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.
Gordon Braatz
GORDON J. BRAATZ
Oxford
Gordon J. Braatz, 78, of Oxford, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville. Celebrating Gordon's life, a Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, where visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorials in Gordon's name may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Oxford First Responders or the Oxford American Legion. His cremated remains will be buried in Wisconsin, with a Mass at a later time. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.gayandciha.com.
Gordon Jerome Braatz was born Sept. 22, 1938, in Wausau, Wis., the son of Chester Hazen and Eunice Braatz. After high school, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force. On Feb. 4, 1958, Gordon married Joan D. Essex. Together they had three children and shared 46 years, until Joan's death. On Sept. 24, 2005, Gordon married Joan C. Rourke in Oxford.
In his working life, Gordon spent his years in management and sales with various companies throughout his career. He was a loyal Green Bay Packers fan and an avid outdoorsman who had a pole for every fish, enjoying many summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, fishing daily with treasured family and friends.
Moving to Iowa brought new adventures with many travels throughout the country and spending the winters in Texas.
His family includes his wife, Joan; his children, Carmell Tobalsky (Keith) of Kenosha, Wis., Jeff Braatz (Lori) of Merrill, Wis., and Brett Braatz (Patti) of Bend, Ore.; Joan's children, Gatana Stoner (Michael) of Fairfax and Terry Rourke (Stephanie) of North Liberty; grandchildren, Josh Braatz, Jessie Geurink (Jeff), Tera Tenuta (John), Ashley Chrisinger (Dave), Brianna Hardy (Troy), Sara Severe (Russ), Sonya Moses (Korie), Brannan Stoner (Kristi) and Mariah, Nile and Chase Rourke, as well as 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shelly Miklig of Wisconsin and Pat Rehfeldt (Ray) of Nevada; brother-in-law, Herb Jobs of Wisconsin; and his sister-in-law, Lois Hermans.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joan D.; and siblings, Gary Hermans and Sharon Jobs.
Gordon always had a smile for everyone he met, friend or stranger. He was a quiet, gentle man with a strong belief in his God, he loved his country and enjoyed telling great fishing stories. He was well respected by all who came to know him.
Daily Newsletters