Lydia Mary Elias, 90, of Gulfport, Florida, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully and surrounded by family at her home Tuesday afternoon, August 8, 2017.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial will follow at Saint John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E., where a vigil service begins at 7:00 P.M.

Lydia is survived by her sons, David (Jan) of Richmond, Texas; Don of St. Petersburg, Florida; Ken (Amy) of Jacksonville, Florida and Keith (Kelly) of Gulfport, Florida. She is also survived by her sisters, Vera Wallace and Vlasta (Arnie) Langer, both of Cedar Rapids; ten loving grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis "Louie", to whom she was married for 59 years; her parents, John and Blanche Klima; her brother, Joe and her sister, Mary Swenka.

Lydia worked for many years, at Me-Too food stores and as a cook at College Community Schools. Later she volunteered many hours and smiles at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and also making kolaches for fund raisers at both Saint Wenceslaus and Saint Ludmila's churches. Following Louie's death in 2008, she moved to Florida in 2010, close to her beloved sons. While she has now gone to a better place, she will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Memorial contributions can be made to Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church or the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

Online condolences may be left for Lydia's family at www.papich-kubafs.com under obituaries