Darrell Dwain Svoboda

Darrell Dwain Svoboda, 70, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born May 29, 1941, in St. Paul, Nebraska to Edward and Emma (Hurt) Svoboda. The family lived on a farm near Elba, Nebraska until moving to Gothenburg, Nebraska when Darrell was a youngster. Darrell graduated from Gothenburg High School with the class of 1959. Following graduation he and his buddies attended school at Denver Technical College for a year. Upon his return to Nebraska he worked at the Hay mill in Cozad and Monroe Auto in Cozad for a year. Darrell was united in marriage to the love of his life, Trudy Hettke, on May 23, 1964, at Cozad, Nebraska. Two children were blessed to this marriage; Cindy and Darrell, II. Just prior to getting married, Darrell joined the United States Army from January 8, 1964, until being honorably discharged from the reserves on July 7, 1970. When Darrell returned to Lexington after the service, he worked for a time at Harris Labs and then spent 32 years in agronomy at Lexington COOP, retiring in 2002. Darrell loved working in the yard, gardening, going to the grandkids ball games, taking drives around town with his pal, Bailey, hunting, Nebraska Football, the Kansas City Chiefs, Nascar, cheering on the Earnhardt boys and collecting coins. Darrell attended Grace Lutheran Church. Time spent with family and friends were the most enjoyable times Darrell and Trudy had together. The couple never missed a Wednesday night or Friday night friend get-together at Kirk’s or a Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast at A&D. He will be so very missed. Darrell is survived by his wife of 47 years: Trudy Svoboda of Lexington, Nebraska. One daughter: Cindy and husband Rick Benjamin of Lexington, Nebraska. Two grandchildren: Darcy Benjamin and Braydon Benjamin of Lexington, Nebraska. Five nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; son, Darrell, II; grandson, Chase Benjamin; one brother, Virgil and his wife Frances; one sister, Phyllis and her husband Jake Bauer. Services will be Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Don Wilken officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.