Lumir Frank Svec

Notes:

Lumir Frank Svec, age 87 passed away peacefully on March 20th at Tabitha of Crete, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born on September 11, 1928 on a farm outside Milligan NE to Emil and Helen Fujan Svec. He was the middle of five children.

Lum is preceded in death by his parents, wife Marian, sister Betty as a child, brothers Bernard and Jim, nieces Jan and Kelly Ahlschwede, special niece Carolyn Schmalken, and Bud (Buddy) the cat. He is survived by his daughter Donna of Minneapolis MN; son Gary of Aurora CO; grandchildren Guy (Jenn), Kira (Dustin) and Kalee of CO; great-grandchildren Troy, William and Alayna; sister Ruby Langhorst of David City; nieces and nephews, and numerous friends and acquaintances.

Lum graduated from Milligan High School in 1945, and at the age of 16 began working at the Crete Mills. He married Marian Cudly, also of Milligan, on August 9, 1949 and they celebrated 53 years of marriage before her passing. Lumir retired from the Crete Mills after 46 years and spent his retirement years involved in two things that were his passion: attending sales/auctions and refinishing furniture. Lum couldn't resist a good deal and walked away from many auctions with boxes of unknown "treasures" that he had purchased for a quarter. He also had a good eye for furniture, which he would buy, repair if needed, then refinish and sell. At one time an antique dealer regularly came from Kansas to purchase furniture from him.

Lum also refinished items for people in the area. He didn't do it as a business, but rather took as much work as he wanted to do, and told people to pay him what they thought it was worth. He said that he figured some people paid too little, some people paid the right amount and some people paid too much, so it all evened out in the end.

He loved to joke, tease and laugh, and truly enjoyed other people's company. He enjoyed Czech music, and loved kolaches, particularly cottage cheese. For many years, he got together on a daily basis with his coffee buddies, one of his favorite activities. He was a kind and caring man, and appreciated all the love and support he received from friends, acquaintances and family in his later years. He will be missed.

Services will be on Tuesday (3-29-2016) at 10:30 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Visitation: Monday, 5 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials directed to Tabitha of Crete, 1540 Grove, Crete NE 68333 or the Crete Volunteer Fire Department, 210 E 14th St, Crete, NE 68333.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Lumir married Marian Ann Cudly on 9 Aug 1949. Marian (daughter of Joseph John Cudly and Mamie Elznic) was born on 8 Nov 1929 in Nebraska; died on 23 May 2003 in Crete, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]