Todd, Eugene Spencer

Eugene Spencer Todd

Gene Todd passed on to heaven June 7, 2013. He died peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children and assured of his salvation.

Gene was born June 21, 1920, in Parkersburg, Ohio, to Clarence and Louise (Jackson) Tocus, and was married to Kathleen Barry of Van Horne, Iowa on Oct. 4, 1945. Gene was an injured World War II Navy Chief Petty Officer who met his wife as the nurse who helped bring him back to health. Their love of each other and of God were the cornerstone of their lives.

He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather whose mission in life was to bring light and a smile into every person he encountered.

Gene was an amazing musician whose strong bass singing voice could be heard everywhere from the church choir to singing Christmas carols to participating in the Golden Warblers. He loved to laugh, to play golf with his sons and was a great fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, but his greatest love was for his wife, his family and sharing their stories to anyone who would listen.

He was a member of the Iowa Realtors Association for many years and participated in Knights of Columbus. Gene gave freely of his time to many causes and supported Kathleen through her many faith-based adventures. His home was always open to anyone in need and despite having seven children there always was an extra bed available and an extra chair at the dinner table.

Gene is survived by his wife, Kathleen, Cedar Rapids; six children, Lee (Linda) Todd, Minneapolis, Darcy Todd, Canton, Mich., Tricia (Stephen) Wittmann-Todd, Seattle, Wash., Barry Todd, Rockford, Minn., Jon Todd, Minneapolis, and Michelle (Andy) Biller, Council Bluffs, and daughter-in-kind, Judy McDowell. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren, Peter and Adam Todd, Jeffrey King, Alicia Bray (King), Lizzie Olsen (Wittmann-Todd), Paul and Charlie Wittmann-Todd, Kaeli and Rialee Todd, Amanda, Samantha and Joe Biller. They also have eight great-grandchildren, Maya and Sadie Todd, Grayson and Harper Todd, Joshua and Melanie King, Isabel and Lyla Bray.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Anne Louise Todd; his brother, Edward Tocus; and his maternal grandmother, Lida Thomas, to whom he was especially close.

Viewing: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, at All Saints Catholic Church, 720 29th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, with vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, at All Saints Catholic Church. Interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery will immediately follow service.

Gene and family have identified the following memorial choices: Green Square Meals, 605 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; The Catherine McAuley Center (please designate the Anne Louise Todd Scholarship Fund) www.cmc-cr.org; or All Saints Catholic Church (Haiti Mission) www.allsaintscr.com.

Published June 9, 2013 in The Gazette