SVOBODA, Virjean

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/08/2011 Mrs. Virjean (James) Goldsmith Svoboda, 73, died Nov. 1, 2011. She was born Dec. 20, 1937, outside Clarence, Iowa to Marvin and Marie (Rowold) Goldsmith. After attending Clarence country and town schools, she graduated from Lowden, Iowa High School in 1955. After attending AIC Business School in Davenport, Iowa, she had several jobs including private secretary to George Nissen (who invented the trampoline), president of Nissen Corporation. In Nov. 1961, she married James (Jim) Svoboda at the "Little Brown Church in the Vale" in Nashua, Iowa. To this union was born a son Joel and a daughter Sheryl. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 25. In March of 1966, the family moved to Scottsdale, where she held several jobs before retiring in 1998. In 1999, Jim and Virjean moved to Overgaard, where she was residing at the time of her death. She enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling (a trip to Japan, two trips to the Czech Republic and three weeks in Germany) and spending time on the computer and doing crossword puzzles. She is survived by her husband, Jim of Overgaard; son Joel; daughter Sheryl; and grandson Peter of Tucson. Also surviving is her brother Kent (Sharon) Goldsmith, sister Barb (Ed) Archer, sister Marla (Dave) Wiedenhoff, sister-in-law Sharon, one uncle and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Larry. She was a 45-year member of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ. Her wish was that there not be a church memorial service but did consent to a viewing. A viewing was held at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd. in Scottsdale Monday, Nov. 7. Cremation followed with ashes interred in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Virjean's name payable to the University of Arizona Foundation/Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Ave. PO Box 245013, Tucson, AZ 85724.