Raymond "Ray" Vondrak

We bid farewell to Raymond "Ray" Vondrak, whose remarkable journey concluded on October 11, 2025, at the age of 78. Ray touched countless lives with his warmth, quick wit, and kindness, leaving behind cherished memories that will resonate in the hearts of all who knew him.

A retired Advanced Concepts in Mathematics teacher and tutor, Ray dedicated his career to his students, believing deeply that, "My career in mathematics kept me out of poverty."

He was an avid collector, and his home was filled with museum-quality art, fine china, elegant silver, and exquisite books. As the only son of William Joseph Vondrak (a store clerk in the railroad industry) and Margaret Marie Vondrak (a homemaker), his passion for beautiful things was instilled in him by his parents, who schooled him in the art of thrift store and estate sale shopping from a very young age. Always adding up the dollars and cents of life, Ray was quick to proclaim that his treasure trove was all purchased "at a good price."

A devoted Catholic, Ray infused his daily life with prayer, the rosary, and regular mass attendance. His rosary beads, each a unique work of art collected during his global travels, adorned every room of his home.

A lover of the sun and the beach, many of his best adventures unfolded on cruise ships and sandy shores with lifelong friends.

Ray is reunited with his parents, dressed fabulously, with a shoehorn in his pocket. May his legacy inspire us to embrace each day with purpose, passion, and deep gratitude for life’s precious gifts.

He leaves behind a well-loved and worn-out Louis Vuitton Organizer Wallet filled with prayer cards, an obsolete flip phone that only death could part him from, and a remarkable home filled with unique collectibles.

Ray's spirit shines on in the students whom Mr. Vondrak educated, guiding them to lead successful lives; devoted travel companions; his local walking group, FrontRunners; Sunday Free Supper at The Max Omaha; restaurants throughout Omaha where "Everybody Loves Raymond"; the church ladies at St. Roberts in both the Rosary and a.m. church services; his gym buddies at Genesis Health Club; the staff at Heritage Memory Care Unit on Sterling Ridge Road; and a host of people who feel they have lost one of the best friends one could ever have.

Visitation 6:00-7:30 PM Monday (10/20/2025) with 7:30 PM Vigil at the church; Funeral Mass 10:30 AM Tuesday (10/21/2025) followed by a luncheon at St. Robert Bellarmine Church 11802 Pacific St. Omaha, Nebraska; Interment Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

Memorials to

St. Juan Diego Center Food Pantry

5211 South 31st Street

Omaha, Nebraska - 68107

or

Food Bank for the Heartland

10525 J Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68127

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel - 2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com