Hedvika Benesh

HEDVIKA "HEDY" BENESH

Cedar Rapids

Hedvika "Hedy" A. Benesh, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 2015. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Mel Ramos officiating. Burial: Czech National Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Hedy is survived by her children, David (Sharon) Benesh, Cherryl (Richard) Bartunek, Sylvia (William) Courtney and Bonnie (Gary) Samuels; grandchildren, Allen, Christine, Kathy, Steve, Laura, Brian, Lisa, Scott, Victoria, Tina and Jennifer; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; parents, Adolph and Anna (Vavra) Konecny; sisters, Irma Binko and Sylvia Konecny; and brothers, Joseph, Charles and Albert Konecny.

Hedvika was born Feb. 12, 1921, on the family farm west of Ely, and attended the Buresh Country School. She was baptized and confirmed at and attended First Presbyterian Church near Ely. Hedy married Lloyd W. Benesh on March 22, 1941, in the parsonage of the church. Lloyd died Feb. 18, 1992. Following their marriage, Hedy and Lloyd lived in Cedar Rapids.

Hedy was employed at the Cedar Rapids Postal Service for 25 years, retiring in 1990. When she started working at the post office, her job was to put mail bags on carts. Later she was an LSM machine operator. At the post office she also was in charge of the immediate relief fund for over 20 years. Hedy also had worked at Dostal Catering and Konecny's Restaurant in the Czech Village.

Hedy was an active member of Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was superintendent of the Summer Bible school program, a Sunday school teacher and a deacon at the church. Hedy also helped serve meals at Greene Square kitchen and volunteered at the food pantry at First Presbyterian Church until Autumn 2010.

Always proud of her Czech heritage, Hedy was a member of Lodge Prokop Velky 137 C.S.A., Lodge Karel IV 13 W.F.L.A., the Federation of Czech Groups and volunteered at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. She also was a member of the Friendship Club in Ely and Chada-Pautz Fellowship at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Hedy had served as president of the PTAs in the schools which her children attended. She also enjoyed camping with her family in Canada and picking blueberries.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under "obituaries."