Kethella Merchant

KETHELLA MERCHANT

Cedar Rapids

Kethella Marie Gardemann Merchant of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Shellsburg and Vinton, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, at Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg from complications of lupus. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4700 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, where friends may register after 10 a.m. on Monday. Eulogist Lyle Beaver and Pastors Bonnie Koeppen and Carroll Brown will officiate. Interment will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg.

Kethella was born March 25, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, to Irv and Opal (Van Deusen) Gardemann. She loved people and never met a stranger, having worked with the public all her life. Kethella and her mother owned Hobby Harbor in Vinton and she was employed as a secretary until retirement. She also served as manager at the Vinton Country Club.

In her leisure, she enjoyed dancing, and was always willing to help those in need.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John and Melea Merchant of Vinton; her granddaughter, Holly Merchant of Minnesota; two great-grandchildren; her brothers, Louis (Juanita) Gardemann of Shellsburg and David (Byrene) Gardemann of Minnesota; and many loving nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her wonderful friend, Robert Miller.

In addition to her parents, Kethella was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Merchant, and granddaughter, Jacque Merchant.

Kethella and her family are very grateful to her many friends who supported her during her life.

Condolences may be left at www.phillips funeralhomes.com.