Craig Martin Kadlec, 28 Feb 1954 - 05 Jan 2023

KADLEC, DOSTAL, ALLENDER, EVETS, MYERS, STEVENS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 1/12/2023 at 14:10:06

Craig Martin Kadlec, 68, of Robins, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2022, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where there will be a 7:30 p.m. parish vigil. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Craig was born February 28, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, the son of George Leonard and Esther Mae (Dostal) Kadlec. They lived in Ely, Troy Mills and Robins throughout his childhood. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1972, where he had found a passion for football and wrestling. He earned 2nd Team All State as a guard, when football was one class statewide in 1971. He was also 1st Team guard All City. His college years began at UNI, where he played his freshman year. The next three years he played for Coe College, where he experienced much success.

Craig’s first teaching job was with the North English Valley Schools as a physical education teacher K-12, and was a football coach and head wrestling coach. In 1979, he had the yearning to get back to Cedar Rapids and was thrilled to get hired at Regis High School and teach Science. Little did he know the love of his life was hired a year later at Regis to teach Physical Education. It would take a year before he would ask her on their first date, but from that time on they have been together. June 25, 1983, he married Julie Anne Allender in Jefferson, Iowa. Together they had three children Josef Wayne, Ashley Lyn and Corey Martin.

Throughout his teaching career he taught mostly Science, but also extended to teach Physical Education classes from time to time. His coaching was primarily as the Head Sophomore football coach at Regis and Xavier High Schools. He was also an assistant wrestling coach when he began at Regis, and later on, assumed the Varsity wrestling head coach position at Regis and Xavier. Craig touched so many lives throughout his 44 years in Education. In reading cards, letters and emails from past students and athletes, he encouraged so many to believe in themselves and their abilities to pursue careers in science or to shape their lives with a strong work ethic, strong faith life, and the importance to serve others. In his classroom he encouraged students to live by the Golden Rule.

Craig’s personal life was just as important. He encouraged his children to be involved in activities, work hard, respect others, and believe in God. Morel mushroom hunting was a favorite family activity as well as family trips.

Craig had so many talents aside from his professional life. He and Julie spent much of their time together refinishing furniture, remodeling their homes and gardening. The talents of this man were endless. In the last few years as he battled cancer, he put up the fight of his life. His six grandchildren lit up his life. He enjoyed taking them on golf cart rides and letting them fill up the bird feeders.

Craig is survived by his wife Julie; his children Josef Wayne (Emily) Kadlec, Ashley Lyn (Casey) Everts, and Corey Martin (Samantha) Kadlec; six grandchildren Emerson, Jillian Kadlec and one on the way, Zoey and Shepherd Everts, Jack and Luella Kadlec; his siblings Linda Myers, Sheila (Paul) Stevens, Robert (Penny) Kadlec DVM and Timothy (LuAnn) Kadlec; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the Craig Kadlec Memorial Fund.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at UIHC, Mercy Medical Center, The Hall Perrine Cancer Center and Hospice of Mercy for their loving care during Craig’s journey.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published in The Gazette on January 7, 2023.