Luxa, Joseph James

Joseph James Luxa, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital. Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 22, at Hope Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dan Clark-Bridges presiding. Burial will follow in Czech National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Joseph was born March 1, 1931, in Stanton County, Neb., the son of Joe and Frances (Fisher) Luxa. He married Marcella Curtis on Sept. 25, 1954, in Omaha, Neb. He served as a chaplain's assistant in the U.S. Army. Joe worked as a business manager for Mack Truck, and salesman for White Motor Co., Case Power & Equipment, Cummins Diesel and Centel Cellular. He was a very active and dedicated member of Hope Lutheran Church and member of the choir, treasurer of the Church Council and president of Lutheran Men in Mission (ELCA synod). He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Faith in Action and a member of the Toddville Lions Club. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, square dancing and playing cards with family and friends.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marcey; his children, Paula Jo Schmitt and Michael Curtis Luxa, both of Cedar Rapids, and Jana Jean (Paul) Ratz of Naperville, Ill.; and five grandchildren, Andrea Luxa, Courtney, Colin and Colten Ratz and Morgan Schmitt.

Joe was a very loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and very special pups, Coco and Kaya.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Published March 21, 2013 in The Gazette