Obituary of Louis Vratil

View Video Tribute Louis Vratil was born October 7, 1918 in Pawnee County Kansas to Victor Vratil and Mary Svatos both Bohemian immigrants. He was the 12th of 17 children. His brothers and sisters were Bertha, Emelia, George, Harold, Eddie, Henry, Leo, Albert, Helen, Charlie, Les, Frank, Bob, Rene, Roy and Willie. He was inducted into the Army Air Corp February 3, 1942. He served 3 years, 4 months and 4 days in the South Pacific with the 49th Fighter Group earning the rank of Tech Sergeant. He served the following Decorations and Citations: Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, Air Medal, Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star. He along with six other brothers served in World War II, they covered all service branches. Louis was married to Betty L. Reynolds, August 21, 1947, in Turon, Kansas. In 1950 he and three other Vratil brothers started farming in Colorado. In 1957 Louis, Bob and Lester started a farm service shop in Limon. In 1968 they sold the business and Louis concentrated on farming south of Limon, during that time he and Betty operated the Limon Dairy King and a Septic business. Louis served on the Limon School Board for 20 years; he helped start the Limon Rural Fire Department. He was selected as an Honorary L Club member in 1973. While in Limon he was a member of the Lions Club and in Arizona was active in the VFW. He was a Scout master for many years. He is survived by one brother, Charlie (Larned, Kansas) and one sister, Rene Harrington (Colorado Springs, Colorado). Louis and Betty have six children: Scott, Vaughn, Terri, Doug, Colleen and Greg. Scott and Jan Vratil (Limon, Colorado), children Jennifer husband Andy and son Cooper and Chris and wife Erin. Vaughn and Alisa Vratil (Tomball, Texas), children Jackie husband Corby and children Cole and Connor, Matthew wife Noela and daughter Sofia. Terri and Gerry Tucker (Colorado Springs, Colorado), children Travis and Annie husband Scott, they are now expecting their first child in December. Doug and Linette Vratil (Fountain Hills, Arizona), children Curtis fiancée Sheree Butler and Melinda husband John and children Bailey and Dustin. Colleen and John Delmex (Denver, Colorado), children Tonya engaged to Nick and Shawn. Greg and Cindy Vratil (Tomball, Texas), children Jason and Amy, Erica and Ian and their son Samuel and Victoria. Louis enjoyed hunting and the challenge of making a product to fill the need of different individuals. He loved to take a machine and make it better or modify it to a specific need, he was a true craftsman. He enjoyed outdoor activities, all the family learned to water ski under his supervision. While retired, Louis and Betty spent many years traveling in their motor home. They lived in Limon until 1998 at which time they moved to Mesa, Arizona until 2006 at which time they returned to Colorado living in Colorado Springs. Visitation will be held Sunday ~ June 22, 2008 ~ 2 to 5 P.M. at Love Funeral Home ~ Limon, CO Rosary will be said Sunday ~ June 22, 2008 ~ 7 P.M. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church ~ Limon, CO A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 A.M. Monday June 23, 2008 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Limon, CO. Memorials may be made to the Limon Rural Fire Dept. P.O. Box 3 Limon, CO 80828 or the National Parkinson Foundation 1501 NW 9th Ave / Bob Hope Road Miami, FL 33136-1494.