Obituary

Edward Vladislav Svoboda was born on July 20, 1921, in Bee to Edward and Antonia (Dvorak) Svoboda and passed away on January 6, 2019, at the age of 97 years, 5 months and 17 days. Edward was baptized on August 14, 1921 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight.

Edward grew up in the Bee and Seward area and attended school in Bee. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on July 24, 1942 in Fort Crook, Nebraska. Edward served in Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland. He also served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Upon his honorable discharge on December 27, 1945, Ed returned to Seward.

On February 17, 1947, Ed married Rosella Holman and to this union four children were born. Ed worked for the City of Seward in the water department for fifteen plus years and later for Seward Public Schools from 1980-1986.

On October 14, 1978, Ed married Leona Mueller at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Ed and Leona worked as custodians at Jones Bank for many years. They enjoyed traveling around as well as listening and playing in polka bands. He had the Eddie Svoboda Polka Band. Ed and the group loved traveling to festivals, jamborees, fairs, retirement homes and special events; he was also involved in the accordion jamborees around the area. Ed enjoyed the challenge of fixing things especially when people thought they were unfixable. He was a jack of all trades. Ed loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could. He was a longtime member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #8469, lifetime member of Seward American Legion Post #33 and Seward VFW Post #4755.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Rosella (1973) and Leona (2018); two sons, Edward A. Svoboda and Randy Mueller; one brother and two sisters.

Survivors include his three children, Rosemary Harnly and husband Jim of Seward, Robert Svoboda and wife Sarah of Graham, MO, Annette Boeche and husband Jim of Lincoln; two daughters-in-law, Cheryl Mueller, Seward and Diane Svoboda, Seward; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Ed.

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