Virginia Mae Budka

Virginia Mae Budka

July 25, 1938–September 11, 2022

Preceded in death by husband, Richard. Survived by her 4 children: Peter Budka, Michael Budka (Susan), David Budka (Dana), and Ann Newton (Chris); and 6 grandchildren: Alexander Budka, Steven Budka, William Budka, Thomas Budka, Alexander Newton, and Vivian Newton.

An only child, Virginia was born in Omaha. She had close ties to rural Nebraska because her adored parents, Rudolph and Sylvia Kuzelka, were from the Czech community of Clarkson. But a country cousin described Virginia as a “sunny city kid.” She loved to socialize all her life.

From an early age she took piano lessons and studied with the noted instructor Cecil Berryman. Later in life, she was a church organist. She graduated from Mercy High School and Creighton University where she was president of the local chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the national social sorority. She was involved in many other college student activities, like the campus radio station and debate team.

After college, she worked at KETV, then Omaha National Bank where she became editor of the internal monthly news magazine.

A lucky blind date to a bowling banquet resulted in marriage 6 months later with Richard Budka on October 24, 1964, at St. Patrick’s Church in Omaha.

After marriage, she became a teacher at St. Thomas More School, then a substitute teacher with Omaha Public Schools, and finally a GED instructor with Nebraska Adult Education.  She enjoyed interacting with students of all ages and cared about their progress. She was equally concerned and active in the upbringing of her children. Although she couldn’t teach any of her children to play the piano as well as she could, she was supportive of their individual pursuits. She was fond of her grandchildren, always happy to see them and hear what they were doing.

Although she could be content gardening at home, one of her lifelong joys was traveling. In her later years, she traveled more—both abroad and domestically. She visited most of the States, made numerous trips to Europe, and even went to further destinations like Japan, China, India, South Africa, Israel, and Peru. She liked to learn and socialize wherever she went.

FAMILY RECEIVES FRIENDS: FRI, September 16, 9:30 a.m. followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:30 a.m. all at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4804 Grover St. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery. For memorials the family prefers Masses or to the Open Door Mission.