Father Roy Everette Cress B: Aug 18 1936 Shellsburg, Iowa
Mother Mary Kathryn Christian B:Aug 29 1941
Notes: From New paper and Family
Kelisa Cress Day will honor 13 year old Hiawatha amputee
from the Cedar Rapids Gazette
For Kelisa Cress, having her right leg amputated six inches below her knee wasn't all bad. it meant having five fewer toe nails to trim.
Kelisa, 13 daughter of Mary and Roy Cress of Hiawatha, lost part of her right leg to cancer . The operation was necessary to remove a tumor in her foot. However, if telephone interview is any indication, she has retained a sunny disposition and her love for athletics.
To honor Kelisa, the Hiawatha City council has designated Sunday as Kelisa Cress Day. A benefit softball game is being sponsored by the Hiawatha Kids League to raise money for her..
Sunday's game, at 2 p.m. in Hiawatha city Park, will feature the Hiawatha League coaches, umpires and parents against the KCRG Radio softball team. In addition to the donations, all proceeds from the concession stand will be given to Kelisa.
It means a lot to Kelisa to have the Kid's League honor her. She has been playing softball for the league since she was 8. she considered herself a "pretty good pitcher."
Softball is a family game in the Cress family. After she had her leg amputated and was in a cast, she would still play catch with members of her family. She was determined to stay active in sports.
On March 8 it was discovered Kelisa had cancer. She had found a bump on her foot, and it hurt when she touched it. The doctors did exploratory surgery and removed tissue from her foot. The tissue tested malignant.
'When Kelisa's mom told her she had cancer and would have to have part of her leg amputated, Kelisa thought she was kidding. She recalls that she then became scared but did get over that feeling.
"At first it bothered me a little, but then it didn't because I had my knee and I could do everything I used to do and since people didn't act differently, it didn't bother me."
June 20 1982 partial parts form an article in the Gazette.


Kelissa Christian Cress, 16, of 1108 Bowler St., Hiawatha, died of cancer Tuesday at Mercy Hospital.
Born June 24, 1968, in Cedar Rapids, she was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Surving are her father, Roy E. of Hiawatha; her mother, Mary K. of Hiawatha; two sisters, Kimberly Kay of Marion and Kenda Marie at home; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harve J. Christian of Marion and Mr. and Mrs. Everett L. Cress of Shellsburg.
Services: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Pius X Catholic Church by the Rev. Carl Ries. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, where friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. today. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 603 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids Memorial; or to the charity of the donor's choice. The casket will be closed at the church..