MARY ARMBRECHT Cedar Rapids Mary Patricia (Patt) Armbrecht, 74, of 1616 J St. SW, went to WALK with the Lord on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, by the Rev. Christopher Podhajsky.

A vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Teahen Funeral Home, where family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the church. Mary is survived by her son, Jeff of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Crystal (Larry) Greiner of Swisher; her grandchildren, Ken Hare, Nathan Greiner and Shelby Armbrecht; and a sister, Joi Webb of Cedar Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her two brothers, Bill and Larry Gaskill. Mary was born June 27, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Harry Raymond and Monica Maria Erlacher Gaskill. Mary graduated from St. Patrick High School (Cedar Rapids) and was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

Mary was a police officer with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for 25 years, before her retirement in 1995. In 1969, she was sworn in as the first female police officer in the state of Iowa and in 1973, was promoted to the rank of detective with the distinction of being the first sworn female detective in Iowa. Mary was a trendsetter and paved the way for future female officers and detectives not only for the Cedar Rapids Police Department but for the state of Iowa. Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren and family, working in her flower and vegetable gardens and always enjoyed a good game of cards. She was particularly fond of Christmas morning with her family and celebrating other holidays with family dinners and barbecues. Mary always called you on your birthday early to be the first to sing you "Happy Birthday." Mary loved having a good time and always had a smile and a hug for everyone. Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend and will be missed dearly by all.

Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneral home.com.