Dolores Podraza

Dolores Mary Podraza (Grzywa), 94, of Lincoln, NE, formerly a longtime resident of Bellwood, NE, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2024, St. Peter's Catholic Church in Bellwood, NE. Rosary will precede mass at 10:00 am.  The viewing will take place at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Bellwood Volunteer Fire Department and/or St. Peters Catholic Church.

Dolores was born on February 20, 1930, in Columbus, NE to Leo and Mary Grzywa (Krzycki). Dolores grew up on the family farm in rural Nance County, west of Silver Creek, NE. She married Stanley (Stan) Podraza in April 1953 at Ss: Peter and Paul Catholic Church (Krakow) near Genoa, NE. Dolores and Stan began their married life on a farm near Bellwood raising their two daughters.

Dolores managed the school cafeteria for the Bellwood 3R School District from its inception in 1966 and served hundreds of the school district's children until her retirement in 1995. After Dolores's retirement, she was actively involved in a wide variety of organizations in the Village of Bellwood. She was most proud of her Sacristan work at St. Peter's Catholic Church and her volunteer work at the Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska.

When Dolores became ill in June 2020, she could no longer live in her beloved Bellwood which had been her home for almost 70 years. She took up residence in Lincoln, NE at Aviva Woodlands, although Dolores' heart always remained in Bellwood with her "village people" and St. Peter's family whom she dearly loved and missed.

She is survived by her two children: Janice Buland of Indianapolis, IN, and Donna (Tom) Soukup of Lincoln, NE. Five grandchildren: Justin (Emily) Buland, of Allison Park, PA; Lauen (Travis) Brinkman of West Chester, OH; Erik (Laura Beth) Buland of Thorntown, IN; Lindsey (Derek) Freeman, of Lincoln, NE; and Drew (Kristin) Soukup, of Lincoln, NE. Nine great-grandchildren: Brody, Gavin and Blake Freeman; Kolby and Crosby Brinkman; Ethan Soukup, Victoria Buland; and Henry and Oliver Buland. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-Law: Val (Jean Podraza), Gerry Liss, Bridget Shearron, Bert Kosch, Jean Linse, Jim (Ann) Podraza, Peggy Podraza, and many nieces and nephews.

Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Stan of 38 years, infant son, Gregory, parents, Leo and Mary Grzywa, father and mother-in-law, Alex and Agnes Podraza. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Helen and Leo Zona; brothers-in-law Lou Podraza, Ken Shearron; Jerry Kosch and Norm Linse.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the administration and team members at the Avia Woodlands for their love, support and exemplary care provided to Dolores during her residency there.