Elaine Janet Vrana, 95, was born Sept. 3, 1930, near Bee, and passed away in Seward on Dec. 1, 2025.
The fourth child of Albert G. and Flora Flowerday, she grew up on the farm, helping with chores and playing with her brother, Dale. She rode her horse to country school until starting high school in Seward, graduating in 1947. An excellent student, she gave up a scholarship to Doane College, choosing instead to marry a handsome Bohemian fellow from Garland, Verlon K. “Tony” Vrana. They married June 5, 1949, followed by a honeymoon trip to California, the first of many travel adventures over the years.
They lived in Seward those early years, during which time three sons and a daughter were born. They moved to Lincoln in 1958 and then to Washington D.C. in 1962. Elaine worked for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon and then the USDA Forest Service. Returning to Seward in 1980, she worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Lincoln and later as a volunteer at the Soil and Water Conservation Society in Ankeny, Iowa.
Tony and Elaine’s travels took them to all 50 states and much of Europe and North America. This included a road trip to Alaska, camping along the way. They also made a trip to England to meet a second cousin who shared Elaine’s love of genealogy. That interest in family history was something she pursued before the internet, writing many letters while researching.
Elaine was a skilled seamstress, making clothes and quilts for her family. She also embroidered, creating and sharing many beautiful tea towels. She delighted in time with her children and grandchildren, who loved her chocolate chip cookies and cherry pie. An avid reader, she encouraged a love of books in her children. She gardened throughout her life and loved flowers.
Elaine was a devoted wife and mother, supporting Tony 100% and offering unwavering encouragement to her children and grandchildren. She was known for her kind, gracious, and selfless personality (with a little spunk thrown in).
Elaine is survived by her children, Verlon R. Vrana of Richmond, Virginia, Tim (Laura) Vrana of Columbus, Indiana, Carolyn Hughes of Seward, Jon (Mary) Vrana of Burke, Virginia; grandchildren, Julie (John) Owens of Seward, Heather Vrana of Gainesville, Florida, Tony (Zanne) Vrana of Durham, North Carolina, Maggie (Zachariah Schmidt) Vrana of Chicago, Illinois, Anna Vrana of Burke; and great-grandchildren, Sadie and Jack Owens of Seward with another on the way in NC.
Elaine is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Tony, her son-in-law, Ben F. Hughes, her parents, Albert and Flora Flowerday, sister, Joyce Althouse, brothers, Dale Flowerday and William Flowerday, and her mother and father-in-law, Anton and Florence Vrana.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 5, from 1 – 7:30 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11:30 a.m. at the Seward United Methodist Church and inurnment to follow at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seward Memorial Library.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
