Elsie L. (Doerr) Vakoc, the second eldest of eight children, was born to Peter and Frieda Doerr on August 31, 1917 in rural Creighton, Nebraska. Elsie died Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska.
Elsie attended rural school District 81, kindergarten through eighth grades. She attended high school in Bloomfield, Nebraska, while staying with Dr. Martin Schroeder's family. Dr. Schroeder was a community minister. Elsie lived in town, serving as housekeeper in exchange for board and room. This arrangement allowed for Elsie to continue with her high school education.
After having spent four years in high school, completing a normal training course, and passing Nebraska State Boards, Elsie was eligible to teach in Nebraska country schools. For five years, she served as a Knox County teacher. In the fall of 1940, Elsie began a nursing program at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. She lived in the nurse's residence when not attending regular classes, and worked on the hospital floors caring for patients. At that time, many of the janitorial personnel went to Offut Air Force base, leaving nurses to clean bed units after patients were discharged.
November 21, 1942 was a special day when Myron Vakoc and Elsie Doerr were secretly married. A local paper, "The Bloomfield Monitor", received by a Clarkson Hospital patient gave the secret away. Dicey situation, but many other married students in training came forward in defense of Elsie and their own situations, as many others had secretly said, "I Do" off campus. The rule was quickly changed, allowing currently married students to remain, and lifting the restrictions for future nursing program enrollees.
Graduation Day came in 1943 and thereafter, Elsie became a private duty nurse, working through a registry. She found private duty assignments at all the Omaha area hospitals and in private homes. Sharing one car between them, Elsie worked mostly 'night-shifts' nights and Myron worked days, with only brief minutes to spare every morning for handing off the car keys.
Just before Christmas 1956, Elsie and Myron, along with their two young children: Jean Marie and James, moved into their newly built house at 8577 Keystone Drive in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a very busy and exciting time for the entire family. Newly graveled streets criss-crossed the rural area as new homes and schools were being constructed. Shortly after the move, Elsie joined the staff at the Douglas County Hospital Annex. The 240 patient care facility kept Elsie and her staff-mates busy for over 10 years.
When schedules coincided, Myron would take the family on vacations via United Air Lines to Hawaii, Vancouver, Disney Land in California, Florida, and Indiana. Traveling by plane was more relaxing in those years. Fewer people traveled and United Air Lines was the only airline going in and out of Omaha. In 1968, Elsie moved her employment to Veteran's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where she would work for nearly 14 years, mostly during night-shifts and often serving as 'charge nurse', a role which brought many added responsibilities, but in which Elsie excelled.
In January, 1982, Elsie retired from nursing. Together, Myron and Elsie enjoyed many travels, places near: California, Florida, Verdigre, Nebraska, and places exotic: Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
After Myron suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994, Elsie resumed her role of fulltime nurse, providing continual loving care to Myron for nearly 10 years, until his death in January of 2003.
Her own health and strength failing, Elsie chose to move to Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska in January 2007. Elsie had always treasured fond memories of her childhood years in the Bloomfield area and had adopted a love of Myron's home town of Verdigre. Verdigre was to be her final home.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Frieda Doerr; husband, Myron W. Vakoc; brother, Harvey Doerr; and sisters, Lois Ruth Doerr, Melba Doty, Velma Pedersen, and Arlene Naugle.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Jean Sitzman; son, James Vakoc; grandsons, Damon Munhall, Darin Munhall, and Kenneth Vakoc, all of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Harold Doerr of Bloomfield, Nebraska and Wesley Doerr of Omaha, Nebraska.
Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Verdigre, NE.
Elsie attended rural school District 81, kindergarten through eighth grades. She attended high school in Bloomfield, Nebraska, while staying with Dr. Martin Schroeder's family. Dr. Schroeder was a community minister. Elsie lived in town, serving as housekeeper in exchange for board and room. This arrangement allowed for Elsie to continue with her high school education.
After having spent four years in high school, completing a normal training course, and passing Nebraska State Boards, Elsie was eligible to teach in Nebraska country schools. For five years, she served as a Knox County teacher. In the fall of 1940, Elsie began a nursing program at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. She lived in the nurse's residence when not attending regular classes, and worked on the hospital floors caring for patients. At that time, many of the janitorial personnel went to Offut Air Force base, leaving nurses to clean bed units after patients were discharged.
November 21, 1942 was a special day when Myron Vakoc and Elsie Doerr were secretly married. A local paper, "The Bloomfield Monitor", received by a Clarkson Hospital patient gave the secret away. Dicey situation, but many other married students in training came forward in defense of Elsie and their own situations, as many others had secretly said, "I Do" off campus. The rule was quickly changed, allowing currently married students to remain, and lifting the restrictions for future nursing program enrollees.
