Sister Kathleen Tomlonovic

Sister Kathleen Tomlonovic (Marie Celeste), 80, died March 2, 2019, at ManorCare Utica Ridge in Davenport. The Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, March 9 at Christ the King Chapel, St. Ambrose University with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A meal at Cosgrove Hall will be served after the Mass and after the burial.

Kathleen Marie was born Jan. 23, 1939, to Vincent and Margaret Markey Tomlonovic in Des Moines. She graduated from Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa, and entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Ottumwa Sept. 8, 1958, professing vows in July 1961.

S. Kathleen earned degrees in English, BA, Marycrest College, Davenport; Religion, MA, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.; Asian Language/Literature, MA, University of Iowa, Iowa City and Asian Language/Literature, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

Her ministries included elementary education, religious education at the Diocese of Davenport and the House of Studies, college instructor, professor of Chinese language and director of Asian Studies Center in schools and colleges in Iowa, Taiwan and Washington. She was active in the life, service and leadership of her CHM community, excelling in the gift of hospitality. In retirement, she was a scholar-in-residence at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

S. Kathleen is survived by brothers, Vincent (Pam Oster) and James (Mardell); sisters, Sharon (Bill) Padgett, Grace (Duane) Brown, Susan (John) Heggen, Nancy (Steve) Thornton, Jodi Tomlonovic and Judy Herold; numerous nieces and nephews; and her CHM religious community. Sr. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Patricia Daft and Elizabeth Cronin.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, 820 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Sr. Kathleen's obituary at hmdfuneralhome.com.​