George Joens

GEORGE A. JOENS

Cedar Rapids

George A. Joens, 82, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, peacefully at home surrounded by family. The family will greet visitors from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with burial to follow at Czech National Cemetery.

George was born Feb. 22, 1935, to Frank and Martha (Kuncl) Joens. He graduated from Wilson High School and served in the Army in Fort Sill, Okla. He met his "farm girl," Carol "Kay" Sauter, of Millersburg at a dance and they married July 18, 1959. After a short time working for Valenta Plumbing, he joined his twin brother, Frank, and opened TruArt Carpet, later changing the name to Joens Brothers Interiors, when his two younger brothers (Don and Jim) joined the business. He retired in 2011.

George was an incredible father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and always put his family first. He taught all of them the importance and power of togetherness and that we are stronger together than we ever could be alone.

He was known for big and bold ideas and he had a deep love for his Czech heritage and promoting it. He was instrumental in bringing to life the Czech Village Association and always looking for ways to draw traffic to the area. That eventually led to the creation of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which was dedicated by the president of the Czech Republic, president of Slovakia and the president of the United States in 1995. He also worked tirelessly to find a Czech artist (Jan Kotek) to make a stone replica of the famous St. Ludmila and St. Wenceslaus sculpture in Prague, which now is on display at Czech Heritage Park at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

He also was a valuable member of the Prairie Booster Club, where he supported all of his kids in their activities. He loved videotaping football games. This led to play-by-play commentary with his friends, Paul, Jerry and Dave, on cable TV. One of his proudest accomplishments was that all six of his kids graduated from the University of Iowa, and he became a lifelong track and field fan.

His love of sports and family combined when he created the Joens Family Olympics. More than 100 family and friends would participate in athletic team events. Ironically, he was in his 40s when he started running and ended up completing multiple Drake Relay marathons.

George was an avid gardener and enjoyed being outdoors. He raised chickens and geese and even a few peacocks. He loved Christmas and started a Christmas tree farm and the entire family worked on it together.

He loved that his family was part of other family's holiday tradition of cutting their own trees. When the kids were little, they enjoyed summers at their cabin. Eventually, they sold the cabin and built a pool at home so everyone could stay active and have fun.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay; his children, Craig (Helen), Scott (Robin), Angie, Sara Griffin (Troy Burckhartt) and Doug (Jeanne) Joens; 14 grandchildren, Amy, Sam, Kaitlyn, Rachel, Meghan, Jackson, Cael, Brody, Johnny, Emma, Karaleigh, Benjamin, Tate and Paisley; and one great-granddaughter, Brinlee. Also surviving are his brothers, Frank (Jan) Joens and Jim (Karen); and sister-in-law, Terri Joens; and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his son, Jason; brother, Don; and his parents.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit the Czech Heritage Park at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

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

K místum, kteráza to stojí, neexistují žá

dné zkratky.

There are no short cuts to any place worth going.