Van Etten, John Trumbo

John Trumbo Van Etten, 84, passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, after being diagnosed in June 2012 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. He was a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since 1964. Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 2000 First Ave. NW. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Private family inurnment will be in Czech National Cemetery.

John was born on Feb. 21, 1928, to Alma (Ehrler) and Frank Van Etten in Mendota, Ill. He attended LaSalle-Peru Oglesby Community College and the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana. John studied Dairy Science and played center and nose guard on the football squad.

While at LaSalle-Peru, John met Marilyn Strattan, and they later married on June 25, 1950; they lived in Dixon, Ill. After graduation, John worked for Borden's Dairy Inc. as dairy field man. The Van Ettens relocated to Cedar Rapids in 1964 where John became Midwest district manager for Borden's Dairy Product Distribution. John later was a district salesman for Kemps Ice Cream and retired in 1990.

John was an avid camper, fisherman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed spending time and working on the family farm near Walker, Iowa. John loved traveling and learning about the world around him, and was inherently interested in history, current events, nature, animals and those around him. He deeply cared for his family and was a longtime member of Christ Church Presbyterian, since 1964. John will be remembered for his hard work ethic, dedication, love for his family and his fascination of nature.

Most importantly, John's life centered around his love for his wife, Marilyn.

John was survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn; and their four children, Frank Strattan (and Linda) Van Etten of Walker, Tom Trumbo (and Vickie) Van Etten of Cedar Rapids, Mary Beth (and Gary) Van Hemert of Mason City and Benjamin Palmer Van Etten of Mount Vernon.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Becky (Rebecca) Ann, Joel Strattan, Andrew Trumbo, Ann Marie, Catherine Ann, Erin “Ernie” Christine, John Louis, Sara Beth, Hanna Beth and Benjamin Levi.

John is survived by eight great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by a brother, Dan Van Etten and his wife Lorraine of Poynette, Wis.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alma Van Etten; siblings, Curt Van Etten and Jean Wiley; a daughter-in-law, Carey; and a great-grandson, Luke.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 14, 2012.