Frances A (Breja) Kozik, 30 Mar 1934 - 30 Aug 2021

KOZIK, BREJA, SVOBODA, SWEARENGIN, JOHNSON, SCHMINKE, IVESTER, VON RODEN, MITCHELL, VANCURA, MARION, FISHER, MCTEE, RYCHNOVSKY, PECH, PLESEK

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 9/8/2021 at 14:18:41

Frances A. Kozik, 87, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away Aug. 30, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Frances was born March 30, 1934, to J.V. and Anna (Svoboda) Breja on the Breja family farm near Elberon, Iowa. She graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1953. Following school, Fran worked for Citizens State Bank.

On May 25, 1954, she married Donald Kozik at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vining, Iowa. Together they raised their children on their farm north of Belle Plaine. Fran was an ideal farmwife, driving the tractor to bale hay and providing homemade meals to the men on the farm.

Fran taught her children how much you could provide for your family through gardening, canning, utilizing the chicken, beef and all the farmstead had to offer. Everything was cooked from scratch, baking kolaches and other baked goods to share. Her talent soared in her crafts and sewing ability, making her children's clothes, prom dresses and her talent to sew a perfect featherstitch. Fran also expressed the beauty of life through her stunning flowers beds. As her children grew, Fran went to work at the Blue N' Gold, Belle Plaine City Clerk, Belle Plaine Liquor Store, and the Creative Colony in Amana, where you could find her crafts and amazing sewing creations.

Together Fran and Don enjoyed bowling on the Sunday night league and traveling together for Don's insurance conventions. Fran loved spending time with family, especially staying busy with all the grandchildren's activities. In her later years, Fran enjoyed playing penny slots at the casino. Fran was devoted to her faith as a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society. Fran was a classy lady who provided and cared greatly for others, she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children, Sherri (KC) Swearengin, Doug (Linda) Kozik and Janet (Doug) Johnson, all of Belle Plaine; grandchildren, CJ (Jessica) Schminke, Brooke (Anthony) Ivester, Garrett (Janet) Kozik, Brittani (Bryon) Von Roden, Morgan (Cory) Mitchell, Bailey (Brian) VanCura, Abbie (Matt) Marion, Lindsey (Tyler) Fisher, Tyler (Jolene) Johnson and Summer Swearengin; 18 great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; sisters, Ann McAtee of Davenport and Barb Rychnovsky of Belle Plaine; brother-in-law, Virgil Kozik of Belle Plaine; sister-in-law, Alma Pech of Belle Plaine; and many more family and friends.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don (2006); brothers, Charles, Louie, Joseph and Steve; and sister, Lucille Plesek.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. The service will also be livestreamed through the funeral service's Facebook page. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine, with a rosary at 7 p.m. followed by a time for sharing.

Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.

Published in The Gazette on September 2, 2021 and in The Hometown Current on September 8, 2021.