Longfellow, Murray H. Jr.

Murray H. Longfellow Jr., 76, of Marengo, died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 26, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, with the Rev. Matt German officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established.

Murray is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two sons, Robert of Cedar Rapids and William and wife Lea of Alburnett; and four grandchildren, Andrew Longfellow with the U.S. Navy in Japan, Gregory Longfellow (Stephanie) of Cedar Rapids and Sarah and Rachel Longfellow of Alburnett.

Also surviving are two sisters, Joyce Stewart of Vinton and Mary Cejka (Bernie) of Hiawatha.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters in infancy, Charlotte Evelyn and Grace Delores; and a brother, Edward L. in 2008.

Murray Harlen Longfellow Jr. was born April 17, 1937, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Murray Harlen Longfellow and Grace VanVelkenburg Longfellow. He attended Edgewood School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Keller schools and Martinsville High School in Missouri. He served his country with the U.S. Army Reserves, being honorably discharged in 1962. Murray was united in marriage to Charlotte Jean Kasak on Oct. 29, 1960, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. He farmed in Linn and Benton counties until 1981, then went to work at the printing plant in Marengo, until his retirement in 2006. Murray enjoyed fishing, camping and woodworking. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his family and his dog, Chu Chu.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at .

Published in The Gazette July 23, 2013.