Catherine Bernice Skarbek, 28 Feb 1922 - 29 Nov 2013

SKARBEK, DERMODY, DUFFY, ANDERLIK, EICHHORST, HARAS, OROURKE, HOPKINS, SIARNY, RIECK, RYAN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 12/10/2013 at 15:10:12

Skarbek, Catherine Bernice

Catherine Bernice Skarbek

Catherine Bernice Skarbek (known by family and friends as Bernice) entered the next phase of her life on Nov. 29, 2013, at the age of 91. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Church, by the Rev. Dustin Vu. Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery, Fairfax. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Monday at Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, where friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m., and at the church Tuesday after 9:30 a.m.

Born Feb. 28, 1922, to Arthur C. and Mary J. [Duffy] Dermody, she grew up on the family farm south of Williamsburg, Iowa. She wanted to attend school so much that at the age of 4, her father took her to the Parnell school, stood her up on a desk and had her recite a poem for the principal. The principal was so impressed, she was allowed to enroll.

Bernice graduated from Parnell High School in 1939. She attended Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids for a year then transferred to Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Iowa City to complete her studies. During her training she worked at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the polio wards. During her nursing career she worked at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Ill., St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg, Ill., and Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

She also volunteered to be the school nurse for several years at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Galesburg, Ill.

Bernice met her husband, Herbert C. Skarbek, in June 1943, when he was attending Naval Aviator Training at the University of Iowa. After his tour of duty in the Pacific, they were married on May 19, 1945, at St. Joseph’s Church in Parnell. Herb and Bernice had a little over 62 years together before he passed away in 2007.

Bernice was also preceded in death by her sisters and their husbands, Mary and Ralph Anderlik and Margaret and Dick Eichhorst; and three sisters-in-law, Beatrice (Skarbek) Haras, Blanche (O’Rourke) Dermody and Marietta (Skarbek) Hopkins. Her daughter, Cynthia Siarny; granddaughter, Monica Siarny; and son-in-law, Gary Rieck, were also there to welcome her to heaven.

Bernice is survived by two brothers, Clement Dermody of North English and Arthur (Marietta) Dermody of rural Williamsburg; and sister-in-law, Cecelia (Mike) Ryan of Chicago.

She is also survived by eight children: Bob (JoAnn) of Denver, Colo., Catherine of Anamosa, Christine of Warsaw, Poland, Karen Rieck of Marion, Mike (and friend Linda) of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., Herb (Diana) of Spring, Texas, Betty of Cedar Rapids and Ray (Judy) of Houston, Texas. Also surviving are daughter-in-law, Delores of Denver, Colo.; son-in-law, Bill Siarny of Charlotte, Mich.; 21 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bernice was an active member in the Catholic parishes that she lived in throughout the years, but most especially at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and School. She lived in Galesburg, Ill., for 21 years while her children were growing up, so she was very involved in The Immaculata Guild, church fund raisers, the choir and P.T.A.

One of Bernice’s greatest pleasures was traveling with Herb. Together they saw parts of Europe and Canada and visited 48 of the 50 states, only missing Maine and Alaska.

She loved to bake bread, pies and pecan rolls and enjoyed giving them to neighbors and friends. Every year she would can or freeze the bounty that Herb harvested from his vegetable garden. In her later years, Bernice reaped much enjoyment watching the antics of the squirrels and birds at the feeders in her backyard.

Bernice lived a simple life, but was an extraordinary woman committed to the service of others. She loved her family deeply and always put their welfare above her own.

Mom always told us, “If the job is worth doing, it is worth doing right.” Well mom, you did it right.

To honor Bernice’s loving and generous spirit, donations may be given to Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids or The American Heart and Lung Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.

Published Nov. 30, 2013 in The Gazette