Willis Eugene Svoboda was born June 21, 1936, on the farm near Brainard, to Theodore and Lillian (Sypal) Svoboda and passed away Jan. 31, 2025, in David City, at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 10 days.
Willis attended school at Dwight Assumption Catholic Grade and High School and graduated from Dwight Assumption High School. He was united in marriage to Maxine Lavicky on April 27, 1957, at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight. Willis was a farmer his entire life, but was also employed at Goodyear for 30 years. After his retirement, he worked for Bob Schmidt in repairing machinery.
Willis was a member of the Nebraska Shorthorn Association and United Auto Workers (UAW). He was a faithful member of Dwight Assumption Catholic Church, where he served as an acolyte, choir member, on the funeral committee and was a board member for Assumption Catholic Cemetery. He later was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in David City.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Lillian Svoboda; son, Mark Svoboda; parents-in-law, Dudley and Agnes Lavicky; granddaughter, Holly Crook; son-in-law, Galen Stuhr; sisters and brothers-in-law, Leona (Ernie) Prochaska, Dot (Carol) Hahn, Marge (Gene) Novak; and brother, Ladd Svoboda.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Maxine Svoboda, David City; daughters, Connie Svoboda, David City, Barb (Russ) Ruth, Rising City, Therese “Teri” Stuhr, Seward, Carla Svoboda, Lincoln; sister-in-law, Ramona Svoboda, Brainard; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Ann Lavicky, Chuck and Cathy Lavicky, and 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; 22 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 numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 7 at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight with interment at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Dwight Volunteer Fire and Rescue or St. Joseph's Villa, David City.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
