Simkavitz, Bernita 'Jane'

Bernita “Jane” Simkavitz, 78, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center following a brief illness. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Jude Catholic Church, by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: St. John Cemetery. A vigil service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family from 2 to 6 p.m. and Monday after 9 a.m. at the church.

Jane is survived by her sisters, Marion Kraft Urban of Cedar Rapids and Ione (Sam) Schultz of Clarksville, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Erger and Judy Hensley of Cedar Rapids; special niece, Renie Kraft (Gary) Miller of Toddville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe (2007); and brother, Dennis.

Jane was born Dec. 30, 1933, the daughter of Bernard and Lauretta (Schulte) Erger in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from St. Patrick High School. She married Joe Simkavitz on June 16, 1953, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, where she was involved with the Sweet Corn Festival.

Jane always spent the holidays with her niece Renies' family. There will be an empty spot at the card table this year. She always had Hershey Kisses for the little ones. She loved to take the bus to the casino on Wednesdays to play bingo.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.

Published Dec. 9, 2012 in The Gazette