Martin J. Kotrba (1919-2003)

Source: Joyce (Hansen) George

Martin J. Kotrba

The funeral for Martin J. Kotrba, 84, of Council Bluffs will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home with military rites by American Legion Post No. 2.

Mr. Kotrba died of cancer Dec. 31 at his home.

He was born in Omaha to John and Albina (Tondl) Kotrba on June 24, 1919. He previously lived in Omaha, moving to Council Bluffs in 1980. He graduated from Omaha Technical High School in 1937. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a World-Herald photographer and then was the owner of Midwest Marine Wonderland in Omaha. He also crafted leather goods and crafts. He was of the Catholic faith.

He and his wife, Violet (Arp), were married 58 years.

Survivors in addition to his wife include daughters, Janice Shadid and husband, Robert, of Council Bluffs and Joan Malone and husband, William, of Millington, Tenn.; son, Dennis Kotrba and wife, Penny, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; five grandchildren and two great-grandsons; stepmother, Alice Kotrba of Omaha; two sisters, Alba Zaracki and Alice Adams and husband, Robert, all of Omaha.

Visitation will be Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Plumer Settlement Cemetery.

Memorials may be offered to Salem Lutheran Church, Plumer Settlement.


Martin J. Kotrba, 84, Council Bluffs

Martin J. Kotrba, 84, of Council Bluffs, died Dec. 31, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were held Jan. 3, 2004, at the Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs. Burial was at the Plumer Settlement Cemetery in rural Mineola.

Mr. Kotrba was the son of John and Albina (Tondl) Kotrba, born June 24, 1919, in Omaha, Neb. He graduated from Omaha Technical High School in 1937. He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a photographer for the Omaha World-Herald and then was the owner of Midwest Marine Wonderland in Omaha. He also crafted leather goods and crafts.

Mr. Kotrba is survived by his wife, Violet (Arp) Kotrba of Council Bluffs; daughters Janice Shadid and husband Robert of Council Bluffs and Joan Malone and husband William of Millington, Tenn.; son Dennis Kotrba and wife Penny of St. Petersburg, Fla.; five grandchildren; two great-grandsons; stepmother Alice Kotrba of Omaha; and sisters Alba Zaracki and Alice Adams and husband Robert, all of Omaha.

Memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Church, Plumer Settlement. Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.