James Fred SVOBODA, Sr.

1911 - 2003  (91 years)

• Name	James Fred SVOBODA  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]
  Suffix	Sr.
  Birth	25 Oct 1911	Elba, Howard, Nebraska, USA   [2, 7]
  		SVOBODA, Emma SVOBODA, James Fred Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004 This document is admittedly a little bit confusing. For the line that lists Anton and Bessie, what is "HART"? This column appears to be maiden name but then that does not align with Bessie's (TUMA). Additionally, the date on that line is Emma's birthdate, not James'. Then,…
  Gender	Male
  Also Known As	Jim SVOBODA  [7, 14]
  Death	16 Aug 2003	Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA   [7]
  Burial	Abt 19 Aug 2003	Cottonwood Cemetery/Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA   [7]
  		SVOBODA, James F., Sr. SVOBODA, Margaret
  Person ID	I4481	Family Tree
  Last Modified	8 Apr 2026

  
  

  Father	Anton SVOBODA,   b. 25 Oct 1874, Czech Republic d. 20 May 1964, Ord, Valley, Nebraska, USA (Age 89 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Mother	Bessie E. TUMA,   b. 28 Jun 1885, Howard, Nebraska, USA d. 17 Feb 1965, Garfield, Nebraska, USA (Age 79 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Marriage	20 Dec 1905	St Paul, Howard, Nebraska, USA   [15, 16]
  		SVOBODA, Anton TUMA, Bessie Marriage License Witnesses are Anton's brothers.
  Family ID	F1222	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Margaret Anna WALKOWIAK,   b. 10 Jun 1915, Elba, Howard, Nebraska, USA d. 13 Jan 2004, Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA (Age 88 years)
  Marriage	1932
  		SVOBODA, James F. WALKOWIAK, Margaret
  Children	+ 1. Irene Virgina SVOBODA,   b. 25 Feb 1933, Greeley, Nebraska, USA d. 20 Aug 2016, Bellevue, Sarpy, Nebraska, USA (Age 83 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural] + 2. James Floyd SVOBODA, Jr.,   b. 8 Nov 1934, Ord, Valley, Nebraska, USA d. 19 Feb 2023, Grand Island, Hall, Nebraska, USA (Age 88 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural] + 3. Dale Arden SVOBODA,   b. 26 Feb 1936, Valley, Nebraska, USA d. 26 Oct 2024, Lexington, Dawson, Nebraska, USA (Age 88 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   4. Anton Dean SVOBODA,   b. 29 Jul 1937, Valley, Nebraska, USA d. 12 Jan 1960, Garfield, Nebraska, USA (Age 22 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural] + 5. Margie Ann SVOBODA,   b. 10 Feb 1939, Valley, Nebraska, USA d. 18 May 2019, Normal, McLean, Illinois, USA (Age 80 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
  Family ID	F1644	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	8 Apr 2026

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 25 Oct 1911 - Elba, Howard, Nebraska, USA Death - 16 Aug 2003 - Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA Burial - Abt 19 Aug 2003 - Cottonwood Cemetery/Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Documents		NOVAK, Emma Obituary Part II
  		SVOBODA, Anton Obituary

  
  

• Sources

  [S1456] Obituary of Emma NOVAK, (Date: Abt. 03 Mar 1999;). Emma Novak Ord resident, 89 Emma Novak, 89, of Ord died Mar. 2, 1999 at the Valley County Hospital in Ord. Funeral services will be held on Fri., Mar. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel, the Rev. Keith Menter will officiate. Musicians are Laddie E. Bruha, Alice Stevens and Agnes Janda. Pallbearers are Dale Svoboda, Allen Svoboda, Brad Copple, David Novak, Keith Novak and Dale Novak. Burial will be in the Ord Bohemian Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 5 - 8:30 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel. Arrangements are by Ord Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Western Fraternal Life Association #112, or to the Senior Classics of Valley County. Mrs. Novak was born August 25, 1909, three miles west of Elba, to Anton and Bessie (Tuma) Svoboda. At the age of nine years she moved with her parents two miles north of Ord and attended the Melia School. The family then moved west of Ord and she attended the Brace School. On March 19, 1929, she married Frank Novak at Broken Bow. The couple lived on the Novak farm west of Ord. In 1969 they moved into the town of Ord. Mr. Novak