Graduation Day came in 1943 and thereafter, Elsie became a private duty nurse, working through a registry. She found private duty assignments at all the Omaha area hospitals and in private homes. Sharing one car between them, Elsie worked mostly 'night-shifts' nights and Myron worked days, with only brief minutes to spare every morning for handing off the car keys.
Just before Christmas 1956, Elsie and Myron, along with their two young children: Jean Marie and James, moved into their newly built house at 8577 Keystone Drive in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a very busy and exciting time for the entire family. Newly graveled streets criss-crossed the rural area as new homes and schools were being constructed. Shortly after the move, Elsie joined the staff at the Douglas County Hospital Annex. The 240 patient care facility kept Elsie and her staff-mates busy for over 10 years.
When schedules coincided, Myron would take the family on vacations via United Air Lines to Hawaii, Vancouver, Disney Land in California, Florida, and Indiana. Traveling by plane was more relaxing in those years. Fewer people traveled and United Air Lines was the only airline going in and out of Omaha. In 1968, Elsie moved her employment to Veteran's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where she would work for nearly 14 years, mostly during night-shifts and often serving as 'charge nurse', a role which brought many added responsibilities, but in which Elsie excelled.
In January, 1982, Elsie retired from nursing. Together, Myron and Elsie enjoyed many travels, places near: California, Florida, Verdigre, Nebraska, and places exotic: Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
After Myron suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994, Elsie resumed her role of fulltime nurse, providing continual loving care to Myron for nearly 10 years, until his death in January of 2003.
Her own health and strength failing, Elsie chose to move to Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska in January 2007. Elsie had always treasured fond memories of her childhood years in the Bloomfield area and had adopted a love of Myron's home town of Verdigre. Verdigre was to be her final home.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Frieda Doerr; husband, Myron W. Vakoc; brother, Harvey Doerr; and sisters, Lois Ruth Doerr, Melba Doty, Velma Pedersen, and Arlene Naugle.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Jean Sitzman; son, James Vakoc; grandsons, Damon Munhall, Darin Munhall, and Kenneth Vakoc, all of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Harold Doerr of Bloomfield, Nebraska and Wesley Doerr of Omaha, Nebraska.
Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Verdigre, NE.
Elsie L. (Doerr) Vakoc, the second eldest of eight children, was born to Peter and Frieda Doerr on August 31, 1917 in rural Creighton, Nebraska. Elsie died Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska.
Elsie attended rural school District 81, kindergarten through eighth grades. She attended high school in Bloomfield, Nebraska, while staying with Dr. Martin Schroeder's family. Dr. Schroeder was a community minister. Elsie lived in town, serving as housekeeper in exchange for board and room. This arrangement allowed for Elsie to continue with her high school education.
After having spent four years in high school, completing a normal training course, and passing Nebraska State Boards, Elsie was eligible to teach in Nebraska country schools. For five years, she served as a Knox County teacher. In the fall of 1940, Elsie began a nursing program at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. She lived in the nurse's residence when not attending regular classes, and worked on the hospital floors caring for patients. At that time, many of the janitorial personnel went to Offut Air Force base, leaving nurses to clean bed units after patients were discharged.
November 21, 1942 was a special day when Myron Vakoc and Elsie Doerr were secretly married. A local paper, "The Bloomfield Monitor", received by a Clarkson Hospital patient gave the secret away. Dicey situation, but many other married students in training came forward in defense of Elsie and their own situations, as many others had secretly said, "I Do" off campus. The rule was quickly changed, allowing currently married students to remain, and lifting the restrictions for future nursing program enrollees.
Graduation Day came in 1943 and thereafter, Elsie became a private duty nurse, working through a registry. She found private duty assignments at all the Omaha area hospitals and in private homes. Sharing one car between them, Elsie worked mostly 'night-shifts' nights and Myron worked days, with only brief minutes to spare every morning for handing off the car keys.
Just before Christmas 1956, Elsie and Myron, along with their two young children: Jean Marie and James, moved into their newly built house at 8577 Keystone Drive in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a very busy and exciting time for the entire family. Newly graveled streets criss-crossed the rural area as new homes and schools were being constructed. Shortly after the move, Elsie joined the staff at the Douglas County Hospital Annex. The 240 patient care facility kept Elsie and her staff-mates busy for over 10 years.
