Glenn H. Kaiser

Glenn H. Kaiser

Coralville

Glenn H. Kaiser, 90, peacefully passed from this life on Friday, September 5, 2025. In recent years he struggled with dementia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday, September 12, 2025 at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Coralville, IA. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Church. Burial with military honors will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Meals on Wheels or Catholic Charities.

Glenn was born on February 4, 1935 in Rolfe, Iowa, the son of Helmer and Evelyn (Ferden) Kaiser. He was the oldest of 6 boys. Glenn was a high school letter winner in football, basketball, baseball and track. Rolfe is where he learned the values and morals of small-town Iowa. The family attended St. Margaret Catholic Church.

Glenn received a bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista College (BV) where he played football. He earned his master’s degree in botany from the University of Iowa. He also served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard. After graduating from BV, he accepted a teaching position at Dows Community Schools.

On August 25, 1962, Glenn entered into the sacrament of marriage with Nancy Sue Barnes. Nancy was also a teacher at Dows. Together they raised their four children, Michael, Mark, Christopher and Lisa. He was a highly dedicated family man. He was a Boy Scout Den leader and was instrumental in the construction of a new swimming pool in Dows in the early 70's. He was very proud of the joy that the pool brought to the community. He was also proud of the Dows Tigers, which inspired him to create the song “Yada, Yada, Yada go to Dows High School”. On occasion, he would lead the student body in singing this song at pep rallies before a big game.

He relied on and cherished his wife Nancy throughout their 63 years of marriage. He recognized that Nancy shared the values of family life and knew that she would help him to provide a loving and nurturing home to raise a family. He loved his family and later delighted in the “pitter patter” of his eight grandchildren.

Glenn taught high school science for 35 years at Dows. He was very proud of a course that he created titled “Ethics, Morals and the Environment” (EME). He had a love of plants and flowers, especially orchids. In his teaching years, Glenn created an herbarium, which he later donated to BV. He also coached football and track.

In 1993, Glenn and Nancy moved to Iowa City. After their move, he substitute-taught science in Iowa City. He would often receive job offers after a day on the job. However, he enjoyed his retirement and instead of returning to the classroom, he fully immersed himself into the life of a “Man of Leisure”. He pursued tennis, spending time with family and friends and was an avid fan of the Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed watching the games with Nancy. He also earned the title of “Sod Master” after helping to repair the sod divots at halftime of a football game at Kinnick Stadium.

Glenn enjoyed fishing and setting up electric trains with his grandkids at Christmas. When they moved to Iowa City, he enjoyed playing tennis with his tennis group. Glenn was always up for a good debate with family and friends and thrived on the sharing of knowledge and wisdom.

Glenn is survived by and will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Nancy and their children: Michael (Wendy) Kaiser, Mark Kaiser, Christopher (Sara) Kaiser, and Lisa Menner; grandchildren: Jameson, Ozzie, Nathan, Carson, Emma, Thomas, Andrew and Matthew; siblings; Gary (Bonnie) Kaiser and Kurt (Becky) Kaiser; sister-in-law, Joan Kaiser, sister-in-law Barbara (Dean) Randall, brother-in-law Charles (Jeanie) Barnes and numerous nieces and nephews.

Glenn was preceded by his parents, siblings: Paul (Therese), Greg and Lee, in-laws Elden and Dolly Barnes, brother-in-law Leland Barnes, sister-in-law Linda (Lavelle) Deckard, niece Lori Kaiser and nephews Aaron Kaiser and Kenny Barnes.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com.