Rehnstrom, Delores 'Dee'

Delores “Dee” Rehnstrom, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, with private interment following. Visitation will be at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19.

Dee is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Bernie; children, Alan (Linda) of Cedar Rapids, Brian (Vicki) of Marion and Amy of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren, Lindsey (Jordan) Bock of Alburnett, Nick Rehnstrom of Marion and Jonathan Rehnstrom of Denver, Colo. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Donnelly of Fairmont, Minn.; her sister-in-law, Ruth Miller of Baxter, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Dee was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great-grandson later this month.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Ida Miller of Alta, Iowa; her brother, Maurice Miller of Baxter, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Lou Donnelly of Fairmont, Minn.; and her grandson, Jeffrey Rehnstrom of Marion.

Dee was born in Alta, Iowa on Jan. 25, 1932. She received her degree from Buena Vista University and went on to teach kindergarten in Ida Grove, Iowa. She married Bernie Rehnstrom on June 19, 1955. After the birth of her children, she was a homemaker and active volunteer for St. Luke's Hospital and many other organizations. She was a member of Chapter DK of P.E.O. and active in women's organizations at Bethany Lutheran Church, where she and Bernie have been members for over 50 years. Dee was an avid bridge player and participated in several bridge marathons for her favorite charity, Camp Courageous. Dee was a long time member of Elmcrest Country Club.

Dee enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading and spending time with friends and family. She loved spending time with Bernie at their place on West Lake Okoboji. Dee especially loved animals and made sure that all of the birds surrounding her house were well fed during the winter. She has several granddogs and a grandcat waiting for her in heaven.

Dee was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend whose great sense of humor will be missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cottage Grove Place and the St. Luke's Hospice and Hospitalist tams for their compassionate care during Dee's illness.

Donations may be made in made in memory of Dee to Camp Courageous or Bethany Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be left at under Obituaries.

Published Aug. 18, 2013 in The Gazette