Agnes J. Smedra

Agnes Smedra, 95 Kearney resident Agnes Josephine Smedra, 95, of Kearney passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center ER. Due to COVID-19, Agnes’s Mass of Christian Burial was postponed last year. A private family burial was held on May 8, 2020 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery in Farwell. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Fr. Joe Hannappel will celebrate the Mass. Face masks covering mouth and nose are expected. The Mass will be recorded and posted after the service to the funeral home website at https://www.osrfh.com/view-funerals/ Services have been entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney. Agnes was born March 18, 1925 to Theo and Theresa (Grabowski) Bonczynski in Ashton, NE. She received her education in the rural schools of Sherman County, the Rockville High School and Loup City High School, graduating with the Normal Training Program Class of 1942. The following four years she taught in the rural schools of Sherman County. On May 29, 1945 she was united in marriage to Gene A. Smedra at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ashton. The couple farmed in the Ashton and Boelus areas until 1964 when the couple purchased their farm home that was five miles southwest of Farwell, NE. Gene preceded her in death April 2, 1982. In 1989 Agnes moved to Kearney to live. Her favorite pastime was crocheting many items, especially different afghans, one of which was awarded a purple ribbon and “Best in County” at the Buffalo County Fair. She greatly enjoyed all her time with her family, having pets, listening and dancing to Polka Music, traveling to various scenic areas in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In 1988, a tour trip to London, England; Lucerne, Switzerland; Paris, France; and Frankfort, Germany was a special highlight. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Jim Smedra and his wife, Cindy of Omaha; daughter, Cyndi Schroeder and her husband, Larry of Kearney; granddaughter, Gina Campa and her husband, Josh of Kearney; great grandsons, Gavin and Easton Campa of Kearney; step grandchildren, Jeff Maynard and Chloe Maynard Kleymann of Omaha; step great grandchildren, Kalista, Eliza, Henry and Stan of Omaha; sister-in-law, Bonnie Bonczynski of Lexington; as well as extended family and several friends. Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents, father-in-law, Paul Smedra; mother-in-law, Monica Smedra; step mother-in-law, Eleanor Smedra; sister, Arlene Janulewicz; brother, Leonard Bonczynski, brothers-in-law, Paul Janulewicz and Anzel Jarzynka. Memorials are suggested to the Polish Heritage Museum or St. James Catholic Church in Kearney or to the family for future designation. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney.

Agnes J. Smedra

March 18, 1925 - May 5, 2020