Berdine Fern Whitehead
August 18, 1926 — February 6, 2023
Berdine Fern Whitehead, 96, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, February 6, 2023. A visitation will be held from 1 – 2 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Chris Slama officiating. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Berdine was born August 18, 1926, in Hollandale, Minnesota, the daughter of Murray and Ethel (Stewart) Leanhart. She graduated from New Sharon High School. Berdine played basketball in high school and went to the state championship. She was united in marriage to Jack G. Whitehead on February 6, 1943, in Lancaster, Missouri. Berdine dedicated her life to raising her children. She was a longtime member of New Disciples Church in Cedar Rapids. Berdine was a lifetime Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved watching them play or listening to their games on the radio. She especially loved cheering on grandchildren at their sporting events.
Survivors include her children, Linda (Leon) Jones, Joyce (James) O’Brien, and Tommy (Mary) Whitehead; grandchildren, Candy, Scott, Kelly, Becky, John, Jenni, Todd, Joe, Julie, and Glenda; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Whitehead; parents, Murray and Ethel Leanhart; two brothers; four sisters; and one son-in-law.
Memorials may be directed to New Disciples Church, 610 32nd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
The family would like to thank the staff at RidgeView Assisted Living, St. Croix Hospice, and friends for all the love and care they gave to “B.”
Berdine was born August 18, 1926, in Hollandale, Minnesota, the daughter of Murray and Ethel (Stewart) Leanhart. She graduated from New Sharon High School. Berdine played basketball in high school and went to the state championship. She was united in marriage to Jack G. Whitehead on February 6, 1943, in Lancaster, Missouri. Berdine dedicated her life to raising her children. She was a longtime member of New Disciples Church in Cedar Rapids. Berdine was a lifetime Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved watching them play or listening to their games on the radio. She especially loved cheering on grandchildren at their sporting events.
Survivors include her children, Linda (Leon) Jones, Joyce (James) O’Brien, and Tommy (Mary) Whitehead; grandchildren, Candy, Scott, Kelly, Becky, John, Jenni, Todd, Joe, Julie, and Glenda; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Whitehead; parents, Murray and Ethel Leanhart; two brothers; four sisters; and one son-in-law.
Memorials may be directed to New Disciples Church, 610 32nd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
The family would like to thank the staff at RidgeView Assisted Living, St. Croix Hospice, and friends for all the love and care they gave to “B.”
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