Marlus Lyn Svoboda, 80

Marlus Lyn Svoboda, 80, of Clutier, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew, Father Andy Upah and Deacon Stan Upah officiating. Interment was Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Clutier following a luncheon at the church. Visitation was held Monday, July 17, 2023, from 4-7 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7 PM followed by the Rosary.

Marlus was born on April 5, 1943, in Chelsea, Iowa, the daughter of Dean and Betty (Heller) Poduska. She graduated from Chelsea High School in 1961, being the last Chelsea graduating class.

On April 30, 1966, she was united in marriage to Laurence Svoboda at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea. Marlus worked as a Dental Assistant after high school. She was active in helping Laurence on the family farm and was always present at the local Farmers Market. Marlus was always proud of her Czech heritage, baking hundreds of thousands of kolaches and rohlicky in her lifetime.

She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. She taught CCD in Clutier at St. Wenceslaus and Immaculate Conception Churches, took Communion to the nursing homes, and was involved in the Foresters and FCSLA. Marlus was also a member of the Clutier American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed quilting, baking and gardening, both vegetables and flowers. Her greatest joy was raising her family and spending time with her grandchildren. Marlus always had a positive attitude throughout her long battle with cancer for the last five years.

Survivors include her husband of fifty-seven years, Laurence, of Clutier; her children, Jenny (Dave) Adams, of Charleston, SC, Joedy (Tom) Boe, of Cedar Falls, Jared (Kim) Svoboda, of Northbrook, IL, Justin (Holly) Svoboda, of Cedar Falls, and Janae (Corey) Gross, of Cedar Falls; twelve grandchildren: Matthew, Jasmine and Joshua Adams, Cassidy, Kyle and Cydney Boe, Lilli and Isabella Svoboda, Carter and Ella Svoboda, Broghan and Ainsley Gross; two brothers, Jerry (Marilyn) Poduska, of Valencia, CA, and Jim (Becky) Poduska, of Chelsea; one sister, Kay Donald, of Portland, OR; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.