Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Robert Edward Dietz
Robert “Bob” Edward Dietz, 88, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully at home February 4, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday February 9th at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with visitation starting at 12:00.
Bob was born on October 15, 1924 in Detroit, MI, to Edgar and Adelia Dietz. He enlisted in 1942 with the Army Air Corps and distinguished himself in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Bob earned his degree in Electrical Engineering and began a lifelong career at Square D and was awarded several patents during his employment. On June 13, 1952 he married Barbara Fayette in Detroit, MI and helped to raise their four children.
Robert is survived by his wife Barbara, two sons; Rick (Rita) Dietz and KC (Cindy) Dietz, two daughters; Anne (Verlynn) Schmalle and Lynn (Mark) Wilson and eight grandchildren. He will be missed greatly by his family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in Bob’s honor to First Lutheran Church.
Barbara Jean Brooks
Barbara J. Brooks, 75, of Cedar Rapids, died September 12, 2012 in her home following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2012 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Surviving are her sons, Brett Brooks and wife Trisha of Phoenix, AZ, Brad Brooks and Bruce Brooks both of Cedar Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William and her brother John C. Nolte.
Barbara Jean Brooks was born on October 17, 1936 in Cedar Rapids the daughter of John and Beatrice (Rhodes) Nolte. She attended schools in the Newhall area and later attended the University of Iowa. She was united in marriage to William Henry Brooks on January 28, 1961 in Newhall and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2004. She worked at various positions with Aegon and Avril House Law Offices. She enjoyed reading, gardening, motor racing and her family. She will be dearly missed.
Vance Burton McKinnon
Vance B. McKinnon Jr., 79, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, September 2, 2012, at St. Luke’s Hospital. The Celebration of Life will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 1 p.m. Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Vance is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dalene; children, Diana (Ken) Hepker of Center Point, Debbie (Clarence) Volesky of Cedar Rapids, Denise (Curt) De Boer of Hiawatha, and Vance III(Susan) McKinnon of Robins; a brother, Larry (Mary Jo) McKinnon of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Gloria Sears of Newhall; 17 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Vance was born September 9, 1932 in Lincoln, NE to Vance Sr. and Mary McKinnon. He married Dalene Ehresman in Tipton on September 9, 1956. Vance was a Navy veteran during the Korean Conflict. He was employed for over 37 years at Rockwell Collins, retiring in 1992. Vance enjoyed the outdoors, woodworking but most of all, spending time with his family.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
Lloyd Walter Hohensee
Lloyd W. Hohensee, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died August 29, 2012 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Hope United Church of Christ in Hiawatha. Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein and Rev. Glenn Hunt will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Lloyd is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Betty; his children, Becky Kopp and husband Gilbert of Cedar Rapids, Craig Hohensee and wife Eileen of Blaine, MN, Stephanie Rosendale and husband Donald of Marion and Eric Hohensee and wife Mary of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Jennifer Hohensee, Amy (Charel) Hohensee, Allan Rosendale, and Chloe Rosendale; his siblings, Willard Hohensee and wife Marian of Cedar Rapids, Althea Betten and husband Louis of Jolley, IA and Carol Hohensee of Pomeroy, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Clairmont Hohensee, Milford Hohensee, Leatha Littell and Marlene Monkelein.
Lloyd Walter Hohensee was born on November 4, 1930 in Pocahontas, IA the son of John D. and Caroline A. (Hasenbank) Hohensee. He served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1948 to 1950. Following a medical discharge, he moved to Cedar Rapids and met Elizabeth “Betty” Ruley. He and Betty were united in marriage on July 14, 1957 in Cedar Rapids. Lloyd worked for many years at Goss Graphic Systems and retired in 1995. During his time at Goss he was a member of the Machinists Union. Lloyd was a long time member of Eden United Church of Christ where he volunteered as a handy man and would help where ever needed. He most recently was a member of Hope United Church of Christ in Hiawatha.
Lloyd enjoyed traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Alaska. As well as family vacations. He also enjoyed fishing and camping. Above all his greatest delight was his family whom he dearly loved.
Memorial donations in Lloyd’s honor may be directed to the family.
Dorothea Mae Wetzel
Dorothea Mae Wetzel, 89, of Naperville, Illinois, a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, passed away, Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Tabor Hills Healthcare Center, Naperville, IL.
A private family graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her children, Richard (Susan) Wetzel of Phoenix, AZ, Diane (David) Petersen of Naperville, IL and Wally (Cindy) Wetzel of Cedar Rapids; Grandchildren, Denee (Kurt) Anderson and Drake Petersen of Naperville, IL; Great granddaughters, Ava, Ingrid and Linnea Anderson. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews around the country. Niece Judy Sykes (Jon) Ericksson of Somonauk, IL was especially attentive during Dorothea’s final years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings (Jay Sykes, Pearl Hennessey and Bonnie Hoeschler).
Dorothea M. Sykes was born August 1, 1923 in Akron, Iowa, the youngest daughter of John and Cora (Morey) Sykes. On July 22, 1945 she married Frank L. Wetzel in Cedar Rapids, IA. Frank, a decorated WWII flying officer and POW died in 1992. Dorothea was a career homemaker and used her substantial baking and sewing talents to her advantage at the housewares department of Kubias Hardware Store for many years after raising her three children. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.
A memorial fund has been established in her name.
Mary Walsh Dolan
Mary Mercedes Walsh Dolan, 93, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Northbrook Manor Care Center, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Mercedes’ nephew, Father Patrick Walsh, will officiate with private family burial at Saint Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Dougherty, IA. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home with a rosary service starting at 5:00 PM.
Survivors include her children, John Francis, III of Cedar Rapids, Kevin (Deb Frese) of Cedar Rapids, Colleen Buddy (Mark) of Ada, MI, Quinn of Concord, CA, Tiernan, of Cedar Rapids and Mercedes Ann of Aurora, Co. She has 10 grandchildren, Adam, Austin, Ashley, Alexandrea, Meghan, Kellan, Alex, Hannah, Shannon and Abigail.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Francis, Jr, and six brothers, Francis, James, John, Charles, Raphael and Earl, and Helen Danforth…her best friend.
Mercedes was born on February 10, 1920 in Vail Iowa, the daughter of Alice and JT Walsh. She married John Francis Dolan, Jr. on August 18, 1951. She attended Mount Saint Clare College and Creighton University where she received a BA in English and History. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Iowa.
Mercedes devoted her life to education, primarily Special Education. She was an inspiring teacher having devoted 60 years to teaching. She began her career in Mason City prior to teaching in Germany. While traveling to Germany, she met her best friend, Helen Danforth. Later, she would be appointed principal of the school in Germany.
She was well known in the Cedar Rapids school system where she started the Special Education program and taught for 25 years. Later she was a Professor of Education at Mount Mercy University, Coe College and Cornell College. A lifelong learner, Mercedes loved to travel and was an avid quilter and seamstress. She enjoyed knitting baby caps for Mercy Hospital’s Neonatal Center. She gave lovingly and generously to a variety of charitable and volunteer organizations. She loved doing crypto quotes and spending time visiting with her family and friends. She read voraciously and the cookie jar was always full.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Saint Matthew School or Arc of East Central Iowa (Association of Retarded Citizens)
Joseph Messner
Joseph D. Messner, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday November 2, 2013 at the Hiawatha Care Center. Memorial Services: 2:00 pm, Sunday November 10 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, where his family will greet friends after 1:00 pm. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jeanne, his son, Mark Messner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his daughter, Dianne (Charles) Lytz of Chestertown, New York, his grandchildren; Brian Lytz, David Lytz, Tara Messner, Paige (Scott) Dirksen, and Keith Messner. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jeanne Konold, a niece, Juanita McIntosh, and sisters-in-law, Carole Weckesser and Patricia Harke.
Joseph was born May 6, 1922 in New York City, NY, the son of Joseph and Cecelia (Mathy) Messner. He married Jeanne Weckesser on May 3, 1947 in St. Patrick Church in Jersey City, NJ. Joe graduated from the High School of Music and Art, NYC, spent 2 years at the J. Albert Cavanagh School of Lettering and Design, LA, then 2 years studying oil painting, LA. Joe was an Advertising Art Director and Watercolorist, his creative advertising career placing him in California and New York City, and he retired from CMF&Z in Cedar Rapids.
Notably, Joe was the founder of the Iowa Watercolor Society (1977). He studied with nationally known Watercolorists and enjoyed a long and creative side career as a distinguished watercolor painter and mentor. He had a love of nature and a visual appreciation of all his surroundings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mercy Hall-Perrine Cancer Center at 701 10th Street, SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.
Forrest Parker
Forrest Ray “Forry” Parker, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died at Mercy Medical Center, Thursday, October 31, 2013. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel by the Rev. Brad Brown of Concordia Lutheran Church. Private burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and after 10 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel.
Forry is survived by his wife, Joanne; his son, Gary Parker of Bettendorf; granddaughter, Andrea Parker; daughter-in-law, Linda Rick of Vinton; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Craig, a brother, Harvey Kenneth Parker; two sisters, Lorene Miskimen and Birdella Linkenback.
Forry was born October 26, 1929 in Cedar Rapids to Harvey and Clara Parker. He was an Army veteran during the Korean Conflict. Forry married Joanne Hladky on December 7, 1950. He started at Link Belt Speeder in the shop, becoming an electrician, then a draftsman and retiring as plant engineer at FMC. He attended Kirkwood College and the University of Wisconsin taking courses in drafting, statics, and air conditioning. Forry was a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the VFW, a Past Master of A.F. & A.M., York Rite Bodies, a Scout Master at Madison School, and a charter member of FMC Toastmasters. Forry was extremely proud of the home he and Joanne built in Cedar Rapids. He built a swimming pool in his back yard, spending many hours there with family and friends. He enjoyed golfing, playing Snooker, and home projects – especially woodworking. He was a member of the Shriner’s Jolly Joker Clown unit, entertaining children for many years and involved in parades and philanthropic causes.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Mercy.
