Les Vapenik - January 11, 2013

Les Vapenik, 88, of Grant, Neb. and former long time Grainton, Neb. area resident died Jan. 11, 2013 at the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant. He was born on Nov. 4, 1924 to Jim and Catherine Lindauer Vapenik in Perkins County north of Elsie, Neb. He grew up on the farm attending rural school.
Les was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1944 during World War II. He was transferred to Europe in 1945. He was wounded in action in Germany and received the Purple Heart. After his return to the states he served as a military policeman in Austin, Texas. He was honorably discharged from Ft. Lewis, Wash. in June of 1946.
Les was married to Alice Kaiser in Austin on Oct. 22, 1947. They made their farm home in Hayes County south of Grainton. In 2010 they moved to Westview Retirement in Grant after 63 years on the farm. Alice died in February of 2012 and Les continued to live at Westview until last week when he moved to Golden Ours.
Les was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wallace and was a lifetime member of the Elsie American Legion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, a brother, James, and an infant son, Joseph.
He is survived by two sons, Dan and wife Pat of Elsie and Greg and wife Peg of rural Elsie; three grandsons, Dave of Grant, Zane of Oshkosh, Neb. and Jeff of rural Elsie; two brothers, George and wife Velda of Pleasanton, Neb. and Ed and wife Annabelle of Wauneta, Neb.; sister-in-law, Ruby Vapenik of Grainton; many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 15, at St. Mary’s Church with Rev. Mark Pfeiffer officiating.
Burial was in the Wallace Cemetery with a flag presentation by the Elsie American Legion.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.