The Schuyler Sun/Mrs P. F. Svoboda, member of a pioneer Colfax County Family, passed away on Thursday of last week

by anonymous

MRS. P. F. SVOBODA, MEMBER OF A PIONEER COLFAX COUNTY FAMILY, PASSED AWAY ON THURSDAY OF LAST WEEK; BURIAL SUNDAY

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Mrs. P. F. Svoboda, 67, well known resident of Schuyler and of Colfax county, passed away at her home at 236 West Eleventh street in this city last Thursday evening following a heart attack. Mrs. Svoboda had not enjoyed the best of health the past several years but during the past few months her condition seemed quite improved.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the pastor, Rev. L. R. McGaughey, and Rev. B. A. Filipi of Clarkson officiating. An unusually large concourse of friends from Schuyler and surrounding towns attended the services. A wealth of gorgeous floral tributes silently and affectionately expressed the sympathy of friends. A loud speaker was used in the church basement to accomodate the large attendance at the services. Burial was made in the Schuylyer cemetery.

Mrs. Svoboda

Miss Marie Rousar, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Rousar, was born at Obec Milovi, Bohemia on Aug. 14, 1868, and she passed away at Schuyler, Nebr., Jan. 9, 1936, at the age of 67 years, 4 months, and 25 days. She came to United States with her parents, three sisters and a brother in June, 1875. The family settled on a farm in Shell Creek precinct of Colfax county, Nebraska, upon their arrival in this country. The old farm home is located six miles west and four miles north of Schuyler, the present home of Hector Ernst family.

She was married to Emanuel T. Bukacek in this county, Nov. 10, 1897. To this union were born two sons, Clement who passed away in infancy and Ludvik who survives the mother.

Mr. and Mrs. Bukacek resided on a farm in Shell Creek precinct for several years after their marriage. Later they made their home on a farm near Leigh. Mrs. Bukacek moved to Schuyler in 1907 and had since that time made her home in this city. She and P. F. Svoboda were united in marriage at Wahoo, Dec. 7, 1918.

Surviving are an only son, Ludvik Bukacek of Schuyler, the husband, six sisters, Mrs. Frank Mitchell of Omaha, Miss Emma Rousar of Norfolk, Mrs. August Knipping, Mrs. J. A. Husak, Mrs. John Moural, all of Schuyler, Mrs. Edward Marohn who resides in Florida City, Fla., two brothers, Edward Rousar of Oklahoma City, Okla., Adolph Rousar who resides in Great Falls, Mont., and the following step-children: Mrs. Charles Palensky, Mrs. Vincent Shimerka, Raymond Svoboda, James Svoboda, Edward Svoboda, all of Prague, and Miss Agnes Svoboda of Schuyler.

Three brothers passed away after the family arrived in this country. They were Frank who passed away when 14 years of age, August who died in infancy and John who passed away in Chicago at the age of 51 years.

Mrs. Svoboda was a member of one of Colfax county’s pioneer families. She became a member of the Schuyler Methodist church in 1926 and had continued her membership and her work in the church since that time.

The Rev. McGaughey said the following of the deceased:

“It was not my purpose to preach a sermon in English when the Rev. B. A. Filipi was to give the main discourse in the native tongue of the deceased. However, there were a few remarks that I desired to make. We have lost a very dear neighbor and friend. She used every opportunity, so far as her strength would permit, to be kind to other people. If I should have used a text and preached a sermon, I could have found no more fitting scripture than, ‘She hath done what she could.’

“Some years ago she attended the Presbyterian church of our city, but in 1926 she united with our church because her strength was failing and desiring an opportunity to worship her Lord she united with our church because it is just across the street from her home and would not tax her strength so much in going and coming.

“After uniting with our church she labored in it whenever it was possible for her to do so, always with the spirit of the Master when He said, ‘When thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.’

“Just a few weeks ago she requested that some one else be elected to fill her official position in the church as she was no longer able to carry on.

“Surely, friends, neighbors, and relatives should not let such a life pass from our midst without heeding her example and striving to worship her Lord so that we may be worthy of meeting her in heaven.”