Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Dr. Walter M. Block
Born in Berlin, Germany on June 13, 1913
Departed on April 9, 2006. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Service: Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Cemetery: Rogers Grove
Dr. Walter M. Block M.D. 92, of Cedar Rapids died at home April 9, 2006. His body will be cremated and a private family service will be conducted in the near future.
Dr. Block was born in 1913 in Berlin, Germany. He graduated from the University of Berlin Medical School and received an M.D. degree from the University of Bern, Switzerland. He arrived in the United States August 1, 1938 and 5 weeks later was employed as a physical therapist at the Waukesha Spa in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Soon after, he received his United States M.D. degree from the University of Iowa. He married
Carolyn Inzeo who died in 1957. They had one son, Robert.
Dr. Block served an Internship at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids in 1941 and a Pediatric Residency at St. Lukes Hospital until enlisting in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He served in the South Pacific theater until his return to Cedar Rapids in 1946, having been promoted to Major USAMC. He then completed his Pediatric Residency training at the University of Iowa and the University of Cincinnati. He returned to Cedar Rapids where he practiced Pediatrics for over 40 years.
Dr. Block published 13 medical papers and one book, "Be Nice but Firm: A Down-to-Earth Approach to Child Management." He helped establish a cerebral palsy center in Cedar Rapids and founded the Child Evaluation Clinic at the Grant Wood AEA and later established the Mercy Hospital Child Guidance Center which he directed until his retirement. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Among Dr. Block's many awards, he was most proud of being named "Medical Laureate" receiving the Gold-headed Cane Award a high honor bestowed by the medical fraternity for Excellence in Medicine. Walter also enjoyed his long tenure with the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra as a cello player.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Hazel married
July 4, 1958 and three sons, Robert, also a pediatrician in Tulsa, Oklahoma, William, a retired geologist in Seward, Alaska and James, a senior estimator with Mortenson Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughters-in-law, Sharon, Linda and Cindy and granddaughters Rachelle and Marissa Block from Minneapolis and Erika Mays and Andrea Block from Oklahoma and a niece Yasmeen and her husband David Mazer from California.
A prominent figure in Cedar Rapids medicine for several decades, Walter was devoted to his family and to teaching kindness toward others in all aspects of life. He will be missed by family, friends and the many people whose lives he touched. Memorial donations may be made to the Holocaust Fund at Temple Judah, the Mercy Medical Center Foundation or Hospice of Mercy.
Carol Lynn Ocheltree Buss
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on February 19, 1953
Departed on April 14, 2006. Resided in Iowa City, IA.
Visitation: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Service: Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cemetery: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery
Carol Lynn Ocheltree Buss 53, of 1743 Louis Place, Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, April 14, 2006, in her home following a sudden illness. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday in St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Inurnment will follow in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Friends may register at the church after 1 PM on Thursday. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Surviving to honor her memory are her parents, Donald and Phyllis Ocheltree of Cedar Rapids, two brothers Gary Isabelle Ocheltree of Yuma, Arizona, and Craig Evelyn Ocheltree of Mason, City, Iowa, and four nephews Scott, Tim, Eric, and Matthew Ocheltree.
Carol was born February 19, 1953 in Cedar Rapids to Donald and Phyllis Weichman Ocheltree. She married
Dick Buss on September 3, 1983 in St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Iowa City. They divorced in 1992.
Carol Graduated from Regis High School in Cedar Rapids and the University of Iowa. She was a dietician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. She worked for the WIC Program in Charleston, South Carolina, and in sales at Younkers in Coralville Mall.
Carol's mom and dad will greatly miss their daily telephone calls from their caring daughter.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews School, A Ave & 24th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
Robert John Burke
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on February 21, 1929
Departed on April 14, 2006. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Visitation: Monday, April 17, 2006
Service: Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Cemetery: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery
Robert J. Burke, 77, of 2421 Wisconsin Street SW, died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Friday, April 14, 2006, after a long illness. Funeral Mass: 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church by the Rev. Steven Rosonke. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military services. Friends may call at Turner West Funeral Home Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. where a vigil service will be held at 5:30 p.m.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret; a son, Robert Tina Burke and their children, Jessica and Robert J. of Acworth, GA, a son James Carol Johnson and their son, Matt of Alpharetta, GA; a daughter, Jaci Steve Hodges and their children, Kyle and Bethany of Glendale, AZ; a sister, Betty Leichsenring of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Donald Josephine Burke of Pennsylvania; a sister in law, Lillian Burke; 4 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Maurice, James, and Harold Burke; and a brother in law, Harlan Leichsenring.
