Richard Franklin Zabokrtsky
January 15, 1926 — March 10, 2012
Richard Franklin Zabokrtsky
January 15, 1926 - March 10, 2012
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend departed this life on March 10, 2012, at the age of 86. Services: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Troy Mills Christian Church, by Pastor James Wolf. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point, Iowa. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery, Troy Mills, Iowa.
Richard was born January 15, 1926, on the family farm in rural Center Point, Iowa, son of Frank and Emma Lala Zabokrtsky. He was a graduate of Center Point High School. Richard was united in marriage to Arlene Cherry on March 2, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Together they farmed and raised their three sons, on their century farm located between Center Point and Walker. They farmed there for 40 years and then retired and built a home on an acreage near Troy Mills.
Richard was a Spring Grove Township trustee for many years, an officer on the Linn County Pork Producers Board, 4-H Swine Project leader, and member of the Linn County Zoning Committee. He enjoyed outdoor sports, especially deer hunting with his sons and friends. He took great pride in his yard and garden. Richard and Arlene loved dancing, playing cards, and visiting with many treasured and longtime friends and relatives, and living life to the fullest. Together they traveled extensively, including travels abroad.
Agriculture was Richard’s life work and he was a dedicated farmer and instilled those traits in his three sons. After retiring, he continued making daily trips to the farm during the planting and harvest seasons, and maintained an active interest in farming. His love of the land and caring for it was his passion.
Richard enjoyed following his grandchildren in their activities. His family was his pride and joy and they all enjoyed fun times relaxing at the cabin on the Wapsipinicon River. Richard truly enjoyed everything to do with farming, being in the country, Farmall tractors, and the changing seasons. He was proud of his Czech heritage, was an advocate for the Democratic Party, and always kept abreast with current world events.
His family looked to him for guidance and advice throughout his life. He will forever be missed and always, always loved and remembered for his love of family and land.
Thankful and blessed to have shared in his life are his loving wife, Arlene, of 65 years; three sons, Steven (Kathy) of Walker, their children Jason of Ely, MN, Julie (David) Rochford of Cedar Rapids; Dennis (Deb) of Center Point, children Rachel (Sam) Kratz of Walker, and Steffany (fiancée Isaac Young) of West Des Moines; David (Polly), children Richard and Nicholas all of Walker. Richard also leaves two great-granddaughters Emmalee and Evelynn Kratz; brother-in-law Ray Cherry of Troy Mills, sister-in-law Merry Carol (John) Powell of Cedar Rapids, and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Arlene Kouba and brother-in-law, Arthur Kouba, two infant brothers, an infant sister, and sister-in-law Ardy Cherry.
Our special thanks to visiting nurses, St. Luke’s Hospice, and Hiawatha Care Center who guided us through this difficult journey and to the staff whose kind words and warm support has comforted us all.
January 15, 1926 - March 10, 2012
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend departed this life on March 10, 2012, at the age of 86. Services: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Troy Mills Christian Church, by Pastor James Wolf. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point, Iowa. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery, Troy Mills, Iowa.
Richard was born January 15, 1926, on the family farm in rural Center Point, Iowa, son of Frank and Emma Lala Zabokrtsky. He was a graduate of Center Point High School. Richard was united in marriage to Arlene Cherry on March 2, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Together they farmed and raised their three sons, on their century farm located between Center Point and Walker. They farmed there for 40 years and then retired and built a home on an acreage near Troy Mills.
Richard was a Spring Grove Township trustee for many years, an officer on the Linn County Pork Producers Board, 4-H Swine Project leader, and member of the Linn County Zoning Committee. He enjoyed outdoor sports, especially deer hunting with his sons and friends. He took great pride in his yard and garden. Richard and Arlene loved dancing, playing cards, and visiting with many treasured and longtime friends and relatives, and living life to the fullest. Together they traveled extensively, including travels abroad.
Agriculture was Richard’s life work and he was a dedicated farmer and instilled those traits in his three sons. After retiring, he continued making daily trips to the farm during the planting and harvest seasons, and maintained an active interest in farming. His love of the land and caring for it was his passion.
Richard enjoyed following his grandchildren in their activities. His family was his pride and joy and they all enjoyed fun times relaxing at the cabin on the Wapsipinicon River. Richard truly enjoyed everything to do with farming, being in the country, Farmall tractors, and the changing seasons. He was proud of his Czech heritage, was an advocate for the Democratic Party, and always kept abreast with current world events.
His family looked to him for guidance and advice throughout his life. He will forever be missed and always, always loved and remembered for his love of family and land.
Thankful and blessed to have shared in his life are his loving wife, Arlene, of 65 years; three sons, Steven (Kathy) of Walker, their children Jason of Ely, MN, Julie (David) Rochford of Cedar Rapids; Dennis (Deb) of Center Point, children Rachel (Sam) Kratz of Walker, and Steffany (fiancée Isaac Young) of West Des Moines; David (Polly), children Richard and Nicholas all of Walker. Richard also leaves two great-granddaughters Emmalee and Evelynn Kratz; brother-in-law Ray Cherry of Troy Mills, sister-in-law Merry Carol (John) Powell of Cedar Rapids, and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Arlene Kouba and brother-in-law, Arthur Kouba, two infant brothers, an infant sister, and sister-in-law Ardy Cherry.
Our special thanks to visiting nurses, St. Luke’s Hospice, and Hiawatha Care Center who guided us through this difficult journey and to the staff whose kind words and warm support has comforted us all.
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