Alvin "Al" L. Vacha

Alvin “Al” L. Vacha, age 81 of Kearney, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Beatrice, NE. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kearney E-Free Church. Pastor Jordan Hinrichsen will officiate. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial with military honors will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon, NE at 2:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family, to be designated later. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a message or condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Al was born on May 5th 1944 in Hooper, NE to Ladislov and Alma (Sedlacek) Vacha. He lived in the Kearney, Axtell and Gibbon areas most of his life. Al served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He felt very honored to serve his country. After the service, he returned to Kearney and worked at Eaton Corporation for many years. He later started Al and Sons Lawn Services which he operated until his retirement. Al loved spending time talking on the phone and visiting so many of his siblings, grandkids, nieces, nephews and cousins. He loved going for drives and riding his motorcycle. He also loved going for coffee with friends and always had a good joke. Al fought leukemia for many years until his health began to fail him. He was faithfully cared for by his son, Nathan until it became necessary for him to go to a nursing home. Al is survived by his wife, Linda; sister, Pat Novak; his children, Michelle Truax (Corey), Kristi Cochran, Scott Vacha, Nathan Vacha, Mike Booher (Deniz), Erin Carlson (Jesse); son-in-law, Ken Galloway; his grandchildren, Tyler Truax, Ryan Truax, Colby Cochran, Jacob Vacha, Selale Booher, Kaiden Smotherman, Schyler Vacha, Elisa Vacha, Alex Lopez and Taylor Lamothes. He is also lovingly remembered by many nephews, nieces and great grandchildren. Al was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Laddie, Marvin, Dave and Donnie; sisters, Lori, Alice, Carol and Betty; daughters, Shannon Vacha and Christi Galloway; nephews, Bob Vacha, Ronnie Cover and Rick Ledbetter; niece, Patty Cover; grandson, Joshua Cochran.

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Alvin "Al" L. Vacha

May 5, 1944 - January 5, 2026