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Edward J. Vukelich
Edward J. Vukelich
Obituary
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Edward Vukelich Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Ruth Cook Olson
April 21, 2007
How little did I know that my favorite high school teacher in 1956 and 1957 was only 11 years older than I. He was so nice to this very naive teenager who at the time was not too well accepted. Vuk did and always challenged anyone who treated others badly. I have never forgotten him.
Bob and Bev Trafton
March 18, 2007
We were on vacation at the time of Ed's death. We were very sorry to hear of his passing when we got home. Our thoughts are with you Mel and your family.
Craig Dormanen
March 13, 2007
It was comforting for me as a teenager and a friend of Steve’s to go over to his house. I never told him this, but I really admired Mr Vuk as a dad. At the time my father wasn't around much and my stepfather hadn’t quite warmed up to me yet. When our group went over to Steve’s, Mr Vuk always looked like he was genuinely happy to see us guys and always good-naturedly gave us a hard time about something. For me it was the fact that he thought my hair was too long.
One time, when I was going to college up on the Range, I was driving down with a girlfriend to go to a party in Brooklyn Center. A drunk driver was going the wrong way on 35W and almost ran into me head-on. As it was, he did a lot of damage to my little sports car. Steve came out from the party to get me and my girlfriend in Wyoming MN, and took us to his place after the party.
Mr and Mrs Vuk let us stay the night. Mrs Vuk made me the best Denver sandwich in the morning that I have ever had. Mr Vuk helped me make the car drivable to get home that day. And, as he was want to do, he gave me some advice. In this case it was to buy a bigger car.
I was fortunate enough to fish with Mr Vuk and deer hunt with him one season, (the season Steve got the two bucks that are on either side of his fireplace—but that’s another story). Mr Vuk is the kind of guy that a deer party should be built around. I probably learned more about deer hunting, and just being a guy, then I have learned in any other deer camp I’ve been a part of—by a long shot.
I’ll miss Mr Vuk and I truly wish I could have spent more time around him.
janice wrzos
March 10, 2007
Dear Mel, Bruce, Mary Jo, Judy, Steve and families,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Ed was a great neighbor and friend growing up. He always had a smile and a hello when ever i saw him in the yard. I have many fond memories of living next door. And from the entries of this guest book Ed was a favorite amongst many. My sympathies to all of you. I am sorry I was unable to attend his memorial. You are in my thoughts during this difficult time. All my love to you all,
Janice
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Jenelle (Sendek) Nelson
March 9, 2007
Bruce and Sue - I am sorry for the loss of your dad. I did not know him but reading the wonderful comments he definately touched many lives. You are in my thoughts.
Monica Gleason Keding
March 8, 2007
Dear Vukelich family, I was lucky enough to have Mr. Vukelich as a teacher and as a family friend. My dad taught with Mr. Vukelich and he was godfather to my sister. I had Mr. Vukelich for Family in my senior year, he could always make us think and could always make us laugh. I have many fond memories of your beloved husband, dad and grandpa. As a kid and into my adulthood, he told me I didn't have to call him Mr.Vukelich, that we were family and I could call him Ed. To this day I can't do it, in utmost respect and love, he will always be Mr. Vukelich to me. Such a dear and kind man, such a wonderful teacher and friend to my mother and father. We have lost a special treasure, may your memories of this wonderful man help you at this time. I am so sorry for your loss.
Debi, Pat, and Dan NTE Forest Lake, MN
March 8, 2007
Steve, Lori, and the girls.
Our thoughts are with you during your time of loss.
Kerri & Aaron Jacobson
March 8, 2007
Dear Vukelich family,
We were sorry to hear about your loss of such a wonderful loving Husband, Father, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and friend. As I read thru this guest book, it definitly shows what he meant to so many people and what an inspiration he had for life. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May his memories, love, inspiration, and laughter forever bring you comfort.
Joe
March 8, 2007
Dear Bruce, Sue and Family,
Your father has the unique opportunity to touch hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives during his teaching career. May the knowledge that his grace, love and passion continues to grow in the lives of so many others he has mentored ease your burdens and provide you with fond memories and a warm, gentle reassurance.
Molly Baatz
March 7, 2007
Grandpa,
You were and still are a great inspiration. Like many other people, you have taught so many great life lessons to me. You would always tell me how proud of me you were, that always meant a lot, and was always very comforting to hear. I will never forget times up at the cabin with all of the family and you. You are considered one of my hero’s for so many reasons. You always knew how teach me to be disciplined, make my own decisions, and how to work hard. You also taught me to just let the little things go and just smile about it. You always supported me and my decisions. Your smile and laugh always would make me smile and laugh. I will never forget you, and you will ALWAYS be in my thoughts.
Love you!
Molly
Dan & Sue Begin
March 7, 2007
Dear Steve, Lori and family,
We are so sad to hear about your dad. May the love and memories fill your hearts and help you through this time. Please know that your family is in our thoughts & prayers.
John Vukelich
March 7, 2007
Aunti Mel,Bruce ,Mary Jo, Judy, Steve,and family,please accept my condolences for the loss of a great man and super uncle.I will always remember the times at your house and up at your cabin.He always had a way of lighting up the room with a laugh or one of his stories.He will be missed but will live on in our hearts and memories.God bless.
Pastor Judith Hazen
March 7, 2007
Bruce and Sue,
My deepest condolences as you mourn the loss of a person very important in both of your lives. Please know that we love you and will continue to pray for you.
Pastor Judith
Clayton and Mayvis Smith
March 6, 2007
Bruce,Sue,Ali,Jenney,Eddie and Nolan
May God give you strength as you continue your journey through life without your loved one.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your
father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Sharon Koch (nee Landberg)
March 6, 2007
To the Vukelich and LaKosky families - I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Eddie passing. Every kid on 4th Street growing up knew who Uncle Eddie was! Imagine how special I felt when I had him as a teacher at Columbia Heights HS because I knew him as UNCLE EDDIE! I have great memories of your Father/Uncle. He was definitely a credit to the teaching profession and provided wonderful lessons in life.
March 6, 2007
Steve,Lori and girls,
Please except our sympathy and prayers at your father's and Grandpa's passing. We are thinking and praying for your whole family.
NTE Blaine store
Jeremy Rancour
March 6, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
JODI,MIKE,TAYLOR,EMMA ADKISSON
March 6, 2007
OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY!! LOSING A LOVED ONE IS VERY HARD..... WE ARE THINKING OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! YOUR GRANDPA WAS VERY LOVED!! WE ARE TRUELY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Laura Vukelich
March 5, 2007
Grandpa,
You are a hero of mine. You always had something to say, and another tall tale to tell. We could go to you for anything. You taught me many life lessons i would never have learned on my own. You inspire me everyday to live life to the fullest. and to just sit back and laugh once and a while...your smile and laugh was one i will never forget. You were always smiling! You have been a wonderful grandpa and truly a huge role model in my life. You may not be here with us physically but i know you are here spiritually..i also know you will always be here. Thanks for making this world a little bit better palce to be..I love you!!!
-Your little Shadow!
Bill Podany
March 5, 2007
I am a 1964 graduate of Columbia Heights High School. Currently, I am retired in Knoxville, TN. I always admired Mr. Vukelich as a teacher and as a role model. I shall always remember his bombastic personality and style. No one in his classes ever clossed the line, and we all respected that descilpline. My father, Joe Podany, was Police Captain and Investigator for the CHHS Police Department, and his favorite contact in the school system was Ed Vukelich; they had a strong mutual respect for each other regarding students'who were "getting off track." I fondly remember his positive impact on all, and may God Bless Mr. V and his fmaily. America today needs more Mr. V's.
Bill Podany
Elaine Morrow
March 5, 2007
Mr. Vukelich was an exceptional high school teacher whose students remember him well. He was even invited to our class reunions -- and there weren't many we wanted to share them with! (We are 1959 graduates.) I've never forgotten his response when I asked for the answer to the only question I missed on a test. He said "If I tell you, you'll forget it. But if you research it and find the answer yourself, you'll always remember." He was always challenging us to be better. May you all be comforted by the wonderful years you had with a very special person.
Allison Vukelich
March 5, 2007
Grandpa,
Your love, kindess, and support has meant so much to me and has impacted my life deeply. You always had the best advice to share, a story to tell, and a joke to crack at the right moment. I am grateful to have had you as my grandpa and you will be missed by the many you positively impacted as a teacher, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. Thank you grandpa for the many teachings you shared with me. I love you and will continue to carry you with me always. Love, Alli
Darrel Nelson
March 5, 2007
Bruce, Sue and Girls and all the Vukelich Family. Ed will be so missed by all. The Good Lord called Ed home as he had need for a great friend and teacher. As an extended part of the family Mom and I will miss him also and his teasing of Mom being such a Swede from Sisconsin. Grama and Grampa Nelson
Great Grandpa (Ed), Grandpa (Bruce) and Nolan!
