Paul Swoboda

P aul S woboda, age 86, of Paxton died at the Nebraska Med Center in Omaha on March 28, 2021.

Paul was born to Elmer and Florence Swoboda on March 3, 1935, at Beatrice. After his schooling he went to work in the Burwell and Cody Sandhills areas. Paul later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Following his discharge he returned to the Sandhills and later moved to Omaha.

On July 31, 1967, Paul married Ruth Hollestelle in Omaha. They lived in Ft. Calhoun, Tekamah then Herman where they started a machine show. By 1973 they moved to Stapleton for eight years before settling in Paxton. Paul hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as a Pipefitter and worked until retiring in 1998.

In his free time, Paul enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing. He was a member of the Paxton American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Florence.

Paul is survived by his wife, Ruth of Paxton; children, Paul, Jr. (Roberta) Swoboda of Lewellen and Jennifer (Phil) Contreas and Deborah (Manny) Chrisman of North Platte; grandchildren, Christian Swoboda, Paul, III (Rachael) Swoboda, Chandler (Will) Lehmann, Chase Chrisman, Shaun Swoboda and Max Contreas; great-grandchildren, Nina and William Lehmann and Easton and Adrian Peterson; sister, Lu Ann Smith, of Alabama; brothers, Bob (Vera) Swoboda, of Altoona, IA, and Roy (Dora) Swoboda, of Lincoln; and other family.

Graveside service with military honors will be 1 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021, in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are to the family.