Gantz, Bernice 'Bunny'

Bernice “Bunny” Gantz, 90, of Iowa City, slipped quietly from a life filled with color, design, and adventure on Sept. 17, 2012, following long term complications of a stroke.

She was born Dec. 10, 1921, in Brooklyn, N. Y., to Murray Fisher and Rose “Billie” Lefkow Fisher. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn in 1938. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary for her father while taking classes at Pratt Institute of Fashion Design and other art schools in New York. In June 1941, she married Robert “Bob” Gantz and they subsequently spent the next 71 years of their lives together.

Bunny and Bob moved with the Air Force during World War II to Victorville, Calif.; to Abilene, Texas; to Salt Lake City, Utah; to Galveston, Texas; and to Pyote, Texas. During this time, Bunny held various secretarial positions. Bob and Bunny returned to New York City in February 1946 after discharge. Their son, Bruce, was born there in 1946.

The adventure of moving from New York City to Lake View, Iowa, began in May 1949. Together, Bunny and Bob established themselves in the grocery business in Lake View and participated fully in the life of the town. Their son, Evan, was born there in 1950.

Bunny was Bob's partner in the daily life of the store. In addition, she participated in all of the events and celebrations that Lake View, a vacation and resort destination town located on Black Hawk Lake, celebrated each year. Summers brought the summer carnival and winters brought the winter carnival and Bunny was always involved in the arts and parade events related to both of those special times. Pink was Bunny's color! She was also involved in amateur theatre. In 1958, she received an outstanding actress award for her portrayal of Rachel in the play “The Closet” which was staged at the 30th annual Iowa Play Production Festival at the University of Iowa.

After 28 years in business together in Lake View, Bunny and Bob moved to Fort Myers, Fla., in 1977. Bunny immersed herself in watercolor painting and golf. She was an active member of the women's board of Cypress Lakes Country Club, and to the surprise of Bob, she preferred watercolor to golf! She was involved with the Fort Myers Art Association, and the Fort Myers Beach Art Association, showing her watercolors extensively in juried exhibitions and receiving numerous prizes and citations for her work.

In 2005, Bunny and Bob returned to Iowa to live in Iowa City. They have resided at Oaknoll for the past four years. Bunny greatly enjoyed her watercolor classes with Jim Ochs at the Senior Center and in 2007, was honored that her painting titled “LeFleur” was published in the book “InSitu, a Collection of Literary and Visual Arts from the Iowa City Area.”

Bunny is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bob; two sons, Bruce (Mary) of Iowa City and Evan (Susan) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; five grandchildren, Rachel, Sophie, Ellen, Jessica, and Jay; three great-grandchildren, Charlie, Vivi, and Rose; her sister, Phyllis Gottlieb of New Jersey; and brother and sister-in-law, Sol and Catsy Gantz of New Jersey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Joan Cohen of New York; as well as one brother and sister-in-law, David and Doris Gantz of New York.

A memorial service will be held at Oaknoll in Iowa City in the near future.

Bunny's family would like to thank her devoted caregivers at Oaknoll as well as the compassionate staff at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for their care and concern throughout her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in care of the University of Iowa Foundation, or to the Oaknoll Foundation.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, where condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com

Published Sept. 20, 2012 in The Gazette