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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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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.
McGrane, Joseph L.
Joseph L. McGrane, 73, of Manchester, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, at home south of Manchester. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at St. Mary Catholic Church, by the Rev. John Flaherty. Visitation: 2 p.m. rosary service, with visitation until 8 p.m., Monday at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Manchester and one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Burial: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester, with military honors by Manchester American Legion Post 45.
Joe was born near Garryowen, Iowa, on March 23, 1937, the son of Joseph and Lorraine (Timp) McGrane. He was raised and educated in the Cascade area. On Nov. 4, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marian Schlueter in Ryan. Six children were born to this union. Joe was employed as a welder at Allis Chalmers in Cedar Rapids. He joined the U.S. Army in August 1960, serving until February 1961. After discharge from the Army, the couple moved to a farm southeast of Manchester in 1964. Joe farmed as well as worked for the West Delaware school system as a bus driver for 33+ years.
Joe was a member of the Manchester Legion, National Farmers Organization, St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, and was an active member of the Democratic Party.
Joe enjoyed his family, friends, being on the farm and especially his grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marian McGrane; six children, Joseph C. McGrane of Manchester, Daniel McGrane of Colesburg, Colleen (Gary) Sedlacek of North Liberty, Patty (Cory) Harms of Ames, Michael McGrane of West Newton, Mass., and Suzy (Scott) Hop of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Rachel and Kyle Harms and Sophie Sedlacek; three stepgrandchildren; Kenzie, Morgen and Max Sedlacek; two brothers, Pat (Ruth) McGrane of Manchester and Jim (Rita) McGrane of Albuquerque, N.M.; and five sisters, Darlene (Bill) Martin of St. Paul, Minn., Elaine (Kenneth) Schwarzhoff of Manchester, Marilyn (Gary) Smith of Manchester, Rita Goebel of Worthington and Monica (Jim) Heiserman of Manchester.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lorraine McGrane.
Please sign the online guest book for Joe at under obituaries.
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