Mary Lou Vavroch

Mary Lou Vavroch

Elberon

Beautiful, Beloved, and Devoted Wife and Mother

Mary Lou Vavroch, 76, of Elberon, was beautifully and peacefully welcomed home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 — after a very brief battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 2nd, 1947, to William and Everista (Hyke) Williams. She was the oldest of eight children and took great pride in assisting her mother in the raising of her siblings after the unexpected passing of their father when Mary was just sixteen years old. She graduated from Regis Catholic High School in 1965 and was wed to Ron Rstom in 1967 which brought into this world three of her blessings, her children– Laura, Leslie, and Jon.

That marriage was later dissolved and not long thereafter in her journey, she was blessed to meet Michael Vavroch and his children, Olivia and Ryan. Mike and Mary were united in marriage December 5th, 1993; they recently celebrated the anniversary of thirty beautiful years together. God truly blessed the broken road that led her to him, he made her feel complete from day one. It was clear and evident to all who knew them, just how truly and deeply Mike and Mary loved and cherished one another.

Mary had a particular fondness for helping Mike out in the fields on the farm and she made sure to do so dressed to the nines and with her hair curled, and lipstick applied. She loved shopping and listening to music. She had a natural talent for interior decorating and design. She also had a deep passion for reading, especially if it was a book written by Nicholas Sparks. She would always make sure her daughters had a copy of his latest book and found great joy in discussing those stories with them. Above all else, Mary loved her family. She made it a priority to bring those that she loved together– and that was her favorite place to be, wherever they were.

Mary was a devout Roman Catholic and had a strong calling to the Blessed Virgin, the rosary, and The Sacred Heart of Jesus. She made it her life’s mission to share and give out the sacred heart badge — a tradition started by her grandfather and carried on by her mother.

Those left to cherish Mary’s memory are her husband, Michael Vavroch of Elberon. Their children, Laura (Dave) Lambrecht of Mt. Union, Leslie Bileth (Rick Williams) of Norton Shores, Michigan, Jon (Teri) Rstom of Coggon, Olivia Vavroch of Portland, Oregon, and Ryan (Allison) Vavroch of Elberon. Grandchildren, Jeramie, Mitchell, and Kolten Kruger, Kayla Lambrecht, Joshua (Emily) Lambrecht, Aarron Lambrecht, Emily Bileth (Jacob Demeter), Chloe Bileth (Nathan Dillon), Mason, Dalton, and Carter Rstom, Jayden Yirkovsky, Lauren and Kelsey Vavroch. Three great-grandchildren, Drake Kruger, Paxton and Addy Keil. Siblings, Joseph Williams, Bill (LaRae) Williams, Theresa (Harry) Roberts, Carol (Mike) Sacora, Kathy (Tom) Carfrae, Mike (Mary) Williams, Mark (Karri) Williams as well as beloved siblings-in-law, Janice Dvorak, Dave Vavroch, Mary Lou (Butch) Milling, and Jean (Dick) Weiler.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, William and Everista Williams.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am Friday, May 3rd at Saint Michaels Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm with a rosary at 3:30 pm, on Thursday, May 2nd at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Services, 1704 7th Ave, Belle Plaine. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Thank you to everyone at Sunrise Living Suites in Traer for the wonderful care and love they showed our mom in her final days. A very special thank you to Roxie from Sunrise Living Suites, her friend she met in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mom– we love you so much. You will always be our “Always and Forever”.