Maxine Lucille (Prusha) Kopriva

MAXINE LUCILLE (PRUSHA) KOPRIVA

Clutier

Maxine Lucille (Prusha) Kopriva, 91, a resident of Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, at the care center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer, with Father Michael Hutchison as celebrant. Interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in rural Clutier. Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Maxine was born on Jan. 23, 1927, the second child of James and Christina (Kvidera) Prusha. Maxine was born west of Chelsea and then moved to Gladstone, where the family was raised.

She attended country school before attending Tama High School. Upon graduation, she taught country school west of Dysart.

Maxine married Alfred Kopriva of rural Dysart on Aug. 26, 1948, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama. They rented a small house in Dysart and later established a home on Alfred's parents' farm west of Dysart. The two lived there until they purchased their farm south of Clutier in 1951.

Maxine faithfully kept a supporting farm family role while Alfred farmed and had a trucking business. Even though she did not have a sense of smell or taste, she was an excellent cook and kept plenty of food in front of her husband and four boys. Maxine was stricken in 1952 with polio while pregnant with her third son, James. She was a devout Catholic of the Immaculate Conception Church in Clutier, where she also served as a religious education teacher for many years. Maxine was a member and officer of the I.C. Rosary and Forester societies. She enjoyed a large garden, raising chickens and relaxing with the neighborhood card club. Her greatest joy was her time spent with family and her grandchildren.

Survivors include four sons, Gerald Kopriva, Thomas (Judy) Kopriva and Jim (Sandi) Kopriva, all of Clutier, and John (Bonnie) Kopriva of Traer; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Lillian (the late Wilbert) Meinhart of Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer; one brother, Paul (the late Therese) Prusha of Amana; one sister-in-law, Mary Lou (the late Floyd) Prusha of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Alfred, on Dec. 19, 2007; and one brother, Floyd Prusha.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.kruse-phillips.com.