Rena Mae Cruise
July 1, 1937 — September 9, 2020
Rena Mae Cruise, 83, of Central City, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A celebration of Rena’s life open house will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2020, at her home in Central City.
Rena was born July 1, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Homer and Francis (Burke) Van Dyke. She attended Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids. Rena was united in marriage to Marion Wallace Cruise on January 6, 1962 in Olin, Iowa. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, and canning. Rena and Marion enjoyed camping and fishing on the Wapsipinicon. She also enjoyed entertaining, especially at Christmas. She loved her dog Toby. Rena and her sister Shirley were the best of friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Rena is survived and lovingly remembered by two children, Connie (Gary) Swartz of Cedar Rapids and Jim Cruise of Central City; grandchildren, Shelby (Jared), Hunter, Monica, Gabrielle, and one on the way in January; brothers, Bob (Jackie) Van Dyke and Homer Van Dyke; sisters, Shirly Rahn, Cindy Overly, and Debbie (Glen) Wallace,
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marion Cruise in 2019; daughter, Barbara; and sister Dixie Nelson.
Rena was born July 1, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Homer and Francis (Burke) Van Dyke. She attended Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids. Rena was united in marriage to Marion Wallace Cruise on January 6, 1962 in Olin, Iowa. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, and canning. Rena and Marion enjoyed camping and fishing on the Wapsipinicon. She also enjoyed entertaining, especially at Christmas. She loved her dog Toby. Rena and her sister Shirley were the best of friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Rena is survived and lovingly remembered by two children, Connie (Gary) Swartz of Cedar Rapids and Jim Cruise of Central City; grandchildren, Shelby (Jared), Hunter, Monica, Gabrielle, and one on the way in January; brothers, Bob (Jackie) Van Dyke and Homer Van Dyke; sisters, Shirly Rahn, Cindy Overly, and Debbie (Glen) Wallace,
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marion Cruise in 2019; daughter, Barbara; and sister Dixie Nelson.
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