Maxine Ann (Lavicky) Svoboda was born Dec. 4, 1937, on a farm near Dwight, to Ludvik “Dudley” and Agnes (Cech) Lavicky and entered her heavenly home, surrounded by her family, on Aug. 28, 2026, at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 24 days.
Maxine attended country school before continuing her education at Dwight Assumption Grade and High School. She was crowned Miss Dwight during her senior year of high school. On April 27, 1957, she was united in marriage to Willis Svoboda at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight.
Maxine was not just a farmer’s wife; she was a farmer. She worked alongside Willis and played an important role in the operation of their farm while raising their family. Maxine pursued another calling and returned to school. She earned her nursing degree from Platte College in Columbus and later received her RN degree from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha. Maxine dedicated herself to caring for others throughout her nursing career. She worked as an RN at Memorial Hospital and Sundermann Home, both in Seward, David Place in David City, and later provided home health services. Whether caring for her family, working on the farm, or tending to her patients, Maxine gave her time and talents generously to those around her.
Maxine was a devoted member of Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight, where she was very involved with the Assumption Ladies funeral committee. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Maxine enjoyed quilting and found great joy in baking, especially making kolaches and strudel. She loved sharing her favorite recipes and even wrote two cookbooks.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Svoboda; parents, Dudley and Agnes Lavicky; son, Mark Svoboda; granddaughter, Holly Crook; son-in-law, Galen Stuhr; brother, Val Lavicky; and sister-in-law, Melissa Lavicky.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her daughters, Connie Svoboda, David City, Barb (Russ) Ruth, Rising City, Therese “Teri” Stuhr, Seward, and Carla Svoboda, Lincoln; sister-in-law, Ramona Svoboda, Brainard; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dan and Ann Lavicky, Chuck and Cathy Lavicky, Tim and Pat Brock; nine grandchildren, Stacy Kadavy, Daryl Crook, Ryan Ruth, Andy Kadavy, Lindsay Truksa, Nick Kadavy, Jarred Ruth, Jacob Ruth and Dominic Stuhr; 23 great-grandchildren, Peyton, Ethan and Capri Quakenbush, Ryker and Kollyns Truksa, Tayla Strayer, Terrance and Quincy Kadavy, Everett Stuhr, Anna and Sophie Kadavy, Drake, Gemma and Aylla Ruth, Charlie, Josie, Sadie and Scottie Ruth, Milo and Georgie Crook, Easton and Ella Ross and Kadence Stuhr; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 1 – 4 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Dwight, with visitation with family following from 5 – 7 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Sept. 3, at 1o a.m. at the church with interment at the church cemetery.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Dwight.
