Frances J. Svoboda

Frances J. Svoboda, 81, of St. Paul, died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Bryan LGH Medical Center East in Lincoln. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Rev. Joel Rathbun will officiate. Mrs. Svoboda’s body will be cremated following the service. Private family inurnment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul at a later date. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Svoboda was born on May 18, 1929, at Cozad, the daughter of George and Florence (Evarts) Ashley. She was united in marriage to Virgil E. Svoboda on June 6, 1948, at Cozad. He preceded her in death on Feb. 12, 1986. She is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, George Svoboda of St. Paul and Roger and Janet Svoboda of Boelus. She also leaves to cherish her memory, 3 grandchildren, Rebecca Waind and her husband, Ryan of Grand Island, William Svoboda of Boelus and Ashley Svoboda of Grand Island; and six great-grandchildren. Frances grew up in Cozad where she attended Cozad Public Schools and was a 1948 graduate of Cozad High School. After her marriage to Virgil, the couple first lived on a farm near Elba and later moved to St. Paul in 1951. Over the years she worked at Louie’s Café, Brehm’s Drug and Jack & Jill grocery store. She was also a Mary Kay Beauty consultant. She was a member of the St. Paul EMT’s for 9 years, having served as EMT Captain for one year. She was part of the EMT’s that were honored with a Community Service Citation by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. Frances was also a CPR instructor for 6 years and was a longtime bowler, having belonged to the USBC Bowling Association. In addition to her husband, Virgil, she was preceded in death by her parents; one infant son, Rodney Svoboda; one granddaughter, Darcy Jean Svoboda; and a twin sister, Phyllis Meyers. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice.