Vernon Sobotka, 79, of Ralston, died on October 7, 2026, at a local hospice.
Vernon was drafted in 1967 and served as an Army medic in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star. He came home, married his high school sweetheart and spent 30 years as a laboratory technician at a city hospital, the man every doctor called when a result did not make sense.
He coached Little League for twenty summers, restored two old pickups and never missed a Tuesday coffee with the men from his unit, until there were only three of them left.
He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.
Graveside service
Held Monday, October 19, at 1pm, with full military honors. Family and friends gathered at the funeral home at 12:15pm for the procession, and Bertram Brekke directed.
Memorials
Gifts to a veterans’ assistance fund are welcome.
