Linda K. Vlach

Linda Vlach, known as “Gammy” to those who loved her was born in Columbus, NE to Leonard and Lillian Krzycki on December 18, 1944. She went to be with the Lord on September 27, 2021. Private services will be held for close family on October 5, 2021 at Apfel Funeral Home. A celebration of life for extended family, friends and business friends will be at a later date.



Throughout her life she lived in many places as she was raised in a Union sheet metal worker family. Her favorite place of them all was New Mexico; where the scenery was beautiful. She spent many of her teenage years and early 20s there. She came back to Nebraska for a short visit with her family and met the love of her life, Ron Vlach, better known as “Grandad”. For Grandad it was love at first sight as she was “a fox”! She was always the best dressed in a room and took pride in looking put together. But more than that, she was better known for her infectious laughter and big smile rather than her appearance. They married August 26, 1967 in Grand Island, NE and began their life together. Shelly, their first daughter, was born in 1968. Their new small family enjoyed camping and fishing together. They received a gift of another daughter, Susan, born on Christmas day 1974.



Her greatest love was her family, but a close second was garage saling on Friday’s. Her daughter, Shelly, would drive the family and when they reached their destination; they would bail out of the car like circus clowns, racing to get “the good treasures“. Not all sales looked as promising as others, but the motto was always, “you never know unless you go”. She never paid full price for anything, instead she always negotiated the best deal. Even when she went to Vegas she played penny slots.



Her favorite time of the year in Nebraska was summer. This is where you would find her tending to her garden or planting flowers in her backyard. She was always proud to show her garden to anyone and everyone. Her vegetable garden fed her family for many years. No one can grow a garden like Gammy (except Grandad). She taught her family about plants and which ones grew the best in Nebraska soil and how to take care of them. But, throughout her life she taught many more valuable lessons to her family that weren’t garden related. The landscaping of her yard was her pride and joy. She tended to all the weeds and made sure that her garden looked pristine at all times.



Holidays were a tradition close to her heart. This was an important time for all the family to come back together from their busy lives. She hosted the annual Easter egg hunt and would fill close to 200 eggs with candy and money. One Fourth of July party was very exciting when one of the fireworks malfunctioned and all our family went running for cover behind the giant boulder yelling “Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus!”. Christmas was a very special time as Susan would celebrate her birthday with her mom on the 18th. Gammy loved having the grandkids come over to her house to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. There was lots laughter playing the saran wrap ball game and lots of yummy appetizer snacks she would prepare for the day.



Work was a large part of her family life. Grandad bought Nitro Construction in 1983. The business could not have flourished with out her support. She worked by his side growing the business into what it is today until the end of her life.



She is survived by her husband, Ron Vlach of Grand Island; daughters Shelly (Todd) Russell of Doniphan, Susan (Judd) Schroeder of Grand Island. Her grandchildren, Miranda Tupper, Sevyn Russell, Emily and Sam Schroeder, and grand dogs Jinx, Franny, and Lewis. Her brother Roger Krzycki of North Carolina and sister Mary White of Arizona. Brother and sister in law, George and Connie Vlach, sister-in-law, Florence Jacobsen; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.



She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Lillian (Frank) Carr and her in-laws

George and Mildred Vlach.



In lieu of flowers, we are asking for memorial donations to be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in her name.



Lovingly written by Emily