Viola "Blondie" Vasa, 88, longtime Ogallala resident, died Thursday, May 12, 2016, in the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Viola May Vasa was born September 2, 1927, in Chappell, NE., to Walter and Anna (Miller) Boyce.

Viola “Blondie” attended rural schools in Garden and Arthur Counties. She attended Arthur County High School through the eleventh grade before moving to Denver to work for Montgomery Wards.

In 1944 Viola returned to Arthur County. Viola married Bernard J Vasa on May 11, 1944 in Ogallala, NE. After Bernard was discharged from military duty, he returned to Keith County. They moved to a farm southwest of Ogallala. They continued to farm there and had resided there since. They retired from farming in 1985.

Bernard and Blondie travel extensively overseas. Their first trip included a visit to Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and Singapore. They next traveled to Mexico and Central and South America. Their third trip took them to the Great Wall in China. In South Africa they visited Johannesburg, Durban and the Kimberly Mines. Other tours included Victoria Falls in Rhodesia and the Netherlands.

Viola was employed at Tomato King in Big Springs in 1985 and 1986. She later worked for Ogallala Bakery, Variety Center, Burger King and Subway. Viola was always interested in the children's and grandchildren's school activities. She was active in 4-H, serving as a leader for 7 years. She was a member of St Luke’s Catholic Church and belonged to the Altar Society.

Preceding her in death was her husband Bernard “Ben” J. Vasa in 2002, son Bernard James Vasa Jr., grandson Charles E. Willey, Jr; her parents; sister, Ann Fleenor; and her 4 brothers, John, Lloyd, Charles and Jess and son-in-law Charles E. Willey.

Survivors include daughter Bonnie and husband Ernie Husmann of Chappell, NE, and son William “Bill” Vasa of Ogallala, NE; Daughter-in-law Jean and husband Jerry Krajewski of Ogallala, NE; and sister-in-law Sue Boyce of Lincoln, NE. Grandchildren Jamie Vasa (Sherry) of Stockholm, Sweden; Justin Krajewski of Spearfish, SD; Jody Krajewski of San Francisco, CA.; Jason Krajewski of Ogallala; Susan (Keith) Mitchell of Chappell; Judy (Jason) Morrison of Sidney; Sally Stuart of Sidney, NE; Chad (Sarah) Willey of Lusk, WY; Michael (Meredith) Vasa of Windsor, CO; Amy (Corey) Melcher of Aurora, CO; and step- grandsons Darin Husmann and Brian Husmann, both of Lakewood,CO. Viola has 18 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family chose cremation. The Wake & Rosary Service will be Wednesday, May 18, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Luke's Catholic Church followed by the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. with the Celebrant Rev. Bryan Ernest. Inurnment is in the Ogallala Cemetery. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.