Robert was born February 21, 1929 in Cedar Rapids to Charles and Ida Zweidahmar Burke. He married
Margaret Palmer there on September 19, 1962. He was a senior patrol officer for the Cedar Rapids Police Department for over 32 years and then was an security officer at Rockwell Collins for 10 years. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, an Army veteran, and a member of the VFW Post #788.
Robert will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Kenneth George Brewer
Born in Central City, Iowa on October 10, 1923
Departed on April 19, 2006. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Service: Sunday, April 23, 2006
Kenneth George Brewer, 83, of 1650 Bilgarie Court NE, died at home, Wednesday, April 19, 2006, after a brief illness. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family home on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. The body has been cremated.
Survivors include his wife, June; a daughter, Linda Brewer Logue of Crest Hill, IL; and three grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, and Nathan.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his son, John.
Kenneth was born October 10, 1923 in Central City to George and Jessie Beebe Brewer. He married
June Clatterbuck on March 8, 1947 in Marion. He was a member of the 10th Mountain Army Division during WWII. Kenneth was an educator and Principal at Starry Elementary School in Marion before retiring in 1988. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Please send contributions in care of the family at 1550 Bilgarie Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
Kathryn N. Blessing
Born on February 16, 1915
Departed on April 24, 2006. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Visitation: Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Service: Thursday, April 27, 2006
Cemetery: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery
Kathryn N. Blessing, 2204 Johnson Ave NW formerly of 1132 B Ave NW died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Evergreen Estates III following a long illness. Services: 11:00 A.M. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4PM to 6PM at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. The Rev. Beverly Thompson-Travis, Chaplin, St. Luke's Hospice will officiate.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Blessing of Toddville and Donald Blessing of Mountain Home, AK; two daughters, Marleen Hedges of Central City and Marilyn Trumpold of Middle Amana; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband John in 1994.
Kathryn was born February 16, 1915 in Cedar Rapids the daughter of Otto M. and Rebecka Burbach Lowe. She married
John T. Blessing on October 21, 1933 in Anamosa. For several years she worked for Souvenir Pencil Company and for Pheasant Run Apartments. She was a mallwalker at Westdale Mall, walking 5000 miles.
Memorials may be made to Evergreen Estates III or to Hospice of St. Luke's.
Shirley Ann Donaldson
Born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 15, 1933
Departed on June 7, 2010. Resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Service: Friday, June 11, 2010
Family Gathering: Friday, June 11, 2010
Shirley A. Donaldson, 77, of Cedar Rapids, IA died Monday, June 7, 2010 at her home.
Shirley was a creative and talented artist whose oil paintings were the focus of her home. Shirley earned her teaching degree from Iowa Teachers College (now Northern Iowa) in 1952 and taught elementary school for several years. She continued her education, graduating from Coe College in 1969 with a bachelors degree in Art History. For 30 years, Shirley was the Art Gallery Director at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, retiring in 1999.
Shirley was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids and its choir for over 50 years. She was an active member of PEO, supported the Cedar Rapids Symphony and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and enjoyed the Thursday Forums at Coe. She was an avid reader, enjoyed her book group and loved solving crossword puzzles. Shirley was known for her excellent cooking and wonderful dinner parties, and she was a loving and loyal friend, sister and mother.
Shirley shared her husband’s love of sailing, and they spent part of every year exploring the Great Lakes, East Coast and Bahamas in their boat, Cavale.
