Jandik, Marilyn Jean

Marilyn Jean Jandik, 74, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Keystone Cedars in Cedar Rapids. She bravely fought a several year battle against ovarian cancer. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at St. Jude's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Czech National Cemetery. A reception will follow at The Avacentre at Brosh Chapel to celebrate Marilyn's life.

Marilyn was born to John and Blanche (Suchomel) Lnenicka of rural Linn County on Nov. 1, 1938. She grew up on a farm along the Cedar River and then moved with her parents to a house on Wilson Avenue for her teen years. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1956.

On Nov. 22, 1958, she married Jerome “Jerry” D. Jandik, also of Cedar Rapids. They were blessed with two sons, James “Jim” and Wayne, and the family shared many outdoor adventures, including an annual fishing trip to northern Minnesota.

For her professional career, Marilyn worked at Equitable of Iowa and also Securities Corporation of Iowa, where she served as the director of human services. After retirement she was very active with the Red Czechs, a local chapter of the Red Hat Society. She also contributed time to several local Ducks Unlimited chapters. During her life she practiced the Catholic faith and was a lifelong member of St. Jude's Catholic Church. Marilyn was known for her Czech cooking and her baking skills, especially kolaches. She enjoyed being outdoors, whether gardening in her flowers, hunting wild mushrooms, or fishing. In retirement, she took great joy traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, and her older sisters, Evelyn Mikulecky, Ann Sharf, Vernita Stejskal and Delores Ralston.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; and two sons, Jim (Sheri) Jandik of New Virginia and Wayne (Donna) Jandik of St. Cloud, Minn. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Robbie and Rachel Jandik of St. Cloud, Minn.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 87 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 or memorial gifts can be designated for cancer research at Mayo Clinic, online at www.mayoclinic.org/development or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published Jan. 6, 2013 in The Gazette