Michael Aarron Vrtatko was called home to his Heavenly Father on July 30, 2009. He was born May 7, 1983, in Lexington, Nebraska and was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, Nebraska, on June 6, 1983. He was confirmed and attended church at Grace Lutheran Church in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.He graduated from Albin High School in 2002, and attended Western Nebraska College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska studying auto mechanics; he also studied farm and ranch management in Torrington, Wyoming.    He is survived by his daughter Kaylee Brooke, mother and father, Rod and Christy Vrtatko, brothers Trusten and Johnathan,  aunts and uncles, Linda Stahla, Rhonda & Jim Shutts, Mark & Ann Stahla, Bob & Julie Stahla, Marvin Stahla and James Vrtatko, and many cousins.Farming and ranching were Michael’s passion, as a young boy his parents established a family farming business were he learned many skills working with his mother and father. He loved to work with his hands and had a profound sense of nature.   He got his love of farming and ranching from his Grandfather Vrtatko and his love of people from his Grandfather Stahla.  He was not shy and would talk to anyone, he had a heart as big as the ranch he loved and was most comfortable on his tractor.   Michael’s love of family was reflected by the love he had for his daughter Kaylee and the love and respect he had for his parents and, brothers; his love of God was reflected in the compassion he showed to others.                                                He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmer and Marie Stahla, and his grandfather, George Vrtatko.Funeral services were held on August 4, 2009, at 10:00 at Grace Lutheran Church in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming and burial was  at Kimball Cemetery, Kimball, Nebraska. A memorial has been established at Grace Lutheran Church, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.  Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.