Leota Mae Novotny, 81 of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital. Leota's Celebration of Life gathering will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at The Avacentre at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where there will be a Time for Sharing at 12:00 noon. A private family inurnment will be at a later date in Czech National Cemetery. Leota was born January 9, 1932 in Garrison, the daughter of Harry and Viola (Banse) Flickinger. She attended Garrison High School, participating in basketball and cheerleading. Leota was united in marriage to Raymond Novotny on September 11, 1950 in Solon. They raised four children Linda, Teresa, David, and Lora. They were later divorced. Leota's working career included nursing care and bridge construction on the I-380 Waterloo Corridor. She enjoyed all family activities, watching sports, bowling, fishing, cross-stitching, quilting, knitting, sewing, reading and puzzles. She completed her "bucket list", by sky diving in Kansas. Leota is survived by her children Linda (Frank) Van Etten of Center Point, Teresa Novotny of Cedar Rapids, David (Judy) Novotny of Solon and Lora (Mike) Raymon of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren Joel (Emily), Ann, Erin (Chris) Miller, Michael, Isaac, Isaah, Jennifer "JJ" (Ryan) Therauilt, Kathleen "Katie", and Rachel (Kevin) Jans; ten great-grandchildren Chloe, Jacob, Colin, Keegan, Dallas, Lucas, Isaah Jr., Taylor, Alex, and Carson; four sisters Marcella Wheeler of Iowa City, Frances Carlton of Cedar Rapids, Beverly (Rudy) Lovitt of Cedar Rapids and Margy Wood of Mt. Vernon. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Viola, a great-grandson Luke, her sisters Mardean Flickinger and Maxine Beranek, and a brother Harley Flickinger. Memorials may be directed to the family.