died Sept. 7, 1996. Mrs. Novak continued to live in Ord until her death. While on the farm she enjoyed raising chickens and gardening. While living in town she did craft work, grew flowers and spent time at the Senior Center. She was a charter member of the Neighborly Sisters Club since 1945 and a member of the Western Fraternal Life Association #112 for 66 years, having served as secretary for 22 years. She is survived by one son, Eugene of Ord; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, James Sr. of Burwell, Raymond of Portland, OR and Eldon of Cotesfield; and two sisters, Bessie Toogood of Goleta, CA and Viola Christopherson of Tacoma, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; one son, LaVerne; and four brothers, Charley, Joe, Wayne and Frank. [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004. Name: James Fred Svoboda Gender: Male Race: 1 Birth Date: 25 Oct 1911 Birth Place: 389, Howard, Nebraska, USA Father: Anton Svoboda Mother: Mary Svoboda [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004. Name: Irene V Svoboda Gender: Female Birth Date: 25 Feb 1933 Birth Place: Greeley, Nebraska, USA Parent 1 Name: James Svoboda Certificate Number: 03033 Birth Certificate Type: Normal [S1458] Obituary of James Floyd SVOBODA, Jr, (Name: Ord Memorial Chapel; Location: Ord, Valley, Nebraska, USA; Date: Abt. 21 Feb 2023;). Jim Svoboda James "Jim" Floyd Svoboda, Jr. was born November 8, 1934; at Ord Nebraska, and passed February 19, 2023; at the age of 88. The cause of death was inoperable stomach complications/perforation which were exacerbated by a longstanding unrecognized rodeo injury. He passed comfortably at peace with his wife and family at his side thanks to the excellent care he received at Grand Island Nebraska Regional Hospital. Jim graduated in 1956 from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and worked 33 years for the USDA as County Executive Officer for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service serving Garfield, Loup, and Wheeler Counties until he retired in 1989. He also owned a ranch with his wife and family north of Burwell prior to his retirement, where they owned a registered Hereford operation. Jim spent nearly 20 years as a successful four event all-around rodeo competitor, with his best streak of riding 54 barebacks in a row. He filled his PRCA permit in 1958 and received his PRCA Gold card in 1984. A severely broken leg forced him to become a full-time rodeo photographer. With over 3 million photos shot and worn out nearly 40 cameras, Jim was a true legend in the rodeo photography industry. He won numerous awards and buckles during his rodeo career including four coveted PRCA award buckles: “Sports News Best Action Photo”, “Best Action Rodeo Photo”, “PRCA Best in Photo Journalism “and “Las Vegas National Finals Rodeo Official Photographer”, a feat no other photographer has ever accomplished. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 64 years; three children, Tana Brinkman (Jim), Jason Von Svoboda (Angela), and JonBen Svoboda (AnneMarie); seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two brothers; and four sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, James, Sr. and Margaret (Walkowiak) Svoboda; one brother; and three sisters. At Jim’s request, private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers please send remembrance memorials to the family which will be collectively donated in his honor to the Nebraska’s Big Rodeo. [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004. Name: James F Svoboda Gender: Male Birth Date: 8 Nov 1934 Birth Place: Valley, Nebraska, USA Parent 1 Name: James F Svoboda Certificate Number: 21572 Birth Certificate Type: Normal [S940] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current. Name: James F Syoboda [sic] Jr Gender: Male Residence Place: Burwell Occupation: Manager Employer: Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Office Hattortons Marriage Date: 13 Jul 1958 Marriage Place: Burwell Parents: James Svoboda Sr; Svoboda Spouse: Marilyn Yvonne Mayberry Siblings: Margie Svoboda Lfnda Svoboda Rosalene Svoboda Robert Zemple Leroy Mayberry Tony Svofapda [S1459] Cottonwood Cemetery (Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska, USA), Grave Markers. SVOBODA JAMES F., SR. "JIM" OCT. 25, 1911 AUG. 16, 2003 MARGARET A. (WALKOWIAK) JUNE 10, 1915 JAN. 13, 2004 [S1461] Obituary of Irene Virginia VAN WINKLE, (Date: Abt. 22 Aug 2016;). BELLEVUE — Irene Virginia Van Winkle, 83, of Bellevue, formerly of Burwell, died Aug. 20, 2016, at her home. