Clara Ann (Krikava) Vrtiska

Clara Ann (Krikava) Vrtiska, 96 years of age, of Beatrice passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation. She was born on August 1, 1929 on a farm south of Virginia to August and Anna (Dezort) Krikava. Clara attended grade school at a country school and Virginia School, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1947. Clara married Charles “Chuck” Vrtiska on June 5, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burchard. After her children were of school age, she worked mainly as a bookkeeper for several retail stores and at Evergreen Home Cemetery from 1955 to 1991 where Chuck was the sexton. Clara was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and spent her leisure time making quilts and crocheting doilies and afghans, often gifting them to family and friends.

Clara is survived by her children, Mary Theasmeyer and husband Bob of Gothenburg, Elaine Essam and husband John, Diane Barnard and husband Gail, both of Beatrice, Janelle Keller and husband Rick of Topeka, Kansas, Dave Vrtiska and wife Judy of Wymore; 16 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Mike Vrtiska and wife Carol of Beatrice; sister-in-law, Betty Bedea and husband Gary of Table Rock; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chuck on September 19, 2002; son, Ron; grandson, James Essam; and brothers, Ernest, Eddie and Kenneth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beatrice with Father Leo Kosch as Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. A rosary will be held at 10 AM Wednesday at the church. Closed casket visitation will be held from 1 to 8 PM Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Memorials are suggested to Cottonwood Hospice in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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