Dorothy (Policky) Vanis was born June 1, 1931, in Bee, to Leonard John and Wilma Stazie (Pelan) Policky and passed away Nov. 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 Aug. 3, 1953, at Fort Pickett, in Blackstone, Virginia, 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 Oct. 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), infant brother, Eldon Policky, Edward (Ed) Policky and Donald (Don) 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, Missouri, Fred Vanis, Jr. (Joleen Noxon, significant other) of Ulysses, Pat Vanis of Lincoln, Barb Vanis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tony (Jackie) Vanis of Seward, Sharon Vanis of Gilbert, Arizona, Tami (Bruce) Lavicky of Papillion, and Dori (Dan) Austin of Davenport, Iowa; brother, Leslie (Theresa) Policky of Woodstock, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Kathy Policky of Seward, Jan Policky of North Carolina 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.
Visitation is Thursday, Nov. 14, from 1 – 7 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses with interment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Ulysses. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
