Edward was born to John S. and Barbara Rose (Steinbach) Vanek.  He attended Country School District #85 and later graduated from Prague High School. He married Rose Ann Riepl on June 6, 1946 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colon, NE. They made their home on a farm west of Malmo where Ed was a grain and livestock producer and worked for the ASCS office for many years. Ed was a well known musician and was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in 1995. He started playing the bass horn in 1932, playing with the Vanek family band. He played with the Polkateers Band for many years as well as many other bands. Ed was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1833. He joined the Malmo Fire Department in June of 1955 and was an honorary member of the department.
 
Preceded in death by: wife Rose Ann Vanek, brothers Rudy and Richard Vanek, sisters Christie Franta and Elaine Blum.
 
Survived by children and spouses, Dennis and Marge Vanek, Bellevue, NE, Carolyn and George Novak, Scottsdale, AZ, Edward C. Vanek, Prior Lake, MN, Rita and Bob Loos,  Laurie Obering and Greg Vokoun, all of Lincoln, NE, Michael and Barbara Vanek, Ann Arbor, MI, Annette and Craig Wallace, Omaha, NE, 19 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sisters Helen (Leonard) Fencl, Linwood, NE, Clara (Joe) Schrader, Oskaloosa, KS, brothers Milo (Betty Jo) Vanek, Indianapolis, IN, John (Deloris) Vanek, Prague, NE, sisters in law Edith Riepl, Fremont, NE, Helen Humlicek, Prague, NE, Bernice Clark, Beatrice, NE, brother in law George Blum, Fremont, NE, special friend Rose Novotny, Wahoo, NE, many nieces and nephews.