Susan C. Vavra of Elyria, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney at the age of 81.

Susan Caroline was born on May 31, 1945, in Hastings, Nebraska to Thomas Monroe and Viola Helzer. She was lovingly raised by her mother and stepfather, John and Viola Kindsfater. Susan spent her early years in Hastings, where she graduated from Hastings High School.

Her career began with the FSA, taking her to Hastings, Red Cloud, and Ord. It was in Ord that she met and married Alvin Vavra on August 28, 1965. Together, they established a life on a farm west of Ord, nurturing a family of four. Susan embraced farm life, finding joy in raising chickens and ducks, and tending to her garden. Her skills in canning, baking, sewing, and quilting were well-respected, but her greatest joy came from time spent with her grandchildren.

A dedicated member of Wescott Baptist Church, Susan participated in Bible studies and contributed to her community by serving on the Fairplay Country School Board and cooking at the school and was active as a 4-H Leader. Her passion for her heritage inspired her involvement in a Czech group focused on learning the language.

Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Allen and Janet Vavra of Elyria, Robert and Barbara Vavra of Ord and Brian and Christine Vavra of Kearney; a daughter, Lisa Bruha (Mike) of Ord; eleven grandchildren, Elizabeth Goldfish, Stephanie Margritz, Natalie Vavra, Susie Vavra, Jamie Vavra, Elyse Vavra, Taya Vavra, Lainey Vavra, Danielle Bruha, Kailey Bruha and Braden Bruha; one great grandson, Owen Goldfish; and a nephew, Korey and Traci Fanta of Cairo.

She was preceded in death by her father; mother; stepfather; and her husband, Alvin who passed away on August 10, 2005.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Ord Memorial Chapel at Ord, Nebraska. Pastor Don Schauda will officiate. Interment will be in the Ord City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Wescott Baptist Church.