Memorial

Kathleen “Kathy” Hernandez, 93, of Iowa City, passed away on Wed. Feb.14, 2024. Funeral Mass will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2024. Visitation will be at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. A lunch reception will directly follow mass, and a burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery will conclude services. 

Survivors include her children, Mary and Matthew; brother, William; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Bernard and Leroy; and sisters, Mildred, Verena, Frances, and JoAnn.

Kathleen was born on Oct. 3, 1930. She grew up on a farm outside Riverside, Iowa, and graduated from St. Mary's High School. She met and married Joe Hernandez in Cedar Rapids, IA. Kathleen worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell for 25 years. She spent many years after her retirement working in childcare. Kathleen loved working with children in both her home and in the daycare setting. She especially liked working with the toddlers. In her free time, she enjoyed constructing puzzles, reading, completing crossword and word seek puzzles. She also enjoyed indulging in a full day of shopping and other adventures.

She was a die-hard sports fan, and never wanted to miss a Hawkeye game. Through her final years she continued to be a “go-getter.”  Even after she became reliant on a walker for movement, it was still hard to keep up with her stride. She always wanted to be involved in an activity, lest she be bored. Kathleen was strong and feisty. After breaking a hip on Valentine’s Day 2021, she got back up and made exactly 3 more years of memories with us. With that accomplishment, her heightened commitment to punctuality and accountability is well-preserved.  

She was a strong supporter of Camp Courageous. Both she and Joe spent many a weekend selling pineapples at different Hy-Vees as part of a yearly fundraiser for Camp. It was rare that she and Matt did not attend a pancake or omelet breakfast in support of Camp Courageous. Even when she was no longer driving, she was strong in her resolve to enlist recruits to take them to Monticello.

She had a good sense of humor and loved to engage in lively banter, especially when it involved her nieces and nephews. She made friends easily and continued to make connections into her 90s with her pals at Pathways. Many thanks to everyone at Pathways for their exceptional care!

Her personality was as vibrant as her passion for color. One could find brightness in her clothing, on her nails, in the flowers she loved, and of course, in her beautiful smile.  If the spirit so moves you, please feel free to dress in a spring palette on the day we honor her! She would like that! 

Kathleen will be remembered as a kind and selfless individual with a generous heart. She was truly a great woman, and her presence will undeniably be missed. If given the opportunity, indulge in a donut in her honor (preferably from Donutland.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Camp Courageous of Monticello.