Tompkins, Jeanne S. (Vlasek)

Jeanne S. (Vlasek) Tompkins, 69, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday morning, Dec. 28, 2009, at The Meth-Wick Community/Woodlands. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel West, 1604 J St. SW.

Jeanne is survived by a son, Gary Tompkins and wife Linda; granddaughter, Stacee An; stepgrandson, Matthew; sister, Rose Miller; brother, Edward Vlasek and wife Deloris; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Agnes (Barta) Vlasek; brother-in-law, Donald Miller; and nephew, Brad Miller.

Jeanne was born June 19, 1940, in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus High School and then Paris Beauty Academy with a cosmetology degree. Jeanne retired from Rockwell-Collins after 30 years in 1995.

She was a past member of Sokol Gymnastic Association and taught Religious Education at St. Wenceslaus Church. Always proud of her Czech heritage, Jeanne enjoyed being a teacher's aide at the Czech Language School for Children. Jeanne spent a lifetime sewing, knitting and crocheting, including 25 years as a volunteer seamstress for the Symphony Guild's “Follies.”

As a “world traveler,” Jeanne visited 45 countries and islands, including the Czech Republic. She was a loyal volunteer receptionist at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

In spite of her debilitating illness (PLS - Primary Lateral Sclerosis), she managed to continue her volunteer work at Meth-Wick by reading to and filling out menus for her fellow residents and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to   or any food bank in Jeanne Tompkins' name.