Betty M. Kadera

KADERA, Betty M.

Betty M. (Crown) Kadera, 93, of Onalaska, and formerly of Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, IA, died peacefully on Monday, February 13, 2017, at her daughter’s home surrounded by family.

She was born on May 15, 1923, in Waterloo, IA, to Dale and Jennie (Reside) Crown. She married Edward D. Kadera on January 31, 1942, in Sacred Heart Church in Waterloo, IA. They spent 72 years together until Ed’s death in 2014.

They lived in Waterloo except for a time in California while Ed was in the Navy. They returned to Waterloo after Ed’s discharge in December 1945. There, they raised their 6 children.

In 1963, the family moved to Cedar Rapids for Ed’s work. Betty continued to be a stay-at-home-mom until her youngest child was in high school. She then worked in the insurance department at Family Practice at Mercy Hospital. When Ed retired in 1985, they traveled with their 5^th wheel throughout the U.S., including a summer trip to Alaska with a caravan of other campers.

Because of Ed’s declining health, they moved to Onalaska, WI., in August 2009, to be near their daughter. Betty was an excellent homemaker and cook. She sewed and knitted for herself and grandchildren, even making beautiful neckties for Ed. She was also very active in her church, in ministry and service. Moving from Cedar Rapids to Onalaska was hard but she made many new friends at Ona Terrace. She enjoyed many activities and social events.

She is survived by one daughter; Barbara (Dale) Bates of Onalaska, three sons; Dave (Karolyn) Dorchester, IA., Steve of Whitehall, WI, and Tim of Cedar Rapids, IA., two daughters-in-law; a half brother; Robert Crown of Waukesha, WI, 17 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents, one sister, two sons; Donald and Michael, two grandsons, and one great-grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday February 18, 2017, in Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, 9000 C Ave. NE., Marion, Iowa. Rev. Nathan Williams will officiate with burial to be held in Linwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Ave., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Family and friends may also call from 10:00 AM until the time of Services in Echo Hill Presbyterian Church on Saturday.

The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes are assisting the family with local arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 4^th St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50309.