Maxine Irene Kovanda

Notes:

Maxine Irene Svec, of Friend, was boirn to Charles and Christina (Bartu) Kovanda on October 5, 1920 at her parents farm home near Exeter, Nebraska in Fillmore County, the eighth of nine children, and passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2010, at the Friend Manor in Friend, Nebraska, at the age of 90 years 2 months and 20 days. As a young girl, Maxine attended Country School District #5 and graduated from the 8th grade. She began her life-time work as a cook at the hotel in Geneva. She then was employed at the Fairmont Airbase, the Fitzsimons Hospital in Aurora, Colorado and retired after 23 years from the Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend.

Maxine was united in marriage to James Shank on June 12, 1946 and he passed away on February 5, 1949, after a lengthy illness. She was then blessed with a second marriage to Henry Svec on August 15, 1953 and to this union two daughters, Phyllis and Sharon were born. Together they made their home on a farm southwest of Friend until Henry's death in 1978. During the years they lived on the farm, Maxine was a busy farm wife and mother, raising chickens and a large garden to feed her family. After Henry died she moved to Friend where she lived with her daughter, Sharon, until her recent illness.

Maxine was an exceptional baker, especially her Kolaches and twists which she always made sure were available for her grandsons when they came to visit. She also enjoyed gardening especially raising flowers. Maxine was a member of the Friend Garden Club, the Friend Golden Agers and enjoyed playing cards.

She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Phyllis and Tom Lenagh, Farmington, MN, Sharon Svec , Friend, two grandsons, Patrick Lenagh, Ashland, WI, Shawn Lenagh, Milwaukee, WI, sister, Clarabell Smith, Exeter, NE, brothers-in-law, Alfred Krupicka, Leo Soukup, Exeter, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, James Shank and Henry Svec, sisters, Alice Motis, Helen Motis, Mary Svec, brothers, Edward, Charles, Anton and William Kovanda.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Visitation will be from 1-8 pm on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Memorials are directed in care of the family for later designation.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Maxine married Henry Svec on 15 Aug 1953. Henry (son of Josef "Joseph" Svec and Amelia Laun) was born on 30 Dec 1916 in Saline County, Nebraska; died in Nov 1978 in Friend, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]