Val attended the Dwight Assumption School his Freshman and Sophomore years. He attended Waverly High School his Junior and Senior years and graduated in 1950 along with his friend, Eugene Benes (Bobby Layne). The two of them were in the Waverly band and later had bands of their own. Val worked on the family farm with his father and was a salesman for Thom Mcan Shoes in Lincoln and Kansas City, Mo. During this time he led a Polka Band, ‘Val Rusky’ and later a dance band ‘Val Rustin’ Val met his future wife Adelaide Sudrla at Dance Island in Wahoo, Nebraska. He and Adelaide, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hajek) Sudrla were married on August 30, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wymore, Nebraska. Adelaide and Val moved to a farm near Elk City Nebraska where they farmed for twelve years. Four children, Daniel, Robert, Valerie and Audrey were born during that time.
In the meantime, Val’s childhood dream of becoming a pilot was becoming a reality. He started to take flying lessons at the Fremont Airport and soon was giving flying lessons and continuing to farm. During this time, the family took short trips by air in order for Val to build up flying time. Since Val was renting the farm, the family had to relocate when it was sold and in 1970. Val was raising hogs and the new farm that they would be moving to did not lend itself to that very well. The family moved to Elkhorn, Nebraska to a farm (that later became ‘Junk Stock’ for several years.) Their fifth child James was born in 1973 but he did not get to enjoy the farm life as the family was soon to move to Waverly, Nebraska. Val began flying for Lincoln Aviation and later for the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics.
Val retired in 1997 as Chief Pilot for the Department of Aeronautics with over 17,000 hours of flight time. He continued to give check rides for the Federal Government for several years. During his retirement years he did wood working, metal working, and was a life-long VW enthusiast. Val and Adelaide also acquired rental property which kept them busy, fixing, painting, tiling floors and other projects. Val and Adelaide have been members of St Patrick’s parish since December of 1974. Val was involved as an acolyte for about 25 years and was Knights of Columbus member. He was also a lector a his previous parish. Val and Adelaide were both involved in working at the St. Patrick’s booth at the State Fair in the early years and at the annual church dinners, working with Pius X fundraisers, Right to Life and other organizations. The four oldest children all live in the Waverly and Lincoln area.
Val was preceded in death by his son James Joseph, his parents James and Lillian (Dvorak) Hruska and two sisters Lillian Henrix and JoAnn Hronek.
He is survived by his wife Adelaide, his sons Daniel and Robert and his daughters Valerie and Audrey, nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sister Mary Ann Bouc and brother Jerome Hruska.
Visitation will be held at the Roper and Sons Waverly Chapel on Friday, March 21st with family greeting friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary starting at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (6111 Morrill Ave., Lincoln) on Saturday, March 22nd at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow.