Byrnes, Elizabeth Anne

Elizabeth Anne Byrnes, 97, a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital following a stroke. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Ivan Nienhaus will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 520 Wilson Ave., where a rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Also a visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the St. Patrick's Parish Center Hall.

Elizabeth was born Oct. 12, 1915, the fifth of eight children to Vaclav and Mary (Plotz) Pavek. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in 1934. Elizabeth married James D. Byrnes Jr. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on Oct. 21, 1941. Jim died Jan. 24, 2000.

Elizabeth was employed at Collins Radio and the Killian Department Store during World War II. From 1959 to 1979, she was employed at the banquet department at the Hotel Roosevelt.

Elizabeth enjoyed reading, knitting especially afghans, camping with the motor home and boating. Elizabeth loved the time spent in her kitchen, cooking and baking especially Czech kolaches and houskas. Elizabeth's greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family and friends.

Elizabeth is survived by two sons, David Byrnes, her care giver, of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Byrnes of Atalissa; three grandchildren; Jim's sister, Mary Richardson of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Vaclav in 1951 and Mary (Plotz) Pavek in 1958; two brothers, Wencil in 1984 (Elizabeth Stremel in 1993) Pavek and Frank in 1997 (Catherine Hopkins in 2011) Pavek; three sisters, Mary in 2005 (Stan/Pete in 1991) Trcka; Sister Mary Geraldine Pavek RSM in 1991 and Anne in 2006 (Bill in 1964) Bright; two siblings who died in infancy; a sister Frances in 1919; and a brother, John in 1921. Also two special cousins, Elizabeth Priban in 2009 and Mary Priban Pluhar in 1999. Elizabeth was also preceded in death by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Elizabeth was also preceded in death by Jim's family; his parents, Wilma (Baum) in 1975 and James D. Byrnes Sr. in 1972; his brother, Joseph/Buster in 2001 (D. Muriel Sundberg in 2010) Byrnes; three sisters, Anna in 1961 (Jack in 1992) Horan, Helen in 2005 (Fred/Fritz in 1989) Klappholz and Margaret in 1990 (Leo in 1976) Procok; and her brother-in-law, Frances/Lefty in 1994 Richardson.

The Byrnes family has been members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church since 1913 and Elizabeth has been a member of the church for the past 66 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Parish Rectory Reconstruction Fund.

The family would like to thank the following: Dr. Jolynn Glanzer for the several years of great care given to Elizabeth. To the staff and nurses at St. Luke's Hospital, St. Luke's Hospice and the Heritage Rehab Center who took care of Elizabeth during her very recent illness.

Please sign the online guest book for Elizabeth at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette May 15, 2013.