Funerals and Funeral Planning
IF YOU WISH TO PRE-PLAN YOUR FUNERAL OR ARE IN NEED OF PLANNING A LOVED ONE'S FUNERAL, PLEASE CALL US AT 319-363-8269 OR EMAIL US AT: contactus@stmatthewcr.org TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
We are saddened to share the passing of parishioner Mary Burbach. Please join us in praying for the repose of her soul and for comfort and peace for her family.
Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Mary's Obituary
Mary Elaine Burbach, 85, of Marion, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 8, 2025. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with Rev. Douglas Loecke presiding. Friends may visit with the family at the church prior to Mass from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery. Teahen Funeral Home is assisting Mary’s family.
Mary was born September 13, 1939, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Glenn and Vina (Burge) Torner. She graduated from St. Patrick High School and was united in marriage to Kenneth “Kenny” Burbach on May 12, 1973, at St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Mary had a gift for creativity and enjoyed sewing and quilting, as well as playing bingo and reading. Family was at the center of her life, and she especially loved spending time with her nieces, nephews, and their families. A lifelong woman of faith, Mary was a devoted member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.
Mary is survived by her sister, Ann Rowe; many Burbach in-laws; and multiple generations of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenny; brother, John (Barb) Torner, brother-in-law, Donald Rowe, nephew Michael Torner, and niece Mary Owen.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.
We are saddened to share the passing of parishioner Debra Tieskoetter. Please join us in praying for the repose of her soul and for comfort and peace for her family.
Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Memorial
Debra Tieskoetter passed away on August 25, 2025, in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, A visitation will also be Friday, August 29, 2025, from 10:30 am until the time of the 11:30 am Funeral Mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Inurnment is private.
She was born on April 12, 1953, in Decorah, IA to Harold and Shirley (Rohde) Halweg. Debra was a line worker at General Mills in Cedar Rapids. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Debra loved to knit, watch the Chicago Cubs games and loved the Iowa Hawkeyes. She loved to spend time with her family and was loved by all.
Debra is survived by her husband of 53 years, Marvin, whom she married on May 27, 1972, in Ossian, IA; brothers-in-law, Lester Tieskoetter of Postville and Roger (Maggie) Tieskoetter of Postville.
She preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Otto and Gary Halweg.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.
We are saddened to share the passing of parishioner Thomas Nickels.
Please join us in praying for the repose of his soul and for comfort and peace for his family.
Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Dr, Thomas H. Nickels, PhD, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died August 26, 2025, after complications from a long illness. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 8, 1939, to William and Mary (Bach) Nickels, and was an avid Cubs fan. He attended DePaul University in Chicago, where he received a Bachelor’s and attended Purdue, where he received a Master’s Degree in Economics. He briefly taught at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, before going to the University of Illinois, Champaign. There, he met Mary Ann Hausmann. He married Mary Ann on October 28, 1967. While teaching at the University, he completed his PhD in Economics in May 1974. In August 1974, he started at Mount Mercy University, where he taught until retiring in 1999. However, he continued to teach more classes for years after.
He was an active member of St Matthew Catholic Church, where he was involved in Holy Name, RCIA, was Treasurer for many years, and sang in the choir. He was also active with the Mount Mercy University choir.
Retirement allowed him to pursue his other hobbies, including cooking, especially BBQ, and bowling. He held various leagues offices, was a regular winner of the Triple Crown, and bowled a 300 game towards the end of his career. Visitation will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with Rosary recited at 4:00 p.m., Friday, August 29, 2025, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St Matthew Catholic Church, presided by Reverend Douglas Loecke.
Survivors include a daughter, Pamela (Thomas) Schuttloffel of Marion; and son, Jeffrey Nickels of Cedar Rapids. The ones he treasured the most were his grandchildren, David (Morgan), Paul, Matthew, Timothy, Mariana, Jacob, Sarah, Benjamin Schuttloffel, and Gabriel Nickels; and a great-grandson, Luke Schuttloffel.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; four children, Gregory, George, Michael, and Bridget; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; parents, William and Mary Nickels; three brothers, Richard, James, and Jerome; and all his sisters-in-law.Tom was known for being a foster father to many. He lived his life following the teaching of Matthew 25, which emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the kingdom of Heaven by living with responsibility, stewardship, and compassionate actions towards others.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family.
The family would like to thank the Hiawatha Care Center, and Mercy Hospice, for their compassionate support during this time.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Tom’s tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.