Sylvia A. (Kodada) Niebur, 79, of Akron, Colorado, passed away at the Washington County Nursing Home in Akron, Colorado, on April 22, 2015, after a lengthy battle with renal cell cancer. Sylvia was born on November 26, 1935, at home in Lonsdale, Minnesota, to Thomas and Adela Kodada. She was raised in Lonsdale graduating from New Prague High School.
Sylvia became pen pals with Kenny Niebur while he was serving in the army. After his tour was over, they finally met. Kenny decided that 800 plus miles was too far for a date and on November 20, 1954, they were married in Lonsdale, Minnesota, and then began their life 34 miles southeast of Akron on the family homestead where Sylvia resided until the last six months. Born to their union were six children—Cathay Marie, Susan Ann, Anthony Thomas, Thomas Kenneth, Rita Kay, and Mona Lee Marie.
Sylvia had a strong faith and a deep love for life which were evident. Her hobbies included gardening, working with flowers of every color, reading, quilting, and sewing. When Sylvia first came to Colorado to see where she would live, it was the early and very dry 50's. Everywhere she looked, she saw brown until she arrived where her new home would be. She was thrilled to see a very small patch of green lawn and a few trees. She said it was like an oasis. Since that day, she hated the color brown and vowed to make her part of Colorado have some part of the Minnesota green even if she had to paint it on! After a few years, she came to truly love Colorado with its vast openness. She raised large gardens and was an avid canner keeping her family well fed. Sylvia really enjoyed quilting and liked the challenge of a new quilting pattern and had made quilts for most of her children and grandchildren. She taught herself to sew out of necessity early on and made most of her children's clothes. Sylvia loved to cook and try new recipes and was always busy in the kitchen. She always wanted anyone to have a place to go during a holiday gathering. Her home was always a welcome haven to her extended family and friends.
Sylvia, like all farmwives, was involved in the farming and was Kenny's right-hand man when needed. She loved to remind her more modern grandsons of the combines she drove years ago. She was not convinced they would survive long days and nights harvesting wheat without air conditioned and comfortable cabs.
She was a member of St. Joseph's Altar and Rosary Society and chaired the funeral committee for many years as well as serving on St. Joseph's Parish Council. She was also a member of the Nighthawk and Prairie Bells Clubs for most of her life as well as the Akron Quilters Club.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth in 2009, parents—Thomas and Adela, all her siblings—Ladislav Kodada, Julia Mott, and Stanley Kodada. She is survived by all six children—Cathay Schrock and husband Norman of An-ton, Sue Terrell and husband Brad of Idalia, Tony Niebur of Anton, Tom Niebur of Akron, Rita Hart and husband of Terry of Akron, and Mona Merrill and husband Troy of Woodrow, 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, one sister-in-law—Lois Kodada, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Vigil was held Sunday, April 26, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 27, 2015 also at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment followed at the St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Washington County Nursing Home or to the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.