Eleanor J. Baxa

Eleanor Jane (Benes) Baxa was born to Andrew and Josephine (Hajek) Benes on September 9, 1927 near Valparaiso, Nebraska. Eleanor passed away August 27, 2022 at Heritage Crossings in Geneva at the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 18 days. Eleanor grew up on the family farm 5 miles northeast of Valparaiso. She attended District 116 country school and graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1945. After high school, Eleanor attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and graduated with a teaching degree. She taught at a country school for nine years. On June 12, 1956, Eleanor was united in marriage to Joseph Baxa Jr. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lincoln, Nebraska. To this union three sons were born. They made their home on a farm northeast of Tobias, Nebraska where they lived until moving to Tobias in 1999. She moved into Heritage Crossings in 2018. Eleanor was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #311 of Tobias for over 60 years. She was an active member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church altar society in Tobias and her faith was very important to her. Eleanor was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Eleanor also loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and taking many videos and photographs. She never left the house without a camera. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Joe; son and daughter-in-law Ronald and Janet Baxa; parents Andrew and Josephine Benes; brothers and sisters-in-law Ernest and Lillian Benes, Paul and Helen Benes; brothers Robert, Daniel, and Jerome Benes; sister and brother-in-law Frances and Raymond Hottovy; sister Margaret Kouma; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Leonard and Marvel Baxa and Irvin and Dorothy Dobesh. Eleanor is survived by sons William Baxa and Gary (Michelle) Baxa all of Tobias; grandchildren Brian (Snehal) Baxa, Greg (Roxy) Baxa all of Topeka Kansas, Miranda (Brent) Jansky of Tobias, Melanie (Alex) Clark of McCool Junction, Katelin Sturdivant of Beatrice; great-grandchildren Paislee, Kaylee, and Gabby Baxa, Brixton and Bowen Jansky, and Brooks Clark; brother-in-law Arnold Kouma; sister-in-law Dorothy Benes; and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass for Eleanor was held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tobias, Nebraska. Father Robert Barnhill presided over the Funeral Mass. Judy Rada accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace,” “Here I Am Lord,” “One Bread, One Body,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers for the Mass included Kevin Baxa, Ralph Baxa, Tom Hottovy, Greg Kouma, Dale Benes, and Alan Benes. A Graveside Service was held in the Tobias Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Tributes

Eleanor J. Baxa

September 9, 1927 - August 27, 2022