Lillian Kopecky

LILLIAN E. KOPECKY

Cedar Rapids

Lillian E. Kopecky, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died at her home on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2016, following a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew's Catholic Church by Father Steve Garner. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, where a rosary begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Scripture service.

Lillian is survived by her daughter, Judi Jacobs (Tom), of Sun Prairie, Wis.; granddaughters, Rachel Jacobs, of Lexington, Ky., and Jenni Jacobs-Subramanian (Sankar) of Palatine, Ill.; great-granddaughter, Anya; sister, Frances Doran (Don) of Carpentersville, Ill.; and one niece and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; parents, Louis and Anna (Shimek) Brazda; sister, Mary Ann Brazda; and cousins, Joe Shimek and Sister Mary Ann Shimek.

Lillian was born Nov. 7, 1919, in Cedar Rapids and was a lifelong resident. She was baptized, received her first Holy Communion and was confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus High School in 1937. Lillian married Albert G. Kopecky on July 3, 1946, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Al died on Aug. 7, 1985.

Lillian was employed as a bookkeeper at Barlow-Maney Laboratories, Inc., and later worked as a bookkeeper and dispatcher of service calls at Smulekoff's Furniture until her retirement.

Lillian was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Always very proud of her Czech heritage, she belonged to numerous Czech organizations in Cedar Rapids. She was a member of St. Mary's Society 119, Czech Catholic Union, and served as treasurer for many years. Lillian was also a member of the National Board of Directors of the Czech Catholic Union, Cleveland, Ohio, for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Federation of Czech Groups and served as treasurer for several years. She was a Cedar Rapids Czech School for Children board member. Lillian volunteered at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and was a member of the Museum Guild.

Lillian was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club and volunteered many hours of her time for the organization. She was a member of the Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary and had volunteered more than 10,500 hours of loyal and devoted service, primarily in the gift shop.

Lillian's family wishes to recognize UnityPoint Hospice for their excellent care. Thanks to Valerie Bauer from St. Matthew's and Kathy Penrod for their care and support, as well as Rosemary from West Music for the joy she brought Lillian in her last days.

Memorial contributions may be given to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library or to the Willis Dady Shelter.