Gary D. Svoboda

Mass of Christian Burial for Gary D. Svoboda, age 85, of Norfolk, Nebraska, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. Reverend Vincent Germace will be celebrant, with interment in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk. 

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, with a 6:30 p.m. Vigil Service.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Gary passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Stanton Health Center in Stanton, Nebraska.

Gary Dennis Svoboda was born September 30, 1940, in Clarkson, Nebraska to Adolph and Isabel (German) Svoboda. He attended Sacred Heart Schools and graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1959. While in high school, Gary lettered in football, basketball, and track all four years.

Gary met the love of his life in first grade as they went to school together. On May 1, 1961, Gary married Margaret Evans at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk.  The couple was blessed with four children: Sue, Sherri, Debra, and Steve.

Gary was a truck driver his whole life, who first worked for Norco Feed, and then the last fourteen years for Norfolk Iron and Metal. He loved his job and was a kind driver with his CB radio and taking care of other drivers, especially women traveling alone with children. 

Gary loved to hunt, collect coins, camping, metal detecting, traveling, and casino trips. He also was an avid football coach from his chair in front of the big screen.

Gary was famous for loving his family, one-liners, and always having a pocket of coins to jingle.

He always made time for his wife and family, taking them on vacations and camping every year. Gary’s love of traveling took him and Margaret to Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, England, France, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Finland, and many more countries.

Gary was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Sue (Bill) Heermann of Fremont, Sherri (Mike) Juracek of Lincoln, Debra (Bill) Shanle of Columbus, and Steve (Julie) Svoboda of Norfolk; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jan Wagner; brother, Charlie; and sister-in-law, Maxine Svoboda.

Memorials are requested to Norfolk Catholic High School.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.

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