Frankie Nekola

Frankie Joseph Nekola, 88, of rural Toledo was born on January 18, 1933 at home in Otter Creek Township, Toledo, Iowa the son of Frank H. and Tena (Lebeda) Nekola. He passed away Monday, January 10, 2022 at UnityPoint/Marshalltown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 17, 2022 at 10:30 AM St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at National Cemetery in rural Vining. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 3-6 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Frankie attended Otter Creek grade school and graduated from Toledo High School in 1951. He played trumpet in high school and also with the Stepanek Bohemian Orchestra. He began farming with his father on the Nekola Century farm. He met the love of his life, Marcella Riha, at the Vining Dance Hall in 1948 and they were married on September 12, 1953 at St. Wenceslaus Church, Cedar Rapids. In 1955, they purchased a farm near his parents where he lived until his death. There they raised their four children, Randy, Gary, Danny, and Cindy.

After over forty years of dairy farming with his sons he retired from farming and continued doing a variety of jobs for neighbors and friends in the area, along with help from his grandchildren. He was an active member of St. Patrick’s church as Eucharistic minister and in the choir for many years. His love of music continued and he spent over twenty-five years with Marce, friend Gerry Campbell and others volunteering at many area nursing homes, Sr. Centers, etc. singing and playing guitar. He also enjoyed a good game of cards and his greatest joy was to bring happiness to everyone, which he did faithfully. Frank and Marce enjoyed many years of travel to visit family and friends across the country, and to attend his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s music and sports activities. He was a wonderful dancer and his biggest pleasure was dancing with Marce to Barefoot Becky and being with his friends. Frank loved nature and country living, his home and family and most especially visits from family and friends enjoying the “Million Dollar” view. His special gift to bring joy to others will be missed by everyone.

Frankie is survived by his loving wife Marce of sixty-eight years; his children, sons Randy (Cheryl) Nekola, Howell, MI, Gary Nekola, Chelsea, Danny (Dawn) Nekola, Tama, and daughter Cindy Nekola Williams, Toledo; ten grandchildren, Megan (Mike) Chumbley, East Lansing, MI, Haley (David) Holbrook, Durand, MI, Treye (Heather) Nekola, Ankeny, Ashley Nekola Slinkard, McCordsville, IN, Darah (Tony) Bolen, Charleston, S.C., Benjamin (Rena) Nekola, Brighton, MI, Ciara (Brian) Nienhaus, McCordsville, IN, Derek Nekola, Montour, Tara Williams, Fenton, MI, and Kari Williams, Lansing, MI; nineteen great-grandchildren, Savannah, Caroline, William and Max Chumbley, Austin, Caden, David and Alex Holbrook all ofMI, Harper, Hazel, and Hunter Nekola, Ankeny, Carter, Noelle and Parker Slinkard, IN, Maverick and Lilah Bolen, S.C., Jaxson Sonny Frank Nekola, MI, and Sullivan and Dawson Nienhaus, IN.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Marcella Dvorak and Mildred Stepanek, son-in-law, Ted Williams; and daughter-in-law, Beth Nekola, sister-in-law, Myrna Riha; brothers-in-law, Duane Riha, Melvin Dvorak, and Charles Stepanek.

Memorials welcome at Tama County Humane Society, Camp Courageous of Iowa or your own choice.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.