Donald Vrbka

Dr. Donald H. Vrbka, age 90, of Omaha passed away peacefully from stomach cancer at his home on
March 23, surrounded by family. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2021 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church with Reverend Mike Swanton and Reverend Tom Weisbecker officiating.  Interment will be in the All Saints Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard. Masks are required.   T he Mass will be broadcast live on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook page. To access the page, CLICK HERE.

Don was born in Rising City, Nebraska on December 30, 1930. He graduated from Gresham High
School where he was active in sports. He served in the Air Force for four years achieving the rank of
Airman 1st Class and was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany. He received a Bachelor of Science
degree from Doane College where he participated on the track team and in Delta Kappa Pi fraternity.

In 1959 he married Margaret (Peg) Hastreiter of Humphrey, Nebraska at St. Francis Catholic Church and they celebrated
their 62 ^nd anniversary this year. To this union were born four children: Carmen, Gregory, Caroline, and Claudette.

In 1963 he graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University with a Doctor of Veterinary
Science degree. He practiced veterinary medicine with Dr. N. L. Ditman in Winside, Nebraska from
1963-1972 then at Augustin Brothers Feedlot in Shelby, Nebraska. In 1979 he established Platte Valley
Veterinary Clinic in Columbus, Nebraska with Dr. John Claus. They were joined in 1990 by Dr. Phil
Buhman.

Don was active in numerous clubs and volunteer organizations including: Catholic Prison Ministry, St.
Bonaventure Men's Choir, Knights of Columbus (4th degree), Nebraska Veterinarian Association
(President 1993), Elks Club, Rotary Club, Cursillo Movement, Church lector, CCD instructor, Columbus
Dance Club, and Toastmasters. He was chairman of Winside Old Settlers Centennial Celebration with
over 10,000 in attendance. Honors include Nebraska Veterinarian of the Year and Columbus Telegram
Father of the Year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Vrbka and Tillie (Sedlak) Vrbka Navratil; brothers
Leonard (Lois) Vrbka, Raymond (Betty) Vrbka and Laverne Vrbka; brothers-in law Pat Patterson,
Carroll (Susan) Hastreiter, Gene Hastreiter; sisters-in laws, Bonnie (Lloyd) Whipple, and Lou Ann
Hastreiter. Survivors include wife, Margaret "Peg" Vrbka; sister, Evelyn Patterson; brothers, Gary
(Candy) Vrbka and Bob (Dottie) Vrbka; sisters-in law, Leona Hastreiter and Polly Vrbka; and brother-in
law, Tony (Elka) Hastreiter. He is also survived by his children: Carmen (Charles) Mebus of East Lyme,
Connecticut; Greg (Nancy) Vrbka, Caroline (Ralph) Juliano, and Claudette Vrbka all of Omaha;
grandchildren: Alissa Mebus (Nikhil Sikand), Rachael Mebus (Julian Casteneda), Paige Mebus (T. J.
Jann), Olivia and Nicholas Vrbka, and Joseph and Jack Juliano; nieces, nephews, and a host of other
relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Bonaventure Catholic Church.