116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Gerald Zahradnik
GERALD "JERRY" ZAHRADNIK
Cedar Rapids
Gerald "Jerry" Raymond Zahradnik, 74, passed away in his home with his family by his side on May 19, 2015, after a courageous battle against cancer. The family will greet friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Brosh Chapel, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Celebration of Life services will be held on Friday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Brosh Chapel. Burial will follow in Rogers Grove Cemetery near Ely.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Jessie (Booth) Zahradnik.
Survivors include his wife, Rae Ellen (Waldeck) Zahradnik; his four sons, Douglas M. Zahradnik, Daniel (Cheryl) Zahradnik, Dean (Shelly) Zahradnik and David (Adrianna) Zahradnik; and his seven grandchildren, Gabrielle, Noah, Taylor, Reed, Will, Blake and Zach. Survivors also include his brothers, Robert (Barb) Zahradnik, Norman (Terry) Zahradnik and Carl (Barb) Zahradnik; and his extended children and grandchildren, Kleber (Neila), Bruno and Mila Vallim of Brazil, and Larissa Weyns of Belgium.
Jerry was born on Oct. 20, 1940, in Cedar Rapids. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School and Iowa State University. On July 6, 1963, he married Rae Ellen Waldeck in Andover, N.Y. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church near Ely. Jerry founded Vector Corp. in 1972 and employed hundreds of area workers and considered them his extended family. He served on numerous civic organizations including being a charter member of the Sunrise Rotary. He was also a member of both the Marion and Lisbon Economic Development organizations.
Jerry had many hobbies, including attending the numerous events of his grandchildren, restoring vintage John Deere tractors, participating in vintage tractor rides around the Midwest, wintering in California and golfing with his many friends.
Jerry was a business and community leader, a humanitarian and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by many but never forgotten.
The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Warren and the oncology department at PCI, Unity- Point Hospice and HomeChoice Senior Care for their support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice in memory of Jerry.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.
Daily Newsletters