Lester Oborny
Lester Oborny
Lester Francis Oborny, 87, father and retired self-employed businessman, peacefully passed away Sept. 1, 2010, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s.
Viewing was 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway Mortuary, Wichita. Rosary and family visitation was 7 p.m. Tuesday at All Saints Catholic Church, Wichita.
A funeral Mass was recited at 10:30 a.m. today at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church- Holy Family Parish, Pilsen.
Lester had a gentle demeanor and was steadfast in his Catholic faith. While working long hours managing his own business, he still found time to spearhead many fundraising and social activities at All Saints Parish and School, including starting the Sweetheart Ball. He had a passion for Polka dancing and spoke fluent Czech.
Lester made it a priority throughout his life to help others in need in the community. On a weekly basis, he gathered food and distributed it to local charities and rescue missions.
Lester enjoyed spending time with his family, especially holidays, camping, Sunday afternoon tea dances, and playing poker. The last six years of his life, Lester resided at the Catholic Care Center where he befriended his caregivers and fellow residents. He enjoyed many social activities at the center including bingo and theme parties. He continued to have regular outings with family.
Some of his fondest recent memories were “The Great Adventure to the Czech Republic” and a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon with family.
Born in Marion, Nov. 26, 1922, to Czech parents, Lester was raised on a farm and spent his early childhood years in Pilsen.
He attended Marion High School and Kansas State University where he graduated in 1944 with a degree in mechanical engineering and minor in geology. While at KSU, Lester was a photographer for the Royal Purple Yearbook and the school newspaper, and a member of Phi Kappa Fraternity and the rifle team.
Shortly after graduation, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps, Langley Field, Virginia, and was put on special assignment in the V2 Counter Measures Rocket Program. He quickly moved on to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (precursor to NASA) working on pioneering projects for rocket powered flight. He was a licensed pilot and an avid aviation enthusiast.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him back to Kansas where he pursued various business ventures involving dam and road construction, mining, dry cleaning, and coin laundry operations.
He was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Clara (Holub) Oborny; sisters Raynelda Towey and Delores Dasbach; wife Ida Marie (Sager) Oborny; and previous wife Margaret (Kline) Peer.
He is survived by his children Morris and wife Linda of Topeka, Mary Frost of Topeka, Diana of Paola, Leslie and husband Britt Elving of Wichita, Kent and wife Beth of Goddard, and Gary and wife Gretchen of Wichita; grandchildren: Sam Oborny, Erika and Emily Elving, Kit and Lad Oborny, Christian and Nicholas Oborny; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Memorials are established with The Lord’s Diner, 520 N Broadway St, Wichita KS 67214 and Father Kapaun Guild, 424 N Broadway St, Wichita KS 67202.