When schedules coincided, Myron would take the family on vacations via United Air Lines to Hawaii, Vancouver, Disney Land in California, Florida, and Indiana. Traveling by plane was more relaxing in those years. Fewer people traveled and United Air Lines was the only airline going in and out of Omaha. In 1968, Elsie moved her employment to Veteran's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where she would work for nearly 14 years, mostly during night-shifts and often serving as 'charge nurse', a role which brought many added responsibilities, but in which Elsie excelled.
In January, 1982, Elsie retired from nursing. Together, Myron and Elsie enjoyed many travels, places near: California, Florida, Verdigre, Nebraska, and places exotic: Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
After Myron suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994, Elsie resumed her role of fulltime nurse, providing continual loving care to Myron for nearly 10 years, until his death in January of 2003.
Her own health and strength failing, Elsie chose to move to Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska in January 2007. Elsie had always treasured fond memories of her childhood years in the Bloomfield area and had adopted a love of Myron's home town of Verdigre. Verdigre was to be her final home.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Frieda Doerr; husband, Myron W. Vakoc; brother, Harvey Doerr; and sisters, Lois Ruth Doerr, Melba Doty, Velma Pedersen, and Arlene Naugle.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Jean Sitzman; son, James Vakoc; grandsons, Damon Munhall, Darin Munhall, and Kenneth Vakoc, all of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Harold Doerr of Bloomfield, Nebraska and Wesley Doerr of Omaha, Nebraska.
Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Verdigre, NE.
Elsie attended rural school District 81, kindergarten through eighth grades. She attended high school in Bloomfield, Nebraska, while staying with Dr. Martin Schroeder's family. Dr. Schroeder was a community minister. Elsie lived in town, serving as housekeeper in exchange for board and room. This arrangement allowed for Elsie to continue with her high school education.
After having spent four years in high school, completing a normal training course, and passing Nebraska State Boards, Elsie was eligible to teach in Nebraska country schools. For five years, she served as a Knox County teacher. In the fall of 1940, Elsie began a nursing program at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. She lived in the nurse's residence when not attending regular classes, and worked on the hospital floors caring for patients. At that time, many of the janitorial personnel went to Offut Air Force base, leaving nurses to clean bed units after patients were discharged.
November 21, 1942 was a special day when Myron Vakoc and Elsie Doerr were secretly married. A local paper, "The Bloomfield Monitor", received by a Clarkson Hospital patient gave the secret away. Dicey situation, but many other married students in training came forward in defense of Elsie and their own situations, as many others had secretly said, "I Do" off campus. The rule was quickly changed, allowing currently married students to remain, and lifting the restrictions for future nursing program enrollees.
Graduation Day came in 1943 and thereafter, Elsie became a private duty nurse, working through a registry. She found private duty assignments at all the Omaha area hospitals and in private homes. Sharing one car between them, Elsie worked mostly 'night-shifts' nights and Myron worked days, with only brief minutes to spare every morning for handing off the car keys.
Just before Christmas 1956, Elsie and Myron, along with their two young children: Jean Marie and James, moved into their newly built house at 8577 Keystone Drive in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a very busy and exciting time for the entire family. Newly graveled streets criss-crossed the rural area as new homes and schools were being constructed. Shortly after the move, Elsie joined the staff at the Douglas County Hospital Annex. The 240 patient care facility kept Elsie and her staff-mates busy for over 10 years.
When schedules coincided, Myron would take the family on vacations via United Air Lines to Hawaii, Vancouver, Disney Land in California, Florida, and Indiana. Traveling by plane was more relaxing in those years. Fewer people traveled and United Air Lines was the only airline going in and out of Omaha. In 1968, Elsie moved her employment to Veteran's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, where she would work for nearly 14 years, mostly during night-shifts and often serving as 'charge nurse', a role which brought many added responsibilities, but in which Elsie excelled.
In January, 1982, Elsie retired from nursing. Together, Myron and Elsie enjoyed many travels, places near: California, Florida, Verdigre, Nebraska, and places exotic: Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
After Myron suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994, Elsie resumed her role of fulltime nurse, providing continual loving care to Myron for nearly 10 years, until his death in January of 2003.
Her own health and strength failing, Elsie chose to move to Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska in January 2007. Elsie had always treasured fond memories of her childhood years in the Bloomfield area and had adopted a love of Myron's home town of Verdigre. Verdigre was to be her final home.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Frieda Doerr; husband, Myron W. Vakoc; brother, Harvey Doerr; and sisters, Lois Ruth Doerr, Melba Doty, Velma Pedersen, and Arlene Naugle.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Jean Sitzman; son, James Vakoc; grandsons, Damon Munhall, Darin Munhall, and Kenneth Vakoc, all of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Harold Doerr of Bloomfield, Nebraska and Wesley Doerr of Omaha, Nebraska.
Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Verdigre, NE.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
