Dr. Louis C. Vejraska passed away Dec. 19, 2007. Lou was born June 24, 1921 to his parents Louis and Mary Vejraska in Odell, Neb.
He graduated in 1939 from Odell High School. He entered the University of Nebraska in the fall of 1939 to pursue a career in dentistry, graduating in 1945. Lou married the love of his life, Elda M. Hamel, on Sept. 11, 1943 in Beatrice, Neb. After graduation from Dental School the couple set up practice in Pawnee City, Neb. for five years. The marriage produced two sons Steve Alan Vejraska and Craig Louis Vejraska. The family found their way to Omak in the late summer of 1949. There they again set up a new dental practice. Six months after arriving in Omak Lou was recalled back into the Army to serve two years as the Chief Dental Examining Officer at the William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, Texas. His work there included helping to identify overseas casualties during the Korean War.
Lou’s career went down many avenues over his 86 years. During his dental career he served in several professional capacities including being President of the North Central Washington Dental Association. In the Cattle Business he and his son Craig established the Sunny Okanogan Angus Ranch, a purebred cattle operation that has produced quality Angus bulls for the commercial cattle producers throughout the Northwest for 47 years. His interests in real estate lead him and his partners, Loren Hatcher and Earl Nansen, to establish Transwestern Real Estate Development Group. This group was responsible for many developments in the Omak area. Including Ironwood, Wildwood and Tel Star apartments just to name a few. Lou also ventured to San Diego Calif. to establish his most successful development, Vejraska Subdivision, which houses a large Burger King and a 38,000 sq. ft. building that serves as the regional Re/Max office for Southern California. Lou also loved the Stock Market and trained his son Steve to look after his investments in the market and make them grow, and grow they did. In his final days he loved watching his grandsons work the ranch and riding around with Craig or Alfredo (his 14 year employee on the ranch) to check his ranches in Tunk Creek, Aeneas Valley, Moses Meadows and the Columbia Basin.
Lou is survived by his wife of 64 years Elda; his son Craig and wife Mary Kay; grandsons: Todd, Scott, Jason and Ryan and granddaughter Alison; great grandchildren: Kelsey, Kacie, Kady and Jaxson. Also, sisters Doreen Maixner of Butte, Mont. and Mary Lou Meerian of Hanover, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services were as follows: viewing was held on Wednesday, Dec. 26 at Precht Harrison Nearents Chapel. Rosary will be Thursday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at Precht Harrison Nearents Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Friday Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. A memorial has been established at the Omak Fire Department and the Elks Lodge in Omak.
