Richard Sternitzke

RICHARD STERNITZKE

Iowa City

Richard O. Sternitzke, 97, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City. A funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. Pastor Jennifer Lutz will officiate. A visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial, with military honors, will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to Iowa City Hospice, American Cancer Society or Zion Lutheran Church.

Richard was born April 14, 1918, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Oscar and Mabel Johnson Sternitzke. He graduated from Fort Dodge High School, Fort Dodge Junior College and the University of Iowa, where he received his bachelor's degree in English and speech. Richard was an Army captain in World War II and was granted a Bronze Star medal. He owned the Stillwell Paint Store in Iowa City until he retired in 1980. He married Mildred Siders in 1943; she died in 1985. He met the love of his life, Betty, in Iowa City and they were married in 1986.

Richard was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, Noon Rotary Club International and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; stepdaughter, Jeanne Gagnon; stepgrandchildren, Alan and Jennifer Jensen; brother, Robert (Betty); sister, Betty Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mildred; and his brother, Kenneth.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.