Catherine Vrbanac

Catherine Frances (Mufic) Vrbanac, passed away on November 8, 2019 at the age of 98. She was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas until such time as she required specialized nursing care for Alzheimers. Catherine fought a lengthy and courageous battle against Alzheimers for over 15 years, after having seen her own Mother pass of the same disease. She was born to Helen (Matson) and Frank Mufic on August 27, 1921, attended Blessed Sacrament School and was a long time member and organist at the Church. She attended Bishop Ward High School, class of 1939, was a proud member of their Marching Band as a clarinetist, while also continuing to play piano and organ. Catherine attended what was then known as St. Mary College in Leavenworth, finishing with a degree in Music Education and a minor in Biology. After graduation in 1943, she taught Freshman Biology at Ward for two years, and was surprised to be teaching some of the younger brothers and sisters of her former classmates. In 1945, she married Frank Vrbanac, known as "Beano" from Strawberry Hill, and raised 4 children, settling near Bishop Ward High School and in the parish of St. Peters Cathedral. Somehow she managed to maintain a busy Moms life, packing lunches, and making special birthday cakes, while being a member of the Cathedral Altar Society, a Regent of the Daughters of Isabella Queen of the World Circle #979, later Our Lady of Fatima Circle #843. She attended the American Institute of Banking and worked as a Mutual Funds Correspondent at United Missouri Bank from 1963 until her retirement in 1982. Within this period, from 1968-1971, she withstood the losses of her son, husband, and father, yet continued on as the rock of our family, seeing the remaining children through high school and college graduations. Always wanting to keep the holidays festive, she decorated the house with twisted garlands of red and green crepe paper for Christmas, and was known for her varieties of cut out cookies, Spritz cookies, and pumpkin and lemon meringue pies. Mom was a stickler for proper English and good diction, once calling up a radio station to admonish them for utilizing the improper form of a particular word on the air. She loved all the Broadway musicals and show tunes, particularly those of Rogers and Hammerstein. An avid gardener, she had beautiful tulips on either side of the house, and an heirloom red rose bush in front of which every First Communion, Confirmation, and graduation picture was photographed. That 70+ year old Paul Scarlet rose bush has been transplanted and is thriving and lovingly cared for by her youngest daughter in Overland Park even today. One of her favorite pastimes in retirement was watching KU basketball and filling out the bracket in her own hand as the Jayhawks progressed through the tournament during March Madness. Mom continued to love her sweets and Coca-Cola as she advanced in age, and was able until just a few years ago, to exclaim, "Thats good!", when slurping a Coke through a straw. Catherine was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 25 years, Frank C. Vrbanac; and son, Francis. She is survived by a son, Mark S. Vrbanac of Kansas City; and daughters Angela Vrbanac-Libby (Rod) of Livermore, California; and Marie Vrbanac of Overland Park; grandson Matt Smith (Barb) and great granddaughter Chloe of Allen,Texas; great granddaughter Brigitte Mena of Dallas, Texas; and great granddaughter Ashely Coleman (Chad) and great-great granddaughter Ella Mae of Carlsbad, California. Services at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 416 N. 14th St., Kansas City, KS, will include a rosary at 9:00am on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 with visitation from 9:30-10:00am. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00am. Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery will be immediately following the Mass and reception in the Parish Center afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association in her name or utilizing this weblink - http://act.alz.org/goto/MemoryZMatter2019 Our family would like to thank all the staff members of Blessed Health and Home Care, Ashford Place, Manor Care of Overland Park, Brighton Gardens, and Catholic Community Hospice for their love and care of our Mom. Arrangements: Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N. 6th St., Kansas City, Kansas
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Rosary Cathedral of St. Peter

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

9:00 AM

409 N. 15thKansas City, Kansas 66102
Directions Visitation Cathedral of St. Peter

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

9:30 AM

409 N. 15thKansas City, Kansas 66102
Directions Mass of Christian Burial Cathedral of St. Peter

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

10:00 AM

409 N. 15thKansas City, Kansas 66102
Directions Burial Mt. Calvary Cemetery

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

11:30 AM

38 & StateKansas City, Kansas 66102
Directions