Bessie Svajgr

Bessie E. Svajgr, age 93 of Fairbury, died on December 22, 2007 in Lincoln. She was born to James and Mary Vosika Novotny on May 24, 1914 near Diller, Nebraska. She attended grade school at District #32, graduated from Diller High School in 1931 and attended Peru State Teachers College. She taught in rural grade schools in Jefferson and Gage counties for 7 years. On August 8, 1939 she married Edward Svajgr of Milligan, Nebraska where they resided on a farm until 1943 when they moved to a farm near Diller. In 1980, they moved to Fairbury where she resided until her death.

She was baptized at the Methodist Church in Diller and later transferred her membership to the United Methodist Church in Fairbury where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, was a church school teacher and remained very active in the United Methodist Women for many years. She also served as a 4-H leader for cooking and sewing clubs.

Preceding her in death was an infant son (Stanley), daughter Joyce, her parents, two sisters, an infant brother and daughter-in-law Judy Svajgr.

Survivors include her husband Ed of Fairbury, Sons Larry (Cindy) of West Lafayette, IN., Alan (JoAnn) of Cozad, NE, and grandchildren Jeffrey (Traci) Svajgr of Cozad, Dana (Chase) Newsom of West Lafayette, Shari (Doug) Menke of Round Rock, TX, Connie Mahaffey of Franklin, ME, James Mahaffey of Alexandria, NE and two step-grand daughters, Joan (Randy) Tigges of
Lidderdale, IA and Jana (Phil) Kopf of Lexington, NE. Also surviving her are eight great grandchildren.

Visitation scheduled on January 2, 2008 from 5-8 pm at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be on January 3, 2008 at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury with Pastor Warren Schoming officiating. Committal will be private by the family. Memorials suggested to the United Methodist Church or the donor’s charity of choice.