Lucille M. Vanis

Lucille M. Vanis, 85, of St. Libory, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St.. Libory's Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney B. Bruggeman will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Monday at the church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Vanis was born on Dec. 6, 1925, at David City, the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Speicher) Helgoth. She was united in marriage to Harry J. Vanis on May 31, 1955, at St. Francis Center near David City. Harry preceded her in death on June 3, 1981. She was also preceded by her son, Bill Vanis. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, LuAnn and Ken Magwire of Eagle River, Alaska, Vicki and Doug Wallace of North Platte, and Jeanne and Bob Prince of Grand Island; one son, Don Vanis of St. Paul; one daughter-in-law, Maureen Vanis of Grand Island; and one brother and two sisters-in-law, Leonard Helgoth of David City, Martha Helgoth of David City and Rose Marie Helgoth of St. Libory. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lucille grew up in David City and graduated from David City High School in 1943. During World War II she worked at the Mead Ordinance Plant and Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha. She later worked as a telephone operator for Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph for 10 years. She and Harry moved to Grand Island in 1957 and later to St. Libory where they owned and operated Vanis Grocery and later the Beer Barrel Bar until 1988. She also worked for three years as a Post Master relief at the St. Libory Post Office. She was a member of St. Libory's Catholic Church and its CCW and Christian Mothers. She also served as the parish representative for the DCCW for many years and was a former member of the Eagles in Grand Island. She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren and attending their activities and she loved family get togethers, crocheting and gardening. In addition to her husband, Harry and son, Bill, she was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Richard and Louis Helgoth. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.