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January 15, 1953 - March 26, 2025 Dianne "Dee" (Peters) Svoboda was born on January 15, 1953, in David City, Neb., to John and Norma Jean Peters. She left this world on March 26, 2025, in Lincoln.
She was the oldest of four children and attended Surprise Grade School and Aquinas High School where she met her husband, John. After graduation, Dee moved to Lincoln and worked at State Farm Insurance. She and John were married in 1973.
After a short period of time with State Farm, Dee's ultimate dream of motherhood was achieved, and she decided to trade in her corporate job for that of a stay-at-home mom. She gave birth to three children, however, she was not just a mother to her children, she served as a surrogate mother to the many children that walked through her doors at one of the three homes that she made in Lincoln or the four schools in which she worked after she resumed her work outside of the home when her youngest started kindergarten. She continued to work at Lincoln Public Schools for 36 years until her retirement in 2022.
Dee was very sad to retire as she had made many lifelong friends, however, this allowed her to spend more time with friends and family along with battling cancer. After retirement, Dee was able to enjoy more time with her seven grandchildren. She traveled to and followed their activities just as much as she did when her kids were little.
Friends and family meant everything to her, but her greatest joy was brought by those who called her "Nana/Nana Dee". Her seven grandchildren were the pride of her life and a reason she fought everyday. The abundance of pride and love she had for them was apparent to anyone she encountered, whether it was on a family Disney Cruise vacation, at a ballgame, dance recital, school program or swimming in her backyard pool.
In addition to sharing her time with her grandkids, she loved driveway parties with friends, celebrating victories (or losses) with other parents after countless games and in recent years hosted a Husker Tailgate where she was joined by friends made over the years. There are not enough words to succinctly describe the impact that she has left behind, however, you can tell just how evident it is when you meet her kids and grandkids. Her empathy, compassion, strength, unconditional love, and courage are apparent in all of them.
Dee is survived by her mother, Norma Jean Peters of David City; husband, John; children, Jeremy (Elizabeth) Svoboda, Nicole (Shane) Chiles, all of Lincoln, and Trevor (Niki Zitek-Svoboda) Svoboda of Seward; seven grandchildren, Courtney and Colin Svoboda, Alli and Cade Chiles, Kallie Zitek, Lucas Zitek and Kinley Svoboda; siblings, Denise (Kevin) Havlovic, Randy Peters, Rick Peters; sisters-in-law, Carolee Svoboda and Mary Ann Mattingly; brothers-in-law, Jim Svoboda, Randy (Barb) Svoboda; several very special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and her dear friends and neighbors. Preceded in death by father, John Peters; mother-in-law, Irene Svoboda; father-in-law, Cyril Svoboda; and multiple family members and friends. Visitation with family present from 5 to 7 p.
m., followed by a Rosary at North American Martyrs Catholic Church, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.
m., Monday, March 31, 2025, North American Martyrs Catholic Church, 1101 Isaac Drive. Burial will be at 3:30 p.
m., in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in David City.
Memorials to Lincoln Public Schools Foundation. Condolences online at Roperandsons.com .
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