Marilyn, I was so saddened to hear of Emily's death. I worked with her at McKinley and always appreciated her kindness and sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lynne (Ryder) Peterson.

Lynne Peterson
July 20, 2015

Truely sorry to hear of Emilys passing my family have known her for many years. She is now in gods hands and not suffering anymore. Prayers to you all

bev coffin
July 21, 2015

Marilyn, thought it's been many years since we've seen each other I still have such good memories of you and Emily. Especially our trip to Mexico. May you find comfort in many of those wonderful memories. Thinking of you. Nola

Nola Coon Naughton
July 21, 2015

Miss Sweet was my first string teacher - in 4th grade, she saw the size of my hands and convinced me to move from Viola to Bass. 30 years and hundreds of performances later, I still play bass and thank her for having me switch to a far superior instrument. She will be missed!

Adam Dickinson
July 21, 2015

Miss Sweet was a beacon of inspiration for so many beginning string players in southeast Cedar Rapids. Three of my daughters were privileged to have gotten their start with her, one each on violin, cello, and viola. They--and--I were inspired by her enthusiasm and dedication to music, particularly orchestra, in the Cedar Rapids schools. The proverbial "stern taskmaster" she wanted her students to strive to be the best they could be. Her smiling wink spoke volumes about how much she cared for each of her students. The Cedar Rapids School District owes her a debt of gratitude, and many young women and men today are better people for having gotten their start with Miss Emily Sweet! Thank you lovely lady!

Ruth McCormally
July 21, 2015

Miss Sweet was my first instructor when I began playing cello in the 2nd grade. She tutored me all through middle school and I thank her for being so passionate about music and sharing that with me. Just a few months ago I began playing after a fifteen year "break" and I fell in love with my music all over again. I will miss her greatly.

Kate Prenatt
July 21, 2015

I was a student of Emily for the three years she taught in Wheatland. To this day I still appreciate her teaching ability and the ability to push you to do more than you thought you could do. I'm still playing to this day enjoying the wonderful world of music she helped nurture in me.

Nancy Klahn Kleppe
July 21, 2015

I was very fortunate to teach across the hall from dear dear Emily Sweet at McKinley. The orchestra grew and benefited from Emily's professionalism and expertise. On any particular day, I could count on "sweet" melodies coming from her room. Emily could put a smile on my face each and every moment even if I was having a rough day. She certainly lived her "namesake" of Miss Sweet. You will be missed. My prayers and thoughts go out to Emily's family.

Rebecca Dickinson
July 22, 2015

I am so sorry to hear this news. Ms. Sweet was my first violin teacher and orchestra director. At the time I wasn't good at much of anything, but Ms. Sweet made darn sure I was good, very good, at the violin! As an adult I now appreciate how much being good at that one thing gave me confidence that carried over into other aspects of my life. She made a difference in the lives of many students. Condolences to you Claudia, she is missed!

Anne Marie Stephens (Ruedy)
July 22, 2015

We are saddened to read of Emily's passing, and sorry that we are unable to be at the visitation. We both enjoyed Emily and her fun attitude about life and things in general. Jim Fine

jim fine and Katherine ( Louie) Fine
July 23, 2015

How wonderful to read so many tributes to Emily from her former students. That says so much about her and the positive influence she had on so many. And now I can add my own. Of course she was always "Miss Sweet" to me, as one of her students at McKinley in the late 60's. I played flute, so I did not take lessons from her but played in her orchestra. It was my first exposure to playing in an orchestra, and I loved it! I mainly remember that we learned "hard" music; she must have challenged us greatly and we rose to her expectations. My most vivid memory is that I sold the most tickets to an orchestra concert and Miss Sweet had offered a prize. I earned that prize and have it to this day: an LP album of the opera Carmen. At that age I'm quite sure I had never listened to opera before, but the cover was tantalizing and the music captured me instantly. I played it over and over; Carmen is still my favorite opera today. I know that teachers rarely get the privilege of knowing how they impacted their students' lives. I hope Emily's family is comforted by hearing these stories of her lasting legacy.

Bonnie Dodge
July 23, 2015

Emily Sweet was my husband's, Redge Bartholomew's, music teacher at DeWitt, Iowa. Emily Sweet was an outstanding vocal music teacher. To this day, my husband, age 65, still knows many of the songs she taught him. He remembers all the words and sings many of them often. What a teacher!

ellie kramer
July 28, 2015

three generations of our family enjoyed Emily's vibrant wit and zest for life......we will keep her memory and we send our condolences to her family and friends

susan vrbik dumbleton
August 5, 2015

I was reflecting on my life and remembered the number of gray hairs I must have given Miss Sweet. In fourth grade at Harrison Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she was my first violin teacher. I moved across town after fifth grade and poor Miss Sweet had me as a student again at Monroe Elementary School. Then, to make her life worse, I went to McKinley Jr. High for three years. In addition to all that time in school, she also gave me weekly private lessons. Yet, through all those years, she never gave up. She was definitely a dedicated teacher. Without probably realizing, she gave me a gift I treasure to this day - an appreciation for all music. A very special memory I have is being in the McKinley choir and orchestra during a concert which she brought in a gentleman who recorded our performance onto a vinyl record! To this day, when I listen to that record, I think fondly of Miss Sweet and her patience.

Shelley Barnes
February 20, 2017