Mary Esther Visek

Mary Esther Visek, 92, took God's hand and joined Him and her family. A funeral mass will be held for Esther at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010, at St. Matthew Catholic Church with Father Mark Osterhaus presiding. Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 4 p.m. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial: Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Friends are welcome to join the family for a celebration at St. Matthew's Kearn Hall following burial. Esther will be deeply missed by her children, Robert Visek and wife, Lois of Bethany, Missouri, Jon Visek and wife, Connie of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Karen Visek, Brian Visek and Diane Dohrmann, all of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and James P.; her husband Lumir with whom she shared 54 years; twelve siblings; and two granddaughters, Kristie and Tracey. Mary Esther Lekin was born on a farm east of Parnell, Iowa the daughter of James P. and Rose (Carroll) Lekin on April 17, 1918. Esther graduated as valedictorian at Parnell High School in 1936, and from Mt. Mercy Junior College in 1938. She was united in marriage to Lumir E. Visek on November 11, 1939, at Immaculate Conception in Cedar Rapids. Esther began her career in credit at Morris Plan Corporation of Iowa as a credit investigator, and after raising her children continued her career as Credit Manager at Sears Roebuck in Cedar Rapids, retiring in 1986, after 21 years. Esther had an endearing positive attitude in life, and believed with her faith in God everything was possible even well into her later years. She was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's Parish and St. Bernadette's Circle. She was a member of the Eastern Iowa Quilters Guild as she loved quilting by hand, gardening and crossword puzzles. Esther will be remembered for her keen mind and Irish spirit. She will live on in our hearts and countless memories forever. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Mercy.