Kathleen 'Kathy' (Dvorsky) Nunemaker, 64, of Cedar Rapids, passed away from a heart attack on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with burial to follow at St. John's Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Kathy is survived by her loving family, including husband, Dave; son, Ben Nunemaker of Santa Monica, California, and daughter, Angela Nunemaker of Santa Monica, California; brothers, Steve Dvorsky (Sandy) of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Dave Dvorsky (Marti) of Cedar Rapids, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Christine Dvorsky; mother, Bernice Dvorsky and father, Donald Dvorsky; and grandparents.
Kathy was born May 9, 1956, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She graduated from Regis High School in 1974, and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Mount Mercy College in 1978. Kathy married Dave in 1979 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, where she was a Charter Member. She spent 13 years of her career working in Classified Ads, rising to Supervisor at The Cedar Rapids Gazette. Her desire to care for children led to her opening a home daycare business, which she operated for many years, helping mold the community's young hearts and minds and establishing timeless friendships. Her love for cooking progressed into her role as a cook at the Linn County Jail.
Kathy was a fun-loving, beautiful wife and mother who embraced life to the fullest. She will be remembered for her kind heart, dedication to her family, selfless ability to care for others, and knack for making everyone feel right at home. Her ability to listen and understand anyone's situation in a caring manner was unparalleled. Kathy was a very accomplished cook and baker as well as a great hostess for many well-orchestrated gatherings and parties. She always ensured that everyone had plenty of delicious homemade food and never left hungry. She willingly shared her cooking expertise and life experiences with the people around her. Kathy greatly valued the health benefits of exercising, fresh air, and sunshine, walking almost every day, often including family, friends, and neighbors.
Kathy especially enjoyed time with her family in any setting. Some of her fondest memories were from family vacations around the country and abroad. Her most recent exciting adventure was a family trip to New Orleans in 2019. She also treasured three cruises she sailed, two Hawaiian and one Caribbean, as well as a two-week tour of Europe. Most of all, she loved regularly visiting Santa Monica, California, to see Ben and Angela, who moved there in 2010 and 2017, respectively. Kathy will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all those who knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
You had a way of making people feel special and welcome. We will treasure the ways you warmed our hearts, boosted our confidence, and supported us.
Elissa from Iowa Eye Center. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person and your family is in my thoughts and prayers 🙏❤
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Kathy Nunemaker.
Our deepest sympathies
Kathy was a lovely and very kind person. She will be greatly missed by so many. May she Rest In Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. God Bless, Marla and Mike Valliere
With love: Sally, Brenda, Brandon, Kara, and families.
Condolences goes out to Dave, Ben and Angie. I’m so sorry for your loss. God bless and may time help heal your pain. Love you, Linda Lemois
What made aunt Kathy unique was her ability to be real about about life’s hardships while staying grounded in kindness. She talked about life’s daily inconveniences and poked fun at people with her excellent humor, but was never far from having an open heart with understanding and grace for anyone’s struggle. It’s a very delicate balance and she did it superbly. She was so easy to be around, you could share your real feelings, and she listened and laughed and empathized all at the same time. I will miss her for the rest of my life. Love, your niece, Mary
Thoughts and prayers go out to you. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. Love Shawn and Katie
We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief. Ron and Kris Nunemaker Family
In loving memory of Kathy Nunemaker, and in support of the wonderful daughter and friend she raised. Much love,
I worked in Classified at the Gazette with Kathy. She was a joy to work with and always helpful with a smile. My sympathy to her family.
Kathy and I worked together at the Gazette more than 30 years ago. She was a great person to have as a colleague, fun to be around, always helpful, friendly, and dependable. A side benefit were occassional invitations for her famous cooking and Dave’s home brewed beer. Our thoughts are with you Dave, and entire Nunemaker family. Kay and Tony Staab
Dave and family – so sorry to hear about Kathy. You have our prayers and sympathy.
While I never had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen, I have worked with Angela for years and can say she raised a smart, sensitive, caring daughter. As the father of a young teenager, I only hope I am half as successful as Kathleen was as a parent and role model. My thoughts and sympathies are with everyone who knew and loved this generous, loving mother and human being.
Angela I am sorry for you and your families’ loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Angela, I am keeping you and your family in my warmest thoughts as you navigate this difficult time. Sending you healing prayers and comforting hugs.
Angela, The lessons she taught you, the love she gave you, and the comfort she brought you will always be with you. May that bring comfort in time.
Angela & family, words can’t express how saddened we are to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With heartfelt condolences,
Those we love are never far away; they walk beside us every day in memory. May these trees serve as a living tribute to a life so beautifully lived.
As parents in law to Kathy’s niece, Mary, we so enjoyed Kathy’s visits to Los Angeles. We are deeply saddened at her passing. We loved her warmth and humor, and will greatly miss her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her family. Lynnette and Dan Silver
Dave and Family, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We are sorry to hear about your loss of a wonderful wife and mother. Ralph and Janice Stanek
This is from her friend Patty Marr. I was with Kathy the night she met Dave. It was Halloween. We were out partying and ran into some guys. We all had costumes on and this one guy had a big rubbery scary mask on. He kept talking to Kathy, but wouldn’t take the mask off. By the end of the night Kathy came up behind him and ripped it off. She obviously liked what she saw and the rest is history.🕊💕
Kathy represented the spirit of our neighborhood. Walking her loops, frequently in her iconic green coat. Always happy to stop and chat about the day or whatever was on your mind. It’s been so empty since she left us. She is missed.
Dave, You and your Family are in our thoughts and prayers. I am very sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing.