Clair Svestka, 90

Feb. 11, 1930 —

June 3, 2020

 

CRESCO - Clair J. Svestka, age 90, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on June 3, 2020 at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco surrounded by loving family members.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2020, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco with a scripture service at 7 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks are recommended, and social distancing will be practiced. 

Clair was born on Feb. 11, 1930, the son of Ruben W. and Jessi J. (Shimek) Svestka at the family home in Schley, Iowa. He attended rural Paris 8 Country School and graduated from Assumption High School in Cresco in 1948. He was drafted into the Army from 1951-1953 and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, where he did mechanical work on large machinery. 

Clair was united in marriage to Donna Belle Gunhus on June 4, 1956 at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco. To this union, four children were born, Kirk, Kathy, Kent and Kris. He sold insurance for Mutual of Omaha for a few years and later started work at the Oliver plant in Charles City. In 1971 he opened a welding and repair business in Cresco, in the old brick Swenson factory located on 3rd Street West. As the business grew, he built a new shop on Airport Road in 1978 and remained there until retirement in 2004.

Clair was a proud man — proud of his family, home and business that he started from scratch. 

He participated in and enjoyed bowling for many eyars and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 1993.

His Holy Thursdays were spent at the Cresco Country Club, and it was something he looked forward to each week for 30-plus years. His annual fishing trip to Canada with friends for several years was also something he looked forward to, as well as camping with their families.

Clair could be the life of the party. He enjoyed telling stories and keeping people laughing. He will truly be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; and children, Kirk (Sandi) Svestka of New Prague, Minn., Kathy (Kevin) Conway of Prior Lake, Minn., Dr. Kent (Brenda) Svestka of Decorah, Iowa and Kris Svestka of Champlain, Minn.

Clair is also survived by nine grandchildren, Clarissa (Toby) Einck with children Hayden and Kinsey, Alex Conway, Raquel Ristau, Whitney (Nate) Halvorson with Franklin, Dr. Eric (Megan) Svestka with Welles, Soliel and Eira, Brian (Jeni) Svestka with Bentley and Caydance, Kaitlyn (Jacob) Humpal, Cole Svestka and Alexis Svestka; two brothers, Arthur (Lois) Svestka and Paul (Pat) Svestka; numerous nieces and nephews; and four step-grandchildren, Lori, Jody, Shelly and Troy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Giovanni Walton; brother-in-law, Arnold Hruska; and nephews, Dean Hruska and Paul Svestka Jr.