Elizabeth Anne Byrnes (Pavek)
October 12, 1915 — May 13, 2013
Elizabeth Anne Byrnes, 97, a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2013, at St. Luke’s Hospital following a stroke. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Ivan Nienhaus will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, at 520 Wilson Ave, from 4-7 p.m., where a rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Also a visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2013, from 9-10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center Hall.
Elizabeth was born October 12, 1915, the fifth of eight children to Vaclav and Mary (Plotz) Pavek. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in 1934. Elizabeth married James D. Byrnes Jr. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on October 21, 1941. Jim died on January 24, 2000.
Elizabeth was employed at Collins Radio and the Killian Department Store during World War II. From 1959-1979, she was employed at the banquet department at the Hotel Roosevelt.
Elizabeth enjoyed reading, knitting especially Afghans, camping with the motorhome and boating. Elizabeth loved the time spent in her kitchen, cooking and baking especially Czech kolaches and houskas. Elizabeth’s greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family and friends.
Elizabeth is survived by two sons, David Byrnes, her care giver, of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Byrnes of Atalissa; three grandchildren; Jim’s sister Mary Richardson of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Vaclav -1951 and Mary (Plotz) -1958 Pavek; two brothers, Wencil -1984 (Elizabeth Stremel -1993) Pavek and Frank -1997 (Catherine Hopkins -2011) Pavek; three sisters, Mary -2005 (Stan/Pete -1991) Trcka; Sister Mary Geraldine Pavek RSM -1991, and Anne-2006 (Bill -1964) Bright; two siblings who died in infancy; a sister Frances -1919; and a brother, John 1921. Also two special cousins, Elizabeth Priban -2009 and Mary Priban Pluhar -1999. Elizabeth was also preceded in death by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Elizabeth was also preceded in death by Jim’s family; his parents, Wilma (Baum) -1975 and James D. Byrnes Sr. -1972; his brother, Joseph/Buster -2001 (D. Muriel Sundberg -2010) Byrnes; three sisters, Anna -1961 (Jack -1992) Horan, Helen -2005 (Fred/Fritz -1989) Klappholz and Margaret -1990 (Leo -1976) Procok; and his brother-in-law, Frances/Lefty -1994 Richardson.
The Byrnes family has been members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church since 1913, and Elizabeth has been a member of the church for the past 66 years.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Patrick’s Parish Rectory Reconstruction Fund.
The family would like to thank the following: Dr. Jolynn Glanzer for the several years of great care given to Elizabeth. To the staff and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospice and the Heritage Rehab Center who took care of Elizabeth during her very recent illness.
Elizabeth was born October 12, 1915, the fifth of eight children to Vaclav and Mary (Plotz) Pavek. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in 1934. Elizabeth married James D. Byrnes Jr. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on October 21, 1941. Jim died on January 24, 2000.
Elizabeth was employed at Collins Radio and the Killian Department Store during World War II. From 1959-1979, she was employed at the banquet department at the Hotel Roosevelt.
Elizabeth enjoyed reading, knitting especially Afghans, camping with the motorhome and boating. Elizabeth loved the time spent in her kitchen, cooking and baking especially Czech kolaches and houskas. Elizabeth’s greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family and friends.
Elizabeth is survived by two sons, David Byrnes, her care giver, of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Byrnes of Atalissa; three grandchildren; Jim’s sister Mary Richardson of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Vaclav -1951 and Mary (Plotz) -1958 Pavek; two brothers, Wencil -1984 (Elizabeth Stremel -1993) Pavek and Frank -1997 (Catherine Hopkins -2011) Pavek; three sisters, Mary -2005 (Stan/Pete -1991) Trcka; Sister Mary Geraldine Pavek RSM -1991, and Anne-2006 (Bill -1964) Bright; two siblings who died in infancy; a sister Frances -1919; and a brother, John 1921. Also two special cousins, Elizabeth Priban -2009 and Mary Priban Pluhar -1999. Elizabeth was also preceded in death by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Elizabeth was also preceded in death by Jim’s family; his parents, Wilma (Baum) -1975 and James D. Byrnes Sr. -1972; his brother, Joseph/Buster -2001 (D. Muriel Sundberg -2010) Byrnes; three sisters, Anna -1961 (Jack -1992) Horan, Helen -2005 (Fred/Fritz -1989) Klappholz and Margaret -1990 (Leo -1976) Procok; and his brother-in-law, Frances/Lefty -1994 Richardson.
The Byrnes family has been members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church since 1913, and Elizabeth has been a member of the church for the past 66 years.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Patrick’s Parish Rectory Reconstruction Fund.
The family would like to thank the following: Dr. Jolynn Glanzer for the several years of great care given to Elizabeth. To the staff and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospice and the Heritage Rehab Center who took care of Elizabeth during her very recent illness.
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