Mildred Straka

MILDRED STRAKA

Cedar Rapids

Mildred M. Straka, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died at home late Friday evening, March 13, 2015. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Jude's Catholic Church, by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. A rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mildred is survived by her husband, Clyde; a daughter, Madonna Schirm and husband Michael; grandchildren, Christopher and Sarah; one brother; four sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary (Barta) Kupka; three brothers and two sisters.

Mildred was born July 14, 1923, on a farm near Fort Atkinson, and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1942. Later that year she moved to Cedar Rapids and attended the Cedar Rapids Business College. Mildred was employed as a secretary at Baker Paper Co. for 24 years until 1967, when she became a full- time homemaker. She married Clyde P. Straka at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on July 9, 1966.

Mildred was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and a former member of the Legion of Mary. She was also a member of the Indoor Sports Club for the Handicapped and the ESA Business Women's Sorority. Mildred enjoyed sewing and taking care of her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Mercy, St. Jude's Catholic Church and Xavier High School.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under "obituaries."