Jean Kelzenberg

Jean Ann Scanlan Kelzenberg, 91, of Marion, died peacefully at Hallmar Residential Care Center in Cedar Rapids on January 22, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Burial following service: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2019 at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with vigil at 4 p.m.. Jean was born September 7, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Clarence and Leone Scanlan. She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Ervin. Jean and Ervin were married on May 7, 1949, at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids, during a Mass celebrated by her great uncle, Monsignor William Hannon of Davenport. They were blessed with 5 children: David of Iowa City, Robert of Cedar Rapids, Richard of Marion, Martin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Joseph, who died in infancy. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Kelzenberg of Glendale, California, Jennifer (Nick) Lorch of North Liberty, and Brittany (Cory) Nelson of Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina; and two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Emerson Lorch. Other survivors include her sister, Jane Regan of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, John Kelzenberg; and sister-in-law, LaVerle Cocchiarella of St. Paul, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Joseph; brother, John Scanlan; and brother-in-law, Leon Kelzenberg. Jean was a lifelong resident of the Cedar Rapids area. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School and received her Bachelor's degree from Mount Mercy College. She also completed the Orientation to Pastoral Care Program at St. Luke's Hospital. Following graduation from Mount Mercy, she taught Adult Education at both Kirkwood Community College and Hamilton Business College. In 1986 she left Hamilton College in order to care for her aging parents. After their deaths, she collaborated with her son Martin in founding the Iowa School of Natural Therapeutics of Cedar Rapids (later Des Moines), where she enjoyed teaching and performing massage therapy, until her retirement. A devout Roman Catholic, Jean traveled for many years with friends one day each month to New Melleray Abbey near Dubuque, for a day of celebration and prayer. She also met with the Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle each month and participated in the Pilgrim Virgin Rosary Program. She was a Secular Carmelite in the St. Teresa of Jesus Community in Cedar Rapids, and a lifetime Associate of the Sisters of Mercy. She made many pilgrimages to Catholic shrines around the world, including Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), and Rome. She always cherished St. Patrick's Day and enjoyed celebrating her Irish heritage. She seldom missed an opportunity to share her faith, hope and love with others. Jean was a domestic person who loved to cook and knit. She also made rosaries and dabbled at oil painting. She enjoyed creative writing, penning articles in defense of the pro-life agenda, and prayed faithfully for a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution, to protect all human life from conception through death. Jean's life was centered on her marriage, her loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her many friends, and her devout faith. Most of all, Jean was a woman of peace and prayer who loved and cared for her family throughout her life, and who was lovingly cared for by her family until the end of her life. The family wishes to thank the staffs of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Hallmar, Mercy Hospice Care, Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, and especially the wonderful in-home caregivers of BrightStar Care, all of whom took gentle care of Mom at the end of her life. We ask that you please remember Jean in your prayers. Memorials may be directed to the family, in care of St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2310 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.