Speers, Mildred Svoboda

She became a war bride when she married John F. Speers on June 7, 1942. While he served in the Pacific Theater, she was a receptionist at I.O.A. Foods, a division of Witwer Grocer Co. After his discharge, the couple purchased and operated a hardware store. Because of a desire to live in California, John and Mildred moved to Downey, where John joined the Bank of America.

Mildred was a very caring wife, daughter and sister. When her mother became ill, she came home to Iowa for three months every year to take care of her.

Her excellent culinary skills and exceptional seamstress abilities made her a more loving and devoted wife to her husband of 60 years. One of her memorable moments was when she and her husband were selected to dance on the Lawrence Welk show.

 When her husband became ill, Mildred took care of him for six years and took over the management of the apartments where they lived. After he passed away in 2002, she continued to manage the apartments until she returned to Cedar Rapids in 2008 to live with her sister.

Her unusual beauty and genteel manner made others wonder if she didn't take part in beauty contests and movie films in California. A very sweet, gentle, patient, courageous, and loving person, she made others enjoy being around her.

She will be missed greatly by her family, by those who knew her, and those whose lives she touched.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, John.

She is survived by her sisters, Ann and Angela Svoboda and Philomena Sterns, all of Cedar Rapids; plus a number of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to Linda Stavropoulos who was there in times of need and to Mildred's caregivers, Marla Remington, Delores Phillips, Leticia Doyle, Megan Redmond and Susan McCormick for their wonderful care, love, and support.