Our Family History
The Genealogy of the Ruzicka and Manchak Families
Family: Rodney Ray SVOBODA / Laurie Jean BLOKER (F1630)
m. 22 Aug 1987
-
Male
Rodney Ray SVOBODA
Birth 12 Feb 1967 Shelton, Buffalo, Nebraska, USA 
Death 30 Jan 2021 Buffalo, Nebraska, USA Burial 8 Feb 2021 Upland Cemetery/Upland, Franklin, Nebraska, USA Marriage 22 Aug 1987 [1, 2, 3] United Methodist Church/Shelton, Buffalo, Nebraska, USA [1, 2, 3] Father George Louis SVOBODA | F1629 Group Sheet Mother Deanne D. RUSSELL | F1629 Group Sheet
Female
Laurie Jean BLOKER
Birth 25 Jul 1968 Madison, Lake, South Dakota, USA Death 5 Dec 2018 Upland, Franklin, Nebraska, USA Burial Abt 8 Dec 2018 Upland Cemetery/Upland, Franklin, Nebraska, USA Father Mother
-
Sources - [S1444] Obituary of Rodney Ray SVOBODA, (Date: Abt. 1 Feb 2021;).
Rodney “Rod” Ray Svoboda, 53, of Upland, NE passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 as a result of an automobile accident. Funeral services will be on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at New Life Church in Kearney. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Upland, NE Cemetery. Rev. Roger Wendt will officiate. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 7, 2020 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home and also 1 hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family, for later designation. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.
Rod was born in Shelton, NE to George and Deanne (Russell) Svoboda on February 12, 1967. Rod attended school in Shelton and graduated from Shelton High School in 1985. At the age of 16 he met the love of his life, Laurie. Rod attended Central Community College in Grand Island, NE.
Rod and Laurie were married at the United Methodist Church in Shelton, Nebraska on August 22, 1987 and later were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Rochelle Marie in 1988 and Sarah Renee in 1991.
He worked at West Company followed by Kelly Electric in Kearney before relocating to Littleton, Colorado where they lived for 16 years. While in Colorado he worked for Design Electric followed by Integrity Electrical Solutions. Rod and Laurie relocated back home to Nebraska and settled in Upland in 2018 to be closer to family. He worked at IES Commercial in Holdrege until the time of his death.
In Rod's free time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and cooking. Some of his greatest joys were the moments he spent with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed playing games and was always cooking something delicious for those he loved. While living in Colorado, Rod was a member of Dakota Ridge Church where he served as a deacon for many years. He was also known as “Commander Rod” for Royal Rangers. After returning to Nebraska, Rod attended his home church, New Life in Kearney where he served on the host team.
Rod is survived by his daughters, Rochelle (Blake) Frost of Gothenburg, NE and Sarah (Tyler) Barone of Littleton, CO; Grandchildren, Melody Barone, Asher Barone and Otto Frost; Brothers Russell (Vicki) Svoboda of Abingdon, VA and Rock Svoboda of AZ; Brother-in-law, Heath (Lori) Gregor of Gainesville, FL; Sister-in-law, Dawn (Travis) Kovarik of Kearney, NE; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and special friend Susan Halpin of Kearney, NE.
Rod was preceded in death by his wife Laurie; his parents; and father-in-law and mother-in-law.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rodney "Rod" Ray Svoboda please visit our Sympathy Store. - [S1445] Obituary of Laurie J. SVOBODA, (Date: Abt. 7 Dec 2018;).
UPLAND — Laurie J. Svoboda, 50, of Upland died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, at her home.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at New Life Church in Kearney. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Upland Cemetery. The Rev. Roger Wendt will officiate.
Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of the arrangements.
She passed away at her home surrounded by her family and loved ones after a battle with ovarian cancer.
Laurie was born in Madison, S.D., to Joan (Kahler) Bloker and Harold Bloker on July 25, 1968, and was raised by Joan and Terry Gregor.
Laurie spent most of her childhood in the Gregory, S.D., area. During junior high, Laurie’s family relocated to Gibbon, where she met her future husband, Rod Svoboda. They started dating when Laurie was 14 years old and Rod was 16 years old. Laurie graduated from Gibbon High School in 1986 and attended Central Community College-Grand Island.
Laurie and Rod were married at the United Methodist Church in Shelton on Aug. 22, 1987, and later were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Rochelle Marie in 1988 and Sarah Renee in 1991.
Laurie began working at KN Energy in 1991, which led them to live in Minden and Kearney before relocating to Littleton, Colo., for 16 years. Later, they relocated back home to Nebraska and settled in Upland in 2018 to be closer to family.
In July 2018, Laurie was diagnosed with a rare type of ovarian cancer that didn’t respond to treatment. Laurie’s and the family’s faith was an instrumental part of her life and the primary focus during her battle with cancer. Anyone who knew Laurie, knew she loved Jesus and her family and always put them first.
Laurie is survived by her husband, Rod Svoboda of Upland; daughters, Rochelle Frost (husband Blake) of Gothenburg and Sarah Barone (husband Tyler) of Littleton; mother, Joan Gregor of Upland; father, Harold Bloker of Sioux Falls, S.D.; brother, Heath Gregor (wife Lori) of Gainesville, Fla.; sister, Dawn Kovarik (husband Travis) of Kearney; sisters, Melinda Sorenson and Alecia Bingham and brother, James Bloker, all of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Melody Barone, Asher Barone and Otto Frost; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Laurie was preceded in death by her adoptive father, Terry Gregor. - [S1446] Upland Cemetery (Upland, Franklin, Nebraska, USA), Grave Markers.
LAURIE J.
JULY 25, 1968
DEC. 5, 2018
RODNEY R.
FEB. 12, 1967
JAN. 30, 2021
MARRIED
AUG. 22, 1987
SVOBODA
[rear]
OUR DAUGHTERS
ROCHELLE MARIE
AND
SARAH RENEE
- [S1444] Obituary of Rodney Ray SVOBODA, (Date: Abt. 1 Feb 2021;).
Female