The John and Katherine
Duda Foundation
Sharing God's love by improving the lives of others
Family and Faith
John and Katherine, affectionately known as Dedko and Babka by their 20 grandchildren, married in 1928 and had four sons and a daughter. They resided on the original family homestead in Slavia. Katherine passed away in 1974, and John continued to live there until his death in 1988. Renowned in the farming industry, John Duda was a mechanical genius and an innovative designer of patented equipment and pumps that are still widely used today. As devout Lutherans, John and Katherine found solace and security in their faith in the Lord every day.
Fresh start in America
The John and Katherine Duda Foundation is named after John Duda, the eldest son of Andrew and Katarina Duda, who immigrated to America in 1909 from Austria-Hungary, which is now known as Slovakia. Katherine Duda, also known as Katherine (nee Mikler), came from a family that had also immigrated to America from Slovakia. John, along with his two brothers, worked with his father on a farm in Slavia, a small community in Central Florida. Through their hard work and determination, their family business, now known as A. Duda & Sons, Inc., grew to become one of the world’s largest family-owned and operated agribusinesses. Always prioritizing God, the brothers credited their talents and blessings to their faith. They pledged future annual company profits and personally gave above and beyond.
Legacy of Giving
Although John and Katherine gave to many charities, they were most known for supporting early and ardent supporters of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and School and the Lutheran Haven in Oviedo, Florida; Campus Crusade for Christ; Youth with a Mission in Colorado; and Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, U.S.A.
About Us
Principles
Sharing God's love by improving the lives of others
Honor
Honor God in everything we do and share His Gospel with others
Good Stewards
Let us be responsible stewards and managers of our resources
Positivity
Make positive changes in people’s lives
Family
Continue collaborating and bringing our family together
Education
Discover how Next-Gen skills are revolutionizing lives through practical education
Our Values
Family
Faith
Generosity
Community Outreach
Heritage