Obituary of Fidelia Svalina

SVALINA, Fidelia, “DeDe” , 91, of Tampa, Fla., was welcomed into the kingdom of God on Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011. She was born on November 9, 1919 in Richland Center, Wisconsin and was the third child of Marie and Leo Bethke. As a young girl, she took delight acting in many plays. Art was a talent that she exhibited even as a youngster and continued into adulthood. She was a lover of music, books and travel. Her family was her core. She left Richland Center to study nursing at the South Chicago School of nursing at eighteen. She used this talent to help people most of her life. “DeDe” held a Real Estate Broker’s license, was a member of the Women’s Lion’s Club and continued to be an active leader in many civic matters. Fidelia possessed a charming personality and a wonderful sense of humor. “DeDe” could bring a smile to anyone’s heart. She is preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Svalina; her son, Nicholas B. Svalina; her sister, Lavina Venes; her brother, Emmert Bethke; grandson, Jason Larson and granddaughter, Linda Svalina. She is survived by her children, son, Samuel L. Svalina; two daughters Helenmarie (Nancy) Larson and her husband, Richard; Mary Katherine (Kathy) Berry and her brother, Bradley Bethke. She enjoyed and loved her twelve grandchildren and her twenty six great grandchildren. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. When completed plans are arranged, she will be interned at the Richland Center Cemetery in Richland Center, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the St. Mark Building Fund. (A place that was close to “DeDe’s” heart.)