Theodore “Ted” Mercer

Theodore “Ted” Mercer

Cedar Rapids

Theodore “Ted” Harlan Mercer, 90, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 AM, at the chapel. The burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in the Garden of Tranquility.

A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Theodore “Ted” Mercer, under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Ted was born December 12, 1933, in Holly Springs, Iowa to James and Althea Mercer. He grew up in Hornick, Iowa and graduated from Sergeant Bluff High School in 1952. Ted enlisted in the Air Force in 1953, was sent to basic training and then to radio school at Warner Air Force base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1954, Ted was assigned to a NATO base just outside Paris, France to help with communications during the Korean conflict.

In 1957 he returned home and went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Sioux City, Iowa. While working there, he met and married Kathleen Chaussee. They had three children together: David (1958), Luann (1962), Thomas (1965). During his career with Northwestern Bell, Ted was promoted several times, moving his family to Des Moines, Sioux City, Urbandale, Davenport and Cedar Rapids. He retired from Qwest in 1993. During the many transfers, the family relied on each other for support and comfort, accounting for the close bond they continue to share.

Ted enjoyed fishing, golf, hunting, and reading of America’s history. He was an avid fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a special love of hybrid tea roses and spent many hours caring for various cultivars of roses. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his brother, Rich (Barb) Mercer of Salix, Iowa, his children: David (Kimberly) of Ankeny, Iowa, Luann (Jim) Yanecek of Solon, Iowa, Thomas (Jeanne) of Dubuque, Iowa, six grandchildren: Micaela (Dylan) Dyer, Karina (Bryan) Wakefield, Marie (Alex) Bogh, Daniel (Allyson) Yanecek, Andrew Mercer (Haley), David Mercer and nine great-grandchildren: Nellie Dyer, Mercer Wakefield, Geneva Dyer, Eliza Wakefield, Judson Dyer, Theodora Bogh, Pierce Dyer, Caroline Wakefield and Quinn Yanecek.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents James and Althea Mercer, his sister Mildred Abrahamson of Sioux City, Iowa, brothers Jim of Gulfport, Mississippi, Bob of Homer, Nebraska and his beloved spouse, Kathleen.

The family would like to thank Mercy Medical Center doctors, nurses, and hospice caregivers for the wonderful attention and care they gave to our father over the last several weeks. Your kindness and loving care are greatly appreciated.

Ted had deep faith and a strong belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved the Lord above all things, and we rejoice that he has been welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Ted’s family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.