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 courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 A.M. Monday at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: Saint John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E., 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, Arizona 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 fiancée Baili Schamberger; 8 great-grandchildren; 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, Arizona 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 October 28, 1950 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church at Lycurgus, rural Waukon and George died on January 19, 2007. Jean and George moved to Cedar Rapids from Waukon in 1950. Jean worked at Square D Company for 30 years, retiring in 1995.

Jean was an active and devoted member of Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church for more than 60 years and also volunteered in any way that she could with both Saint Bridget's and Saint Monica's circles. She was a member of both the Visiting Angels and Befrienders groups at the church. Jean had also 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 and Slovak Museum and 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, and 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 Saint 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".