Bright, Joanne M. Svejda

Joanne M. Svejda Bright, 78, of Atkins, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Public visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St. in Vinton. Private Committal services will be at St. Stephen's Cemetery near Atkins.

Joanne was born Jan. 12, 1935, the daughter of Charles and Ruth Nerison Simmer near Atkins. She was baptized and later confirmed and attended Middle School at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins. She graduated from Atkins High School.

She retired from Atkins Elementary School in 1997 as secretary for 10 years and teacher's associate for 19 years.

She was united in marriage to Ralph “Moe” Bright on Nov. 12, 1981, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Ralph “Moe” Bright of Atkins; her two sons, Jeffrey (Laura) Svejda of Atkins and Steve (Tricia) Svejda of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Joey (Sarah) Svejda of Atkins, Jill Morris of Cedar Rapids, Troy (Erin) Svejda of Redfield, Iowa, Sarah (Alan) Bridges of North Platte, Neb., and Amanda Brown and fiance Richard Ainsworth of Cedar Rapids; her eight great grandchildren, Alyssa and Colton Morris, Jacob Svejda, Joel, Isaac, Lydia Svejda, Letice Bridges and Nolan Ainsworth; her three sisters, Joyce Barrett of Cedar Rapids, Pauline (Dick) McKechnie of Prescott, Arizona and Jeanne (Hank) Rathje of Robins; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Don Svejda in 1980, Joanne was preceded in death by her three infant sons.

Online condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.

Published Nov. 15, 2013 in The Gazette