Elvert F. "Al" Lombard

Elvert F. "Al" Lombard

Iowa City

Elvert F. “Al” Lombard was born May 30, 1928, to Fred and Hazel (Stumpf) Lombard in Fonda, Iowa. He grew up on a farm with four brothers: James, Thomas, Charles and Francis and one sister, Darlyne.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and following his service, attended Indiana Tech and earned a degree in engineering. Al worked for the Iowa DOT at offices in Manchester, Iowa City and Washington. He met his wife Mildred ‘Millie’ in Manchester at the hotel cafe, Millie was a waitress there. They were married on Veterans Day in 1961.

Al and Millie raised three children: Susan, Michael and Mary. Shortly after Mary was born, Al was transferred from Manchester to Iowa City. He survived a serious car accident on his way to pick up the keys to their house on Spruce Street. Outside of work Al was active with St. Patrick’s Church where he was an usher and ecumenical minister. He learned reflexology to help improve Michael’s asthma when he was young. He loved to tinker with and fix things. Al and Millie were an active couple; they loved to dance, play cards and were very much a part of their four grandchildren’s lives. Al and Millie did most everything together.

Following Al’s retirement, they started a cleaning service which kept them physically active and busy! In late 2017 they moved to an apartment at Atrium Village in Hills. They enjoyed getting to know new neighbors through their activities and shared meals.

Millie passed away on Aug. 30, 2020, and following her death the children recognized that Al’s dementia had worsened. He moved to Atrium’s care center wing where the staff took excellent care of him. The family especially appreciates how Paula the activity coordinator helped him enjoy painting, music and found all sorts of ways to have fun.

Al passed away July 22, 2022, from complications of Alzheimer’s. Susan, Michael and Mary thank the entire staff of Atrium Village for providing a wonderful place filled with love, care and fellowship for their parents. There’s a memorial bench outside Atrium Village with Al’s fitting words, “We couldn’t have found a better place.”

Al is survived by his sister, Darlyne; his children, Susan (Jim Ford), Michael (Megan Strong) and Mary (Dick McDonnell); four grandchildren, Brianna and Shelby Lombard, Sean (Corina) Barry of Norwalk and Christopher Barry (Kelly Cannon) of Waukee; and two he loved as his own, grandchildren: Kodie and Shaye Strong; two great-grandchildren, Baer (Brianna) and Malea (Sean); and extended family.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. A funeral Mass to honor Al and Millie will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church on a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in his honor to Atrium Village for the activity fund and planting a tree in his name.

Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.