Lil Kafka

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 2:46 pm

Lil Kafka, 91, of New Prague, Minn., died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minn. surrounded by her family. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague, with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Visitation took place at Bruzek Funeral Home Sunday from 4-7 p.m. and Monday morning from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Burial was at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to American Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity.bruzekfuneralhome.com.

Lil was born Jan. 28, 1924, in Spillville, to Charles and Ludmilla (Brom) Kovarik. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville, Calmar High School in Calmar and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Iowa and married Robert V. Kafka in Spillville Aug. 5, 1946. The couple lived in St. Clair and then moved to New Prague. They moved to Milaca in 1970 and after her husband’s death, Lil moved back to New Prague. At that time, she worked at McMahon Drug Store for about nine years before retiring. Lil was a member of St. Wenceslaus CCW and active in many of the church groups and activities. She also was a member of Queen of Peace Hospital Auxiliary and many bridge clubs. Lil enjoyed sewing, embroidery and crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. She dearly loved her family and will be sadly missed by all who were touched by her.

Lil is survived by her children: Nancy (Marty) Simon of New Prague, Dr. Tom (Arla) Kafka of Cresco, Peg (Steve) Paulson of Mora, Minn., Barbara Kafka of Check, Va., Julie (Nathan) Nistler of Maple Grove; brother, Victor Kovarik of Spillville; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kafka, Oct. 6, 1979; parents; sisters: Helen Melsh, Dorothy Meyer and Celia.