TAMA- Sylvia Helen Kucera, age 73, of Tama, died Sunday, August 3, 2008 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama following a short illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 6-7 PM at the Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with a Vigil Service at 7 PM.

Sylvia H. Kucera was born on March 30, 1935 in Tama, the daughter of Jeremiah and Hedvig (Chury) Amcha. She graduated from Tama High School. Sylvia was united in marriage to Ernest Kucera on February 7, 1959 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and the CCW.
Sylvia was proud of her Czech heritage. She loved to tell of her ancestors' lives in Czechoslovakia and her parents' immigration to the United States. The genealogy of Ernie and her children's spouses was also a big interest of hers. She did a lot of research at the Tama County Museum and ended up volunteering there for a time.
Sylvia enjoyed cooking and baking, doing crossword puzzles, listening to classical music and polkas, watching movies, sewing, restoring antique furniture, and relating the antics of her barn kitties.
Most of all she loved spending time with her family. They were truly her best friends and she was theirs.
Preceding her in death were her parents; one brother-in-law, Bill Benesh; and two nieces, Frances Benesh and Judy Wears.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest of Tama; three children, Leon (Jennifer) Kucera of Tama, Ann (Mike) Cherveny of Toledo, and Carol (Dave) Nekola of Toledo; four grandchildren, Hana and Katelyn Kucera, and Kendra and Drake Cherveny; and one sister Lill Benesh of Brooklyn. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.