Norma Sweeney

NORMA SWEENEY

Cedar Rapids

Norma "Jean" Sweeney, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday morning, May 15, 2014, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, following a brief, but cour-ageous battle with cancer. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228

Second St. SE, where a remembrance of Jean will begin at 5:30 p.m. and a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Jean is survived by her children, Wanda (Everett) Baker, Cedar Rapids, Denise (Ralph) Blake, Phoenix, and Gary (Lori) Sweeney, Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Eric (Jodie) Baker, Cheryl (Travis) Mastin, Michael (Corey) Blake, Patrick Blake, Kelly (Nick) Rogers, Ryan (Tasha) Sweeney, Karlee (Kyle) Rodenkirk and Kellen Sweeney and fiancee Baili Schamberger; eight great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Darrell "Bud" (Mavis) Mitchell, rural Monona, Jack (Mary) Mitchell, Lake Jackson, Texas, Marlys Leiran, Waterville, Richard (Lynn) Mitchell, Marion, Joyce (Pete) Kloeber, Flagstaff, Ariz., and LaVonne "Sue" Lodor, Breckenridge, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; and her parents, Dennis and Dorothy (Blietz) Mitchell.

Jean was born June 2, 1932, on the family farm in rural Monona and graduated from Waterville High School in 1950. She married George A. Sweeney on Oct. 28, 1950, at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Lycurgus, rural Waukon. George died Jan. 19, 2007.

Jean and George moved to Cedar Rapids from Waukon in 1950. Jean worked at the Square D Co. for 30 years, retiring in 1995.

Jean was an active and devoted member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church for more than 60 years and also volunteered in any way she could with both St. Bridget's and St. Monica's circles. She was a member of both the Visiting Angels and Befrienders groups at the church. Jean also had volunteered her time with HACAP, Mercy Medical Center's "Barely Sick" Day Care for sick children so their parents could go to work and the Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Jean was a wonderful cook and enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening. She enjoyed canning and freezing vegetables, especially tomatoes, which she would give to family and friends.

A woman of great faith who tried to live her Christian values: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." She was a role model for her family for many of life's virtues – honesty, integrity, respect and an incomparable work ethic.

Jean's family would especially like to thank the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, Dr. Nabi/Lisa, nurse Molly and the chemo nurses, the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy and nurses Kramer, Lorie, Mallory, and Chaplain Joe.

Contributions in Jean's memory may be given to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papichkubafs.com under "obituaries."