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church in Burwell. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell. Pastor Dennis Davenport will officiate. Hitchcock Funeral Home is serving the family. Irene was born Feb. 25, 1933, in Howard County to James Sr. and Margaret (Walkowiak) Svoboda. On Oct. 18, 1953, she married Jerry Van Winkle. He preceded her in death. Survivors include two children, Doug and Adrienne Van Winkle of Omaha, and Lisa and Tracy Hilder of Red Oak, Iowa; five grandsons and three great-grandchildren; nine siblings, Jim and Marilyn Svoboda of Ord, Dale Svoboda of Burwell, Margie Mayberry of Normal, Ill., Jeanie and Lyle Lemmer of Atkinson, Toots and Buzz Tollman of Marsland, Kathaleen Mead of Burwell, Marylyn and Dave Scharton of St. Paul, Alan and Linda Svoboda of Holdrege, and Linda and Gene Thoene of Burwell. [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004. Name: Dale A Svoboda Gender: Male Birth Date: 26 Feb 1936 Birth Place: Valley, Nebraska, USA Parent 1 Name: James F Svoboda Certificate Number: 03530 Birth Certificate Type: Normal [S1004] U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current. Name: Dale Arden Svoboda Gender: Male Death Age: 88 Birth Date: 26 Feb 1936 Birth Place: Garfield County Marriage Date: 9 Nov 1957 Death Date: 26 Oct 2024 Death Place: Lexington, NE Obituary Date: 30 Oct 2024 Father: James Svoboda Child: Wanda Sandra Rhonda Wanda Rowen Rhonda Woods Sandy Wright Siblings: Jim Jim Svoboda [S959] Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-2004. Name: Anton D Svoboda Gender: Male Birth Date: 29 Jul 1937 Birth Place: Valley, Nebraska, USA Parent 1 Name: James Svoboda Certificate Number: 12121 Birth Certificate Type: Normal [S1465] Obituary of Anton SVOBODA, (Date: Abt. 15 Jan 1960;). Svoboda Rites Held at Burwell Funeral services were held Thursday from the Burwell Methodist Church for Anton (Tony) Svoboda, 22 year old well known Burwell rodeo competitor, killed Tuesday, Jan. 12 in a Highway 11 bridge crash. Mr. Svoboda apparently died instantly when his car was penetrated by a double railing after striking the bridge about 2:30 in the morning. He was found dead by a passing trucker. Dean Donner conducted the funeral service with the Urbauer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial followed in the Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell. Pallbearers were Gary Larsen, Mel Lowery, Byron Johnson, Lyman Pearson, Jack Gideon and Ken Conard. Howard Parker of Gordon and Mrs. Merle Edghill supplied the service's music. Born Here Mr. Svoboda was born July 29, 1937 in Valley county and spent his early life here. He was graduated from Ord High School in 1954. He worked at home for several years, later was employed as an area ranch hand on farms at Ericson, Amelia and Burwell. Recently after purchasing equipment he started contracting hay moving. He was an ardent sport's enthusiast, perhaps the area's best known rodeo competitor. In the fall of 1959 he represented Nebraska on the state team as a bareback bronc rider. He was also a vice president of the Nebraska State Rodeo Assn., and director of its bareback bronc riding. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Svoboda, Sr.; seven sisters, Mrs. Irene Van Winkle of Ord, Margie of Grand Island, Mrs. Shirley Liermann of Amelia, Rosalene of Lincoln, Kathleen, Marylyn and Linda, all of Burwell; three brothers, James, Jr., Dale and Alan, all of Burwell and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Svoboda of Ord. [S1474] Obituary of Margie Ann MAYBERRY, (Date: Abt. 21 May 2019;). Margie Ann "Marge" Mayberry, 80, of Normal, Illinois, formerly of Burwell, Nebraska died May 18, 2019 at Normal, Illinois. A memorial graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. June 8, 2019 at Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell. Pastor Dennis Davenport will officiate. Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell is in charge of arrangements. Marge was born February 10, 1939 on the family farm on Haskell Creek Road in Valley County, Nebraska to James and Margaret (Walkowiak) Svoboda. She attended grade school at District 17 and graduated from Ord High School in 1956. Marge lived in Aurora, Colorado from 1956 to 1957 where she worked at Stanley Aviation. She then moved to Grand Island, Nebraska until 1996. She worked at Crocker Claims Service where she was an insurance adjuster from 1957 to 1987. Marge marred Edward Allen on March 19, 1960 in Wolbach, Nebraska. Ed died on August 1, 1987. Marge worked in medical records at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island and Mary Lanning Hospital from 1987 until 1996. Marge married Warren "Joe" Curran on February 14, 1988 in Grand Island, Nebraska. Joe died on June 27, 1996. Marge marred Harold "Skeeter" Mayberry on October 3, 1996 in Salmon, Idaho. They moved to Burwell and had a "mom and pop" construction company. Marge also worked at the court house and the Pizza Palace for about eight years, until her health started to fail. Skeeter died on May 21, 2015. Marge moved to Normal, Illinois to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. Marge was a member of the Insurance women of Grand Island and held every office at the local level. She was a troop leader for Brownie Scouts and Jr. Girl Scouts for several years and the head of the Alter Guild at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island for twelve years. Marge is survived by her daughter, Kelly Scalf of Normal, Illinois. Grandchildren Zachary and Sally Nadeau of Normal, Illinois, Kylie Nadeau of Nashville, Tennessee, Kristen Scalf of Normal, Illinois. Two great grandchildren, Baylee Nadeau and Brayden Nadeau of Normal, Illinois.Siblings, Jim and Marilyn Svoboda, Jr. of Ord, Nebraska, Dale Svoboda of Burwell, Nebraska, Rosalene and Buzz Tollman of Marsland, Nebraska, Kathaleen Mead of Burwell, Nebraska, Marylyn and Dave Scharton of St. Paul, Nebraska, Alan and Linda Svoboda of Holdrege, Nebraska and Linda and Gene Thoene of Taylor, Nebraska. Many nieces and nephews. Marge was preceded in death by her parents, three husbands, two infant daughters, Anne Marie and Toni Lynn, a brother Tony Svoboda, sisters, Irene VanWinkle and Shirley "Jeanie" Lemmer, sister-in-law, Elaine Svoboda, brothers-in-law, Bill Liermann, Jerry VanWinkle, Jerry Mead, Bill Vandeman, Don Koger and Lyle Lemmer. [S1462] Obituary of Dale Arden SVOBODA, (Name: Govier Brothers Mortuary; Location: Broken Bow, Custer, Nebraska, USA; Date: Abt. 28 Oct 2024;). Dale Svoboda February 26, 1936 — October 26, 2024 Burwell, NE Dale (Buster) Arden Svoboda passed away on October 26, 2024, at his daughter’s home near Lexington, NE at the age of 88. Dale was born February 26, 1936, to James Sr. and Margaret (Walkowiak) Svoboda, in rural Garfield County, the 3rd of 11 children, 4 sons and 7 daughters. Dale graduated from Ord High School in 1953, and married Elaine Liermann on November 9, 1957. They were married for 48 years until Elaine passed away in April 2006. They had 3 daughters, Sandra, Wanda, and Rhonda. They lived in Valley County Haskell Creek area until they purchased their ranch just east of Burwell in 1974, where Dale continued to reside until 2019 when he moved to Ord, and then just recently, to Lexington. Dale’s first ranch job out of high school was at the McMillan Ranch near Milburn, Nebraska. He also worked on the U-Cross Ranch near Fawn Lake, a 6,000 cow ranch worked with the 1,000 head of horses and 20 or so cowboys. Dale ranched and farmed with his dad, Jim Svoboda, Sr., rode many horses penning cattle at Ericson, Burwell, and Loup City sale barns, and worked for M&R Cattle Company of Burwell, mostly moving hay bales, until he was 86. Dale has been a cowboy most of his life, having ridden, raised, traded, and worked with horses since he was a young man. The first horse he owned was a paint mare given to him by his dad in 1953 for high school graduation, a tradition he carried on with his oldest daughter on her graduation. Dale rode barebacks and saddle broncs in rodeos