Kurt Oja

KURT OJA

Cedar Rapids

Kurt Oja, 55, of Cedar Rapids, passed away, surrounded by immediate and extended family members, on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Kurt was diagnosed with and courageously battled myelodysplastic syndrome, which led to a very aggressive form of leukemia. Kurt was a kind man and amazing provider. His

number one priority was his wife and boys, and most recently, his grandkids. They all brought him much joy.

Kurt was born March 25, 1959, in Cedar Rapids, to Arne and Aary (Bebing) Oja. Growing up, Kurt traveled extensively with his family and older brother. Traveling became a lifelong passion for him. His Estonian heritage was very important and he enjoyed sharing his parents'

history.

He married Janet Baty on Aug. 10, 1985, in Cedar Rapids. Kurt always made it a point to tell Janet that he loved her and to compliment her every day. He would always say, "Whatever makes you happy, Jan." Janet is who she is today because of Kurt.

They had two sons,

Bradley Alan and Derek Ryan. One of the best times of his life was coaching his sons' T-ball, baseball, basketball and soccer teams. As they grew up, he was a dedicated father and fan, never missing a game.

Kurt was the ultimate vacation planner and party host. Not one detail was left unattended.

Kurt was a loyal employee at Alliant Energy and member of IBEW Local 204 for 34 years.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; son, Brad (Brooke) Oja and grandsons, Landon and Carter; son, Derek Oja; brother, Matt (Gail) Oja; nephew, Cameron; niece, Rachel; father-in-law, Ron (Kay) Baty; sister-in-law, Julie (Mark) Gutman; nephew, Shay; niece, Corey; brother-in-law, Dan (Dee) Baty; niece, Nicole; nephew, Harrison; aunt, Alice (Lloyd) Larson; cousins, Ken Larson, Mark (Terri) Larson and Kirk (Stacey) Larson; aunt, Ines Bebing; and his stepfamily, Bill (Barb Musgrove) Danskin, Jana (Jim) Anaya, Bill (Tami) Happel, Bob (Julie) Happel and their families; and special family member, Evelyn Lacock.

He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Marlene Danskin.

Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, May 29, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Kay Slocum officiating. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to the American Red Cross, Grant Wood Chapter; the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy; and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Iowa Chapter.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedar

memorial.com