Paulette Svoboda

Paulette Mary Jacobs Svoboda died peacefully on November 18, 2020 at home surrounded by her husband and children. She died of Alzheimer’s Disease. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, November 21st at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Visitation is at the church for one hour prior to the mass. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The service will be live streamed on the Heart of Jesus Area Faith Community Facebook page. For those attending, masks are required and social distancing will be followed. Memorials preferred to Renville County Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association. A proper party will be held to celebrate Paulette’s life when it is safe to do so. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.  Paulette was born on September 2, 1950 to Henry and Florence (Lippert) Jacobs in Willmar, MN. She was raised on the family farm north of Renville, the fifth of twelve children. She worked alongside her mother in the garden and kitchen and was responsible for the family laundry as a young girl. She worked for neighbors as a teenager and developed a strong work ethic at an early age. In high school, Paulette earned the 1968 Crisco Award for Outstanding Student in Home Economics! She excelled in baking and cooking her entire life. Paulette loved to go to the Palms Ballroom with her sisters. She loved to dance and could do a mean polka.  She graduated from Renville High School in 1969 and attended Willmar Junior College. Paulette met the love of her life, Ron, on a blind date; they were married on September 11, 1971 at Holy Redeemer in Renville, MN. She worked at the Renville County License Bureau and then became the first licensed In-Home Daycare provider in Renville County. She provided daycare until her children started school. She then worked as the church secretary at St. Aloysius. Paulette returned to Willmar Community College while her children were in school and continued onto the College of St. Catherine Weekend College to pursue her Social Work degree while also working full time and supporting her children in their extra curricular activities. Upon graduation, Paulette was employed at West Central Industries in Willmar as a Job Coach. In 1993, Paulette began her career as the Renville County Hospice Social Worker. Paulette was an exceptionally dedicated and skilled social worker, providing families and clients with compassion and care for over twenty years. We believe Paulette served God by serving others. Paulette had many hobbies and talents which she generously shared with her family and friends. Paulette was an adept gardener, an excellent cook, and homemaker. Paulette found delight in sharing bouquets of flowers from her garden. She is fondly remembered for her breads and baked goods, especially kublia and pies. Paulette was an expert seamstress and could mend anything. Paulette relished spending time with her extended family, especially her sisters. Auntie Paulette was a favorite aunt to many. Her Birthday Club provided many years of enjoyment and laughter. Playing cards, especially snozzle, was a favorite activity her entire life. Paulette enjoyed summer vacations at the lake with her family. She was blessed with the gift of gab and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Paulette provided a listening and supportive ear when needed. Paulette dearly loved her dogs Reina and Buna. The happiest day of her life was when her grandson, Finley, was born. Her faith was important to her. Paulette served St. Aloysius as a lector, communion minister, member of Council of Catholic Women and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  Paulette is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 49 years Ronald Svoboda; her daughter Christena Svoboda Ojeda; son Andrew (Amy Haala) Svoboda; grandson Finley Svoboda; her siblings and in-laws: Joanne Balgaard, Larry (and Nancy) Jacobs, Lyle (and Judy) Jacobs, Eileen (and Gary) Melin, Gloria Larson, Marcia (and Jerome) Taatjes, Denise (and Jeff) Iverson, Nancy (and Phil) Standfuss, Marlys (and Keith) Sharpe, Kimberly (and Dean) Boike, Loran (and Betsy) Jacobs, Gerald (and Carol) Svoboda, and Brenda Maher; her many nieces and nephews and their spouses, great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, former coworkers, and friends; and her former son-in-law Alejandro Ojeda Estrada and his children Alejandra and Eduardo. Paulette was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Florence Jacobs; her father and mother-in-law, Peter and Adeline Svoboda; and her brothers-in-law Lowell Larson, Dennis Balgaard and Steve Maher.  Paulette gave great hugs. She was a deeply kind, caring, empathetic, down to earth woman who graced us with her unparalleled hospitality. Paulette’s greatest joy and love was her family; she was an awesome daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, coworker and friend. We are so very lucky and grateful to have been loved by her. To know Paulette was to love her. Blessed be her memory. Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN www.dirksblem.com 320-523-1102