Survivors include her son Bill (Margi) Donaldson of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Kara Donaldson of Cedar Rapids; 3 grandchildren, Adam and Emily of Phoenix, AZ and Robert of Cedar Rapids; brother Gene (Diane) Strandberg of Punta Gorda, FL; brother Lauren Strandberg of Des Moines; and sister Marcia Merrill of Jericho, Vermont. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Robert.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 11, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids with a reception immediately following in the Perrine Gallery at Coe College. Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Shirley to the American Cancer Society, St. Luke’s Hospice, or First Presbyterian Church.
Laura Mae Barker
Born in Springville, Iowa on January 16, 1919
Departed on June 9, 2006. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Visitation: Monday, June 12, 2006
Service: Monday, June 12, 2006
Cemetery: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery
Laura Mae Paul Barker, 87, of Living Center West died there on Friday, June 9, 2006 after an extended illness. Graveside services at 1 PM on Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Beverly Thompson-Travis will officiate. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home on Monday from 11 AM to service time. The casket will be closed at all times.
Born January 16, 1919 in Springville she was the daughter of William H. and Olga Mable Neisen Paul. She was the third of seven Paul children. She grew up on a farm milking cows by hand, picking berries, gardening and hunting Morel mushrooms. Laura Mae graduated with the Class of 37' from Central City and then went to work at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, making radio components for WWII.
She was united in marriage to Harvey L. Barker on March 15, 1947. To this union were born three children, Susan Kay, William Charles and Steven Hamilton. For many years she was a farm wife, great cook and Mom who always had cookies in the pantry for all! She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Springville. In July of 1968 she fell from a tree picking apples and spent the better part of the following year in rehabilitation in Des Moines. She spent most of the years to come confined to her wheel chair, still managing to maintain her own home.
In 1977, she and Harvey retired from the farm to live in Coggon. During the past several years, she had been cared for at several nursing centers in Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include her children, Susan and John Scheer of Ashland, MO., William and Libby Barker of Enterprise, AL., Steven and Katha Barker of Palo, her grandchildren, Brent and Wendi Scheer, Ryan and Melissa Scheer, Christopher Scheer, Nicholas and Jessaca Barker, Stephanie Barker, Brian Barker, Jenny and Brad Weems and 11 great grandchildren, her sisters, Hila Pusateri of Vinton, Edna and Vic Henderson of Independence and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harvey, three brothers, Robert, Arthur, Roger, her sister Dorothy, dear aunt, Agnes, who was like a sister and a grandson, Robert Barker.
A memorial fund has been established in Laura's name.
Jo Ann T. Benesh
Born in Monona, IA on June 22, 1930
Departed on June 19, 2006. Resided in Mountain Home, AR.
Visitation: Thursday, June 29, 2006
Service: Thursday, June 29, 2006
Cemetery: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery
Jo Ann T. Benesh, 75, of 1714 Honeysuckle, Mountain Home, Arkansas formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, June 19, 2006 at the Hospice House of the Ozarks -Mountain Home of cardiac amyloidosis. Family graveside services at 1 PM on Thursday June 29 at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call after 11 AM Thursday June 29 at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home.
Survivors include her husband, Charles; a son, Scott Benesh and his wife, Patti of Spring, Tx; a daughter Stacy Benesh and her partner Janet Weilbrenner, of West Plains, MO., one brother, Harlin Bentien and his wife Imogene and a sister, Ramona Christofferson and her husband, Leo all of Monona, IA. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Karina Benesh and Kyra Benesh of Spring, TX and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Funk.
Jo Ann was born on June 22, 1930 in Monona, IA, the daughter of Linford and Thelma Henderson Bentien. She married
Charles S. Benesh on July 28, 1956 in Monona. They lived in Cedar Rapids for 41 years raising their family. Jo Ann was a member of Sharon United Methodist Church. She also worked at Life Investors Insurance for many years before retiring. In December 1997 Jo Ann and Charles moved to Mountain Home, AR where they enjoyed life in the beautiful Ozarks. In Mountain Home she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed traveling and helping her daughter with her copper turtle business. Jo Ann will be greatly missed by her friends and beloved family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given in Jo Ann's name to the Hospice of the Ozarks - Mountain Home 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653.
