Category: Family News

Sue (Davison) Haigh let us know that Carla’s husband Lenny Kestler passed away recently. Carla shared the following with us as a tribute to Lenny’s life:

Lenny and I knew each other for 33 years and we were married for 27 years. We have one son, Steven, who is 23. Lenny was a retired aircraft planner who worked for Boeing. He had a great love for anything related to aerospace, and he passed that love onto Steven, who is a mechanical engineer for an aerospace company.

After living in the Los Angeles area for a number of years, we lived in Las Vegas for 8 years before moving back to southern CA in 2002. Our home is about an hour north of San Diego. Lenny was in generally good health until about 2 years ago, when it seemed like it was one medical problem after another. He always said that he was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it just kept dropping. He was just hospitalized with kidney failure, and it was necessary for him to start dialysis while he was in the hospital.

Fortunately, Steven and I were both with Lenny when he passed away in our home this past Thursday night. It happened very quickly. Earlier in the evening, he told us that he had no regrets and that he had done everything that he wanted to do in his life. Steven has had a trip planned for some time, and they were talking about sights (that Lenny had visited) that he should see on the trip. It was quality time that we were able to spend together.

We are planning a memorial service for after the holidays, probably in mid-January.

Again, thanks for your kind thoughts.

Carla

Hey Dave, My son Rob made it to the 2014 World Series!

He is a camera man for Fox Sports, and he was asked to be in San Fransico for the 3 games there against the KC Royals. If anyone was excited to go to the World Series, he was!. He has worked his way up from local sports and events, to the World Series…”Congrats, Rob Hartsock” from Mom and Dad.

Gene

Karen (Villhauer) Michalec let us know today that Mike Russell’s mother Dorothy passed away. Mike gave us permission to post her obituary as a tribute to her life.

Dorothy E. Russell, 93, lifetime resident of Iowa City, died Saturday, November 15, 2014, at the Lone Tree Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, November 20th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City where visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty.

Dorothy Ellen Crossett was born April 20, 1921 in Iowa City; daughter of Ralph and Helen (Goody) Crossett. She graduated with the 1939 class from City High School and married Robert “Bob” Russell a few years later, on November 27, 1942.

While Bob served in the Army Air Corps they lived at different duty stations, but after his service returned to Iowa City, where they’ve lived since. Together they enjoyed time traveling, camping and being outdoors. She was a member of the Jonco Jills chapter of the Izaak Walton League and was an active life member as well as a past member of the Iowa City Camping Club.

Her family includes her children, Robin Walker and her husband, Thomas of Franklin, Ohio and Michael Russell and his significant other, Karen Michalec of Iowa City; grandchildren, Amber Russell of Vicksburg, MS, Jason Russell and his wife, Megan of Mt. Vernon and their daughter, Quinn and Shea Russell of Tiffin.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 2009; parents and siblings, Ed Crossett, Pauline Matthew and Betty Wienke.

Dorothy’s family would like to acknowledge the compassion and care shared with their mother and grandmother from the staff at the Lone Tree Health Care Center as well as those of Hospice Compassus, Thank You!

Bonnie let us know today that Paul Maxwell’s mother Marian passed away. Paul gave us permission to post her obituary as a tribute to her life.

Marian F. Maxwell, of Oaknoll Retirement Community, passed away at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City, on August 8, 2014, following a long illness. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Marian was born in Davenport on June 10, 1925 to Drs. Robert and Blanche Getman. Marian graduated from Davenport High School and the University of Iowa in 1947 and married Dr. John R. Maxwell in Davenport, Iowa. Her main interests were her family and reading, particularly history and historical novels.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Dr. Robert J. Getman and infant Lyle.

She is survived by her husband; daughters Christy McGinty and Carol Gorman (Ed) of Cedar Rapids; sons Paul Maxwell of Arlington, VA and Dr. Steven Maxwell (Virginia Cox) of Dubuque; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Christina Donelson and the staff at Mercy Hospice for their loving care. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Iowa City Hospice, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gayandciha.com.

