Mary Ellen Drew (1934-2021)

DREW, HARTAUER, COOLING, KILPATRICK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/22/2021 at 08:14:09

Mary Ellen Drew

Cedar Rapids

On Sept. 20, 2021, in His infinite wisdom, God our Father mercifully chose the souls of His two servants, Walter William and Mary Ellen Drew, to be welcomed into His kingdom. A lifetime together on earth and now eternally united in heaven. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial immediately following at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Mom and Dad were born June 14, 1934 and June 16, 1935 respectively, in Waukon to John and Mildred Kilpatrick and James and Luella Drew. They grew up there, each in large Scotch Irish families. Knowing each other their whole lives, they eventually moved to Cedar Rapids with their families. In 1957, they were bonded by God in Marriage at St Patrick Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, and their lives together began there, and now eternal life will be blessed there.

Walt was a builder his whole life, in construction since his teens, he worked with his brothers and cousins building hundreds of homes. In the 1970s, Walt and his brother-in-law, Tom Kilpatrick, formed Shamrock Construction, together they moved up in size and projects building many of the structures that we all would recognize today. Walt and Tom eventually moved onto start their own projects. Walt Drew Construction was born and he was active in the business until 2015.

Mary had the more difficult job of the two. Raising seven children, five being boys, in the 1960s and 1970s was more than a handful. Rides, games and school events kept her moving, but she did find time for bowling league with the girls for many years, and she loved bingo at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Mom and Dad loved retirement and wintering in Arizona, Texas and Florida with their brothers and sisters, but their true great love of their life was spending time with the kids and grandkids, you could take everything they had but if they still had their family, they still had everything.

Left to serve the Lord are their children, Clark (Sandy), Kevin (Terri), Craig (Kristine), Beth Hartauer (Gus), Kurt (Tya) and Kelly (Jill); and son-in-law, Kevin Cooling.

Waiting at St. Peter's gate to welcome our dear Mom and Dad into God's Kingdom are their Beloved Angels, Sue Ellen Cooling and Jennifer Drew.

Walt is also survived by sisters, Darlene O'Malley, Joan Schumacher and Dorothy Drew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Luella Drew; brothers, Donald, Ralph and John.

Mary is survived by sisters, Ginny Cook, Elaine Monahan and Evelyn Seely; and brothers, Bill, Dale and Deryl.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred Kilpatrick; sisters, Ann, Lorraine and Linda; brothers, Vince, Tom, Bob and Greg.

Special thanks to Hospice Care Mercy Hospital for their tremendous care and affection for our parents.

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