Victor F. Naxera (1929-2021)

NAXERA, EITZMAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/29/2021 at 09:35:24

VICTOR "VIC" F. NAXERA

Cedar Rapids

Victor "Vic" F. Naxera, 92, of Cedar Rapids, passed away late Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Roger Grandia officiating. Burial will follow at the Czech National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE; and after

9 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Victor is survived by his two children, Lisa Naxera of Austin, Texas, and John Naxera and wife Chris of Swisher; two grandchildren, Alex and Hanna Naxera and his sister, Irene Hamous of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents, George J. Sr. and Alma (Hajny) Naxera; his brother, George J. "Max" Naxera Jr. and brother-in-law, Donald Hamous.

Victor was born July 1, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Wilson Senior High School in 1947 and later graduated from the University of Iowa. Victor married Janice L. Eitzman on Aug. 27, 1960, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Janice passed away on March 31, 2017. Victor was employed as a stockbroker with various investment firms in Cedar Rapids and retired from SCI.

Victor was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was actively involved in the Loaves and Fishes food pantry with his wife as well as a men's group through the church. He was an U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Komensky Society. In his youth, he was active in the Cedar Rapids Sokol Gymnastic Program and also enjoyed playing ball on the C.S.A. softball team.

He was very proud of his Czech heritage and was a staunch supporter of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. Victor was actively involved in fundraising efforts to build the Museum and had served on the Museum's Board of Trustees. He was also instrumental in bringing the three presidents of the United States, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Cedar Rapids to dedicate the Museum on Oct. 21, 1995.

He was a member of the Beseda Dancing Group that performed in Smetana's "Bartered Bride" opera at the U of I and other venues.

Victor and his brother "Max" made several trips to Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic to visit relatives. He was also involved, as was the entire Naxera family, in hosting relatives when they visited the U.S.A. several times.

Above all, Victor's main interest was his family which was a source of great pride and joy to him. He enjoyed traveling with them, being involved in their lives and doing things to support them.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under obituaries.