Vera Conway

VERA ROSE CONWAY

Cedar Rapids

Vera Rose Conway, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at the Hiawatha Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by the Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Monday at the church.

Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Donald R. Conway; son, Daniel R. and wife Paula A. of Newport, R.I.; three daughters, Judith A. Lindsay and husband Alexander M. of Central City, Iowa, Cathleen S. Harrelson and husband Ronald E. of Ely, Iowa, and Rebecca A. Stebral of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Orion Brook Anderson of Jackson Heights, N.Y., Katherine Rose Conway of Newport, R.I., Lindsay Erin Blaha of Fairfax, Iowa, Ryan Patrick Harrelson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Anna Dong Fang Yu Jing Lindsay and Grace Yan Qing Lindsay of Central City, Iowa, and Hannah Jo Stebral and Mallory Ann Stebral of Shueyville, Iowa; five stepgrandchildren, Farrell (Kluth) Donovan and husband Daniel IV of Newport, R.I., Joel Kluth of Newport, R.I., Kyle Kluth and wife Ashley of Newport, R.I., Sara Lindsay DeCesare and husband Chris of Chepachet, R.I., and Christy Lindsay Ross and husband Eric of South Kingston, R.I.; five great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Shirley Valenta of Catonsville, Md.

Vera was preceded in death by her son, David William Conway, on Feb. 10, 2018; her brother, Milton F. Valenta of Catonsville, Md., on June 21, 2014; her sister, Vlasta Valenta, on May 23, 1916; her brother-in-law, James Joseph Conway, on March 24, 2016; and her nephew, Glenn Valenta, of Maryland, in January 2018.

Vera was born Jan. 20, 1927, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of William and Anna (Martinek) Valenta. She was a graduate of Wilson High School and attended the University of Iowa. Vera married Donald R. Conway on June 24, 1950, in St. Wenceslaus Church.

Vera was active in various youth groups with her children, including Blue Birds, Camp Fire, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She was active in the Jefferson Booster Club, a life member of Mercy Auxiliary and VFW Post 788 Ladies' Auxiliary, a 77-year member of Sokol Cedar Rapids and 73-year member of Western Fraternal Life Lodge 13, and in Saint Monica's Circle of St. Ludmila's Church and St. Wenceslaus Church (where she sang in the choir). She was a volunteer at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

The family is grateful for the loving care and support provided by Hiawatha Care Center and Dr. Mary Anne Nelson during Vera's time there.

Vera was an inspiration to all who knew her and will be lovingly missed by her family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be given to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library or Mercy Auxiliary c/o Mercy Medical Center.