William Eden

WILLIAM EDEN

Iowa City

William D. Eden, 85, of rural Iowa City, died suddenly while working at his farm on Friday, July 29, 2016.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hills. The Rev. Lou Leonhardt will officiate. Burial will follow in Lone Tree Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, where a parish vigil service will begin at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous, National FFA Organization, Swank Church Cemetery or St. Joseph's Church in Hills.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.

Bill was born Feb. 9, 1931, in Johnson County, the son of Charles and Hilma (Benson) Eden. Growing up on the family farm, Bill graduated from Lone Tree High School. He was united in marriage to Delores Greazel on Feb. 1, 1962, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. Bill served with the U.S. Army Reserves from 1950 to 1958.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council. Bill was a trustee for Pleasant Valley Township and served for Atrium Village on its Patient Advocate Committee. He was proud to serve on the Lone Tree school board, of which he served several terms as president.

Bill farmed his entire life. He never met a stranger; if he did, they were not a stranger when they parted. His interest in people and his involvement with family and activities were hard to equal. Bill loved his family, friends and community and he showed that with his caring and sharing of time and knowledge.

He had many blessings and through his life, two of his favorites were his granddaughters, Katie and Olivia. His lifelong saying was "My word is my bond and my handshake is the only contract I need."

Bill is survived by his wife, Delores; children, Denise (Jeffrey) Reschly of Riverside, Deanne Eden of Iowa City, William Eden of Prairie du Sac, Wis., and Debora Friederichs (Dean) of Walcott; granddaughters, Kathryn Friederichs of Walcott and Olivia Reschly of Riverside; brother and sisters, Hubert Eden (Irmgard) of Fredericksburg, Va., Marion Eden of Hills, Betty Kirchner of Iowa City and Lavon (David) Kirkpatrick of Iowa City; cousins, Wendell (Betty) Eden of Washington, Iowa, Beverly (Don) Felt of Desert Hot Springs, Calif., and Margaret Eden of Sun City, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carroll and his wife, Elma, and Robert and his wife, Elaine; sister, Florence Millsap and her husband, Ken; cousin, Don Eden; sister-in-law, Carolyn Eden; and brother-in-law, Don Kirchner.

Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.