Patricia Ann Arenas

Patricia Arenas, 85, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2016, at Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by our father Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2016, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Patricia was born March 15, 1930, in Cedar Rapids to William and Mary (Ralston) Johnson. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1948. She was introduced to Jesse Augustine Arenas by mutual friends at Danceland, and they married three months later on July 30, 1949, in Cedar Rapids. She was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, served on the council of Catholic Women, was involved with the Parish Council, and the Board of Education for Immaculate Conception. Patricia worked as a bi-lingual social worker with HACAP, serving ten counties. When she retired, three people were needed to cover all of her duties. She served on many boards, including Catholic Charities, Jane Boyd, Campfire Girls, Churches United, and was the head of her Neighborhood Watch. She was a leader for the Campfire Girls, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts. Patricia was a talented seamstress, creating beautiful costumes for events such as the ethnic festival. She served on the ASAC Multi-Cultural Committee, and was a Commissioner for the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. She volunteered and raised funding for many cancer research organizations, the American Heart Association, and transported children from the children's home to church. She was involved in Focus2000, Los Amigos Club, and many Democratic Committee organizations. She even hosted a caucus at her home when the event first started in Iowa. Patricia spoke many languages, and helped translate for many people. She assisted Spanish-speaking veterans after the Vietnam War transitioning back into society. Patricia attended Mount Mercy College and studied social work, child development, Spanish, and French. She graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor's in Social Work in 1980 with the highest honors. She received the Iowa Governor's Award twice, an Outstanding Achievement award for Latino Affairs, and was part of the Who's Who at Mount Mercy. Survivors include her children, Jesse (Marlene) Arenas II, Paula (Earl David) Huber, Mary Arenas, and Christine Arenas-Doolin; Daniel (Sheila) Arenas; many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard and William (Donna) Johnson; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jesse. Patricia's family would like to thank Senator Rob Hogg for his instrumental involvement in House File 2147 passed by former Governor Tom Vilsack. As Patricia did throughout her entire life, the family would like to advocate for others, especially the loved ones who are residents in nursing home and eldercare facilities by sharing the importance of quality caregiving, and maintaining dignity and respect of residents in their day to day lives.