Mary Pitlik

MARY KATHRYN (CLEARY) PITLIK

Cedar Rapids

Mary Kathryn (Cleary) Pitlik passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 20, at All Saints Catholic Church with Father John Flaherty presiding. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, where there will be and a 4 p.m. vigil and a 7 p.m. rosary.

Kay was born in Streator, Ill., on April, 18, 1931. She graduated from Rutland High School in 1948 and then attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1952. She met her husband Bill while they were attending the University of Iowa. They were united in marriage on Aug. 9, 1952, in Rutland, Ill. They lived in Tipton, Iowa, where Kay taught speech therapy. While Bill was in the Army, they lived at Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Riley, Kan. Following his service, they moved to Cedar Rapids, where they raised eight children.

Kay was active in her community, church, along with many charitable organizations. She was a member of St. Monica's Circle at All Saints Catholic Church. She played bridge with groups including Camp Courageous and Xavier High School, and special friends beginning in 1956. She volunteered for the Arthur Elementary School PTA the Franklin High School PTA, the Camp Fire Girls and Mercy Medical Center. She was a lifelong member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and the Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Kay served on the board of directors of the Cedar Rapids Washington High School Athletic Association. She had been involved with Camp Courageous of Iowa since its inception and served on the board of directors for more than 40 years. Her unyielding work for Camp was unparalleled.

Kay was fortunate to be able to support many charities and foundations that were near and dear to her and Bill, including Camp Courageous of Iowa, Community Health Free Clinic, the Mercy Foundation, Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Mercy Caregivers, All Saints Catholic Church, Xavier Scholarship Fund, the University of Iowa Athletic Scholarship Fund and the University of Northern Iowa Athletic Scholarship Fund. Kay was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football, wrestling and basketball fan. She and Bill (in memorium) were named "Hawk(s) of the Year" in 2012.

Kay's favorite places outside of Cedar Rapids were Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Nestor Falls, Canada. She and Bill played golf in Arizona, where she got that elusive hole-in-one. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in Canada as well. The Pitlik tradition of fishing in Canada dates back to 1956 starting with Bill's parents, and continues today in its fifth generation. In recent years her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids have taken turns spending time with her there.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, William F. "Bill"; her parents, Mildred and John Cleary; and a son-in-law, Kim Darrow.

She is survived and will be dearly missed by her eight children, 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many, many "9th" children. Kay's loving family includes: Janet (Art) Erdall, Jeff (Tiffany) Ben and Hallie Erdall, Brad Erdall and Katie Erdall; Jim (Jana) Drew and Tyler Pitlik; Diane and Kaitlyn Pitlik, Juno Mooney; Dick and Rita Kells-Pitlik; Linda Pitlik, Hollie (Kory), Hannah, Zak and Zoey Griffin; Carol, Logan, and Hannah Ekstrand; Nancy (Greg) Appel, Hillary (Tim) Landon and Jaxon Melvold, Heather and Kamryn Waddell, Kayla Waddell and Philip Waddell; Tom (Susan) Brandt, Reece and Sean Pitlik. She is also survived by her brother, Tom (Gerri) Cleary; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Kay and the family request that donations be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa, the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or the University of Iowa Athletic Scholarship Fund.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Mercy Hospice House for the loving care they provided for Mom and a sincere thank-you to all who sent cards and prayers, Mom was very appreciative.

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