Sevcik, Vera Ellen Kovarik

Vera Ellen Kovarik Sevcik, 89, of Tama, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, rural Clutier. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama, where a rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil service held at 7 p.m.

Vera was born March 11, 1924, to Charles and Martha (Balichek) Kovarik of Tama County, Iowa. Upon finishing high school, she taught for one year. After the war, Vera met Joe L. Sevcik at a community dance. They were married on Feb. 22, 1949, and raised seven children on their farm north of Toledo. When Joe retired from farming, they moved to Tama.

Vera was active in many aspects of the Tama County community. Besides involvement in St. Wenceslaus and St. Patrick Catholic churches, she was a member of the Legion Auxiliary and did volunteer work for the Tama County Democratic Party. Vera spent many hours researching at the Tama County Historical Society. She also enjoyed quilting, baking, gardening, canning, and celebrating her Czech heritage.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; infant son, Timothy; grandsons, Greg Assell and Robert Sevcik; sister, Minnie Kubik; and son-in-law, Bill Assell.

Vera is survived by her children, Deborah (Marty) Marriott of Indianola, Gary (Kathy Murphy) Sevcik of Des Moines, Carla (Jerry Nichols) Assell of Centerville, Michael (Tamara) Sevcik of Leavenworth, Kan., Mark (Cindy) Sevcik of Cedar Rapids, Joe R. (Lisa) Sevcik of Cedar Falls and Cammy (Arnie) Johnson of Gallatin, Tenn. Also surviving are 23 grandchildren: Paul and Charlie Marriott; Andrew and Benjamin Sevcik; Christopher Assell, Matthew (Katie) Sevcik and Molly Sevcik; Joshua, Jessica, Nichole and Rachael Sevcik; David, Daniel, Joey, John Paul, Timothy and Brenda Sevcik; Zac (Sara) Johnson, Samantha (Omar Absar) Johnson, Hannah (Brad) Merritt and Zadoc, Dudley and Shelby Johnson; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Wenceslaus Restoration Fund, c/o Chelsea Savings Bank, 325 Main St, Clutier, IA 52217.

Published Nov. 21, 2013 in The Gazette