Samantha Strand Svoboda Hudson

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St.) with burial to follow at Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 5 at Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 W. First Street.

Samantha was born July 12, 1934 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Charles M. and B. Lucille Svoboda. She attended the University of Iowa and majored in music. Throughout her career, Samantha served as a music teacher in the Rolfe Community School. Her love for children then lead her to become the Director of the Alleman Preschool, followed by a career as the Children’s Librarian at Kirkendall Public Library.

Samantha married the love of her life, Frederick Mally Hudson on June 26, 1959. They began raising their family in Rolfe, Iowa, and then moved to an acreage north of Alleman in 1969. Samantha and her family enjoyed life in the country and spending time with horses and pets. They later moved to Elkhart, Iowa. Samantha and Frederick were happily married for 53 years before Frederick passed away in 2012.

Samantha’s hobbies included spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, and playing bridge with friends. She was a faithful member of Ankeny First United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the Chancel Choir. Samantha was also a member of Town Club, Elkhart Women’s Club, and served as a volunteer at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Survivors include her three children, Anne Hudson of Altoona, Sarah (Jeff) Brix of Ankeny, Bill “Golden Boy” (Sherlyn) Hudson of Polk City; grandchildren David (Brianna) Hamilton of Sioux Falls, SD, Holly (Alec) Nielsen of West Des Moines, Samantha Hudson of Eden Prairie, MN, and many step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Samantha was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Hudson, her parents, and her brother, Nick Svoboda.

Samantha’s family would like to extend a special thanks to her long-time friends, whom she treasured very deeply, and to the caring staff at Trinity Center Luther Park.