James Svoboda

Hastings resident, James P. 'Jim' Svoboda, 78, of 1338 West 12th Street, died Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings, Nebraska.

Rosary will be Sunday, May 15, 2005; 6:00 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 16, 2005; 10:30 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Burial with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska.

Mr. Svoboda was born May 18, 1926 in Weston, Nebraska to James P. & Emma O. (Fendrich) Svoboda, Sr. He graduated from Weston High School in 1944 and served in the United States Navy during WWII from March 4,1944 until May 6, 1946. He married Arlene M. Shuster on September 8,1949 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Schuyler, Nebraska. He earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1950. He started his business career with J.C. Penney Company. He moved to Hastings, Nebraska in1963 and was assistant manager of J. M. McDonald's. He moved back to Hastings 1977 and was a manager for J. M. McDonald's and later Herbergers. He was director of the Small Business Institute at Central Community College and was a director for SCORE at Hastings, Nebraska. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, the church choir, Men's Club, 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, Columbian Holding Company, Rotary, American Legion, AARP and Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. He was very active in Hastings Community Concert Association and a past board member. He was also a past board member of the Red Cross. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden.

Mr. Svoboda was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin, Frank and brother, Milo and two sisters, Wilma Svoboda and Leona Grief.

Survivors include,
Wife: Arlene M. Svoboda - Hastings, NE
Daughter & Son-in-law: Susan & Daniel Schmidt - Hastings, NE
Sons & Daughters-in-law: Stephen Svoboda - Northridge, CA
Richard Svoboda & Liz Foulser- Melrose, MA
Scott & Tracy Svoboda - Davenport, IA
14 Grandchildren & Spouse: Nicole Schmidt Shon & Cambria Schmidt
James Schmidt Jessica Schmidt
Gretchen Mills Matthew Svoboda
Erin Svoboda Katie Svoboda
Emma Svoboda Marie Svoboda
David Svoboda Megan Svoboda
Ethan Svoboda Jared Svoboda
Great Grandson: Torsten Mills
Sisters & Brother-in-law: Amolie Ohnoutka - Plattsmouth, NE
Mary Jane & Ed O'Connor - Omaha, NE
Brother-in-law: Ivo Grief - Normal, IL

Memorial may be given to St. Michael's Catholic Church or KC Club

VISITATION: Sat. 5-14-05; 1pm-9pm
Sun. 5-15-05; 1pm-9pm
Mon. 5-16-05; 1 hr. prior to service at the church