Obituaries : Kethella Marie Gardemann Merchant

Kethella Marie Gardemann Merchant

CEDAR RAPIDS:

Kethella Marie Gardemann Merchant of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Shellsburg and Vinton, died, Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg from complications of Lupus.

Visitation will held from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, October 12th at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 East Sixth Street in Vinton. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Monday, October 13, 2014 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4700 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids where friends may register after 10 AM on Monday. Eulogist Lyle Beaver and Pastors Bonnie Koeppen and Carroll Brown will officiate. Interment will be held at 1:30 PM, Monday at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg.

Kethella was born March 25, 1937 in Cedar Rapids to Irv and Opal (Van Deusen) Gardemann.

She loved people and never met a stranger having worked in the public all her life. Kethella and her mother owned Hobby Harbor in Vinton and she was employed as a secretary until retirement. She also served as manager at the Vinton Country Club.

In her leisure she enjoyed dancing and was always willing to help those in need.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John and Melea Merchant of Vinton; her granddaughter, Holly Merchant of MN; two great-grandchildren; her brothers, Louis (Juanita) Gardemann of Shellsburg and David (Byrene) Gardemann of MN; and many loving nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her wonderful friend, Robert Miller.

In addition to her parents, Kethella was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Merchant, and granddaughter, Jacque Merchant.

Kethella and her family are very grateful to her many friends who supported her during her life.

Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.