Mary and Walter Drew
September 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. Funeral Mass was held Saturday, September 25 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with 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, and together they moved up in size and projects building many of the structures that we all would recognize today. Walt and Tom eventually moved on to 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 six of their children, including Clark (Sandy), Kevin (Terri), Craig (Kristine), Beth Hartauer (Gus), Kurt (Tya) and Kelly (Jill); their son-in-law, Kevin Cooling; their grandchildren, Krystal (Dave), Taylor (Datesha), Logan (Molly), Nate, Josh, Cole, Mattie, Nick (Cassie), Christopher (Becca) and Lauren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
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 his sisters, Darlene O’Malley, Joan Schumacher and Dorothy Drew. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Luella Drew; and his brothers, Donald, Ralph and John.
Mary is survived by her sisters, Ginny Cook, Elaine Monahan and Evelyn Seely; and her brothers, Bill, Dale and Deryl. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred Kilpatrick; her sisters, Ann, Lorraine and Linda; and her brothers, Vince, Tom, Bob and Greg.
Special thanks to Hospice Care Mercy Hospital for their tremendous care and affection of our parents.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.
