Memorial
Kathleen Elizabeth Stefani, age 69, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on June 3, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4200 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on June 12, 2024, commencing at 10:00am at Immaculate Conception Church, 857 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burial will follow the Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 375 32nd Street Drive SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“Kathy” is survived by her loving husband, of 44 years, Raymond R. Stefani II and 3 children, Robert A. Stefani, Kelly K. (Nate) Stefani/Thompson, Challee (Michael) Torres and 6 grandchildren (Malachi, Carmela, Sienna, Gianna, Nehemiah, and Lillian) along with her sisters, Susan Tofanelli, Linda Pesch and Sharon Lyden.
Kathy was born on December 29th, 1954, in Nuremberg, Germany to Dr. Donald and Marilyn Pesch while her parents were stationed there with the US Army. The oldest of 5 girls, Kathy was raised in Elgin, Illinois, where she attended St. Thomas Moore grade school and then on to St. Edward High School. She graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1976. While at Drake she met and fell in love with Ray. Kathy was a member of Chi Omega sorority and a “Little Sister” to Ray’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Kathy and Ray married on June 30, 1979. They lived and raised their three children in Cedar Rapids. Kathy had a very vibrant person/active person. She poured her joy and excitement into her family as she so cherished her vocational call to be a wife and a mother. Being a devoted Catholic and coming from an Italian/Irish heritage meant family was always most important.
Before her marriage to Ray and move to Cedar Rapids, Kathy became licensed as a stockbroker and began her work career for the Midwest Stock Exchange and then followed with working for the firm of Smith, Barney, Upham and Harris brokers as a stock broker’s assistant. When she came to Cedar Rapids, Kathy worked in the same position for the firms of Securities Corporation of Iowa and Dain Bosworth. Later, Kathy transitioned to teaching preschoolers for 10 years at Cedar Rapids Parents Preschool. She dearly loved teaching and helping the little ones. Kathy’s interest in helping had no restriction on age as she went to work helping older folks through Bright Star. She found both jobs so personally rewarding.
Kathy’s activities included membership in the Children’s Theatre Board and the Junior League of Cedar Rapids. She enjoyed water aerobics and attending catholic church mass often daily and on Sunday. Kathy’s faith was a corner stone in her life, especially towards the later part of her life as she faced many health challenges. She never missed the First Saturday Devotion, even while traveling. Kathy would always locate a church to keep this devotion and her promise to the Blessed Mother Mary. Most certainly Jesus at the heart of her life. May heaven greet this wonderful wife and mother with open arms and love. Yes, we will definitely miss that cheerful smile and contagious laugh while being so grateful for the time we were blessed to have with Kathy and the great impact she had on her family and so many lives throughout her life.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Holevas and daughter-in-law, Marisa Stefani.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Catholic Worker House, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or Immaculate Conception Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.