Rawson, Mary F.

Mary F. Rawson, 98, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy following renal failure. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Burial: Spring Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Mary is survived by three granddaughters, Karen (George) Cherry, Cathy (Paul) Coffman and Diane (Jeff) Kitzman, all of Cedar Rapids; nine great-grandchildren, Ashley and Island Mangano, Dylan and Ally Cherry, Marie and Michael Coffman, David and Dan Hayes and Joshua Kitzman; son-in-law, Charlie Hoefer; daughter-in-law, Nancy Paul; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie (the love of her life) who died on Oct. 21, 1992; two daughters, Patricia Rawson and Beverly Hoefer; son, James Rawson; four brothers; and three sisters.

Mary was born March 23, 1914, in Plato, Iowa, the daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Jedlik) Gorman. She married Leslie Rawson on May 18, 1934, in Dubuque. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Mary worked on the farm with Leslie. She also helped him develop and build houses on O Avenue NW. She worked for Rawson Control Systems, a business her son, Jim, founded.

Mary enjoyed her four mile walk every day at Westdale Mall. She was one of the most humble people in the world who never wanted to bother anyone. She was an independent woman who drove until the age of 95 and lived on her own until the age of 97, when she moved into Evergreen Estates. She will be greatly missed by her family.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Mercy Care North Dialysis for their kind and compassionate care of Mary throughout the years.

Memorials may be directed to Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences may be extended at .

Published in The Gazette April 30, 2012.