Obituary of Arden Svoboda, Sr.

Arden E. Svoboda Sr., 87, longtime resident of Coralville, died at his home surrounded by his family Saturday, September 12, 2015. Burial services with military honors will be held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 2pm, followed by a gathering for family and friends to remember and share their Arden stories at the Moose Lodge in Iowa City from 4 to 7pm. Memorial donations can be made in his memory to Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Arden Edmund Svoboda was born September 8, 1928, in Prague, NE, the son of James S. and Emma M. (Krondak) Svoboda. Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving as a cook during the Korean Conflict. On November 27, 1952, he married Erma Jane Steyer in Tulsa, OK. The couple moved with their family to Coralville in 1960. Here Arden worked as an electrician for the Iowa City Community School District for nearly 35 years before retiring. Arden has always been good with his hands, from electrical work to carpentry skills, he could do anything he put his mind to. Which included donating his time and talents to many local charities and the Moose Lodge over the years. He was also a former member of the American Legion. His family includes his four children, Elanda "Jane" Ahrens (William) of Montezuma, IA; Arden E. Svoboda Jr. (Carol) of Coralville; Robin S. Svoboda of Marion; and Kathrine Ferrie (Patrick) of Lakeville, MN; 18 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and his sister, Delia Story of Ft. Collins, CO. Arden was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Erma; grandson, Samuel Ahrens, 2 sisters and a brother. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Arden's family and his arrangements.