Frank Svoboda
Frank Svoboda, who ran for Senate last year as the oldest candidate for a Nebraska statewide office, died Jan. 29, 2019 at the age of 94. Svoboda, born July 29, 1924, grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He was the son of Frank L. Svoboda and Anna (Beck) Svoboda, brother of the late Don Svoboda and Rosanne (Svoboda) Hannah. He attended Lincoln High School and was a champion debater.
He served in the Philippines as a staff sergeant for the artillery during WWII and then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and obtained a law degree from Creighton University.
He built and operated a popular motel in Council Bluffs across from Playland Park and ran for the Nebraska State Legislature. Farming opportunities drew him out to Western Nebraska where he also began a private law practice in Sidney and then Ogallala.
He served on the Ogallala City Council, as Keith County Attorney, and then District County Judge. Frank’s successful farming/ranching operation was centered in the Ogallala and Grant areas where he pioneered the use of center pivot irrigation.
With his wife Anne Frank, he started the first ARC organization in the area. He was a director for the Twin Plattes Upper Republican NRD, a member of the Elks Club, and a Knight of Columbus of the highest order. Having served as Republican National Convention delegate several times, he ran for Regent as a Republican in 2010. His platform for Senate in 2018 was mainly focused on agricultural issues.
Preceded in death by his wife, Anne Marie Walsh Svoboda (formerly of Omaha), Frank is survived by seven children and 18 grandchildren, including Terese Svoboda (Steve Bull) of New York City, Amy Svoboda (Don Andrews) of Lincoln, Katy Hunt (Stuart) of Silver Spring, Md., Jane Svoboda of Lincoln, Patrick Svoboda (Camille) of Ogallala, Mary Svoboda (Brian Perkinson) of Chicago, Ill., Jerry Svoboda (Andrea Fisk) of Portland, Ore.
A memorial Mass was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 2 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Lincoln.
A rosary was said Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 at Prairie Hill Funeral Home in Ogallala, with a reception at the Urban Farmer.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 5 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala.