Obituary of Anita Marie Sojka

          Anita Marie Sojka, 95, of Riverside, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date.  There will be no visitation as Anita has deeded her body to the U of I School of Medicine.  Following Mass, a time of food and fellowship will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Center.   Memorials have been established for St. Mary’s Church Preservation Fund, Mt. Olivet Cemetery or Hospice in memory of Anita. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.lewisfuneralhomes.com. The Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Riverside is caring for Anita’s arrangements and her family. 

           Anita Marie Frank was born on January 9, 1923, in Riverside, Iowa the daughter of Fred J.  and Leona L. (Mottet) Frank.  On February 28, 1946, she was united in marriage to Vincent J. Sojka in Riverside.   Anita retired from the University of Iowa Business Office.   In retirement, she enjoyed working at the Kalona Historical Village.  She was a very active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Riverside.  In addition, she served on the Mt. Olivet Cemetery board, and volunteered at Pleasantview Home.  Anita enjoyed quilting, bird watching, gardening, her rose bushes, traveling, and playing cards with her grandchildren.  Her greatest love was the time she spent with her family. 

             Anita will be deeply missed by her sons, Charles (Colleen) Sojka of Riverside, John (Joan) Sojka of Riverside, Philip Sojka of Kalona, Gregory (Nancy) Sojka of Riverside and Joseph (Julie) Sojka of Kalona; nine grandchildren, Grant Sojka, Brian Sojka, Nathan Sojka, Austin Sojka, Alison Sojka, Seth Sojka, Nadia Sojka, Jessica Hubler and Ashley Sojka; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Paul (Mary) Frank of Iowa City; and several nieces and nephews.

            Anita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vincent in 2004; her son, Jacob Lee; brother, Robert “Jake” (Elaine) Frank and sisters, Zelda (Robert) Gerot, Ceola (Ardell) Gerot and Freda (Raymond) Kron.