Vera Homolka, 80, of Western,passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury with loving cousins by her side.
On June 17, 1943, Charles and Jaroslava (Nezavdalova) Homolka welcomed their beautiful daughter, which they named Vera. Jaroslava was from Czechoslovakia and never learned English. Vera spoke Czech to her parents their entire lives.
The family lived on a farm 12 miles west of Wilber in a house where five generations had lived. They worked hard raising cattle, making hay, growing crops and planting gardens. Vera loved the farm and being outdoors. Up until a few months before her death, Vera continued raising cattle, fixing fences, chopping wood and gardening.Vera graduated from Wilber High school in 1960. She went on to the University of Nebraska to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1964. Vera taught English and Russian for four years at Fairfield school and Sandy Creek school when Fairfield consolidated with other schools. Then Vera moved to St. Louis, where she continued to teach English and Russian for about 10 years.
She returned home when her father was injured in a farming accident. When he died about a year later, she returned again and remained to help her beloved mother with the farm Vera loved so much.
In 1990, Vera continued teaching in Crete with adult students learning English as a Second Language (ESL). She was a dedicated teacher that went above and beyond to help her students. She devoted a lot of time and energy to meeting their needs and to the challenge of teaching remotely during Covid.
In her spare time, Vera enjoyed spending time with friends, neighbors and relatives. Besides her farm work, Vera also liked walking, reading, writing short stories, and she wrote the most lovely letters. Her constant companions were her beloved dogs, Michael and Buffy, which she jokingly said supervised her!
Vera is survived by her many cousins, neighbors and friends, as well as her dear K-9 companion, Buffy. She was preceded in death by her parents; uncles, Henry, Joseph B., and William Homolka; aunts, Bessie Vacek and Rose Sokolik; and her devoted dog, Michael.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
