Altenhofen, William 'Bill' J.

William “Bill” J. Altenhofen, 77, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion, following a long illness with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion by Father John Gossman. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Rosanne, of Marion; a daughter, Lynn DeNaples (and her friend Jeff Hubler) of Fountain Valley, Calif.; a son, Daniel, of Marion; and a granddaughter, Kristina DeNaples.

He also is survived by a brother, Clair Paul, of Taylors, S.C.; two sisters, Patricia Altenhofen of Sigourney, and Maribeth Peyton of Marion; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Gertrude (Laux) Altenhofen; two brothers, Dean and Jerome Altenhofen; a sister, Dolores Jeffery Petersen; three sisters-in-law, Gay Altenhofen, Jerry Martin and Rita Snow; and five brothers-in-law, Bob Jeffery, Dale Peyton, Ray Martin, John Martin and Arnold Hanson Jr.

William J. Altenhofen was born on Feb. 22, 1933, near Harper, Iowa. He was born the son of Edmund and Gertrude (Laux) Altenhofen. William graduated from Thornburg High School in 1951. From 1951 until 1969, he worked for Iowa Manufacturing. In 1969, he became a real estate agent and enjoyed selling real estate until his retirement in January of 2003.

Bill joined the U.S. Army in 1953. He served two years at Fort Smith, Ark., and Fairbanks, Alaska. On Sept. 21, 1974, he was united in marriage with Rosanne Martin. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, Knights of Columbus No. 5390 of Marion, Marion American Legion Post 298, and was involved with Habitat for Humanity.

For the past two years Bill had resided at Willow Gardens Care Center and his family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses, CNAs and all the staff for their very special care given to him. We also want to thank Hospice of Mercy for their care and compassion at this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Iowa Chapter of American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc., or Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Bill enjoyed being with his family and friends. He loved the time he was able to spend with his granddaughter. He enjoyed mall walking and playing cards. He never knew a stranger.

Please sign the online guest book for Bill at under obituaries.