Tuesday, March 9, 2004

April 14, 1920-Feb. 9, 2004

BATTLE CREEK -- Frances (Austin) Koudelka, 84, died Feb. 9, 2004, in Battle Creek.

She was born April 14, 1920, to Robert D. and Viola (Ward) Austin in McCook. She graduated from McCook High School in 1937.

On July 20, 1947, she married James A. Koudelka. The couple resided in Battle Creek. She was employed with WPA Lincoln and Norfolk. She co-owned Koudelka Market in Battle Creek and in 1969, purchased Frozen Food Center in Norfolk.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Battle Creek and was involved in many community activities.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Thomas, Robert W., and William; and sister, Agnes Bredsen.

Survivors include one daughter, Phyllis Ahlman of Papillion; son, James Neal of Lincoln; sister, Mary Horendeck of McCook; two grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Dana Austin of Summit City, Calif., Vera Dittrick of Downey, Calif., and Jean Poggioli of Rockford, Ill.

Services were Feb. 14, 2004, in Battle Creek United Methodist Church. She was buried in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.