Benjamin J. Pokorny

1926 - 2008

FREMONT – Benjamin J. Pokorny, 82, of Fremont, formerly of Wahoo, died Nov. 5.
Pokorny was born July 10, 1926 to Joseph and Francis (Houfek) Pokorny near Swedeburg. He attended District 71 through the eighth grade. Due to his father's health, Ben was needed to help with the farm work and was unable to continue his education. This did not stop him from life long learning. He was an avid reader and used this knowledge to better his farm operation.
In January 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army. He took his Infantry Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kan. He was then sent to Yokahama, Japan where he was transferred to Specialist School at Eta Jima, Japan. He then served in the Signal Corp for 18 months. He received his discharge in Fort Carson, Colo. in January 1953. He resumed farming at that time.
On March 20, 1955, he married Elaine Buresh of Fremont, formerly of Riceville, Iowa.
During his life, he held various church offices and served for 29 years on the school boards of Districts 71 and 44. He was also on the Farm Bureau and Pork Producers boards. He was a member of the Malmo American Legion Post 232. He was a lifelong member of the Czech Presbyterian Church of rural Wahoo.
An infant son, Phillip, his parents, and an infant sister, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Kirk Kavan of North Bend, Laurie and Jim Martens of Waterloo, Janette and Doug Stuart of Omaha; and son, James Pokorny of Lincoln; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kyle Kavan, Melissa Martens, Benjamin, Nicholas, Madelynn and Elizabeth Stuart; two sisters and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Gale DuBois and Ruth Pokorny, all of Wahoo; a special niece and spouse, Deb and Curt Ross of Jessup, Iowa; sister-in-law, Evelyn Trutna of Wahoo; brother-in-law and spouse, Dale and Sue Buresh of Alabama; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The celebration of life will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Czech Presbyterian Church of rural Wahoo.
Visitation will be at Svoboda Funeral Home on Friday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the memorial service.
Memorials have been established to Nebraska Children's Home Society, Samaritan's Purse, and FAMC Hospice
Svoboda Funeral Home of Wahoo is in charge of the arrangements.