Kindl, Theresa 'Bernie' Rochford

UPDATED

Theresa “Bernie” Rochford Kindl, 84, of 7001 Inwood Ct. NE, Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, at her home, with her family at her side, after a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha, by Father Neil Manternach. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Burial: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John's Cemetery, Independence. A luncheon will be served following the services at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Theresa is survived by her children, Francis (Liz) Kindl, Michael Kindl and Theresa “Terry” (Dan) Davies, all of Cedar Rapids, G. Thomas (Nancy) Kindl of Lisbon, Catherine (Mike) Hines RN of Lansing, Clifford Kindl, Steven Kindl and Cynthia Kindl-Humphreys, all of Dallas, and Rita (Scott) Diesing of Round Rock, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her brothers, Father Jude Rochford OMF, Conv. of Shakopee, Minn., and Gerard (Mary) Rochford of Sumner; her sister, Sister Nora Rochford OSF of Dubuque; sister-in-law, Joann (Bob) Ridenour of Monticello; and her companion, Lester H. Hodine.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; Leo and Theresa Buzynski Rochford; sisters, Mary Ellen Rochford, Margaret Rochfor R.N.; her brother, Francis Rochford; and her daughter, Rosemary B. Kindl Welbourne.

Theresa was born on the family farm Jan. 11, 1927, in Sumner, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Theresa (Buzynski) Rochford. She attended a one-room school house for eight years and graduated from Sumner High School in 1944. From there, she was a student nurse at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Theresa met and married George A. Kindl at Immaculate Conception Church on Jan. 29, 1947, in Iowa City. They later divorced.

Theresa worked as a plant security guard, where she retired from Rockwell Collins in 1990. She enjoyed spending time with her children, quilting, working crossword puzzles, water aerobics, gambling, gardening, and taking care of her home. Theresa raised 10 children by herself and while doing so, she instilled into her children the work ethic she was raised with. She was a home grown version of conservation practices and Martha Stewart long before either was fashionable. Theresa planted a garden from which she canned tomatoes, carrots, beets, pickles and corn. She sewed her children's clothes, bedspreads, bed ruffles, curtains and anything else that could be made from scratch. It did not matter if it went on your back or in your stomach, it was done by hand.

Theresa made it a habit and enjoyed her daily devotional to the Rosary. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hiawatha.

In lieu of flowers, donations/checks may be directed to St. Elizabeth Conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

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