Jay Dinsmore’s mother Jane Dinsmore passed away recently. Jay gave us permission to post her obituary as a tribute to her life.

Emma “Jane” Dinsmore, 87, of Coralville, died Tuesday, July 15th, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with visitation from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, and Friday beginning at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakhill Cemetery in Coralville. Memorials in Jane’s name can be made to the American Legion Auxiliary (memo: Iowa City VA Fund) or the Coralville Center for Performing Arts.

Emma Jane Robinson was born April 27, 1927, in Cedar Co.; daughter of Ralph and Emma Robinson. She graduated from West Branch High School and shortly thereafter married Charles Dinsmore, on September 13, 1947. After marriage they moved to Coralville and a few years later, in 1953, built their family home on 7th avenue. She worked most of her life bookkeeping and helping with secretarial matters at their business, Dinsmore Insurance and also for a time at the University.

Jane has been an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary since their marriage, serving as past president and treasurer, and a longtime member of Parkview Church. She also volunteered at the Iowa City VA Hospital for many years, serving most recently as the Patient Representative in Volunteer Services. When not helping others, she enjoyed a game of Bridge or time with her grandchildren. She was a very positive and caring woman, who usually had a bed ready in case someone needed a place to stay for a few days, weeks, or longer.

Her family includes her children, Jim (Sandie) of Asheboro, NC, Sue (Mike) of Iowa City, Jay (Jan) of Chandler, AZ and Dean (Anne) of Rocky, OK; 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and her sisters, Mary Bennett, Jenny Bena and Helen Fankhauser.

She was preceded in death by her husband, in 1977; siblings and grandson, Jason.

Dave,

We left Alaska about a year ago and spent 9 months in Baltimore. I just accepted an offer (I couldn’t refuse) from my previous employer and am working in Milwaukee. We have an apartment downtown Milwaukee and our “retirement” home in Albuquerque.

Take care!

Chris

Delilah Mae was born on May 11th!! What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift!! Parents are Brenna Prosser and Trevor Tvedte!! And big sisters Mikkayla and Makennah!

The only interesting news from the Bryant household is that our older son Sam chose Franklin and Marshall College. Very exciting.

Judy

Hi Dave:

Congrats on your job and house sale!!! Rarely do I send photos of myself for anything, but since I missed the reunion last year and I know classmates are just dying to see how much hair I don’t have any more, thought I would send these photos to you.

I “retired” from the band two years ago, but since really “retiring” from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce last fall, I now find myself back in the band business…same band…Phoenix’s Favorite 50’s Band…Come Back Buddy (they fired the guy that replaced me and coaxed me back). We are keeping busy several nights a week entertaining senior citizens who remember who Buddy Holly really was! So, I guess I didn’t really retire!

We have a new grand daughter as of January 30 (our first) so have been practicing spoiling her rotten. Tami and I will be in the Quad Cities/Iowa City area May 16-23 for the All American National Hickory Golf Tournament and finishing up some of her family’s estate business. Hope to maybe see some classmates when in Iowa City.

Otherwise, all is well in sunny Arizona! No polar vortex here! 

D Rinehart

P.S.My grand daughter has already figured out that grandpa is full of –it!!!!

Bonnie texted us today to let us know that her brother Mark died on the 12th of February. She gave us permission to post his obituary as a tribute to his life.

Mark William Tappan

Mark W. Tappan, 55 of Iowa City died Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Mark William Tappan was born May 30, 1958, in Iowa City, the son of Sheldon and Constance (Hastings) Tappan. He attended Iowa City Schools graduating from West High School in 1976. For many years he worked for the University of Iowa in the Facilities Management Dept.

His family includes his sons, Andy, James and Michael; granddaughter, Skylar Rose, siblings, Bonnie Weldon, Becky Tubandt, Melanie Tappan, Wendy Strabala; and Kevin Tappan; nieces, nephews, cousins; former wife and mother to his boys Deb Tappan, and a host of friends.

No public services are planned, private family services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.