Funeral Service for Edward Richard Vrchota, 89, of Veblen, South Dakota will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Veblen, South Dakota with Rev. Fr. Daniel Smith officiating. Music will be provided by the Vrchota Family. Pallbearers will be Chris Vrchota, Troy Dahnert, Jim Vrchota Jr., Nikolas Vrchota, Zach Vrchota, Nate Vrchota, Ben Vrchota, Matt Vrchota, Taylor Feero, Austin Feero, Kat Eng, and Emily Eng. Honorary Pallbearers will be "All of Edwards grandchildren and great-grandchildren". There will be a visitation Friday, November 28, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Veblen, SD there will also be visitation one hour prior to funeral service at the church on Saturday. Military rites will be provided the Eddie Robertson American Legion Post #76. Interment will be in the St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, South Dakota. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, South Dakota is in charge of arrangements.
Edward Richard Vrchota passed away on November 20, 2014. Edward was born the 12th of 15 children to Joseph and Anna (Zahradnik) Vrchota on the family farm near Veblen South Dakota on April 4, 1925. He graduated 8th grade in a one room schoolhouse, then helped out on the family farm before serving his country in World War II in the 101st infantry division of the US Army. He graduated refrigeration school in Portland Oregon, then completed his advanced training in appliance repair at Dunwoody in Minneapolis. He married his sweetheart, Verona Mae Walline, on June 19, 1950. He was a strong but quiet man. They made Richfield MN their home for 50 years, raising 8 children while building an appliance repair business which he owned and operated for 35 years. When he retired, he moved back to South Dakota and purchased the family farm which was homesteaded in 1899.
He was an avid hunter who enjoyed hunting with his family. He welcomed all extended family members and celebrated many family reunions on the homestead. He taught his children love of the outdoors with weekend camping trips and summers on the farm and at Charlie Cimburek's lake cabin. He was an active member of Assumption Catholic Church, and St. John's Catholic Church in Veblen, SD.
Volunteer activities included membership in the Richfield American Legion Post 435, where he served as Post Commander during the year this post became the largest in the world. He has been a legionnaire for over 70 years and was awarded a lifetime membership. Through the legion he participated in the Clown Club for 32 years which suited his fun loving mischievous personality. He loved attending the parades and making dog balloons for the children. He was active in Toastmasters and the Knights of Columbus. In his retirement he served 9 years on the Veblen City Council.
Ed is survived by his children Elizabeth Vrchota of East Bethel, MN, Connie Miller (Tim) of Burnsville, MN, Charles Vrchota (Cindy) of Isanti, MN, Karen Vrchota (Ky) of Winona, MN, James Vrchota (Tami) of Litchfield, MN, and Steve Vrchota (Kelly) of Nowthen, MN, a daughter-in-law Lori Vrchota of Baldwin, WI, and a daughter-in-law, Jessie Vrchota Pederson of Princeton, MN, 25 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, his brothers Adolf Vrchota of Bloomington, MN, and John Vrchota of Sisseton, SD, and sisters Margaret Drahota of Jackson, MN, Rose Mulick of Portland, Oregon, Alice LaMothe of Richfield, MN and Teresa Genovese of Simi Valley, CA.
He was preceded in death by his wife Verona, his sons Timothy Vrchota and Thomas Vrchota, his sisters Anne, Marie, Josie, Bessie, Helen, Blanche, and brothers Joseph, and Valerain.