Svoboda, Doris Hazel (Forslund)

Doris Hazel (Forslund) Svoboda passed away Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville.

Doris was born Jan. 14, 1914, in Shelby, Mont., the fourth child of Carl and Emilia (Lindberg) Forslund. Her Swedish immigrant parents were wheat farmers, and after several years of drought, they sold the farm and joined other family members in Puyallup, Wash., in 1919 where Doris was raised with her five brothers. She graduated with honors from Puyallup High School in 1932 – a talented violinist, she was selected to travel to Cleveland in her senior year and be part of the National High School Orchestra. Following graduation and a year of business college, she went to work for the telephone company as a long distance operator. In 1939, she married Frank Svoboda, a high school classmate and also a telephone company employee. She was a homemaker until their children were in school, then worked as a school secretary in both elementary and junior high school.

In 1957, the family moved to Vashon Island, Wash. Doris soon found herself in a familiar work environment when she became secretary to the superintendent of the Vashon Island school system. When Frank retired, she semiretired and went to work in the local fabric store. An accomplished seamstress, she enjoyed teaching sewing classes and introducing others to the joys of sewing.

In 1979, she and Frank moved to Sun Lakes Ariz., a retirement community near Phoenix, where they lived for the next 24 years. They traveled extensively, both in the USA and abroad, and shared a passion for golf. Doris was also active in Neighbors Who Care, a Sun Lakes volunteer organization which worked to fit talents with needs in their community. Having acquired her first computer at age 80, she became their official producer of greeting cards, and twice received their annual Silent Angel award for her service.

Doris lost her husband of 62 years in 2002 and the following year moved to Iowa City to be near family. She resided at Legacy Pointe and was a charter member of its welcoming committee. In September 2009, she relocated to Lantern Park.

Doris left behind a joyful and inspiring legacy. She was a true lover of life, who always welcomed new experiences and enjoyed learning new things – gifts she passed on to her children and grandchildren, along with her wonderful sense of humor.

Doris is survived by her children, Carl (Christine) Svoboda of Calgary, Alberta, and Gale Kolbet of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Ted Kolbet of Fort Madison, Sarah (Donald) Schutt of McFarland, Wis., Carl (Cassidy) Kolbet of New York City, Dagny (Christian) DuBois of Banff, Alberta and Elinor Svoboda of Toronto, Ontario; and five great-grandchildren, Sam and Ben Schutt, Milend and Bayla Kolbet and Izabel DuBois.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Arthur, Chauncey, Herman, Clifford and Vernon Forslund; and her son-in-law, Richard Kolbet.

Doris requested no services, and has been cremated. Interment and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa City IA 52240.