Kral, Loretta E.

Loretta E. Kral, 97, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City under the compassionate care of the hospice staff and surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hills, with burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, near Hills. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Loretta's memory.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at .

Loretta Esther Yeggy was born June 13, 1916, on the family farm near Riverside, Iowa, the daughter of William and Esther (Cline) Yeggy. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Riverside and graduated from eighth grade. On Nov. 3, 1936, she was united in marriage to Melvin B. “Cap” Kral in Richmond, Iowa. For many years the couple farmed west of Hills, until retiring and moving to Iowa City in 1974. For over 20 years, Loretta worked at the University of Iowa in the Department of Anatomy. She was blessed with good health, a sharp mind and a strong spirit until her final breath. Her entire family was also blessed with her kindness and caring ways as she taught everyone how to love unconditionally.

She was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hills and the Altar & Rosary Society. Loretta had many interests and gifts. She was an excellent cook, having authored her own cookbook. She enjoyed her gardening and feeding the birds. She loved to sew, crochet and quilt. Her family received many of her treasures and gifts along with the needy near and far. In all her days, her life was filled with the love of her family and friends!

Her family includes her daughter, Jean Gritton and husband Larry of Manchester; son-in-law, John Ries of Iowa City; sister, Alberta Kloos and her husband, Glenn of Iowa City; brother, Leroy Yeggy and his wife, Doris of Riverside; 11 grandchildren, Debbie Vahl (Jerry), Andy Kral (Connie), Lynn Ludolph (Dan), Sherry Kral, Tim Kral (Dawn), Barb Ballard (Joe), Jeff Ries, Cletus Kral (Lee), Deanna Emerson, Theresa Kolbet (Matt) and Pam Pasker (Marv); 24 great-grandchildren; special niece, Betty Hanson; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband; son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Anna Kral; daughter, Carol Ries; infant daughter, Joyce Ann Kral; and her brother, Robert H. Yeggy.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Loretta's family and her services.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 20, 2013.