Stella Mae Bradke

Stella Mae (Stallman) Bradke, 72, of Cedar Rapids, died in the comfort of her home on Saturday, December 26, 2015, after a long multiple cancer struggle. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m., Thursday, December 31, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2015, with a 'Stella-bration' and sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Stella was born May 4, 1943, at home in Watkins, Iowa, to Elsie (Frimmel) and Louis Stallman. On October 26, 1963, Stella married Richard Lee Bradke in Norway, Iowa, and together they raised their two sons, Brian and Craig, along with their daughter, Malinda. Stella worked at Iowa National for 15 years until their closure, then worked at United Fire and Casualty, retiring in 2011 after more than 25 years of service. Stella was a past member of Catholic Daughters of America and Insurance Women of Cedar Rapids. She is survived by her loving and caring husband, Richard; son, Craig; daughter, Malinda (Jeff) Schirm; grandchildren, Josh (Grace Drenth), Mandi, Aiden, and Trevor; sisters, Rita (Art) Peck, Mary (Larry) Ockenfels, Celestine Duncalf, Doris (Ed) Ballard, Bea Stallman; brothers, Marvin (Deanna), and Terry (Sue) Stallman. She will continue to look out for and pray for the intentions of her family from above, where she will be reunited with her parents; son, Brian; brothers, Ed, Glenn, Franklin, Louis Jr., and Donald; and sister, Irene. Stella had an incredible fighting spirit. She had resolute strength and determination conquering her battles with cancer. She loved her family as well as God. She will be dearly missed, especially her quick wit, baking expertise, birthday and holiday celebratory style, undying caring and support, as well as unwavering love to those around her. Stella's family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors who gave her more time, including Dr. Leila Kutteh, Dr. Kevin Murray and the incredible staff at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, the compassionate staff and volunteers at Mercy Hospice, along with the thoughtful support from Synergy and Immaculate Conception Church including Father Chris and his staff. Memorials may be directed toward a memorial stone at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. When one life ends, another begins. Don't be saddened by the impermanence of it. Instead, just love one another and yourselves. Stella would have wanted it that way.