Irene G. Sojka

Irene Genevieve Sojka, 96, of O'Neill, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 at the Journey House in Lincoln. 

Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a parish rosary at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate.  

Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Ewing.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or for masses in memory of Irene.   

Irene was born on Dec. 26, 1926 in Omaha to Stanley and Genevieve Fonfara.  She attended St. Stanislaus School and Cathedral High School in Omaha.  

Irene studied nursing at Creighton University, but her life direction changed when she met Peter Sojka from Page. They were married on June 7, 1947 at St. Stanislaus Church in Omaha. The couple moved to a farm northeast of Page where they raised their three children and spent the majority of their married life, before moving to O'Neill.  Peter and Irene were married 63 years. 

Irene was a dedicated farm wife and mother. She was a member of the Christian Mothers Society and St. Peter's Church in Ewing, where she enjoyed singing and was a faithful choir member for 18 years.  

Irene loved embroidering and made countless hand-stitched tea towels which made their way into many homes. She enjoyed gardening, baking and decorating cakes for family on special occasions and praying daily for her family and friends. She cared for many animals on their farm, family pets, and she always made sure her bird feeder was full.  

Irene never missed a grandchild's or great-grandchild's birthday. She always sent her famous birthday cards covered front to back in stickers (including the envelope). 

Irene was a woman of strong faith and strong will and she always made sure people knew how much she cared for them.    

Irene is survived by her three children,Virginia (Mark) Schweers of Des Moines, Iowa, Thomas (Carol) Sojka of O'Neill and Patricia (Robert) Pruden of Lincoln; two sisters Virginia Hardy and Patricia Fonfara, both of Omaha;10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Peter Sojka, her parents and three siblings Richard Fonfara, Robert Fonfara and Dorothy Chapman.   

52

____________