John Toben

JOHN J. TOBEN

Cedar Rapids

John J. Toben, 72, left this life Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Mercy Medical Center. His wife and son were at his side. A Celebration of a life well lived will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at 2571 Otis Rd. SE. Those who knew him are welcome to come and share stories.

John was born Nov. 22, 1949, in Milwaukee. He was the second child and only son of Bernadette M. Toben and William F. Toben. He was gifted with four sisters. Mary Frances, Anne, Margaret and Therese. along with a strong mother, Bernadette, who taught him all he needed to know about how to treat a girl.

John attended Our Lady of Good Hope grade school and Marquette University High School in Milwaukee. Skipping school to watch new Harley Davidsons take their first ride out of the manufacturing plant was part of his education. He owned many and he could tell you all about each one. Around this time, he met and married Kathryn Belongie. They had their son, Jonathan before divorcing several years later. While working in the HVAC industry he attended Milwaukee School of Engineering for six years because HE LOVED IT; It's where he found his passion. He worked in sales in Milwaukee before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1988 to accept a job in international sales at Iowa Precision, where he worked for 20 years. In 2007, John started Sheet Metal Machinery in Lisbon, Iowa, doing what he loved most, building and designing plasma machines, meeting with customers and selling HVAC machinery to duct shops across the world.

He met his wife Bonnie in May 1990 and eight weeks after their meeting he had asked her to marry him. In August 1990, they were married. In their 32 years together, they had their son Joe, built their home, as John was a hands-on guy and proud of his woodworking skills, and bought an Airstream visiting 48 states at 85 mph a patient man, he was not. Even a country they didn't intend to visit. (When you make a wrong turn dragging an Airstream and end up in Canada, there is no turning around. Bonnie will admit she isn't the best co-pilot.)

John was an honest, loyal husband and father. His mission in life was whatever Bonnie wanted. She was always his first consideration in any decisions he ever made. A true husband. Although his four sisters are scattered around the country, they were always just a phone call away. He was proud of his grandchildren and took the time last summer to enjoy lots of golf with Joe, Jonathan and his grandsons, Haruki and Chase.

He leaves behind his wife, Bonnie; his sons, Jonathan and Joe; and a stepdaughter who he called his own, Kelly Kemmerling; four sisters, Mary Frances Schneider (Pete Belsha), Anne Vick (Ken), Margaret Hanson (John) and Therese Toben (Aaron Cohn); and three grandchildren, Haruki Toben, Chase and Kilian Kemmerling.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Bernadette Toben; father, William Toben; brother-in-law, Sy Schneider; and brother-in-law, Aaron Cohn.

John was not ready to go. He had plans for the next 20 years. He went much too soon. He will be dearly missed and there will be a forever huge hole in our hearts missing his wise cracks, his at times outrageous sense of humor and many times lack of filter. We all knew it came from a place of love. His heart was huge. We love you and will miss you forever.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.