Joann E. Vavak

NORFOLK – Funeral service for Joann E. Vavak, 81, of Norfolk will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. Father Gregory Carl will be officiating the service. Interment will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Joann passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Addington Place Memory Care of Prairie Village, Kansas. Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Joann was born on December 7, 1942 in Norfolk to Joseph and Edna (Beltz) Eggerling. She grew up in Creighton, Nebraska and graduated from St. Ludger's Academy in Creighton. She married Ronald Vavak on November 25, 1963 at St. Ludger’s Catholic Church in Creighton. They moved to Verdigre and then settled in Norfolk in 1967. Joann was a loving wife and wonderful mother to five children. She embodied every aspect of what it means to live a Christian life. She was selfless, caring, genuine, compassionate, nurturing and always saw the best in every person. We are truly blessed by her love. I’m sure every single person who knew her enjoyed her baking. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church/Sacred Heart, Altar Society, Red Hat Society, Church Women United, Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, and Catholic Daughters. She was an Oblate of the Benedictine Sisters. In addition to her devotion to many organizations, she had the initiative to help people in the community by offering support to families who had suffered the loss of a child. She is survived by her spouse Ronald Vavak of Prairie Village, KS, Cindy (Scott) Schultz of Prairie Village, KS, Dave (Katie) Vavak of Overland Park, KS, Jeff (Tara) Vavak of Kansas City, MO, Jody (Tom) Demo of Eureka Springs, AR, grandchildren are Renee, Joseph (Sam), Emily and John (SarahJane) Schultz, Bennett and Grace Vavak, Molly, John and Maggie Vavak, and Olivia (Ethan Brugger), Jake and Mac Demo, sisters Evelyn Indra of Norfolk, and Loretta (Marlin) Kratochvil of Norfolk, sister-in-law Mary Eggerling of Norfolk and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Edna, son Gerald Vavak, mother and father-in-law Frank and Vlasta Vavak, brother Willard Eggerling, sister Lavonne (Ralph) Sykora, and brother-in-law Art Indra Jr. Casket bearers will be Joann’s grandsons, Joseph Schultz, John Schultz, Bennett Vavak, Jake Demo, Mac Demo and John Vavak. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Norfolk, NE www.mbsmissionaries.org/get-involved/donate.html, The Alzheimers Association www.alz.org, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk, NE www.sacredheartnorfolk.com/sh-share-your-gifts. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Joann E. Vavak

December 7, 1942 - March 20, 2024