Romana J. 'Monnie' Brazell

ROMANA J. "MONNIE" BRAZELL

Cedar Rapids

Romana J. "Monnie" Brazell, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021.

Visitation will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, followed by a private service for family.

Monnie was born in Waterville, Iowa, on Oct. 25, 1935, to Oliver and Ida Teslow. She moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at age 18, and began a long career with Northwestern Bell, starting as a telephone operator. She enjoyed cooking and, throughout her life, searched for new recipes she could try and then share with family. She was a master seamstress, sewing most of her daughters' school clothes back in the day. She added embroidery and quilting later in life, creating heirloom quilts for her children and grandchildren. She golfed for many years, with her husband, sons and friends, but mostly with her treasured golf league friends. She retired early so she could spend almost 35 winters in Mesa, Ariz., but the rest of the time was spent with family and friends, who included her former co-workers and especially her beloved neighbors, some of whom she lived next to for more than 50 years. She was a woman of faith, a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

She shared her life with Harold Brazell, marrying in Cedar Rapids in 1957. They spent 59-1/2 years together, raising five children, and sharing many activities over the years, including camping, boating, golfing, traveling, card club, and serving dinners with the Knights of Columbus. Harold preceded her in death in November 2016. Monnie is survived by five children, Michelle Green (Tom) of Springfield, Ill., Kevin Brazell (Judy) of Bloomington, Minn., Lori Sagehorn (Curt) of St. Michael, Minn., Diane Hills (Blish) of Elk River, Minn., and Brian Brazell (Julie) of Naperville, Ill. Monnie has 15 grandchildren, Ryan, Adam and Austin (Stephanie) Green; Brooke and Ellie Brazell; Reid, Drew, Sydney and Morgan Sagehorn; Alec, Blake and Elise Hills; and Lauren (Mike) Wenkel, Emma and Daniel Brazell. She has one great-grandchild, Noah Wenkel. She also is survived by her brother, Dean (Karen) Teslow of Decorah, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Vern Brubaker of Cedar Rapids; her cousin, James Onsager of Dubuque, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Donna Brubaker; brothers-in-law, Maurice, John and Norbert Brazell; and sister-in-law, Anne Brazell.

Memorials in Monnie's name may be made to Hall-Perrine Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Online condolences can be conveyed at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home's website, www.cedarmemorial.com, under obituaries.