Emily Kolosiek

Emily Mae Kolosiek, Age 92, died on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa. The Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, Iowa with Father  David Brownfield officiating . Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday June 11th from 5 – 7  PM at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, Iowa. A vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.  A memorial fund has been established for the Mercy Hospital Foundation.
Emily Mae Kolosiek was born on June 24, 1920, in the Washington County Hospital where she was the first baby in the county to be born by Caesarean section. She was the daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Nemec) Kolosiek and was raised on a farm 5 ½ miles south of Kalona. She attended Salem country school and graduated from Kalona High School. In September, 1956, she entered the Mercedian School of Practical Nursing in Marshalltown, Iowa. After a few months it was necessary for her to return to the farm to take care of her mother who had developed cancer. It was not until January, 1959, that she was able to return to her training in Marshalltown. On November 6, 1959 she completed her course and passed her state board exam.
Emily worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, as well as working for many years as a private duty nurse, caring for the invalid wife of one of  Mercy’s surgeons.   She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a 50 year member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters and an Associate of Mercy Hospital.
Emily never married and had but one sister who was stillborn. Her cousins, and many friends, especially, the Sisters of Mercy in Iowa City, were very special to her. Emily was known for her strong faith, her smile and her care-giving to so many people. Her gentle spirit and welcoming smile will be missed by all her knew her.