Eldred "Eldie" Lloyd Svoboda, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, July 23, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center.  Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 27, 2020 at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church with Reverend Terry VanWyk and Reverend Mel Ramos presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Monday at the Church. Burial will be in Czech National Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted. The family is requesting everyone attending to wear a mask and practice social distancing.  Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

Eldred was born August 29, 1931 in rural Amana, the son of Wesley and Eleanor (Hospardsky) Svoboda.  He graduated from Cedar Rapids Wilson High School, class of 1949.  Eldie served in the Iowa National Guard as well as the United States Army. Eldie was united in marriage to Betty Jean Stastny on May 19, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. He worked at Iowa Milling Company, later Cargill Soybean Plant, where he later retired in 1990.  He enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren.  Eldie was a very proud member of his church, where he was a Board Trustee, and was in charge of maintaining the building and the grounds.

Eldred is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Svoboda; children Allyn Svoboda of Rico, Colorado and Jill (Mike) Murray of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren Nola Svoboda, Jamison (Leesha) Murray and Ryan (Amy) Murray; two great-grandchildren Lakelan and Rowan; his brother Lyle (Jackie) Svoboda of Cedar Rapids; his sister-in-law LaVerna Kulhavy of Cedar Rapids, as well as his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father in law Libbie and Frank J. Stastny, a grandson Kristopher Murray, his sister Lucille (Joe) Skiba, his brother Clifford (Gayle) Svoboda, and brother-in-law Bill Kulhavy, and his sister-in-law Bernice (Lumir) Merta.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church General Fund or to the charity of donor's choice.