March 5, 2007
A doting great grandfather as well!
March 5, 2007
Tom Vukelich
March 5, 2007
Uncle Ed - strong character - brilliant smile - witty sense of humor - dedicated family man - rugged outdoorsman - loving Uncle - you are loved and missed! Blessings!
Steve Mason
March 5, 2007
Ed was my home room teacher and one of the greatest people I ever met. He taught me to be respectful and be a credit to school,family and friends. May God bless him, his family and his many friends. Class of 1964
Christine Cannon
March 5, 2007
Grand-pa-pa, your unyeilding advice, love, compassion and support will continue to lead me on my journey>> and I am grateful for that. Much Love, tiney-bopper
At their new home!
March 4, 2007
singing happy birthday! his voice is one we will never forget!
March 4, 2007
Grandpa and Grandma with each of their precious grandchildren
March 4, 2007
His last Birthday...79!
March 4, 2007
The Vukelich Clan
Jennifer Adkisson
March 4, 2007
You were (and still are in our hearts) a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and human being. You will be missed dearly. We love you Grandpa....Love, Jen-a-Fred
Gary Paulson
March 4, 2007
Mr. Vukelich was indeed a fine teacher and person. He related kindly to all students and was always a professional in the classroom. He was a credit to his profession and we were fortunate to have been included in his teaching career. Gary Paulson
Another Christmas Memory
March 4, 2007
Grandpa/dad a couple of years ago on Christmas Eve.
March 4, 2007
D DeMars
March 4, 2007
I remember so well the day Mr. V stood in front of our social studies class and wanted to impress upon all of us the urgency of protecting the environment. He was going on about the potential environmental danger of selling toilet paper that was dyed different colors. With a straight face he said to us, "White toilet paper, colored toilet paper, on the whole it's all the same." May God bless the soul of Mr. V.
Dan Croley
March 4, 2007
Please accept my condolences and know that the thoughts of many will be with all of you, as you go through this difficult time in preparing to celebrate Ed’s life.
Mr. V, or should I say Mr. Vukelich, dedicated many years of teaching at Columbia Heights and I count myself as one of those lucky enough to have benefited from his leadership, guidance, instruction and the role model that he represented to all.
Someone once wrote “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” I suspect that Ed would be one of the first among us to second that for all of us.
Daniel Croley
Columbia Heights – Class of 1959
Dan Croley
415.205.5120
[email protected]
Don Foster
March 4, 2007
Steve and Lori
So sorry to read of your father's passing. I understand what a difficult time this may be for you. It gives us pause to reflect on our brief time here, and to appreciate our blessings while we have the opportunity. Wishing you well. Fawn and Don Foster
Willis Woyke
March 4, 2007
Mr. Vukelich was my social studies teacher at Columbia Heights Senior High. He was well liked by the students. One of my high school memories is the time before class when he told us students that he never changed the oil in his cars (this at a time when you were supposed to change the oil every 3,000 miles), and yet one of the cars had over 100,000 miles on it. Funny what the mind remembers! It's something I'm sure I'll never forget, and I'll always think of him fondly.
Debi Ranocur
March 3, 2007
Mel and family, Over the years you have been more than neighbors, you are family. We asked you to be our daughters Godparents and always you were there for Heidi, what an honor to have so much influence and love from such wonderful people as you and Ed showed her. I will miss Ed, but I know Kevin is showing him all over Heaven and now they can continue their deep rich and brotherly friendship together among the angels. Ed's kindness, devotion and love will live forever in our family. Our love and deepest sympathy to you. Love to you all, Debi and family
Pastor Jerry O'Neill
March 3, 2007
Dear Bruce and Family,
All of us at Cross of Glory will be lifting you up in our thoughts and prayers as you prepare to celebrate Ed's life at the funeral service this coming Thursday. God's peace!
Anne Hajek
March 3, 2007
We are very sorry to hear of Ed's passing, as our memories are all of such a wonderful, great guy who always had a wonderful story for everyone!! We wish we could be with all of you, and want you to know that our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Anne and Doug Hajek and family
Anne Hajek
March 3, 2007
We are very sorry to hear of Ed's passing, as our memories are all of such a wonderful, great guy who always had a wonderful story for everyone!! We wish we could be with all of you, and want you to know that our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Anne and Doug Hajek and family
Mark Vukelich & family
March 3, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I have fond memories of times spent with Uncle Ed & family over the years, especially when we were growing up.
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