starting at age 17 when he traveled on gravel roads all the way to Harrison, Nebraska for a high school rodeo, the only one in the state at that time. In his young days, he also tried his hand at steer wrestling and bull riding, but the bucking horse events were where he was in his element. He won many buckles, trophies, and saddles competing mostly in the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, but also Mid-States, PRCA permit-holder, and Old Timer Rodeo Association until his mid-fifties. One of Dale’s proud accomplishments was in 1969, winning the buckle in the Amateur Saddle Bronc Riding event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the first Nebraska cowboy to do so. Another memorable win was the trophy for the matched Saddle Bronc Riding at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell in 1961, a competition between Nebraska and South Dakota cowboys. Dale also won the All-Around Saddle at the Johnstown Rodeo 3 years in a row, 1965, 1966, and1967. He won NSRA All Around Champion, Saddle Bronc Champion and Bareback Champion saddles, as well as several Runner-Up buckles. Dale was one of the original organizers of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, along with brother Jim Svoboda, Jr. Dale was a tough competitor and enjoyed riding good stock. He and a paint bucking horse, “Tom Dooley” had many go-rounds. Dale competed at the Old Timer’s Rodeos in Hyannis where his team won the Wild Cow Milking even though when the dust settled, Dale had a broken leg. He also went as far as Texas to an Old Timer’s Rodeo and to the Finals in Nevada. The last “bronc” Dale was on was in December 2013, when he was working with M&R Cattle Company moving cattle and his saddle horse decided to try the 77 year old cowboy. One of the guys said he thought Dale had him rode after several jumps, but then the horse took a turn and ended the ride, which left Dale’s shoulder injured and unable to lift a saddle on a horse – time to hang it up! Dale served on the Board of Directors for Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell for 30 years. He provided the stock for the Wild Horse Race at Burwell Rodeo for many years and was the director for the Horse Show and Dinner Bell Derby, which he and his wife Elaine had done together for many years. In 2013, Dale was featured in the Paint Horse Association Journal as a 50-year breeder of Paint Horses from 1963-2012. He was a lifetime member and served as an APHA director and on the board of the Nebraska Paint Horse Club. His favorite paint stallion and one of the best horses he ever owned was “Dixon’s Bandit”. Of the horses he bred and raised, Dale’s favorite was Red Pepper, a 1964 sorrel mare, which he used as a practice bucking horse, then rode her penning cattle at the sale barn. She was also a great brood mare, producing an APHA Champion. Dale and brother Jim were both inducted into the Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2016, and together were Grand Marshalls for the 101st Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in 2022. Dale is survived by his three daughters, Sandy Wright of Lexington, Wanda Rowen of Lincoln, Rhonda (John) Woods of Hermosa, SD; Grandchildren Nathan Omar Seidel of Tampa, FL, Matthew Seidel of St. Paul, Rachel (Tyler) Daly of Elm Creek, Alec (Katie) Rowen of Des Moines, IA, and Lillie Woods of Hermosa, SD; great-grandchildren Henry, Audrey, and Elliot Seidel of St. Paul and Camilla, Cooper, and Margaret Daly of Elm Creek; 1 brother and 4 sisters Besides his parents, Dale was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, infant grandson Neil Woods, son-in-law George Wright, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. [S962] Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908. Name: Bessie Tuma Gender: Female Race: White Marriage Age: 20 Record Type: Marriage Birth Date: abt 1885 Birth Place: Howard County, Nebraska Marriage Date: 20 Dec 1905 Marriage Place: St Paul, Nebraska, USA Marriage County Office: Howard Father: Frank Tuma Mother: Mary Tuma Spouse: Anton Svoboda [S969] Cotesfield Cemetery (Cotesfield, Howard, Nebraska, USA), Grave Markers. SVOBODA BESSIE 1885 - 1965 ANTON 1874 - 1964 MARRIED DEC. 20, 1905