Vondracek, Rosemarie 'Rosie'

Rosemarie “Rosie” Vondracek, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Higley Mansion Care Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, with burial to follow in Czech National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brosh Chapel.

Rosie was born July 22, 1917, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of John and Josephine (Mallie) Salasek. She graduated from Grant High School. She married Godfrey Vondracek on Oct. 1, 1936, in Cedar Rapids and moved out to her husband's family farm west of Swisher. He died Feb. 25, 1980. She moved to Cedar Rapids after her husband's death.

She was a former member of Rebekah Lodge and a 4-H leader. She was a current member of New Encounters and Hope United Church of Christ. She was a very active church member all of her life. She was the bookkeeper for Vondracek Insurance Agency for over 50 years as well as helping to run the family farm.

She enjoyed Canadian fishing trips, local fishing and traveling throughout the U.S. with her husband. Over the past 30 years, she enjoyed bus trips with friends, quilting, crocheting, and knitting project that kept her hands busy. Family, friends and nursing homes were recipients of her many talents.

She enjoyed reading, puzzles, books and most of all being Babi, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Babi was very proud to be a member of a five-generation family.

Rosie is survived by her two children, Larry (Betty) Vondracek and Marilyn (Bob) Simon; five grandchildren, Jeff (Sue) Simon, Kevin (Joan) Vondracek, Keely (Dan) Nemec, Kyle Vondracek and Scott (Trina) Simon; eight great-grandchildren, Libby (Peter) Leo, Tom Simon, Axel Simon, Collin Vondracek, Tim Simon, Megan Nemec, Courtney Vondracek and Sophie Arnett-Simon; and one great-great-grandchild, Eric Leo.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Memorials may be directed to either Hope United Church of Christ or St. Luke's Hospice.

Rosie's family would like to extend a special thanks and appreciation to the entire staff at Higley Mansion Care Center, as well as Erin and Lori from St. Luke's Hospice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at