Dr. Eugene Francis Vinduska, Sr. was born December 4, 1930, in Pilsen, Kansas to Joseph J. and Marie (Lentz) Vinduska. He was raised in Pilsen with his two older brothers, Robert and Florian, and attended Pilsen Grade School. He was an active, adventurous, and energetic child, which affectionately earned him his lifelong nickname “Hooligan” in Pilsen. In June of 1940, he was given the honor of participating in the procession of Father Emil Kapaun’s first Mass at St. John Nepomucene church and would serve as an altar boy throughout his youth.
Like his father, he learned to play the slide trombone, and would practice polkas at home with his brothers. At 14 he began playing in local polka bands and was in numerous bands over the years. His final performance was on November 7, 2009, at the age of 78, performing with his family band.
Eugene graduated from Lincolnville High School in 1948 and enlisted in the Army. Shortly thereafter he received a medical discharge and returned to Pilsen. He recovered from his illness and started a gasoline transportation business and opened the Pilsen Corner Station. In 1953, he chose to pursue dentistry. He graduated in 1957 from St Benedict’s College in Atchison with a BS in Biology.
On June 1, 1957, he married Verna Jirak. They moved to Kansas City while Eugene attended the Kansas City Dental College, earning his DDS degree in May of 1961. The couple then moved back home to Pilsen along with their first two children, Anne and Eugene Jr. Six more children were born to Eugene and Verna: Doug, Amy, Mary, Jo Ellen, Jerry, and Karen.
Eugene practiced dentistry in Marion from 1961 until retiring in 1999. Dr. Vinduska treated his patients over the years with kindness and compassion; he worked with a smile on his face and often while humming a tune. For the last 10 years of his practice, his wife Verna worked alongside him as his receptionist.
Eugene had many hobbies: hunting, fishing, traveling, boating, and attending polka dances with Verna. He earned his private pilot license and enjoyed flying his Piper Cherokee around Kansas and the surrounding states. He also owned a BMW motorcycle which he rode to work and on fun little trips with Verna. He loved to tell stories of growing up in Pilsen and the many adventures he had over his 92 years. He worked hard at home and in his dental office, and always had a kid or two along to help.
He was a member of Holy Family Parish, and a charter member of the Father Kapaun Knights of Columbus Council #3423 in Pilsen; he was also a member of the American Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, and the California Dental Association. He lived nearly his entire life in Pilsen until his passing at Halstead Health and Rehab on November 23, 2023.
Eugene is preceded in death by his wife Verna, parents Joseph and Marie Vinduska, brothers Robert and Florian, and his son, Eugene Jr. He is survived by seven children: Anne (Tom) Malone of Topeka, Doug (Kim) Vinduska of Wichita, Amy (Tim) Vogel of Marion, Mary (Steve) McNeil of Wichita, JoEllen (Brian) Whitehair of Abilene, Jerry (Heather) Vinduska of Wichita, and Karen (Jeffry) Thompson of Ozawkie. He is also survived by sister-in-law Marguerite Jirak, 23 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to give special thanks to the Pilsen community, friends, neighbors, Father Isaac and Father May for the love you have shown our dad, especially through the last few years. We are grateful for your kindness and support when our dad needed it the most.
Services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Holy Family Parish, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen, with praying of the Rosary to be held at 10:30 am, and the Funeral Mass to be held at 11:00 am. Inurnment will be in the Pilsen Cemetery. A Memorial Fund has been established for the Fr. Kapaun Legacy Fund in care of Jost Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.jostfuneralhome.com.