Gerald Alan Dunn (Jerry) age 66, died in the early morning hours of June 6, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a long battle with Leukemia. Throughout his illness he kept high spirits and a positive outlook hoping that whatever treatments he tried would further research in a cure for Leukemia.
Jerry was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at St. Luke’s hospital on November 20, 1954 to Robert and Jean Dunn. He graduated from Solon high school in 1973. He was a finish carpenter for the last decade of his life. Other employment he ventured with was a butcher, building Harvestore grain silos, framing carpenter, and siding, gutters and insulation installer. He was never late to work and always pulled his weight.
Jerry was an avid hunter and fisherman, going every chance he could. His other passion was for his vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles, always keeping them in pristine condition and riding with his friends. Jerry will be forever remembered and loved for his infectious fun-loving personality, his unmistakable laugh, his stories, helping his friends and was known for lending a helping hand to strangers. His true happiness was found within, being one with God’s open roads and beautiful countryside.
Survivors include his father, Robert Dunn, sister Trisha Dunn, brothers Robert B. (Carmen) Dunn, Scott E. (Jodi) Dunn, Jim (Joanne) Long and Ken Long; nieces, April (Matt) Peoples, Tia Dunn, Heidi Fay and Shaina Fay; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Jean Dunn; grandparents, Clarence and Gertrude Dunn and Ruth Rogers; brother, David Dunn; nephew Clinton Dunn; great niece Nylah Crawford, and his beloved dogs Annie, Chachie, and Maggie.
For the past several years, Jerry lived with Patty Kiefer. They were fishing buddies and wouldn’t hesitate on any opportunity to cast their poles. Patty assisted Jerry extensively through his illness and our family is grateful that she was able to give him the daily care he needed.
A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Solon, Iowa on Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 2 -5 pm. A small lunch will be provided as well. Any donations, flowers, and condolences may be offered to Jerry Dunn Memorial or sent to: Robert B. Dunn, 3407 Oak Hill Dr. N.E., North Liberty, Iowa 52317.
Elliott Funeral Chapel, New London, Iowa assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Michael Duane Polka, 71, of New London, died Friday, June 4, 2021 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. He was born December 19, 1949 in Cedar Rapids to Paul John and Doris June Brown Polka. He married Connie Konicek Weaver and then on July 30, 2007 he married Lori Jo Wasson Poe in New London.
He was baptized in the Catholic church and was of the Christian faith. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corp in Vietnam earning the rank of Lance Corporal. Michael worked two years as a realtor, owned his own construction business for 18 years, and retired after 17 ½ years at the Mt. Pleasant Treatment Center where he held several union positions including union president. He was a member of the Donald Wasson VFW Post #7641 in New London.
Survivors include his wife Lori (Lena) Polka; his father Paul; children Michael D. Polka and Mindy Frazier both of Memphis, Tennessee, Derrick Poe of Mt. Pleasant and Justin (Josie) Poe of Bonaparte; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Patti (Bob) Youngman of Tama, brothers Dan (Teri) Polka of Tama, Bill (Brendie) Polka of Carlisle and Marty (Lori) Polka of Norwalk. He was preceded in death by his mother; sister Angela (Dolan) Van Nevel and one great-granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 26th from noon until 3:00 at the Tama Civic Center. A local Celebration will be held at the Donald Wasson VFW at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Lori (Lena) Polka to help with funeral expenses. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
John R. Anderson, 83, of Burlington, died Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Oakview Care and Rehabilitation Center in Burlington.
Born April 7, 1938 in rural Winfield, Iowa he was the son of John Barton and Evelyn June (Cockayne) Anderson.
He married Celia M. Watkins on April 5, 1959 in Winfield, Iowa.
John worked as a postal clerk for the US Post Office in Burlington for 36 years. After his retirement he continued to work at Fareway Grocery Store for another 10 years.
He was a 50-year member of Burlington First Assembly of God. He began attending the church in 1971 after his four girls attended vacation bible school there and from the pursuit and follow up from Pastor Norm Wenig. He served as a board member for Burlington First Assembly of God for 40 years.
