Kathy A. Bowen-Miller 12-7-54 ~ 12-18-2010

Kathy A. Bowen-Miller, 56, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, in Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications of a life long illness. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Randy Kasch. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her daughter, Jaimie (Patrick) Miller-Higgins of Minneapolis, Minn.; son, Jordan serving in the military; parents, Bob and Lorraine Bowen of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Gary (Cathy) Bowen of Littleton, Colo., and Mike (Liz) Bowen of Cedar Rapids; her sister, Jan (Bob) Jacoby of Marengo; and many special nieces and nephew.

Kathy was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Peter and Martha Wyjack; a sister, Dixie Lee; and daughter, Brandi Lee Bender.

Born Dec. 7, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Bob and Lorraine (Wyjack) Bowen, Kathy graduated from Jefferson High School in 1973, and attended Kirkwood Community College. She worked for Medicap Pharmacy as a tech and had a part time dog grooming business out of her home. Kathy had a special love for animals, especially cocker spaniels.

Talented in the field of writing and poetry, she was also a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she was a Stephen Minister, Iowa Statewide Organ Procurement Organization, National Kidney Foundation, Cedar Rapids Women’s Bowling Association and the Degree of Honor Society. She also did volunteer public speaking on organ donation/transplant and was a participating member of Team Iowa Transplant Games.

Often seen with a smile on her face or a joke to tell, Kathy had a vivacious personality, loved life and was extremely dedicated to the closeness of her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by us all.

At Kathy’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iowa State Organ Procurement Organization, 550 Madison Avenue N, North Liberty, IA 52319 or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 153 Cherry Hill Rd, NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Please sign the online guest book for Kathy at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

This was an email she sent to me...

Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 8:53 AM
To: Cindy D L Eenhuis
Subject: Re: Jefferson J-Hawks

Cindy,
     This is Kathy Bowen-Miller.  I just wanted to  say that I think you have
done a wonderful job in the Jefferson website.   It is nice to have
information and photos of our classmates posted there.   Our class was a great strong
class that has remained quite close especially the  Cleveland, Roosevelt, Jeff,
kids.  It is great to have class reunions and  see the great turn outs every
5 years.
     I just wanted to say "GREAT JOB GIRL", and to  thank you for your
efforts in keeping things on the site.  I check into it  from time to time.  Keep us
posted.....Kathy Bowen-MIller, Cedar  Rapids

Bernard "Bernie" Michalec 11-13-55 - 11- 27-2010

Bernard S. Michalec, 55, of Anamosa, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, November 27, 2010, at the Jones Regional Medical Center, Anamosa, after a long battle with cancer.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with Rev. Thomas McDermott officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, with a 5:30 vigil service and after 9:30 a.m. at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Bernie was born on November 13, 1955, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Frank W. & Mary (Philipp) Michalec. He attended St. Ludmila School. Bernie worked at Quaker Oats until retiring in 1990. Bernie was married to Sheryl Rion but the couple later divorced. He moved to Anamosa in 2004.
He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and going to casinos.
Bernie is survived by three children, Angela Jenkins, Damien Michalec and Jacob Michalec, all of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; five sisters, Sister Mary Fran of Iowa City, Theresa (Bob) Ruzicka of Cedar Rapids, Joan (Bill) Miller of Ely, Rosie Harvey of Cedar Rapids, and Patricia Smith of Anamosa; four brothers, Robert J., Michael C. (Dianna), William (Sheri), and Phillip all of Cedar Rapids; two sisters-in-law, Karen Michalec of Cedar Rapids and Darla (Ken) Paxton of Fairfax; many nieces and nephews; and his best friend and caregiver, Terry Vernon of Anamosa.
Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Frank W. & Mary Michalec; two sons, Caleb in 2003 and Joshua in 2004; two brothers, Benjamin A. and Franklin A. Michalec; and a grandson, Tanner Michalec.
Bernie will be missed deeply by all who loved him.
Memorial may be directed to St. Luke’s Hospice, 290 Blairsferry Road N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 in Bernie’s honor.

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