Rada Dobra

After a long and tough fight, Rada passed away peacefully, July 23, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Rada was born in former Yugoslavia, on August 28, 1951. Before leaving the country in 1997, she was a travel agent for a company “Atlas” based out of Dubrovnik, Croatia. She loved traveling and had traveled all over the world. Her degree in Economics didn’t stand a chance, as she found her passion in visiting various countries and sharing her many stories with her friends and clients.

She moved to the United States to reunite with her husband, Damir and their two daughters, Diana and Maja who had made Des Moines their new home a year prior.

She developed a love for running and competed in races around Des Moines. After her retirement from Imagetek, Rada enjoyed gardening with her daughters. She admired her new skills and often jokingly said: “Who would have ever thought we’d be farming in the middle of the city!”

Rada loved cheering on her grandchildren who play multiple sports and talking about their school and future plans. Over the years living in the United States, football became her sport to watch on TV. Sunday Night Football was the time for her to cheer for her teams, the Chiefs and the Patriots.

During the two and a half years of tough battle with her diagnosis, Rada deepened her relationships with her friends around the world. She especially loved spending time traveling with her daughters and enjoyed every minute of her life outdoors.

Rada was a dear friend to many. She had a kind and generous soul and loved to laugh. She will be fondly remembered by those who knew her for her loving spirit, her compassionate way of life, and her delightful sense of humor. Every day on earth was a blessing to her and those around her.

Family is forever grateful for her team of doctors who gave us these last two and half years with mom, and for friends and family who cared so deeply and prayed for her and our family.

Rada is survived by her husband, Damir; her two daughters, Diana (David) Davila and Maja (Joe) Quiles; her grandchildren, Gianni, Mia, Giovanny and Rocco; her two sisters, Mira Kuruzovic and Zora Antonijevic; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jela and Cvijo Knezic; her sister, Nada Jonas; and her niece, Ida Jonas.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Thoreau Center, 3500 Kingman Blvd in Des Moines.


Memorials may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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