holyrood, KS, Matt Weber (Kristen) Lyons, KS, Jordon Kepka (Nicole) Edmond, OK, Kristen Morris (Keith) Yukon, OK, Marc Kepka Owasso, OK, Valerie Ihrig (Darrick) Goodland, KS, Michelle Loffredo (Jake) Lenexa, KS, Patrick Kepka Dorrance, KS, Jason Kepka (Julie) Hays, KS; and 34 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Florence Buras; daughter, Pamela Kepka; and sister, Beverly Martin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Visitation will be Friday 6-8PM with a Vigil Service at 7PM at the church and Saturday 9AM until 10AM.
Memorials are suggested to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or Wilson Care & Rehab and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.