Person:James Sebesta (1)

From the April 25, 1941, edition of the Davenport (IA) Democrat and Leader

College Cashier Is Victim of Heart Attack

James A. Sebesta, for 12 years cashier and bookkeeper at St. Ambrose college, died unexpectedly of heart disease at 11 pm Sunday in his home, 2029 Gaines street. He was 57 years of age.

The funeral will beheld from the Halligan funeral home at 8:30 am Wednesday and in St. Joseph's church at 9 am. Burial will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Recitation of the rosary will take place at 8 pm Tuesday in the funeral home.

Born Nov. 7, 1883, in Montgomery, Minn., Mr. Sebesta was married to Mary G. Ballata [illegible] and came to Davenport 12 years ago to accept the position of cashier and bookkeeper at St. Ambrose college.

His loyalty, faithfulness and efficiency made him an important asset to the college in the 12 years he served it and his loss will be severely felt by students and faculty members alike. He had been one of the chief assistants to both the Rt. Rev. Msgr. O'Connell, former business manager and vice president of the institution, and his successor, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas V. Lawlor.

Mr. Sebesta was a member of the Holy Name society of St. Joseph's church and of the Davenport Diocese Laymen's Retreat association.

The surviving family includes the widow; a son, Donald J., and a daughter, Alice M., both at home; five brothers, John, Hinckley, Minn., Frank, Burlington, Ia., Thomas, Brainard, Minn., Joseph, Minneapolis, Minn., and Stephen, St. Paul, Minn.; and four sisters, Mrs. Fred Picha, Mrs. John Peck and Mrs. George Johans, all of St. Paul, and Mrs. Cy Havorka, Berwyn, Ill. A daughter preceded him in death.

From the April 28, 1941, edition of the Davenport (IA) Daily Times

Dies Suddenly

James A. Sebesta, 2029 Gaines street, cashier and bookkeeper at St. Ambrose college for the last 12 years, died suddenly at 11 pm Sunday at his home following a heart attack with which he was stricken earlier in the evening while attending a concert at Marycrest college. He was 57 years of age.

He was born in Montgomery, Minn., Nov. 7, 1883, and was married to Mary B. Gallata [sic] in Beroun, Minn., June 7, 1908. The couple came to Davenport in 1928.

Mr. Sebesta was popular with the faculty and students at St. Ambrose college and his loyalty, faithfulness and efficiency made him an important asset to the college. He had assisted Msgr. M.A. O'Connell and Msgr. Thomas V. Lawlor, vice president and business manager of the institution, in the work of their respective offices.

He was a member of the Holy Name society of St. Joseph's church and the Diocese Laymen's Retreat association.

Surviving are his wife; a son, Donald J., and a daughter, Alice, both at home; five brothers, John of Hinckley, Minn., Frank of Burlington, Thomas, Brainerd, Minn., Joseph, Minneapolis, Minn., and Stephen, St. Paul, Minn.; and four sisters, Mrs. Fred Picha, Mrs. John Peck and Mrs. George Johans, all of St. Paul, and Mrs. Cy Havorka of Berwyn, Ill. A daughter preceded him in death.

The body was taken to the Halligan funeral home, from where the funeral will be held at 8:30 am Wednesday to St. Joseph's church at 9 o'clock. Burial will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery. The rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 8 pm Tuesday.