Erin Byrne

ERIN KATHRYN BYRNE

Cedar Rapids

Erin Kathryn Byrne, 45,

of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, May 21, 2016, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City. Funeral service: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Linda Waychoff. Military honors will be presented. Visitation:

4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a rosary

at 7:30 p.m.

Survivors include her mother, Barbara Wilson Tokheim; daughters, Kerina Byrne, Jennifer Theiss and Regina (Aaron) Hamilton; extended children, Chris Taylor, Josie Meineke, Connor Norton, Johnnie Morris, and Ethan, Jacob, Emily and Leelah Black; niece, LaResa Nilles; nephew, Jordan Byrne; sister, DeeDee (Barbara); and Gary Duder; and the true light of her life, her granddaughter, Keelan Kathryn Taylor.

Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles and an abundance of cousins. She shared herself with too many wonderful friends to list them all, including Katie Moser and Shannon Leigh.

Erin was born May 26, 1970, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Michael Byrne and Barbara Wilson. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1988. At age 17, she voluntarily joined the Iowa National Guard and honorably served for 10 years. Erin worked in customer service with Hibu for 15 years.

She enjoyed collecting business cards and stamps, researching family genealogy, four wheeling and anything frog. Erin was proud of her Irish heritage and was also an advocate for survivors of military sexual trauma and domestic abuse. She will be remembered as a wonderful grandmother.

Erin was met at Heaven's gates by her father, Michael Byrne; sister, Michelle Nilles; friend, Mark Schow; and her grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name for her granddaughter, Keelan, and to provide a legacy to continue her dedication to her fellow women veterans.

Please share your support and memories with Erin's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.