Virginia Mae (Muff) Sudrla was born December 8, 1921, to Joseph L. and Frieda (Coffey) Muff. She died at home in Exeter, Nebraska on August 8, 2010, at the age of 88.
Virginia was born in Crete, NE, attended St. James School in Crete and graduated from Crete High School class of 1940.
She married Frank Sudrla on February 17, 1941, in Crete. They settled on the family farm after spending a year in Kansas City. In 1952 the family moved to Exeter, NE and operated East Side Service on Highway 6 for many years. Virginia ran the station/mini mart and always had a smile for everyone. Not a person came through the station or her home without being offered a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Many remember her home made angel food cakes and never empty coffee pot. In addition to operating the station, she raised four children and helped Frank with the farming.
After the station closed she began work at Exeter Public School, eventually becoming the head cook there. She knew everyone by name and countless students enjoyed her home cooked meals. She was an active member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and altar society and was generous with her time and talent in her circle of friends and her community. Virginia retired from Exeter Public School in 1991.
For the next few years, she spent time with her family and friends until she suffered a debilitating stroke in 1996, after which she was cared for at her home by family and friends. She valiantly struggled with the pain and her lack of mobility with grace and dignity. She maintained her sense of humor and quick smile throughout her nearly fourteen year struggle which ended on August 8, 2010. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, and she will be greatly missed.
Virginia was preceded in death by: Frank, her husband of forty seven years; her son, Frank (Butch); her parents; three brothers, Elmer, Richard and Joseph Muff; five sisters, Marie Murphy, Betty Muff, Ruby Muff, Margaretta Muff, Pearl Putnam. She is survived by: son, John (Jack), Exeter; daughters, Freda Sudrla, Omaha, Virginia and son-in- law, Larry Ekeler, Lincoln, and daughter-in-law, Pat Sudrla, Exeter; grandchildren, Nicholas Sudrla, Exeter, Frank and Laura Ekeler, Lincoln, Lynn and Steve Shumake, Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Ashley Ekeler and Aubrey Shumake; brother Carl Muff and his wife Mary Lou of Dow City, IA; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Muff, Dow City, IA, and Dorothy Sudrla, Sacramento, CA; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A Funeral Mass for Virginia was held on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter with Father Tom Kuffel officiating the service. Agnes Anderson was the organist and Jessica Ruhl was the cantor and the musical selections included “On Eagles’ Wings,” “Here I Am Lord,” and “Be Not Afraid.” Aubrey Shumake and Pat Sudrla also performed a duet to the music of “Amazing Grace.”
Pall Bearers for the service included Nicholas Sudrla, Frank Ekeler, Steve Shumake, Larry Muff, Gene Harre, and Joel Vavra. Honorary Bearers were Francis Coffey and Buzz Putnam. Interment was held following the Mass at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crete. Farmer Funeral Home of Exeter was in charge of arrangements and memorials are directed to the family.
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