Obituaries : Louie Gardemann

Louie Gardemann, 79 of Shellsburg died Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Manor Care in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg with Rev. Mark Leckband officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 PM, Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 East Sixth Street in Vinton. A Memorial Fund has been established. Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com Louie was born January 1, 1939 in Cedar Rapids to Irving and Opal (Van Deusen) Gardemann. He served in the United States Navy for two years. Louie was united in marriage to Juanita Patterson on September 21, 1958 in Cedar Rapids. He owned and operated Gardemann Excavating for forty years. In 1996, Louie developed Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg and it was family operated until 2009. He was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg. Always active in his community, Louie served on the Shellsburg School Board, was a longtime member and served many terms as President of the Shellsburg Lions Club, a member of the Ray and Virginia Boyer American Legion Post #166. He was also a thirty-year member of the Shellsburg Volunteer Fire Department, serving as President for many years. Louie also was instrumental in founding and building of Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg and was President of that board for many years. Louie was a leader in his community, donating time and money to many projects for the betterment of Shellsburg including the Shellsburg Library, baseball diamond, Shellsburg School and parks. He was a kind and considerate person, never having a bad word for anyone. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Juanita of Shellsburg; children, Twyla Gardemann of Vinton and Tim Gardemann of Cedar Rapids; his brother, David Gardemann of Mankato, Minnesota and several nieces and nephews. Louie was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kethella Merchant and her daughter, Cindy and granddaughter, Jacque and his sister-in-law, Byrene Gardemann.