116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Julie Marie Alexander
Age: 64
City: Marengo
Funeral Home
Powell Funeral Home
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Julie Marie Alexander
Julie Marie Alexander
Marengo
Julie Marie Alexander was born October 26, 1960, in Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth and Marian (Bral) Gorsch. She graduated from Iowa Valley High School in 1979. Julie grew up in rural Marengo and lived in Marengo throughout her life. Julie was united in marriage to Greg Wagner on April 23, 1981. They later divorced. Julie was united in marriage to Kevin Alexander on October 29, 1994 in Victor and to this union they were blessed with two kids. Kevin also brought a stepchild into Julie's life. They later divorced. Julie worked at Iowa Valley Eye Care (formerly Dr. Susan Davis) for 40 years. Julie was very active in her community, earning the Governor Volunteer Award in 2008. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and was a Sunday School teacher for 40 years, former director of Religious Education, vacation bible school volunteer, former parish council secretary and Altar and Rosary President. Julie was also a former Iowa Valley PTO secretary, Marengo Community Center/Senior Dining volunteer, the treasurer of the MCC Board of Directors, City Park sign, and co-founder of the Marengo Tree Walk. She enjoyed scrapbooking, crafts, decorating and supporting her children when they were in school going to all of their activities and events. One of her greatest accomplishments was raising her children as a single parent. After a long battle with cancer, Julie died peacefully Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Compass Memorial Healthcare, at the age of 64 years.
She is survived by her children, Austin (Alyssa) Alexander of Des Moines, Kyra (Mitchell) Thys of Hartwick and stepson Tyler (Michelle) Alexander of North Liberty; three grandchildren, Karter Thys, William and Ryan Alexander; siblings, Janet (Doug) Emerson of Marengo, JoAnn (Scott) Long of Blairstown and Jeff Gorsch of Marengo; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a niece in infancy.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo with Fr. Lemaster and Fr. Wilkening officiating. Burial will be held in the Calvary Cemetery in Marengo. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 3:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo. Powell Funeral Home in Marengo is caring for Julie and her family. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.