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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Thomas McKenna
THOMAS MCKENNA
Cedar Rapids
Thomas Patrick McKenna passed away at home with his family by his side Saturday, March 22, 2014, from a short
illness.
Thomas was born Aug. 29, 1939, in New York City, to Thomas and Martha (Donohue) McKenna. He was an Irish born first generation after his parents immigrated to America. After attending Flushing High School, Tom enlisted and served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1962. He worked in maintenance at Geneva Tower and later at the Cherry Building. He loved growing his own garden and flower plants, starting them in late winter and tending to their fruits all summer long. Tom loved giving his starter plants to friends and family so they also could enjoy his love of gardening.
Thomas married Radell Boddicker Eiler on Nov. 3, 2006, at St. Ludmila
Catholic Church.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Radell; and Radell's stepchildren,
Jason (Deb) Eiler, Atkins, Preston Eiler, Marion, and Adam Eiler of Houston, Texas; and Radell's grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Hunter, Jacob and Emma Eiler.
Thomas also is survived by his brother, John and wife Karen of East Northport, N.Y.; sister, Sister Martha McKenna and Sister Patricia O'Neill (who was like a sister to him), both of Hampton Bays, N.Y.; nephew, John Thomas McKenna and wife Robin Driscoll, Wendell, Mass.; niece, Karen Mary (Paul) Toft, Valley Glen, Calif.; and Dan's wife, Cheryl McKenna, Greenfield, Mass.; mother-in-law, Marjorie Boddicker; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rhonda and Barry Franck and Jolene and Allen Walter; great-nieces and nephews, Neal, Dillon (Ashlee), Giovanna McKenna, Brennan and Chelsea McKenna, Mickey Toft and Jen Santoriello (Pat Mellon), Robb (Tammy) Franck, Jodie (Wes) Obermueller and Karrie (Mitch) Price; and 11 great-great-nieces and nephews.
He also is survived by a special family friend, Carolyn Kinney.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Elizabeth Darnell; and nephew, Daniel McKenna.
Funeral Mass, with military rites, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church with Father Dennis Juhl presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Private burial will be at St. Patrick's and St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery, Watkins, Iowa, at a later date.
A memorial fund has been established.
Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.
com under Obituaries.
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