Marcella A. Stolba

Marcella A. Stolba

Cedar Rapids

On March 30, 2022, our mother’s body finally caught up with her mind and she passed away peacefully after suffering for several years with dementia; nearly three years from the passing of our dad, Robert, who suffered from the same disease. Interestingly, she died at the age of 91. Our dad died at 91 and our Babi, Mom’s mother also died at the age of 91.

Marcella was born on July 29, 1930, to George and Helen (Stary) Yilek at their homestead in Clutier, Iowa. They moved about in that area before settling in Cedar Rapids, where Mom attended and graduated from Wilson High School in 1948. On Sept. 12, 1949, she married Robert Stolba and they made their home on J Street SW. A couple years later they started building their house on Mount Vernon Rd., SE. That house was her pride and joy as Dad and her pretty much drove every nail, sanded and varnished every board and raised us, Susan and Ronnie, there. In addition to keeping house, she cleaned houses for the neighbors and sold Avon and Tupperware and she had the Tupperware to show for it! Mom started working for Iowa/Illinois Gas and Electric Co. as a clerk in the Service Department in 1961 and retired from there in 1991. In retirement, she worked part-time in a school cafeteria and volunteered at Mercy Medical Center.

During retirement, Marcella and Bob spent a good amount of time traveling around Iowa and the country, including Alaska in their Holiday Rambler Motorhome. They were members of Good Sam’s and Holiday Ramblers RV Clubs.

When not traveling, Marcella was always busy. She loved to sew, knit, cross stitch, do crafts, garden and bake, especially Christmas cookies. She also loved cats and Siamese were her favorites.

Mom is survived by her children, Susan (Gene) Glass of Carroll, Iowa, and Ronnie (Laurie) Stolba of Whitehall, Mont.; grandchildren, Allyssa (Dwayne) Myers of Ames, Iowa, Jamie Stolba and Jesse Stolba of Belgrade, Mont.; four great-grandsons, Dylan, Aiden, Soren and Micah; her sister, Delores Stolba of Cedar Rapids; and numerous cousins and nieces.

Marcella was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of 70 years; parents, George and Helen Yilek; parents-in-law, Edward and Anna Stolba; and brother-in-law, Jim Stolba.

There will be a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids. There will be a brief gravesite service at Campbell Cemetery following the Celebration. Blue was Marcella’s favorite color and we would like to invite all who attend to wear something blue.

Memorial contributions can be made to Camp Courageous or the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.