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Carmen Musser
CARMEN LOUISE MUSSER
Riverside
Carmen Louise Musser, 72, of Riverside, died peacefully on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2017, surrounded by her family. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Riverside, where a prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Following the visitation, friends are welcome to join the family for a meal and time of sharing at St. Mary's Parish Hall. Family committal services will be held at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at UIHC.
Carmen was born Feb. 24, 1945, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Gordon and Emma Minear Neal. Carmen grew up on the "Neal Century" farm north of Mount Vernon. She was a 1963 graduate of Mount Vernon High School and attended the University of Iowa. Carmen married Larry Musser at St. Mary's Church in Riverside.
Carmen was employed in the department of ophthalmology at UIHC for over 40 years. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
For decades, Carmen, her family and friends traveled and camped. She loved family vacations, road trips and riding her bike throughout Europe and on RAGBRAI. She was a lifelong, dedicated Iowa Hawkeye football fan, having season tickets and attending numerous road games and bowl games. Carmen was a gifted seamstress. She could create and customize any item friends or family desired. The Iowa State Fair was a special event that Carmen shared throughout the years with family. She especially enjoyed weekly breakfast and cards with friends. Most important to Carmen were her family, adventures with her brothers and sister and attending every family event, especially those involving her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her love and joy. Carmen will be greatly missed.
Carmen is survived by her children, Duane (Shannon) Musser of Williamsburg and Beth (Ted) Merdan of Champlin, Minn.; four grandchildren, McKenzie and Colton Musser and Gracyn and Brielle Merdan; former spouse, Larry; three siblings, Tom (Sandy) Neal of Cocoa, Fla., Sharon (Gary) Urich of Iowa City and Jeri (Barb) Neal of Mount Vernon; and nieces and nephews.
Carmen was preceded in death by her parents.
Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.
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