Houser, Kathleen T.

Kathleen T. Houser, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 2 p.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery. A visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, with a rosary beginning at 4 p.m.

Survivors include her husband, Francis; children, Bill Houser, Sharon (Mike) Monnahan and Kevin Houser, all of Cedar Rapids, and Ray (Trish) Houser of Burlinghame, Calif.; a sister, Rita (Bill) Otten of Rock Island, Ill.; four grandchildren, Angela Houser, Emily (Jeff) Hepker, Kari (Gary) Cooper and Raechelle Lord; eight great-grandchildren, Derek (Brooke) Hepker, Courtney (Jared) Gongwer, Brad Hepker, Corinne Hepker, Carly Cooper, Cole Cooper, Mackenzie Lord and Allie Lord; and four great-great-grandchildren, Brycen, Ryker, Audrey and William.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Kathleen was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Ayrshire to William and Catherine Smith. She married Francis Houser at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rock Island, Ill., on June 27, 1942. For 26 years she volunteered at Mercy Medical Center and belonged to the Mercy Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church for over 50 years and was active in the Mother Cabrini Circle, helping with funeral dinners, counting money, and with the 500 card game players group.

Kathleen and Francis enjoyed wintering in Scottsdale, Ariz., with family for many years. The most important things to her were faith, family and friends.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their compassionate care. They also would like to thank the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus, Penny Ackerman and all who prayed for Kathleen.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemoiral.com under obituaries.

Published Oct. 24, 2013 in The Gazette