Dorothy Vanis

1931 - 2024

Dorothy Vanis (Policky)

June 1, 1931 - November 3, 2024

Dorothy (Policky) Vanis, was born on June 1, 1931, in Bee, NE, Seward County to Leonard John and Wilma Stazie (Pelan) Policky and passed away on November 3, 2024. Dorothy lived on the family farm near Bee and attended District 28 Country School.

Upon completion of school, Dorothy worked for Johnson's Café in Seward and there she met her future husband, Fred Vanis. Dorothy and Fred, were married on August 3, 1953, at Fort Pickett, in Blackstone, VA, while Fred was in the Army. Once Fred returned home, he and Dorothy made their 'forever home' on their farm in Butler County.

Dorothy worked for many years helping with the farm and raising their eight children. At such a time all eight children were school age, Dorothy began her full-time position with Walker Manufacturing in Seward. Dorothy retired from Walker Manufacturing after 15 years when she reached age 65, and spent retirement with Fred, going to Bingo, or dancing or just taking a ride to "look at the beans."

Fred and Dorothy relocated to David Place in David City in October 2016, where they resided together until Fred's passing on October 12, 2022.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Wilma Policky; her husband, Fred Vanis, of 69 years; five brothers: Victor (Vic,) Robert (Bob,) Edward (Ed) Policky and Donald (Don) Policky; infant brother, Eldon Policky; sister, Lorraine Rezac; brother-in-law, Elmer Rezac; sisters-in-law: Amy Policky, and Helen Policky.

Also preceding in death were her in-laws: Ray Vanis, Vincent Vanis, Jr., Julius Vanis, Henry Vanis, Joe Vanis, and Ted Vanis; sisters-in-law: Eliska Vanis, Martha Shonka, Tillie Danaher, Eleanor Rezac, Georgia Palmer, and Bibianna Schmillen; one great-granddaughter, Kinsley Lynn Wahr.

Survivors include her children: Deb (Rich) Besse, of Columbia, MO, Fred Vanis Jr. (significant other, Joleen Noxon,) of Ulysses, Pat Vanis, of Lincoln, Barb Vanis, of Colorado Springs, CO, Tony (Jackie) Vanis, of Seward, Sharon Vanis, of Gilbert, AZ, Tami (Bruce) Lavicky, of Papillion, and Dori (Dan) Austin, of Davenport, IA; brother, Leslie (Theresa) Policky, of Woodstock, GA; sisters-in-law, Kathy Policky, of Seward, Jan Policky, of NC; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dorothy had 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Grandchildren: Brock Besse, Brittany Besse (Rob) Wahr, Martina Vanis, Rachelle Vanis (TJ) Hansen, RaNae Muenchrath, Kaleen Vanis, Nathan (Kristen) Vanis, Garrett (Ashley) Vanis, Spencer Lavicky, Easton Lavicky, Dane Lavicky, Trent Lavicky, Tashington Austin, Brogan Austin, Chandler Austin, and Amara Austin.

Great-grandchildren: Hunter Muenchrath, Jackson Hansen, Layken Hansen, Kennedy Wahr, Liam Vanis, Aiden Vanis, and Joseph James Vanis-Lopez.

To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Dorothy. A memorial fund has been established in Dorothy's memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. A Rosary will be prayed on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 2 p.m. Celebrated by Father Michael Stec.