Marie Odvarko

Marie Odvarko, 83, of Bettendorf, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at her home.  According to her wishes, a private service will be held in her home country of the Czech Republic.

Marie was born May 11, 1932 in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Josef & Terezie Plachy.  She was united in marriage to Lubomir Odvarko, Sr. in Jicin, Czechoslovakia in July of 1949.  He preceded her in death on October 1, 2001.

Marie had attended school to become a pastry chef and, shortly after her marriage, she worked as a toy and jewelry assembler.  She immigrated to Bettendorf with her family in 1969, living here for 46 years.  In 1977 she was employed at Struthers and Dunn, retiring in 1990.

She was an incredible cook who baked the best pastries and breads for many friends.  Marie had a green thumb and could grow anything.  She enjoyed singing and writing super long letters to her friends back in the Czech Republic.

She enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  On Saturdays, her special time was spent watching Gospel Music and Lawrence Welk.  She also enjoyed Hallmark movies and was super fast at Word-Search books.

Her family's needs always came first.  Her passion was her grandchildren.  She and her husband babysat them often.  They all would travel each summer to her home town of Liban.  She continued this tradition through their teenage years.  She was the best mom, grandmother and friend to so many people who will miss her forever

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Dr. Jaroslava Odvarko of Bettendorf; her son Lubomir Odvarko Jr. of Bettendorf; her grandchildren, Stacey and Justin Odvarko; her grandson-in-law, Jiri Hanus; and her great-grandchildren, Taylor Odvarko, Kristyna and Nicholas Hanus, Peyton Odvarko and Tanner Johnson; former daughter-in-law, Nancy Odvarko; friends, Jana Vanek-Scott of New York and Jerry Gassmann; and exchange students from the Czech Republic, Kveta and Lenka Kopecky.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and three sisters.