Obituary of John A. Swenka

John A. Swenka, age 79 of 311 Post Road, Iowa City died Thursday, December 2, 2004 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from injuries received after a fall at his home. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2004 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City with the Reverend Kenneth Kuntz officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be today from 4 to 8pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City where a parish vigil service will be held at 8pm. A memorial fund has been established in John’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for John’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. John Andrew Swenka was born April 17, 1925, near North Liberty, Iowa the son of John and Mary J. (Svoboda) Swenka. On September 28, 1949, he married Mary Jean Lovetinsky at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. After their marriage, the couple farmed near Riverside for a number of years before moving to a farm between Iowa City and West Liberty in 1965. Here they farmed until 1981 when they retired and moved into Iowa City. He was a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and former member of the Johnson County Cattleman’s Association and Pork Producer’s. He enjoyed the outdoors. His love for his family was foremost. His family includes his wife, Jean; son, John G. Swenka and his wife, Alice of Coralville; daughters and their husbands, Lori and Tim Bross of Iowa City, Wendy and Jay Meyers of West Liberty, and Mary Sue and Bob Donovan of Iowa City; son-in-law, Jim Jansen of Iowa City; ten grandchildren, Tessa Lambe and her husband, Mike, Corissa Jansen and her fiancé, Jeff Runde, Lane Swenka, Lucas Bross, Kera Bross, Jacob Meyers, Justin Meyers, and Jordan Meyers, Katelyn Donovan, and Jack Donovan; sisters, Laura Piersall and her husband, Dale of Cedar Rapids, Angeline Russell of Iowa City, and Wilma Shaffer of Iowa City; brother and his wife, Ted and Irene Swenka of Greeley, Iowa. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Terry Swenka, Cheryl Jansen and seven brothers and sisters. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for John’s family and his services.