Bernice Marcella "Bunny" Svobodny

Bernice Marcella "Bunny" Svobodny of Hopkins, MN, passed away just five months shy of her 100th year. Born on February 14, 1926, to Ida and James Kral, she grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. She often said "never marry a farmer," a rule that stuck after milking cows by candlelight and living with oatmeal and outhouses. She attended a one-room school, where she formed lifelong friends and started what became known as the "44 Club." A group of fourteen girlfriends who gathered monthly or sixty years to talk and support each other, play card games, drink coffee and indulge in desserts. After high school, Bunny worked at the National Tea grocery store in Hopkins as a cashier, later as a bookkeeper. She was a math whiz, famous for rattling off numbers faster than any calculator around. Balancing her checkbook became second nature to her, always done with speed and precision that left others amazed. Even well into her later years she could still rattle off calculations in her head. She met her tall, dark, and very handsome future husband, Charles "Charlie" Svobodny, at a barn dance in Hopkins. They married on March 31, 1951, and together they shared five decades of love and adventure. Together they raised four children and built a home filled with love, faith, and devotion. Their family life was rich with traditions that still live on today, bringing joy to each new generation that follows. Bunny was devout in her Catholic faith, known as a prayer warrior who cared deeply for neighbors, friends, and family. She lived her faith daily, through compassion, service, and kindness to others. Her children recall her as both a perfectionist and nurturer. She was the "neighborhood cookie lady" and known widely for her humor, her wit, her warmth, and hospitality. She was dubbed the Holiday Queen for making each holiday pure magic. From Christmas to Easter, she never disappointed. Her mandarin orange Jello was a family staple and a must-have at every family gathering. In her final year, Bunny lived at Beehive of Maple Grove, where she quickly became a staff favorite. She remained active with bingo, music, crafts, and always thankful for the care and kindness she received. Even with her fading memory, there were still things she never forgot-like her favorite meal of choice: toast, coffee, and cookies. Her purse and handicap permit- clutched so tightly-you'd need the jaws of life to pry them away. And even then, she never let them go. Though her last years brought many health struggles, Bunny always had the strength to bounce right back. For that reason we deemed her the Energizer Bunny-she just kept on going and going until her battery finally ran out on Sept. 7, 2025. She is survived by her children: Catherine (Tim Logan), Allan S., Mary Jo Svobodny, and Paula (John Meyers). She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Sean (Melinda Logan), Jenny (Scott Reynolds), Katie Logan, Michael (Autumn S.), Kendall (Aaron Youngworth), Chris (Colleen Meyers), Johnathan (Alyssa Meyers), and Jacob (Theresa Meyers). Each grandchild proudly carries her memory, devotion, and example on. She is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren: Emma, Zoey, Emmett, Heston, Cora, Ellie, Luca, Callie, Chase, Carter, Vienna, Elaina, Charlie, Ryder, and Hayden -each held dearly within her heart. Though preceded in death by her beloved husband Charlie and her siblings, she leaves behind a true legacy of faith, humor, prayer, hospitality, and boundless care. She will be missed and remembered forever. Visitation, funeral, and luncheon will be held at Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale, MN, on Saturday the 27th of September. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Funeral at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow at 12:00 p.m. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie 952-975-0400