Richard "Dick" Vitosh

Richard “Dick” Vitosh Jr., 86, and Norma Jean (Neels) Vitosh, 82, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at their home. Together forever.


Dick was born to Richard Sr. and Emma (Weiner) Vitosh on February 5, 1925 on a farm north of Odell, NE. He received his elementary education at the Friendship rural school of Gage County and graduated from Odell High School in 1942. He then began a farming/ranching career.

Norma Jean was born to Albert J. and Josie (Blinde) Neels on April 1, 1929 in Beatrice, NE. She received her first four years of schooling in Filley, NE and completed her education at the Odell Schools, graduating in 1946. On completion of Normal Training, she then taught in the Gage County Rural School system for four years.

On July 27, 1950, Dick and Norma Jean were united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beatrice, NE. Following their union, they lived on the family farm at Odell, NE. In the early 1950’s they moved to Edinburg, TX where they raised cattle; were orchard farmers and Dick worked at the Ford garage. In the early 1970’s, they moved to Coalgate, OK where they ranched and Norma Jean worked in the Wrangler Factory as the payroll clerk for 15 years. Upon retiring, they returned to Odell, NE in 1992. Here they enjoyed playing cards, gardening, working in the yard, watching the purple Martins arrive each spring and family gatherings. They were both members of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Odell, NE.

Dick is survived by his nephew, Kenny Vitosh (Dean) of Dallas Texas; niece, Carol Bateman of Oklahoma City, OK; great nephews, Travis Vitosh (Amy) of Carrolton, TX, Clinton Vitosh of Norman, OK; great nieces, Lynn Vitosh of Dallas, TX, Carrie Bartell (Bryan) of Plano, TX and three great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Margaret (Shalla) Vitosh; nephew-in-law, Bill Bateman and beloved pets, Missy and Porter.

Norma Jean is survived by her sister, Lois Bures (Donald) of Odell, NE; nephews, Allen Bures (Simone) of Radford, VA, Gary Bures (Mary Jo) of Odell, NE; great nephew, DJ Kuhlmann of Apple Valley, CA; great nieces, Rachelle Sharrer (Brent) of Falls Church, VA, Aysha Hall (Rob) of Katy, TX, Diane Dieckman (Shane) of San Antonio, TX, Elizabeth Barkoudah (Abraham) of Boston, MA, Stephanie Williams (Philip) of Emporia, KS and ten great nieces and nephews . She was preceded in death by her parents; niece, Lynette (Bures) Kuhlmann and beloved pets, Missy and Porter.

Service for Dick and Norma Jean will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Our Savior Lutheran Church of Odell, NE with burial to follow at the Odell Cemetery. Visitation: Friday, January 27 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Vance-Gerdes Funeral Chapel, Odell, NE. Memorials to Our Savior Lutheran Church.