Kathleen Sullivan
September 8, 1938 ~ February 16, 2017
Kathleen Alice Sullivan, 78, of Cedar Rapids died of cancer in her home February 16, 2017. She has donated her body to science through the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa. Memorial Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services.
Survivors include three brothers all of Cedar Rapids, Mike and wife Gretchen, Paul and wife Marie, and Dan and wife Kay; brother-in-law, Bill Jurgensen; 22 nieces and nephews; 64 grandnieces and nephews; and 10 great grandnieces and nephews; her good friend of 55 years, Roseann Wiley Hayek and husband Bernie; members of the John G and Janie Wiley family; and many cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Wilma (LaDage) Sullivan; sister Mary Jurgensen; and niece Julie Jurgensen Yoder.
Kathleen was born September 8, 1938, in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Cedar Rapids in 1956 and from Mt. Mercy College in 1960. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1960. As
Sister Paul Marie, she both taught at, and was principal of a number of grade schools. She later served as Dean of Students at Mt. Mercy College. Kathleen participated in Graduate Studies at St. Louis University, Marquette University and the University of Iowa. Later, as a lay woman, she opened kindergarten programs at both St. Patrick and St. Pius Schools. Throughout her teaching career (1976-2008) she taught over one thousand kindergartners. After retiring from teaching in 2008 she served as a Library Associate for seven years at St. Pius School. Most recently, she taught Religious Education to kindergartners and first graders at St. Ludmila through 2016.
She was a humble, caring, prayerful person who lived a simple life for God. Kathleen taught us how to live and how to die. We have been forever changed by her, and we will always be grateful.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My prayers are with all who remember and mourn for Kathleen.
Sr. Vicky Arndorfer, RSM
I had the pleasure of teaching with Kathleen at St Patrick’s School Not only was she an outstanding teacher and coworker but also a wonderful friend She also taught both my children in kindergarten at St Pius She was one of the best My thoughts and prayers I extend to her family. Loi Dana Miller and family
There is a quiet, calm, loving voice in heaven; giving confidence and understanding to all the Angels, Saints, Holy Men and Holy Women. I know this because Kathleen was a piece of heaven on earth, with her gentle ways shaping parents as well as her students.
All of my boys went through St. Pius X and started their journey with Miss Sullivan. I can’t imagine a better ambassador for Catholic schools, or for our community of faith, or for a young spirit just starting the education journey.
In the specifics, her voice was so soft, yet so clear. Her manner was so kind and so strong. I always felt as though she would be patient with me as I moved towards the conclusion that she knew and understood all the while.
I can’t imagine that I’ll meet another who is such and embodiment of grace, so winning in sharing thoughts or so kind as to inspire a depth of trust that is bottomless.
I hope that family and friends can gather to grieve and to celebrate a very remarkable life of service to others.
May God Bless the memory of Kathleen Sullivan and may we all give thanks for the countless Blessings she shared with us.
Very quietly and calmly, good bye to a pillar of strength!
I taught music at St. Pius when Kathleen started the kindergarten program. Our rooms were right next to one another and it was then that I witnessed the unending patience and kindness that she showed the little ones. Kathleen truly did Christ’s work on earth. I’m sure she is enjoying her heavenly reward.
Michele Kral Steepleton
When I think of Kathleen I think of a very kind, caring woman with a good sense of humor. She was a trusted friend and so affirming in many ways. I will keep her family in prayer as well as Roseann and Bernie.
Many blessings to you and she will be with us, however, in a new way.
I was in her preschool program at St. Patrick’s School 35 or so years ago now. I don’t remember a great deal from that early in my childhood but I’ve always had vivid memories of Kathleen Sullivan and never forgot her name. I’ve been disabled my entire life and even though she wasn’t supposed to she would carry me up and down the stairs at school so I could keep up with the rest of the kids and go to other rooms for classes and lunch. She was an awesome lady and will be missed.
Kathleen was a very kind, giving and generous person… She always gave of her self and time to others. She was a wonderful pre-school to my children.. My daughter was handicapped and she made her feel just like the rest of the students in her class. Her patience was amazing.. She was able to get the students to see beyond any differences and everyone had different qualities and abilities.. Each were important in the process of making all things work together. She was loved by so many, and will truly missed, but not forgotten. Memories live on in the heart.. Thank you, Kathleen, for all you had done for the children in their lives.
One of my favorite memories of Kathleen happened the day before she was to talk to new kindergarten parents the first year I was lucky enough to be one of her kindergarten co-workers. Well, kindergarteners don’t quite always get a story straight, so one of Kathleen’s ice breakers to put her new parents at ease was this quote. She said, “We promise not to believe everything they tell us about you, if you’ll promise not to believe everything they tell you about us!”
I will always recall her laugh and warm hugs. She was an amazing woman and an angel on earth. She will be greatly missed. She touched so many lives!