Irene Delores Ziskovsky

IRENE DELORES ZISKOVSKY

Cedar Rapids

Irene Delores Ziskovsky, 92, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Promise House in Hiawatha. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, with her granddaughter, the Rev. Leigh Benish, presiding. Burial will be in the Anderson Cemetery near Swisher. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Brosh Chapel.

Irene was born Nov. 29, 1926, on the family farm west of Swisher, the daughter of Ben and Agnes (Zach) Stanek. She attended a one-room school in rural Johnson County. Later, during World War II, she worked for the war effort, mainly at Dearborn Brass and Collins Radio, where she especially was proud of the work she did on radios for the U.S. Navy. Irene met her husband-to-be, Marvin Ziskovsky, at a dance, being introduced by mutual friends. Marvin and Irene married on Sept. 29, 1948, at the First Bohemian and Moravian Brethren Church near Ely (now known as the First Presbyterian Church near Ely).

Marvin and Irene began farming on land near North Liberty that now is part of the Coralville Reservoir. They then farmed near Springville before purchasing the Ziskovsky family farm near Swisher. Irene lived and worked at that farm until moving to Promise House. She was well-known for her huge garden, beautiful flower beds and for growing and selling pumpkins and gourds. Irene also cherished spending time with and taking care of her grandchildren.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Janice Hofer; her son, Loren (Laura) Ziskovsky; grandchildren, Leigh Ann (David) Benish, Kenny Hofer, Aaron Ziskovsky and Andrew Ziskovsky; a great-grandson, Gabriel Benish; her sisters-in-law, Erma (Richard) Booth and Marilyn Ziskovsky; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marvin, in 1994; her sister, Irma (Robert) Vanourny; her brother, Elmer Stanek; and her most favorite feline, Goldie.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, near Ely, Promise House and or to the Jefferson-Monroe (Swisher) Fire Department in her name.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson and the staff at Promise House for their loving care of Irene.

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