Marjorie Ann Kopecek Nejdl

Marjorie Ann Kopecek Nejdl

Cedar Rapids

Marjorie Ann Kopecek Nejdl age 88, died March 10, 2025, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Following complications from a stroke.

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, born October 8, 1936, to Helen Kroupa and Charles Kopecek, and a lifetime resident of the Cedar Rapids area, she was united in marriage to Edward John Nejdl on June 1, 1957, in Hus Church, Cedar Rapids, where she has been a member since the early 1950’s. She is survived by her children, Charles (DeeAnn), Cedar Rapids, and Phillip (Michelle) Brandon, Grandchildren Emily Nejdl, Waukee and Tom Nejdl, Independence, Bonus grandchildren, Scott (Kasey) Szopinski, Hazelton, bonus greatgrandchildren, Wyatt, Emma and Gerrett, Sister-in-law Sheryl Nejdl, Marengo, Niece Lynne Marie Nejdl Erger (Paul), Marengo, Nephew Douglas Nejdl (Brenda), Center Point, close cousins and countless dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, grandparents, and parents. In consideration of the span of her life events, she has always considered her family to be of the utmost importance.

At the early age of 14, she began teaching beginners gymnastics for girls ages 5-12 through the auspices of Sokol Gymnastics Association. She continued teaching and coaching the Junior Division – teenage girls, and the Adult women’s division gymnastics for 27 years. Among her accomplishments, include that of being the first certified judge of girls’ gymnastics in the State of Iowa, being certified by the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Association.

This first generation Czech-American had the opportunity to experience childhood, surrounded by Czechoslovakian folk art. Learning from her uncle, Martin Polehna, as a child, he and her mother prepared dyes and created treasured works of art. In 1955, following high school graduation from Wilson High School, Cedar Rapids, as a young women, she attended and graduated in 1957, from the Rae Vogue Commercial Art School, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL. She continued to embrace her cultural heritage, as an independent artist.

In the early 1970’s, a museum of Czech and Slovak heritage began in Cedar Rapids. Marj was a member of the Fine Arts Organization, the group that evolved into today’s National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. It was during this time; she became the first artist in residence and designed the first logo of the young museum. As time continued, she has volunteered hundreds of hours, to the perpetuation of Czech and Slovak culture and heritage and received numerous accolades acknowledging her accomplishments. Her expertise in this field has earned both national and international acclaim, with her artistry being displayed at the Smithsonian Art Institute, Washington, DC. As an extension of the Czech culture, she and Olga Drahozal formed the Czech Heritage Singers group.

Marj Nejdl received the designation of Master Folk Artist, in 1986. Consequently, the little nine-year-old girl, who learned from her uncle and Mother, became the Master. In this capacity, and under the auspices of the Iowa Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program, Marj Nejdl educated and cultivated numerous Iowans, accepted to the Apprenticeship Program, the “occupational and familial folk tradition “of the Czech and Slovak cultures. She continued teaching this practice. Every year, she taught classes, volunteering her time, for all to learn the folk art of egg decorations, perpetuating their cultural heritage.

An honor of a lifetime occurred in 2014, when she was co-commissioned to create a pin presented to Madeleine Albright, then the 64th U.S. Secretary of State, and gifted by the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library to Secretary Albright, during her visit to the Iowa Museum. Beginning in 2015, she began creating an original yearly design, which was then transferred to Christmas ornaments, and became available for public sale, as a collection of Czech folk art. Her God given talents have been shared with literally hundreds, over the years. She considered it her privilege and pleasure to have been able to do so.

In the letter to Marj, announcing her selection, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director, William H. Jackson said “your continued involvement as a master artist in the Iowa Arts Council’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship program, excellence in artistry, and commitment and support toward the nurturing of Czechoslovak traditions in Iowa, clearly establish you as one of “Iowa’s Living Treasures”. Marj was only the second person in the history of the Iowa Arts Council to have received this award, up to 1992.

January 27, 2024, was proclaimed Marj Nejdl Recognition Day – Iowa’s Living Treasure. By Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell.

Her life has been a symphony of volunteering in numerous organizations. These include teaching classes in Czechoslovakian egg decorating at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, at festivals and other venues. She is a member of Sokol, Czech Heritage Singers, Federation of Czech Groups, Damska, Czech Heritage Foundation, CSA (Czechoslovak Society of America) Fraternal Life, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and Guild of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

Visitation, memorial service and celebration will be held at The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library on March 22, 2025. Visitation at 10 a.m., memorial service and celebration at 11 a.m., lunch to follow. We invite you to participate in the service and share your fond memories. Private committal service will follow at a later date with inurnment at Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation may be made to donor’s choice of National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids Sokol Gymnastics & Fitness, Czech National Cemetery.

Special appreciation to the caregivers at Hiawatha Care Center and Dr. Mary Anne Nelson for their loving and compassionate care.

The Family Sincerely Thanks Everyone For Their Outpouring Of Love & Support.