Hromidko, Julia

Julia Hromidko, 84, passed peacefully following a short illness Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Celebration of Life will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, at St. Ludmila's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, where there will be a 2:45 p.m. rosary and 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation also will be one hour before the Celebration of Life service Friday at the church. Burial will be in Blain Cemetery near Swisher.

She was born in Ely, Iowa on May 3, 1929, to Frank and Lottie (Bednashek) Hartl. She married Charles Hromidko on Sept. 23, 1946, in Cedar Rapids. Julia and Charles began raising their family near Ely and built their later life near Swisher, where they farmed until retirement.

Julia had a love for birds, animals, flowers and gardening. Annual family fishing trips to northern Minnesota leave fond memories. Julia was a homemaker and worked several jobs outside the home through the years, retiring from Metz Bakery. Julia was a past president and longtime member of the Swisher American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Larry (Barb), Cedar Rapids, John (Amy), Center Point, Dennis (Rachael), Swisher, Barbara (Jim) Lastovka, Amana, and Tammy (Rusty) Richardson, Swisher; nine grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; brother, Leonard (Betty) Hartl, Alburnett; and Helen Swenka, Hills.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles; and brothers, Clarence and Frank.

A sincere thank you to friends who helped us through this difficult time, especially her “Milestones Family” and her Bingo partner, Betty Merta.

Memorials may be made to the Swisher American Legion Auxiliary.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published May 16, 2013 in The Gazette