Pobuda, Kenneth Eugene

Kenneth Eugene Pobuda, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and congregation overseer, fell asleep in death Thursday. True to his bioethical principles to the end, he succumbed to overwhelming complications from abdominal surgery.

Ken was born Dec. 31, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, 10 minutes before his twin sister, Kay. They were the sole progeny and darlings of the parents, Frank and Lenore Pobuda. As a preschool musically-gifted child, Ken would play a little accordion dressed in costume for Czech audiences, and later sang in the McKinley High School production, “Babes in Toyland.”

After graduating from high school in 1956, Ken took up full time religious work as a “pioneer minister” of Jehovah's Witnesses, serving as a door-to-door evangelizer until he was called to a three-year assignment as staff worker at the Bethel Printery in Brooklyn, N.Y., producing Bibles and related study publications.

In 1961, he and Diane Jaeger of Cedar Rapids were wed. They greatly honored their marriage throughout its 49-year duration.

Ken is survived by Diane, and their son, Neil, and his wife, Luz, of Charlotte, N.C., and their daughter, Angela Stevens, and her children, of Muscatine, Iowa.

Ken served faithfully as an elder in the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cedar Rapids throughout his adult lifetime, delivering platform instruction, acting pastorally, teaching Bible study classes and engaging in house-to-house ministry to the public. He was known for his punctuality, dependability, work ethic, lifelong Bible study diligence and support for the moral and spiritual purity of the congregation of God.

He now rests from his labors, awaiting the glorious resurrection to life on an earth restored to paradise by the Kingdom of God.

His survivors shall sorely miss him now.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1:30 p.m., at Kingdom Hall, 2204 26th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, to be conducted by Lowell Klinefelter of Anamosa.

Arrangements are with Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel.