Ann Svoboda

ANN SVOBODA

Cedar Rapids

Ann E. Svoboda passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in her home. A vigil service will be held at Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. Friends may visit with the family from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Services will be 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church on Monday, Dec. 1, by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial will be at

Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Ann was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the late Frank J. and Annie M. Svoboda. She graduated from Central City High School, where she was elected queen in her senior year. Ann participated in sports and had a beautiful voice in the school choir; she also worked as a doctor's assistant during her high school years.

After graduation, Ann was employed as a receptionist at Universal Engineering and was known by salesmen as being "the best receptionist in the state of Iowa." She represented her company as its beauty queen in a city-wide event.

Later she became an inspector at Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids and helped inspect the Apollo Spaceship which went to the Moon, piloted by Neil Armstrong.

Ann took additional training under registered nurses as she had always aspired to be a nurse, and at the end of her lifelong career, was involved in geriatric care. One of her greatest joys was helping to take care of her father and mother during their illnesses.

Ann was also a Luzier beauty analyst during her lifetime and was a member of the election board in her precinct.

A very popular individual who dressed very fashionably, Ann had a zest for life. She loved people and was treasured and loved deeply by her family and her friends, because of her genuine and caring nature. Her vivaciousness, delightful personality, outstanding sense of humor, kind heart and generosity drew people to her. Her beautiful, radiant smile and wink were second to none. No one could ever surpass the brilliance of her captivating smile. In the entire world there was no sound as bright and warm as her laughter.

A very loyal individual, she loved her family, all of her friends, her Catholic religion, her country, and was very proud of her Czech heritage, which language she spoke with ease.

Ann was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Daughters of Isabella (where she served as vice regent, plus other offices and chaired numerous committees), past officer of Legion of Mary, member of Czech Heritage Association, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, Mercy Generation, St. Luke's Advantage Program, Prime Timers, Collins Retirees and the Pope John Paul Cultural Center.

She volunteered at Mercy Medical Center, where she received her certificate for volunteering 1,000 hours of which she was very proud; Immaculate Conception Church in various capacities; ushered for the Cedar Rapids Symphony; was a docent for the Czech and Slovak Museum and Library; and served on cancer and many charity drives.

Ann traveled a great deal, enjoyed dancing, singing, reading about current events and making crafts. She had a deep appreciation for beauty and was very artistic, which was evidenced by her decorating ability and winning blue ribbons at the local, county and state fairs in embroidery, ceramics, painting and crafts.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mildred Annie Speers.

She is survived by her sisters, Philomena Blofield Sterns of Marion and Angela Mae Svoboda of Cedar Rapids, plus a number of nieces and nephews.

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

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. James Boddicker, who carefully monitored her health, and to Ann's caregivers for their wonderful care, love and support.

Online condolences may be left at www.teahen funeralhome.com.