Anona L. Trutna

Anona L. Houfek Trutna, born in Wahoo, Nebraska on April 9, 1946, was the first of three children born to Raymond and Cecilia Jones Houfek. She attended country school districts #24 and #85. In 1964, she graduated from Prague High School. Anona held various jobs after high school which included assistant cook at Camp Calvin Crest and accounting at King's Restaurant and at Woodmen Accident and Life Insurance. On April 5, 1968, Anona married Thomas C. Trutna at the Prague Presbyterian Church. She then became a member of the Czech Presbyterian Church. Two children were born to this marriage, a daughter Christina and a son Michael. She was very proud of her children. Anona was a Sunday school and Bible school teacher, she and Tom were members of the Hilltoppers church organization and held various offices, including President. She served as an elder of the church and as Clerk of Session. She was a charter member of the Valparaiso Firemen's Auxiliary and served as President for fifteen years. Anona was also a member of the Legion Post Auxiliary. She enjoyed writing poetry, sewing, cooking, playing cards with friends, trips to Branson with Don and Judy, and hosting New Year's Eve parties at her home. Anona had always wished for a "second family", and when her own kids were entering their teens, she began doing in-home daycare. This created an extended family bond with Dustin and Cassie, and their parents, that she always cherished. In February of 1990, Anona began working full time for the University of Nebraska in Lincoln as a dormitory custodian for fifteen years. When she retired in December of 2004, she was able to join the Ladies Aid and especially enjoyed the quilting days. She also enjoyed doing volunteer work and, most of all, now she could spend time once again with Tom. She loved when he would say "Do you want to go for a ride?". That was their chance to be together. Anona had a great love for her two grandchildren, Jake and Blythe. She loved spending time with them and doing things together whenever possible. They were both very special to her. She was so very happy when Pete, Christie and the kids moved back home after being away for nearly ten years while Pete was in the Air Force. She enjoyed and looked forward to outings with Christie and sometimes the kids on Saturday. It also brought Anona great joy when Michael moved back from New York City. She was happy to have him close by and was always eager to go to any and every theatrical production that he and Stuart were taking part in. She was especially thrilled with the birth of her great grandson, Jonathan, born to Jacob and Thu, in January of 2018. He brought her great joy at this time in her life when she most needed her family and loved ones close to her.