Memorial
Therese K. Styers, 89, of Cedar Rapids died Friday September 30, 2016 at Mercy Hallmar. Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM on Tuesday at All Saints Catholic Church. Rev. John R. Flaherty will officiate. Burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 7 PM on Monday where there will be a vigil service at 5:00 PM. There will also be a visitation at the Church after 9:00 AM on Tuesday.
Therese was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Jim Styers, and her son, Joe Styers.
Survivors include her children, Cecelia Trujillo and Tom (Frances) Styers both of Stockton, CA; Anne (Karlos) Armstrong of Marion; Mary Styers of San Diego, CA; Laurie (Larry) Fox of Tacoma, WA; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and her sister, Cecelia Horn, of Marion, IA.
Therese Styers was born Therese Kathleen Cavanaugh on August 12th, 1927 in Harpers Ferry, IA. She lived there until after she graduated from the Harpers Ferry High School. From there she began working in an office at Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo, Iowa. Her brother, Father Joseph Cavanaugh, worked in the Theology Department at Notre Dame University and had become friends with a student named Jim Styers. He introduced Therese to Jim. Later the two of them were joined in marriage at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry, Iowa on August 17th, 1948. They settled in South Bend, Indiana where Jim completed his education. Therese became a stay at home mother and began raising their family, which eventually became six children. In 1955 they settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they became life long members of All Saints Church. She was diligent in raising her six children, working in her garden with her beautiful flowers, and taking care of her many varied pets. She always gave of herself for the care of others, including many years of volunteering at Mercy Hospital. She also volunteered at Cancer Survivors and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. She was an active member of a bridge group with life long friends. She was a member of the All Saints Prayer Group, St Ann’s Circle and she thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she developed with the ladies from her Joy Group. Therese and Jim enjoyed their many travels together. She always had a ready ear and compassion for anyone in need of a friend. The things that were most important to her were her family and friends, her faith and her church. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations may be sent to All Saints Catholic Church, Hospice of Mercy, or Mercy - Hallmar at Mercy Medical Center.