Gerald Marner

KALONA ? Gerald Eugene Marner, 84, of Kalona, died Thursday, July 2, 2015, in the Pleasantview Home in Kalona.

A celebration of life was held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 6, at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with the Rev. Don Patterson officiating. Burial followed at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Cemetery in rural Kalona. Visitation was from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for the Lower Deer Creek TCC Department or Iowa City Hospice.

Mr. Marner was born in Wellman, the son of David and Blanche (Swartzendruber) Marner. He married Esther Leichty on June 24, 1951, in Wayland.

He attended rural school and was a member of Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. He was employed at the feed mill, was a partner in Mullet Trucking, worked at the Kalona Sales Barn, helped a son-in-law, Henry, in construction, and helped a son, Stan, on the farm. He enjoyed making toy trucks, attending southern gospel music programs, and spending time with his family.

Surviving are four children, Rosella Myers and husband Henry of Kalona, Rosanna Marner of Kalona, Stanley Marner and wife Joann of Brighton, and Michael Marner and wife Bernice of Wellman; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris Swartzendruber of Kalona; one brother, Phil Marner and wife Dorothy of Sarasota, Fla.; and special friend, Iona Madden.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Esther, in 2003; two grandsons; one brother, Donald Marner; and one brother-in-law, Mark Swartzendruber.