Memorial
Beverly Kadlec, a long-time Cedar Rapids resident, passed away peacefully on April 7th at the age of 93. She lived a blessed and loving life devoted to her faith, family, friends and service to others.
She was the daughter of Howard and Frances Ainsworth and was the apple of her father’s eye. They grew even closer following her mother’s death, when Beverly was very young. A few years later her father remarried, to Ellen Hamilton Ainsworth, joining the tight knit family. Both parents encouraged Beverly’s aptitude in music. She attended Franklin High School and met her future husband, Gene, at a city-wide band concert. Following high school, she enjoyed working at the phone company as a telephone operator and was soon off to the University of Iowa. While at Iowa, Beverly was a member of the Scottish Highlanders, where she performed as a dancer and played the bagpipes at Iowa football games. To her last day she was a supporter of the University of Iowa and a stalwart fan of Iowa athletics and proudly wore her black and gold.
She married Gene, also an Iowa alumnus, and began a loving journey of 68 years building two beautiful family homes and raising three children.
Beverly’s musical talents became well known and led to a long career of teaching many Cedar Rapids children the love of music through the piano. She also was extensively involved in the creation and coordination of the Cedar Rapids All City Music contest. Over the years she provided piano accompaniment to many talented students.
Beverly was an active parent in the PTSA and her children’s many activities. One of her more original creations was to support a fundraising event for Kennedy HS Fine Arts by creating a parent version of Happiness Inc. aptly named Hobbling Happiness. She encouraged her like-minded peers to perform several numbers to standing ovations and raised a lot of money for the program.
Service was a way of life for Beverly. She volunteered at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in a variety of capacities, where she and Gene were members for over 50 years. She also volunteered at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library predating the beautiful building we see today. Look carefully and you will see her name on the grand piano in residence at the NCSML donated in her and Gene’s honor. Beverly was also a proud member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Following her children’s completion of their college educations, Beverly found time to complete her degree at the University of Iowa. She then then began work at Stamatz Publishing for a period of time, enjoying the challenges of the business world.
Beverly and Gene loved traveling and traveled to a national park every year with their family, visiting every state in the USA over their lifetimes. Beverly wanted to pass on her love of traveling to her grandchildren so each grandchild received a tailor-made trip, making memories of white-water rafting, camping, and exploring famous US sights and events. Beverly and Gene were the best international travel partners, taking in Canada and a variety of European and Mediterranean countries.
Beverly also enjoyed other fun regular pastimes including Bridge clubs, bike riding, water aerobics and golfing. And in keeping with her love of music, there were many visits to New York City to attend a variety of Broadway shows.
Beverly is survived by her three children: Susan (Gerald) Walker of San Antonio, TX, Thomas (Le Ann) Kadlec of Wheaton, IL and Lisa Kadlec of Austin, TX. “Mom”, Beverly, “Grammy”, “Gigi” and her effervescent personality will be missed, none more so than by her six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Cards and memorials may be sent to Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2424 42nd St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. A service will be held at a later time.