Mary Ellen Cada

Notes:

NEWTON, Iowa -- Mary Ellen (Cada) Wadzinski, 56, of Newton, Iowa, formerly of Schuyler, passed away at home on Saturday, April 12, 2014, after a long battle with kidney cancer.

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2014, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Schuyler. A time of visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a rosary service beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Memorials may be designated in Mary's name in the forms of Mass offerings or to the Sacred Heart Choir or the Newton Community Theatre and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa.

Mary was born October 26, 1957, to Joseph D. and Roseann (Divis) Cada, in Schuyler. She attended Schuyler area schools and graduated from Schuyler High School's class of 1976. Mary attended Mt. Marty College in Yankton, S.D., and Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing, in Omaha, graduating as RN in 1980.

On July 26, 1980, Mary married Robert Wadzinski at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Schuyler. They lived in Dodge; Pinconning, Mich.; Schuyler; Clovis, N.M.; Elkhorn; and Newton, Iowa. Mary started her nursing career as a "candy striper" and worked as a registered nurse at the hospital in Schuyler. Mary last worked at Park Centre in Newton for 7-1/2 years as Assisted Living Nurse. She loved caring for the elderly and was very fond of her residents.

Mary was blessed with musical talent and singing was her passion. She had taken six years of voice lessons including opera at Wayne State College in Wayne. Mary's voice contributed to many church and community choirs wherever she lived. She was a soloist singing for weddings and funerals. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and choir. Mary was also in musical productions at Newton Community Theater. Her favorite production was "Hot Flashes." Mary felt the church members, choir and theater cast members were like family.

Mary is survived by husband, Robert; four children, Mary Kathryn "Katie," Kristine, Ross, and Reid, of Newton; three grandchildren, Asher, Annah, and Allison; parents, Joe and Roseann Cada, of Schuyler; sister, Carolyn (John) Peers, of Omaha; Several brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents; and an uncle.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Mary married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ross Robert Wadzinski, died unexpectedly after a years-long struggle with addiction.

Born to parents, Robert and Mary Ellen (Cada) Wadzinski, in Schuyler, NE, Ross was on the move early-from the toddler who escaped and made his way down to the Felco gas station, to the Schuyler Junior High, teen taking first place in the 400-meter dash at the state track meet. He was fast.

In earlier years, Ross enjoyed winter sledding, summer firecrackers, and fishing at the family cabin in Fremont, NE. While he grew to appreciate different music than his father, swapping classic rock for rap, he still embraced a family tradition, becoming a fourth-generation cheesemaker for a time.

Ross could analyze any mechanical issue, often prepared spicy food (the hotter, the better,) and loved his two children. But neither his passions nor repeated treatment programs could break the grip alcohol and drugs had on his life.

Ross is survived by his son, Asher Wadzinski of Sheridan, WY; his daughter, Allison Mueller of Kellogg, IA; his father, Robert Wadzinski (Carole Tillotson) of Newton; his brother, Reid Wadzinski of Newton; and his sisters, Katie Wadzinski of Minneapolis, MN, and Kristine Wadzinski of Columbus, NE. Ross was preceded in death by his mother.

Visitation is Sunday, September 8, 2024, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 9, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Newton. There will be a Rosary Service at the church at 10:00 a.m., prior to the funeral Mass. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Schuyler, NE.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Robert Wadzinski to help cover funeral and burial expenses. Any remaining funds will be donated to Hope Ministries.

From the Columbus (NE) Telegram, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy