Tracy Albright

1955 - April 23, 2018

Passed away from an aggressive form of lung cancer. She passed at home (in Las Vegas), with her family at her side. An obituary will be in the Gazette in the near future, but a celebration of life will be held in Iowa in early June.

Neal Alan Johnson

June 1, 1955 -  Jan. 21, 2018

Neal Alan Johnson, 62, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Jan. 21, 2018, at home. 

A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Neal's life. 
Neal was born June 1, 1955, in Caledonia, Minn., the son of Donald and Luella Johnson. 

He graduated in 1973 from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

He had his own lawn and yard care service for the years he was able to work. 
Neal played high school football for three years at Jefferson. He took great pride in his work, 

and was greatly admired for his strength and determination through his illness in later years. 
Survivors are his sisters, Carroll St. John and Donna Miller of Cedar Rapids; and three nephews. 
A special thank-you to Melanie with UnityPoint Home Care, Susan and Renee with UnityPoint Pallative Care, and volunteer Dick, who visited Neal and brought him to spiritual peace. Thank-you also to Aunt Judy, Aunt Molly and Uncle Junior, who directly supported Neal during his illness.

 

Janet (Jan) Louise Fuhrmeister Mitchell-Hotka

Dec 30, 1954 -  Aug 16, 2016

61, of Cedar Rapids, completed her final journey to be with her Lord and Savior following a two-year courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2016. Services: 11 a.m., Saturday, at Stonebridge Church by Pastor Randy Scheil. Burial: 9 a.m. Friday, at Czech National Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday after 10 a.m. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.
https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/home/index.cfm…

Jan is survived by her husband, Dennis Hotka; five children, Justin (Megan) Mitchell, James (Melissa) Mitchell both of Cedar Rapids, Julie Mitchell of Los Angeles, CA, Jonathan (Natalia) Mitchell and Elizabeth Hotka both of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Jozlynn, Jaxon, Jase, Landyn, Solomon, Lauryn and one on the way; and father-in-law Harold Mitchell of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Frank and Laurine Leeney and William and Eleanor Fuhrmeister; and grandbaby Mitchell.

Jan entered this world on December 30, 1954 the daughter of Theodore and Marlene (Leeney) Fuhrmeister. Although she was born in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids was always Jan’s home. She graduated from Jefferson High School (class of 1973) and the University of Northern Iowa (class of 1977) with a degree in Education and the Governor's Award for academic excellence. She married Dennis Hotka on June 29, 1996 in Cedar Rapids. She had been previously married to Jeffrey Mitchell. Jan taught for five years at St. Matthew and St. Jude Catholic Schools before deciding to open a day care center in her home. For over 34 years, she welcomed children into her home and her life. Jan proudly announced that she potty trained half of Cedar Rapids!

Jan believed that one of the special gifts of this world is relationships and she invested in people. Jan was an active member of Stonebridge Church and offered a listening ear to all who needed comfort. She was frequently spotted driving around Cedar Rapids in a van full of singing children or at Morgan Creek Park deep in conversation as she walked through the arboretum.

Although Jan accomplished many goals during her life, including her childhood dream of owning a horse and piano, the achievement she held most dear is her family. Jan was her children and grandchildren’s biggest fan. The smell of fresh baked cookies daily invited her family to sit in the kitchen and discuss life. She cheered the loudest for 28x at local race tracks and was the perpetual homeroom mom at school. Jan taught her family to love as deeply as she did.

Jan’s patient and selfless nature was life-changing to all who knew her. She brought joy to countless children, was a constant source of inspiration and strength for her family, and never tired of serving the Lord. Her legacy is love and in love she will always be remembered.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Deborah Jo Padget Gilbert

 June 1955 ~ July 15, 2016

This is what she posted in March ~ I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, July 2015 I was diagnosed with minicore myopathy muscular dystrophy the year before and surgery was never really an option. Chemo would have made me too sick to enjoy what I have left of my life. We did try radiation but found the cancer to be too aggressive to make going through radiation an effective choice. So, I have no curative treatment at all. I was encouraged to seek Hospice care, which I did, so because in Hospice care they do not seek scans or medical procedures to determine if the cancer is worsening...all we really know is I am holding my own and doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. I know I was not expected to live this long as the cancer had already metastasized to the liver and the liver was fully involved when the cancer was found. I feel it's the wonderful care I get through Hospice and the love and support I get from my family, friends, my FB family and my church that has kept me going."

Rick Blazek

 

Oct. 24, 1954~ June 26, 2016

Rick Blazek, 61, of Cedar Rapids, died suddenly Sunday, June 26, 2016, following a short illness. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Private family inurnment will be held at Czech National Cemetery at a later date.

Rick was born Oct. 24, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Frank and Joanne (Slocum) Blazek. He married Geraldine (Red) Mulholland on July 12, 1975. He worked as a refrigeration fitter for L.W. Ross and was a member of Plumbers and Fitters Local 125. Rick enjoyed his grandchildren, kayaking and his Harley. He will be remembered as an accident-prone, stubborn, funny, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend.

Rick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Geraldine; his children, Berni and Isaac; grandchildren, Quintin, Kaleb, Ricky and Emma; his father, Frank and Dorothy Blazek; sisters, Deb (Kevin) Carney and Vicki (Jerry) Hill; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; mother, Joanne; and brother, Michael.

Memorials may be directed to the family at 1837 D St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Rick will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Brosh Chapel's Website 

Karen Denise Keller

 

Jan. 24, 1955 - June 21, 2016

Karen Denise Keller, 61, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with visitation beginning 9:30 a.m. Private family burial
at a later date.
Surviving are her children, Charles (Kristen) Vail of Camdenton, Mo., Coralie Vail, Krystl Vail and Nina (Tyler) Brott, all of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, James, Lance, Charles, David, Natalie, Faith, Gavin and Joy; a sister, Irene Lawrence of Cedar Rapids; and a brother, Karl (Elizabeth) Keller of West Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Karen was born Jan. 24, 1955, in Long Beach, Calif. She was the daughter of Charles and Mable Whitmore Keller. Karen was a homemaker most of her life. She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and will be missed by those closest to her.

James "Jim" E. O'Deen 

 

Oct. 18, 1955- June 4, 2016

James "Jim" E. O'Deen he lost his long, brave, brutal battle with Type 1 Diabetes 

Oct. 18, 1955- June 4, 2016
Memorial services have been scheduled for 3:00 P.M. Saturday, June 18, 2016 in the Leonard & Marker Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Dr. Larry DeLay.

James Eldon "Jim" O'Deen was born on Oct. 18, 1955 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Buford O'Deen & Rachel (Plagmann) O'Deen. He passed from this life on June 4, 2016 at his home in Bixby, OK at the age of 60 years, 7 months & 17 days.

Jim had worked as a General Motors service manager for several years before he became the owner of the Tire Barn in Bixby which he successfully operated for many years. When he was not working he loved going to the lake, playing with his dogs, spending time with his family and building street rods and hot rods.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sherry O'Deen on Dec. 2, 2011.

He is survived by 1 son; Kris Nirk and wife Natalie, of Broken Arrow, 1 daughter; Lisa Church and husband Mike, of Utah, 1 brother; Bill O'Deen of Loveland, CO, 7 grandchildren; Katelyn, Jake, Josh, Kalie, Savannah, Ava & Alivia as well as several other relatives and longtime friends and co-workers.

http://www.leonardmarkerfuneral.com/obituaries/James-Jim-O-Deen/#!/Obituary