Joseph A. "Joe" Vnoucek

Joseph “Joe” Alvin Vnoucek was born to Joseph R Vnoucek and Ella (Eret) Vnoucek August 29, 1935 in Friend, Nebraska. He was one of six children. He departed this life June 4, 2026 at Fairview Manor, Fairmont at the age of 90. Joe grew up on the family farm northeast of Milligan where he continued his Czech heritage and nurtured his love of music, especially the Milligan Czech Brass Band. He attended Sunflower School Dist. 100 through the 7th grade, Walnut Grove Dist. 100 for the 8th grade, and graduated from Milligan High School in 1953. Joe was baptized in the Congregational Church and was united in marriage to Anna Engle of Geneva, June 26, 1956, at the First Congregational Church, Geneva. Joe later joined the United Methodist Church in Milligan where he was a member until passing. In 1958, Joe was drafted into the United States Army. During Joe's time in the service, he and Anna made their home in Fort Hood, Texas, and Uttenreuth, Germany. Anna and Joe returned to the family farm in 1960 where they were blessed with and raised three daughters, his pride and joy. After several years of farming and raising cattle, Joe took a job in town working for Geneva Tube. He later went to work for the Saline County Roads department out of Friend retiring in 2005. Joe was involved in activities throughout Saline County and the surrounding communities. He was a member of ZCBJ-WFLA Lodge, Saline Center, served as president of Walnut Grove Dist. 100 school board, and served on the United Methodist Church Board just to name a few. Joe loved spending time with family and friends, always having pivo at the ready. No one was a stranger, with his infectious smile, he made friends everywhere he went. He always loved a good conversation, made even better when he found someone else who could speak Czech. He loved to garden, even completing his Master Gardener certification in his retirement years. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Anna of 55 years, brothers and sisters-in-law, Loren Vnoucek, Arnold (Evelyn) Vnoucek; sisters and brothers-in-law Dorothy (Leslie) Skrivanek, Arlene (Leonard) Kassik and Betty (Raymond) Soukup; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law George (Phyllis) Engle, Frank Engle, Eleanor (Arlan) Becker, Harold (Helen) Engle, Ruth (Delbert) Sorge, Willis (Beth) Engle, and Ronald Uldrich. Joe is survived by his daughters, Lezley (Shawn) Dellinger, Lora (Jeff) Andrews, Lisa Vnoucek (Troy Miller); grandchildren, Emilia, Molly and Noah Dellinger, Daniel (Brandi), Nicholas, and Aaron Andrews, Karly Trujillo (Kaden & Kamden), Morgan Riley; sister-in-law Mary Uldrich and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service for Joe was held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Saline Center Hall, Western, Nebraska with Lay Pastor Michelle Lessard and Kim Dunker officiating. Special accordion music was provided by Galen Beck, Mo Beck-Halama, and Kelly Homolka. Recorded selections included “Til We Meet Again Polka,” “One Day At A Time,” “Amazing Grace,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Mo Beck-Halama played “Pisnicka Ceska” as the recessional song. Pallbearers included Bob Vnoucek, Alan Skrivanek, Mike Kassik, Tim Engle, R.P. Uldrich and Dan Sorge. Honorary Pallbearers included Jerry Engle, Bob Engle, David Uldrich, and Alex Udrich. A Graveside Service with Military Honors was held at North Fork Cemetery, Western, Nebraska. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the Milligan United Methodist Church, Milligan or Friend Rescue Squads, and the Fairview Manor Lighted Cross Fund.

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Joseph A. "Joe" Vnoucek

August 29, 1935 - June 4, 2026