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.
Friday, February 27, 2026
L.J. Takes
City: Monticello
Funeral Home
Goettsch Funeral Home
Friday, February 27, 2026
L.J. Takes
L.J. Takes
Monticello
L.J. Takes died peacefully Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, at Jones Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with interment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, with Military Honors. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and again after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. The Knights of Columbus Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. at the end of visitation. Fr. Issac Bouda and Deacon James Pasker will officiate at the service. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, has taken L.J and his family into their care.
Surviving are 2 children, Terri (Aaron) Tallman, Tony (Latishia) Takes, 4 grandchildren, Ethan (Trista Elgin), Ty, Alayna, Olivia. 13 Siblings: Jean Takes, Joan (Dan) Manternach, Mary Kay (Ron) Ackermann, Carolyn (Jerry) Manternach, Darlene Wilcox, Sally (Jeff) Sawyers, Tom (Mary), Alan (Liz) Takes, Alice Brighton, Carl (Jan) Takes, Charlie "Tuna" Takes, Robbie Takes and Bill (Vicki) Takes; a brother in-law, Pat Beckman and a foster-son, Dennis Riesberg; also surviving are Olivia’s mom and sister, Sarah and Taryn Schoon who were like family to L.J. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marie, a granddaughter, Madison Larson Tallman, a foster-child, Tina Marie Betzer and 2 siblings, Loretta Beckman and Joe Takes, and 2 brothers in-law, Steve Wilcox and Tom Brighton.
Lloyd James Takes was born August 7, 1945, at the McQuillen Maternity Home in Cascade, Iowa. He was the son of Lloyd and Elda Otting Takes. L.J. attended St. Peters Catholic school in Temple Hill. He started faming a young age with his parents. He worked for a brief time at the Anamosa Hospital. L.J. married Rose Marie Pasker, November 26, 1966, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. In 1970 he started Takes Electric and operated his company for over 50 years. At nighttime he always took Marie with him on calls. He also farmed in Richland Township where he raised cattle and built his collection of Oliver Tractors.
His interest in the Knights of Columbus as a member of Council 1821 in Monticello led him to become an Honorary Life Member, and a Past Grand Knight of the Council. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the 4th Degree Dubourg Assembly of Dubuque. L.J’s love was unconditional to his family and many friends, especially his grandchildren. He will be missed.

Daily Newsletters