John loved playing sports with his four daughters, playing softball and basketball and enjoyed taking them sledding and ice skating. He always supported each one of them and his grandchildren in school sports.
Survivors include his wife Celia Anderson of Burlington; his four daughters, Tracy (Jeff) West of Burlington, Shelly (Rick) Rustad of Urbana, Iowa, Christy (Chris) Kelly of Fort Madison and Kimberly (Nick) Dominguez of Glendale, Arizona; eleven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren with two on the way; four sisters, Beverly McCulley of Wapello, Janet Gipple and Marjory Peterson both of Columbus Junction and Dixie Banks of Cedar Rapids; one brother Darrell Anderson of Winfield and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The memorial funeral service for Mr. Anderson will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 11th at Burlington First Assembly of God. The Rev. Rick Rustad will officiate.
A memorial has been established for the family.
Cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Norman Lee Westerbeck, a military veteran, gourmet cook, gardener, a stylish dresser, golfer, fisherman, coin collector, watcher of sports, jokester, a ladies’ man and known to be stubborn at times, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 in Turlock, California.
A graveside service with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be held at Burge Cemetery, rural New London at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021 with his grandson, Nicholas Charles Crabb officiating. The family will greet friends for refreshments at the New London VFW Post #7641 immediately following the service. The full obituary may be viewed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Lea Ann Cardoni, 61, of Danville, Iowa, was called home to heaven on February 24, 2021 at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington from cancer. She was born on February 6, 1960, to Thomas and Geraldine Graham in Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1978 and Iowa State University in 1982.
Lea found and married her soul-mate, Bob Cardoni, in 1988. They shared a love deeper than life itself. Lea was a humble, dependable, hardworking woman; always ready to help friends, family, and her community, including Old Threshers and Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. Lea set high expectations for herself and inspired others to reach their full potential. She had a quick wit and fun sense of humor that brought joy to everyone around her. She enjoyed gardening, camping, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Lea thoroughly enjoyed working the last 21 years at TDT CPAs and Advisors.
Lea is preceded in death by her father, Tom Graham; Grandparents Dwight and Thelma Monroe, Ruth Larson, Harold Graham; and infant twin brothers, Timothy & Terry.
Survivors include her mother Gerry Graham; loving and supportive husband, Bob Cardoni; daughters Jen Woods (Clay) and Anne Becker (Dan); step-daughter Liz Cardoni Quinn; step-son Matt Cardoni (Beazley); adorable and forever loved grandchildren Caitlin, Emily, Alex, Sebastian, and Lara; sisters Jodi Feddema (John), Mary Snow (Kevin), and Jeane Keplinger (Scott); and nieces and nephews Rick, David, Miranda, Anna, Ellen, and Graham.
A funeral mass with Father Paul Connolly officiating, will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 12th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with a Celebration of Lea’s life to follow from Noon until 3:00 at Old Thresher’s Museum B, Mt. Pleasant.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Great River Hospice House or Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
David Otto, 66, of Burlington, died Sunday, May 30, 2021 at the University of Iowa hospital.
Born August 28, 1954 in Burlington, Ia. He was the son of Lawrence “Larry” and Virginia (Bohlken) Otto. He married Joanne Zahn April 28, 1990 in St. Paul, MN. He was a 1973 graduate of Burlington High School. He went on to study briefly at SCC. He worked for the family business, Otto-Matic Water Specialists for 22 years and then for the City of Burlington, Waste Water Treatment Facility for over 20 years.
Dave was a lighthearted, generous man with a never-ending smile, who tried to make everyone he knew and met feel important. He would often deflect a compliment by turning it back to the other. He was well known for his smile, his ability to make people laugh, his willingness to help anyone in need, and his putting others ahead of himself. He always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. God gave him the ability to fix almost anything he put his mind to, and he enjoyed the challenge.
