William J. Kanak

September 27, 1924 — October 19, 2005

William J. Kanak Profile Photo
William J. "Bill? Kanak, 81, of Marion, died Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications of Parkinson Disease and diabetes. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 24, 2005, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, by the Rev. José Comparán. Graveside committal: 2 p.m. Monday at Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, with military honors. Friends may call at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion from 2 - 4 p.m. Sunday.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, Bev, Bill is survived by his daughters, Ann M. Hanson (the Honorable Robert B. Hanson) of West Des Moines, Mary F. Kanak of Coralville and Julie T. Kanak of Highland Park, Illinois; two grandchildren, Maggie and Tom Hanson; a sister-in-law, Dona (John) Kiesling of Destin, Florida; nephews, Brad, Matt and Eric Kiesling; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family, heritage and public service were the top priorities in Bill?s life. He was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of William and Annabelle Kanak. His grandparents immigrated to Iowa City from Czechoslovakia and Bill took great pride in his heritage. He served as president of CSA Fraternal Life/Czechoslovak Society of America, P.J. Safarik Chapter No. 223 for over ten years.

Bill attended Iowa City High School where he made lasting friends. After graduation in 1942, he retained close ties with his former classmates throughout his life. Upon graduation from high school, Bill served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Following his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Iowa, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1947.

Bill married Beverly Stoltenberg in Davenport on October 27, 1952. They resided in Elkader, Iowa for 9 years and then relocated to Marion, Iowa in 1961, where Bill managed the J.F. Anderson Lumber Co. He later began his 16-year career as a stockbroker. In 1980, Bill became Clerk of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Iowa, until his retirement in October 1995. He was a member of Chapter 133 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

An avid golfer, Bill enjoyed memberships at the Cedar Rapids Country Club and Indian Creek Country Club. He was a dedicated fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Green Bay Packers, and the Chicago Cubs.

Memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation or the Xavier High School Foundation in Bill?s memory.

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