Stepanek, Leona Anne

Leona Anne Stepanek, 95, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at All Saints Catholic Church, by the Rev. David O'Connor. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 5:30 p.m. and a rosary to follow. There also will be a visitation one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Burial: St. John's Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

She is survived by four sons, Daniel Stepanek of New Canaan, Conn., Bernard (Sharon) Stepanek of Fresno, Calif., Stephen Stepanek of Cedar Rapids and Jim (Julie) Stepanek of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Joan (Don) Hurla of Clinton; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Lori Stepanek and Brian Stepanek of Fresno, Calif., Chris and Amy Hurla (Alex, Sidney, Michael and Jake) of Cedar Rapids, Amy and Gary Lawson (Ben and Sam) of Santa Rosa, Calif., Trisha (Stepanek) Jeff McClure of Cedar Rapids, Michelle Stepanek of Chicago and Peter Stepanek, UNI.

Leona Anne Stepanek was born Aug. 8, 1915, in Cedar Rapids. She was the daughter of August and Bessie (Dvorak) Dohnalek. Leona attended St. Ludmila School, Wilson School and graduated from Grant High School in 1933. After graduation, she worked for Witwer Grocery as an administrator.

Leona married Emil Stepanek on May 18, 1937, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. For many of her earlier years her passion was committed to staying at home to raise her children with the intention for them to reach their dreams. She later joined the work force, and after 16 years with Iowa National Mutual Insurance, she retired.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and volunteered at Mercy Hospital. Some of her favorite activities were square dancing with her husband and friends; baking the most wonderful kolaches and other Czech dishes; and shopping with her daughter, sons and friends.

Her happiness however did not reside in possessions, but the feeling of happiness that dwells in the comfort of being with her family and friends. Leona also enjoyed the competitive game of Pinochle, during which she often discussed the world's current news and situation.

Leona was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emil who passed away in 1999; and brother, Don Dohnalek, who died in 2009.

The family would like to thank the Mercy Hospital Palliative Care Team and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for its supportive and caring attitude for our mother. And a special thanks to the dedicated nurses and CNAs at the Hiawatha Care Center who made Leona's stay as comfortable as possible.

Because of her heart-filled joy with giving and helping others throughout her life, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army, 1000 C Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Leona at