He was very loyal to his family. He loved spending time with his kids and cheered them on in their various school activities, including volunteering as a Scout Leader for his son’s Boy Scout troop. As they got older, he enjoyed the time they shared together kayaking. He had a soft spot for teasing and playing jokes on his nieces and nephews. He was a avid hunter, outdoorsman and loved adventure. He also loved riding his bicycle and did several bike trips across and around the full perimeter of the U.S. with the organization Wandering Wheels. He was a Christian with a quiet faith.
Dave is survived by his wife, Joanne; two children, Katherine and Josh Otto; three sisters, Susan (Terry) Donovan, Diane Shaffer, and Karen (Jimie Vance) Otto; one brother, Paul Otto; six nieces; three nephews, three great-nieces; and one great-nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The Celebration of Life for David will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 14th at Harmony Bible Church at the Danville campus. Pastor Chris Carr will officiate. The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 13th at Harmony Bible Church at the Danville campus.
Because Dave was a casual man, most often seen in jeans and a blue shirt, please feel free to dress in casual clothes for the visitation and the celebration of his amazing life.
A memorial has been established for City Hope Foundation, PO Box 1235, Burlington, IA. 52601.
Helen Ruth (Wheeler) Sellers, 82, passed May 15th, 2021. Born to Charles Flemmul Wheeler and Anna Mary (Stillwell) Wheeler at St. Francis Hospital, Burlington, February 12th, 1939, raised near Pleasant Grove Iowa, graduated with the Wapello High School Class of 1957, married Adolph Wayne Sellers from Morning Sun June 14th, 1958 and raised 2 children, Steve, and Sandra. Helen worked with the General Electric Co for 30 years, attended Asbury Methodist Church, and was a lifelong member of the Burlington community. She is preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Wayne Sellers, November 7th, 1994. Helen is survived by one son, Steven Charles (Susan) Sellers of Aurora, Colorado, one son-in-law, Curtis (Sandra Lynn Sellers, deceased) Naylor of Breezy Point, Minnesota, 4 adult grandchildren, William Patrick Sellers of Colorado, Erin (Naylor) Pronley, Andrew James Naylor, Laurel MaryRose Ah Naylor, all of Minnesota, and 3 great-grandchildren Kate, Mira, Eleanor.
Visitation Saturday June 12th 10:00 am, Memorial Service 11:00 am, with refreshments following. Asbury Methodist Church, 2128 S. Main, Burlington. Afternoon family Interment, Wapello Cemetery, Louisa County, Iowa. A memorial fund in Helen’s honor for Asbury Methodist Church has been established. Digital obituary, www.thehawkeye.com.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Carol Lynn Berner, 76, of New London, passed away Friday, June 4, 2021 at her home. She was born on May 30, 1945 in Clinton, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Charles Wesley and Dorothy Helen Clausen Michaelsen. She was a 1963 graduate of Clinton High School.
On April 16, 1966, she married Benjamin R. Berner at Lyons United Methodist church in Clinton. He died April 19, 2011. Carol worked for Graf and Company for 31 years, then following the name change to TD&T for another five years, retiring in 2009. She was a long-time member of New London United Methodist Church serving on many committees and enjoyed the Fun and Fellowship group and the church family.
Carol enjoyed watching Disney and Hallmark movies, spending time with her grandchildren and being entertained by her chihuahua, Annie.
Survivors include her son Daniel (Cheryl) Berner of New London and her daughter Amy Steffen of Searsboro; five grandchildren, Breanna Tover, Arlen (Haley) Berner, Kayla (Matt), Jenna and Landon Steffen; five great-grandchildren, Cyrus Woolsey, Carsun Tovar, Mayson and Tinsley Innis and Baby Berner; her siblings, Wes (Val) Michaelsen, Jan Woods, Betty (Bruce) Sikkema, Kathy (Gerald) Peters, Debbie Stewart, and Mike (Pam) Michaelsen; sister-in-law Betty Berner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sister-in-law Barb Holst, and brothers-in-law Jim Woods and Bill Stewart.
The memorial service for Mrs. Berner will be at 6:00 PM, June 18, 2021 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Matt Miller officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with the family present to greet friends beginning at 4:00 pm until the time of the service. According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and inurnment will be next to her beloved husband Ben at Burge Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established for New London Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
