Nelson, Kathy (Kate) Delaney

Kathy (Kate) Delaney Nelson, 58, of Cedar Rapids, passed away from lung cancer Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at her home, surrounded by family. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 11, at All Saints Catholic Church, 720 29th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. David O'Connor officiating. A visitation will be an hour before the time of service. Inurnment will be on Saturday, May 12, at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday with a vigil service at 5:30 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her husband, Gregg; two daughters, Emily from Cedar Rapids, and Meaghan, a senior at Iowa State University in Ames; her mother, Mary Delaney, of Dubuque; a sister, Judy Delaney Cooper of Omaha; five brothers, Mark and Terry Delaney of Dubuque, Mike Delaney, Carmel, Ind., Steve Delaney of Burlington and Ted Delaney of Bloomington, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Delaney; a sister, Lynn Delaney; and a nephew, Patrick Cooper.

Kate was born July 30, 1953, to Mary and John Delaney in Dubuque. She graduated from Wahlert High School in Dubuque and the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minn., in 1975. After graduating from St. Catherine, Kate worked for Cargill Inc., before moving to Cedar Rapids with her husband in 1981. Subsequently Kate worked for Teleconnect, Telcom USA, MCI and Target Corp.

Kate was a very active parent to Emily and Meaghan, and led two Girl Scout troops, taking many girls camping over several years. Additionally, Kate was an enthusiastic cheerleader to Emily and Meaghan in all their music and sports activities, which accounts as the main reason for their success.

Kate and Gregg hosted 30 Thanksgiving celebrations in their home with their extended and growing family. Her favorite vacation spot was Destin, Fla.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit All Saints Catholic Church and Girl Scout programming.

The family would also like to thank the many compassionate care givers at Mercy Hospice over the past few weeks for their loving attention and assistance.

Cedar Memorial Park and Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Nelson family on the Web page, under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette May 9, 2012.