Irma N. Svoboda, 95, died Friday, March 10, 2006, at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2006 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fairfax with Fr. Phil Thompson presiding.  Burial will follow services in Hala Cemetery near Walford.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids where there will be a 3 p.m. rosary and a 4 p.m vigil.  Visitation will also be an hour prior to services at the church.

Irma was born June 4, 1910 on the family farm in rural Linn County, the daughter of Frank and Bertha Boddicker Schulte.   Irma married Emil L. Svoboda, June 21, 1933 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Walford.  She worked for over 25 years at the Ox Yoke in Amana, and also helped farm.  In the early 1970's she enrolled in LaSalle Extension University of Chicago, where she successfully completed two years correspondence study in interior design. In the mid 1980's, Emil and Irma obtained a "Century Farm" designation for their farm near Amana, the land having been in the Svoboda family more than 100 years.  She guided restoration of their Victorian-era farmhouse and associated barn, both of which were built in 1898 by Emil's parents, Andrew and Barbara Svoboda. Irma enjoyed spending time with family especially grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.  She had a keen mind for politics and loved to bake kolaches, plant flowers and trees, enjoy nature and watchbirds.

Irma is survived by a son Conrad (Diann) Svoboda of Cedar Rapids, a daughter Linda Svoboda of Cedar Rapids, three grandchildren Scott (Becky) Svoboda of Shellsburg, Amy Svoboda (Joe Petta) of Brooklyn, New York and Dianne (Scott) Mason of rural Amana; two greatgrandchildren Sydney and Abby Mason; four stepgreatgrandchildren and four stepgreatgreatgrandchildren; a brother Franklin Schulte of Walford, and a sister Mildred (Maurice) Brannaman of Martelle.

Preceding her in death were her parents, and her husband Emil who died August 3, 1990, four brothers Alfred, Bernard, Cyril and Ferdinand Schulte.

Memorials may be directed to the family.