Milewsky, Kathleen Ann

Kathleen Ann Milewsky passed away peacefully Saturday, May 19, 2012, with her family at her side at the Great River Care Center in McGregor, Iowa, following a year's journey with metastasized melanoma.

Kathleen was born June 17, 1932, in McGregor to Charles and Julia (Riley) Carroll. Kathleen's childhood was spent working with her parents and siblings on the Carroll Dairy Farm. She attended Moody Ridge School through eighth grade, and studied two years at Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque, before graduating from McGregor High School in 1950. After graduation and the death of her father in 1950, Kathleen was instrumental in continuing Carroll Dairy's operation. When the dairy was sold, she moved to Dubuque and was employed by Interstate Power as a punch card operator until her marriage.

Kathleen married Eugene Milewsky on Oct. 22, 1955, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, McGregor. Gene and Kathleen farmed together for 43 years on a farm outside McGregor. No longer farming full-time, Kathleen worked at the Marquette Tourist Depot, The McGregor Antique Mall and The Paper Moon Bookstore from 1998 to 2011. She enjoyed meeting people, sharing stories of local history and making all feel welcome. Those who worked with her cherished her spirit and work ethic.

Kathleen was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church and served on the McGregor Library Board. She was a member of a women's card club that formed 55 years ago. Activities shared and enjoyed with Gene included snowmobiling, volkswalks, traveling and following their children and grandchildren's activities. Always ready for a walk, she led many hikes through the wooded hillsides and fields of the farm and area parks. Kathleen embraced her Irish heritage with pride. Her quick wit, loyalty and no-nonsense personality will be remembered and treasured by all.

Survivors include her husband, Gene; children Mark (Wendy) Milewsky of McGregor, Terri (Dr. Craig) Strutt of McGregor, Mary Milewsky of Waukon, Dan (Elaine) Milewsky of Watertown, Wis., and Jane (Jim) Mason of Onalaska, Wis.; grandchildren, Nichole (Joel) Lustre of Bloomington, Ind., Peter Strutt of South Korea, Cheri (Dr. Jonathon) Moser of McGregor, Brian Strutt of Oregon, Wis., Sam and Thomas Milewsky of Watertown, and Riley and Sean Mason of Onalaska; great-grandchildren, Mariah, Taryn, Kathleen and Trace Moser of McGregor; and siblings, Mary Ellen (Ross) Cavanagh of Lansing, Sheila Tallman of Davenport, Mike (Joanne) Carroll of McGregor, and Pat (Karen) Carroll of Cedar Rapids.

Also surviving are brother-in-law, Stan (Sharlene) Milewsky of Riceville; sister-in-law, Janet (Bob) Froehle of Iowa City; and many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Tom Tallman.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 25, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, McGregor. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Thornburg-DeVries Funeral Home and Cremation Service in McGregor.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to McGregor Public Library and McGregor Historical Society.

Published in The Gazette May 22, 2012.