Vince Rukstalis

He was born February 23, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois the son of the late Vincent and Juliana Kisielius Rukstalis.

Vincent graduated from Chicago Vocational High school in 1961. He continued his education at Michigan Technological University earning a Bachelor's degree in 1967 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1968. Vincent married Laura Yuska July 12, 1969 in Midlothian, Illinois. Celebrating 55 years of marriage.

Vincent enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and achieved the rank of Major before retiring from active duty in July 1989. During the Vietnam era, he served as a B-52 Navigator in Operation Linebacker and Linebacker II. Following his service in Vietnam, Vincent was reassigned as a Navigator on the RC-135S measurement and signature intelligence aircraft known as "Cobra Ball." The Cobra Ball is a rapidly deployable aircraft , which flies Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed missions of national priority to collect optical and electronic data on the boost and re-entry phases of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The reconnaissance data collected was utilized for treaty verification and the detection of ballistic missile proliferation. In the final six years of his service, Vincent became an Instructor Navigator and eventually a Flight Examiner Navigator.

After retiring from active duty, Vincent continued his education by earning a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1992. He then served as an Aerospace Science Instructor (ROTC) at Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, Illinois in 1997. He retired to his family home in Papillion in May of 2012.

Vincent was a member of the American Legion Post 32 of Papillion, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Juliana Kisielius Rukstalis, and cherished sister Amelia Noel.

He is survived by his loving wife, Laura; devoted father of Vincent (Dianne) Rukstalis, Michael (Kim) Rukstalis; their daughter, Cora of Papillion, Nebraska. Jennifer (Rick) Lochmiller; their children, Olivia and Landon of Gretna, Nebraska. Christina (Dave) Purdy and their children Jackson, Madden, and Ever of Fraser, Colorado. Dear brother, Joseph Rukstalis of Carter Lake, Iowa. Brothers-in-law, Michael Yuska, Charles Yuska, John Yuska, Thomas Noel. Sisters-in-law, Patricia and Linda Yuska. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation for Vincent will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kahler Dolce Mortuary, 441 North Washington Street, Papillion, Nebraska 68046.

A Funeral Mass will occur Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St Columbkille Church, 200 E Sixth St, 2250, Papillion, Nebraska 68046.

Interment will occur Monday, June 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd, Omaha, Nebraska 68138.