Linda Mae Havelka, beloved wife and mother, died peacefully June 20, 2024. Her final days were spent in the warmth and embrace of loving family. Her illness was unexpected; her end came too soon. Her passing will be deeply felt by loved ones near and far. Linda will be terribly, terribly missed.

Linda’s life and heart were full of family. Her home was full of friends and loved ones. Her days were full of faith and service. Her husband of 56 years, James P. Havelka; her daughter, Sara K. (Geoffrey) Lewis, and her son Andrew J. (Tiffanie) Havelka were always at the center of her attention. Her love of her family was boundless.

For Linda, family, friends, and faith could all be found in her kitchen where she was a legend. She cooked and baked for all comers and the more she cooked and baked for someone, the more that someone might know she loved them. She was famous for her potato salad, dumplings and sauerkraut, kolaces, and her pudding dessert. If it was your birthday, and if you were lucky, she would make you whatever you wanted. And she could make most anything. Linda especially enjoyed cooking from her Czech roots, but she was not above a Strawberry Pretzel Pie on a hot summer day.

Linda was raised in the Catholic faith and she found great peace in the church’s offerings and, in return, offered the church a lifetime of service. She delighted in the work of the choir and took seriously her duties as a Eucharistic minister and lector.

Her two greatest accomplishments she shares with her husband, Jim. Her children Sara and Andy have become successful but, more importantly, interesting and self-fulfilled adults. Andy and his wife Tiffanie gave Linda and Jim two thoughtful and capable and accomplished grandchildren, Wesley and Ila. The addition of grandchildren brought new joy to Linda’s life and in their lives she found new adventures as a grandmother. Her love was unconditional, enormous and gushing. The pride she took in her children and grandchildren was etched in her smile, constant presence in their lives and phone full of photos.

Linda Mae Havelka was born April 21, 1948, in Fremont Nebraska, to Ernest J. and Wylma H. (Dostal) Reznicek. She attended St. Wenceslaus School in Dodge, and graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Omaha, Neb., in 1966. She attended Platte College in Columbus from 1969-70.

Linda worked throughout Nebraska during her professional career and kept friends from everywhere. She started out at General Telephone Company in 1966. She went on to work at Pamida, Northwestern Bell, and KV Vet Supply before beginning her work for First National Bank in 1995 where she retired in 2013.

Linda was a dedicated member of the St. Charles Borromeo Church. She was an active member of the choir and worked in the St. Anne’s Guild. Linda was North Bend’s Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator and a member of PEO International.

In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Linda is survived by brother, Don (Marcia) Reznicek, Ord; and sisters Delores Yosten, Grand Island; Bonnie (Marvin) Evert, Lincoln; Joan Reznicek, Nickerson; sister-in-law Dianne Reznicek, Lincoln, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Gary Reznicek, Lincoln; and Leo Reznicek, Madison; sister Kathy (Reznicek) Thompson, Washington, Iowa; and sister-in-law Pa- tricia Reznicek, and brother-in-law Merlin Yosten.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, at St. Charles Church in North Bend. Visitation was scheduled for 4-7 p.m. on Monday at St. Charles with rosary service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Charles Choir or the Notre Dame Sisters, 3501 State Street, Omaha, NE 68112.