William Leo Hogan

It is with great sadness that the family of William Leo Hogan, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (formerly of Arlington, Iowa) announce his passing on Friday, December 28, 2018, at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  William “Bill” was born in Raymond, Iowa, to Leo and Ann (Weiden) Hogan on September 25, 1925. Bill worked on his family farm until age 15 and then left home to work as a farmhand earning $3 per day.  He was able to use his earnings to ultimately buy his first car, a Ford Model A.  Bill was drafted into the US Army and served his country honorably.

On October 24, 1950, Bill was united in marriage to Alvera Kuennen at the Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein. The couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in October 2018.  Bill worked for a year at Clem Fluery Equipment Company as a mechanic, and then in 1952 Bill and Alvera began farming near Fairbank. In 1956 they moved to Arlington where they ran a highly successful farming and livestock operation for 45 years.

Bill was an American Legion member for 73 years and a member of the Strawberry Point American Legion Post #218. He participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son, Ron. Bill and Alvera delivered Meals on Wheels in Strawberry Point for 10 years and Bill served on the Senior Citizens Board in Arlington. Bill and Alvera were long-time members of St Mary Catholic Church in Strawberry Point.

Bill enjoyed playing softball in his early years and was a lifelong Yankees fan with Mickey Mantle being his favorite player. Bill also enjoyed playing cards, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. Bill will be fondly remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, love of the land and John Deere tractors. 

Bill will be sadly missed by his wife, Alvera; two daughters, Patty (Dan) Burrack of Arlington and Janet (Darwin) Behning of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Ron (Melody) Hogan of Strawberry Point and Scott ( Shelly) Hogan of Weston, Wisconsin; two sisters, Melita Whitesell of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kay (John) Becker of Oelwein; one sister-in-law, Darlene Hogan of Fairbank; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 19 step-great-grandchildren; four step-great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Ann Hogan; two brothers, Greg (Rama) Hogan and James Hogan; one sister, Mary (Thad) Konicki; and a brother-in-law, James Whitesell.

The Hogan family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Cottage Grove Place Health Center in Cedar Rapids and the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids for their compassionate and loving care.

Memorials may be made in Bill’s name to the Strawberry Point American Legion Post #218.

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