Memorial

Doris Catherine Waid, 93 of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully June 22, 2026, surrounded by her family. A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM, Monday July 6,2026, at Stonebridge Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Doris was born on March 8th, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. the daughter of Charles C. and Catherine May (Clark) Straight. She attended Abington High School graduating in 1951. Doris was united in marriage with William E. Waid on April 28th, 1956, in Ardsley Pennsylvania.

Doris’ first job was as an usher at a movie theatre where she was recognized for ushering a theatre of children to safety during a fire. After moving to Cedar Rapids Doris worked for Collins Radio, Farmstead/Wilsons Food, Lil’ Drug Store Product, as well as in-home Foster and childcare. Doris attended Kirkwood Community College and was a Member of Stonebridge Church. She was involved in Blue Birds, Campfire Girls, and Red Hat Society, enjoyed Sewing, Dancing, Rocking in her outdoor Rocking chair, Bible Study, Gardening, Bingo, Crafting, and watching her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s activities. 

Survivors include her 5 Children; Deborah (John) Blaha, Diane (Steve) Huston, Darcy (Dave) Traut, William” Billy” (Noriko) Waid, and Deneen (Dave) Fleck; 13 Grand Children; 19 Great Grand Children; and sisters Margaret “Margie” Turn and Eileen Knowles.

Doris was preceded in death by her Father Charles Straight, Mother Catherine Kinsley, Stepfather Dan Kinsley, Husband William E Waid, Sister Kathryn “Kitty” Schmidt, In- Laws Emma and William Waid.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Meth-Wick Community Center and Essence of Life Hospice.

in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either Stonebridge Church or Meth-Wick Community Center.

A letter from her children:
We have always loved to watch her dance, especially the Jitterbug, and now she has gracefully danced into the arms of Jesus. Scripture says in Proverbs 31:10,27 and 28a “A wife of Noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies, she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed”.  We have truly been blessed to call her mom. Sometimes we don’t recognize the blessings we have right in front of us and at times that has been the case with us.  She worked so hard to make sure we could be successful in life. She supported each of us in our early education and our varied activities.  Then, she worked at Farmstead/ Wilson’s and then little drug to make sure we never had to worry about paying for our advanced education; she put us all through college! Amazing!  What an accomplishment. Yet that wasn’t her greatest accomplishment. No, her greatest accomplishment was making sure each of us, our spouses, and her grandchildren knew that they were loved. Hers was a sacrificial love following Jesus’ example. She was willing to set aside her life’s ambitions so that each of us could reach ours. We will miss her deeply, yet we are rejoicing that she is now dancing with Jesus and no longer suffering any pain. There are so many ways that she showed us she loved us - way too many to list here.
Mom,
We love you!
Until we meet again,
Deb, Diane, Darcy, Bill and Deneen