Frank Svoboda, 94, who ran for Senate last year as the oldest candidate for a Nebraska statewide office, died Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln. Svoboda was born July 29, 1924, the son of Frank L. Svoboda and Anna (Beck) Svoboda, and brother of the late Don Svoboda and Rosanne (Svoboda) Hannah. He grew up at Lincoln, attended Lincoln High School and was a champion debater.
He served as a staff sergeant with the artillery in the Philippines during World War II. After his service, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then obtained a law degree from Creighton University. He built and operated a popular motel at Council Bluffs Iowa, across from Playland Park.
He ran for the Nebraska State Legislature and having served as Republican National Convention delegate several times, he ran for Regent as a Republican in 2010. His platform for a Senate bid in 2018 was mainly focused on agricultural issues. Farming opportunities drew him out to western Nebraska, where he also began a private law practice at Sidney and then Ogallala.
He served on the Ogallala City Council, as Keith County Attorney, and then District Judge. Frank’s successful farming and ranching operation was centered in the Ogallala and Grant areas, where he pioneered the use of center pivot irrigation. With his wife, Anne, Frank started the first ARC organization in the area.
He served as director of the Twin Platte Natural Res District. He was a member of the Elks Club and was a Knight of Columbus of the highest order. Survivors include seven children, including Terese Svoboda (Steve Bull), of New York City, Amy Svoboda (Don Andrews), of Lincoln, Katy Hunt (Stuart), of Silver Spring, Maryland, Jane Svoboda, of Lincoln, Patrick Svoboda (Camille) of Ogallala, Mary Svoboda (Brian Perkinson), of Chicago, Illinois, and Jerry Svoboda (Andrea Fisk), of Portland, Oregon; and 18 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Marie Walsh Svoboda, formerly of Omaha. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM, Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
A Rosary will be said at 5:00PM on Monday, February 4, 2019 at Prairie Hills Funeral Home, 602 N Spruce St, Ogallala, with a reception at the Urban Farmer, 203 Stagecoach Trail, Ogallala. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frank Svoboda please visit our Sympathy Store.
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