Ernest Kucera

TOLEDO-Ernest Anthony Kucera, 87, of Toledo, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at the St. Patrick Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 9-10 AM prior to the Mass at the church.

Ernest was born on February 4, 1938, on the family farm in rural Toledo, Iowa, the son of Anthony and Agnes (Hala) Kucera.

He graduated from Toledo High School in 1956.

On February 7, 1959, he married Sylvia Helen Amcha at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. She passed away on August 3, 2008. He later married Fran (Davis) Jesina on December 12, 2012.

Ernie was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and Catholic Foresters. He was also a Richland Township Trustee member.

Ernie’s love of farming began at an early age on the family farm he grew up on. When he & Sylvia married, he moved to her family farm and together they built a wonderful life. They farmed north of Toledo and south of Tama his entire working life. He was always busy caring for his cattle and growing his crops. Every day he enjoyed tooling around the timber on his 4-wheeler checking the cattle and the fences. His grandkids had some fun times when they were young taking rides with “G-Pa.” He especially loved harvest time. Ernie was always sad when it was complete, as he wouldn’t be able to drive his combine for another year. He was very proud when “the home place” in Carroll Township received the Century Farm Award at the Iowa State Fair in 2019. Ernie loved farming and his family. He never worked a day in his life because he loved farming so much. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cards.

Ernie was truly a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his son, Leon (Jennifer) Kucera, Tama; daughters, Ann (Mike) Cherveny, Toledo, and Carol (Dave) Nekola, Toledo; grandchildren, Hana Kucera, Katelyn Kucera (Alex), Kendra (Curtis) Smith, and Drake Cherveny (Calli); great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Harper Smith; his wife, Fran of Toledo; three stepchildren, Lori (Kerry) Copple of Texas, Lynn Wilson of Waukee, and Nicole (Jason) Miltenberger of Belmond; nine step-grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren; brothers, Tony (Carolyn) Kucera, Madison, WI, Gerry (Patty) Kucera, Cedar Rapids; sister, Carolyn Massey, Dekalb, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sylvia; sisters, Marjorie Upah, Mae Steffen, and an infant sister; brothers-in-law, Richard Upah, Roger Steffen, and James Massey.

A memorial fund will be established.

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