Patricia M. Vrtiska, 69 years of age, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died Sunday afternoon, December 18, 2005 at her residence after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on August 31, 1936 at Beatrice, Nebraska and attended school in Beatrice. She was married to Anthony F. Vrtiska on March 8, 1952 at Beatrice and had lived in Beatrice her entire life. She was employed at the Rancho Café, Busy Bee Café and Swifts and was an Avon representative. She then worked as a caregiver at the Beatrice State Developmental Center for over 32 years before her retirement. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Beatrice, Nebraska. She enjoyed crafts, puzzles, cooking, sewing, baking pies and Tweety Bird.

Survivors include two sons, Anthony Vrtiska and Nicholas Vrtiska and his wife Sharon all of Beatrice, Nebraska. Four daughters, Renee Vogel and TyLea Vrtiska both of Beatrice, Nebraska, Joni Buckner of Lincoln, Nebraska and Yvette Hippen and her husband Kent of Virginia, Nebraska. Eight grandchildren, Corey Vrtiska, Angie Vrtiska, Brandie Vogel, Ryan Vogel, Natalie Buckner, Tanner Hippen, Whitney Hippen and Treyton Hippen. Two sisters, Delores Dougherty and her husband Paul “Archie”of Beatrice, Nebraska and Shirley “Rae” Robertson and her husband Dean “Knute” of Lincoln, Nebraska. One brother, Johnny Rudder and his wife Mary Lou of Beatrice, Nebraska. One brother-in-law, William “Mike” Vrtiska and his wife Carol of Beatrice, Nebraska. Six sisters-in-law, Donata Prendergast and her husband Jim and Dorothy Gunzelman all of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary Rinne of Burchard, Nebraska, Betty Bedea and her husband Gary of Table Rock, Nebraska, Clara Vrtiska of Beatrice, Nebraska and Norma Vrtiska of Minneola, Kansas. Many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, John Rudder, her mother and step-father, James and Opal Marie Hatley Rudder Withee, her husband Anthony F. Vrtiska who died on December 23, 1976 and one brother Marvin Rudder.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 24, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Beatrice, Nebraska with Father Casey Porada celebrant. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice, Nebraska. A Scriptural Rosary Service will be held Friday, December 23, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice, Nebraska. A memorial has been established to the family’s choice with the Fox Funeral Home in charge. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. Wednesday until 9:00 P.M. Friday and not at the church. A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is also available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.