Woodrow “Woody” Joseph Svoboda

Woodrow “Woody” Joseph Svoboda age 95 of Kenosha, died at United Hospital System- Kenosha Campus on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

Born in Racine, WI on October 20, 1919, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mayme (Mikulecky) Svoboda.  He attended local schools and graduated with high honors from UW Madison earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. He was a House Fellow at Schlicter Hall, Gavin House in Madison and was a member of the Beta Alpha PSI and Delta Epsilon Fraternities. Woody was a life member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

From Jan 1941 until his Honorable Discharge on June 1945, Woody served in the U.S. Army during WWII obtaining the rank of Master Sargeant. He was in the Wisconsin 135^th Medical Regiment stationed in the South Pacific and fought in the Bismarck Archipelago, East Indies, New Guinea and Papuan Battles.  He earned the Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle Stars and 4 Overseas Service Bars. A special thanks to Woody for his service to our nation was given on the Honor Flight in 2014 accompanied by his son, Elwood.

On May 11, 1974 at First Congregational Church of Kenosha, he was united in marriage to Jill Pryse. They made Kenosha their home in 1987.

Woody was employed at Johnson Wax for 34 years, retiring in 1982 as Manager of Customer Development and Sales Systems.

Proud of his commitment to our country, Woody was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1865, a charter member and lifetime member of Sertoma International, American Legion Harvey R. Hansen Post 310, and Life Member of 32nd Division “Red Arrow” Veteran Association.

In his younger years, Woody played the violin in the Racine Symphony.  He gave back to the community serving as a member of the “Friends of Museums”, Froedtert Hospital Foundation and was President in 1960 of the Johnson Mutual Benefits Association. He was awarded the H.F. Johnson Service Award in 1986 for volunteer work.

Woody still found time to read, especially about his favorite sports teams, the Packers, the Badgers and the LA Dodgers. He was a good card player and enjoyed trips to Vegas.

He will be remembered by his loving wife of 41 years, Jill of Kenosha; his two sons, Elwood (Jody) Svoboda of Racine, Kevin (Lynda) Svoboda of Centennial, CO; his daughter, Susan (Edward) Bezek of Frisco, TX; his grandchildren, Justin (Steph) Svoboda, Erin (Derek) Hebrink, Natalia Svoboda, Natalie Woulf and Mark Woulf; his great grandchildren Kendall Svoboda and Kaelyn Hebrink and three more great grandchildren on the way.

He is further survived by his brother Stuart (Phyllis) Svoboda and many loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, cousins and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Gregory Svoboda.

The family would like to thank Dr. Wendel Friedel and his staff along with United Hospital System- Kenosha Campus 3^rd and 4^th floor nursing staff and everyone at Brookside Care Center for the loving care of Woody.