1988-2025
With deep sorrow, we announce that our beloved Alena passed away far too soon, on June 25, 2025, at the age of 36.
She was born on July 21, 1988, in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. She began preschool in Handlová, where she grew up surrounded by music, dance, mountains and forests. At the age of 15, she moved with her family to the historic town of Trenčín, which became very dear to her heart and where she always loved to return. For more than 10 years, she devoted herself to piano and dance, both of which accompanied her throughout her childhood and teenage years. Her academic path led her from high school in Handlová, through the Secondary Medical School in Trenčín, and finally to the Catholic University in Ružomberok, where she earned a degree in journalism.
Alenka was full of courage and adventure. Although as a child she could not imagine life outside Slovakia, destiny led her across the ocean. She first traveled to Hawaii as a student with three of her dearest friends through a Work and Travel program. There, fate brought her together with her future husband, and, soon after, their precious daughter Leila was born.
After seven years on the Hawaiian Islands, the family briefly lived in Oregon before settling in the charming town of Panora, Iowa. Even after her 12-year marriage ended, Alena remained in Panora with her beloved daughter, Leila, creating a home in the little house of her dreams.
Throughout her life, Alena worked in many corners of Europe and the United States — from Starbucks in London, to McDonald’s and Turtle Bay in Hawaii, to The Lake Panorama Pizzeria in Panora, and finally to Target in Des Moines, where she worked in recent years. Wherever she went, she shared kindness, dedication, humility and joy.
She will be forever remembered for her love of life, her generous heart and, above all, her devotion to her cherished daughter, Leila. She loved the sea — in Italy, where she had traveled since she was a little girl, in Rhodes during her teenage years, and in Hawaii, which became her second home. Alenka knew how to embrace life, no matter how difficult, and faced every challenge with remarkable bravery.
For the past five years, she fought the most aggressive form of cancer and an unseen evil — a battle she endured with extraordinary strength, courage and gratitude for each day.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, her Slovak family — including her parents, sister and godchildren — and her American family — including her ex-husband and his mother — as well as her extended family and many friends in Slovakia and the United States.
Alenka was a loving mother, daughter, sister, godmother, friend, patient partner supporting other cancer patients, and a wonderful person with a sensitive soul and a bright sense of humor. Her passing leaves an emptiness that nothing can ever fill.
The Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. with Holy Mass at the Methodist Church, 119 E. Main St., Panora. A Celebration of Life will follow at Crafty’s Café Panora, 102 W. Main St, Panora, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Alena bravely carried the heavy burden of her illness, which ended here on Earth so tragically for all of us. Yet, her spirit remained unbroken. She will live on forever in our memories and hearts.
One day, in another life, we will share a coffee together in Hawaii, orange chicken in Panora, Caesar salad in Rhodes, Parmesan with balsamic in Lido di Jesolo, fresh bread rolls (rožok) in Bratislava and drink Vinea in Trenčín.
Her light, her laughter and her love will never fade.