Robert Raymond Garner

Robert Raymond Garner, 88, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was born on January 11, 1935, on a farm near Coggon, the son of Raymond and Vivian (Aldrich) Garner. Robert attended country school near Coggon and graduated from Coggon High School. After graduation he attended Upper Iowa College for a short time before enlisting in the United States Army. Robert served his country honorably during the Korean War as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne.  He also served as a recruiter for West Point.

Upon returning home from the army, Robert met his future wife while roller skating at Prairieburg.  He married Susan Drahos in Cedar Rapids. To this union three children were born. Together they farmed in Delaware and Linn County.

Robert was a busy man.  He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church and loved to dance, fish, travel, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Robert enjoyed trap shooting, gun collecting, cars, motorcycles, skiing, wood carving, horses, and airplanes. He most enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Garner of Coggon; his three children, David Garner of Manchester, Cindy (Doug LeClere) Mormann of Cedar Rapids, Lynne (Kyle) Warden of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; his siblings, Fay Matteson of Minnesota, Dwight (Becky) Garner of Coggon, Darla (Harvey) Fagenbaum of Sumner, and Daniel (Eva) Garner of Anamosa; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Nichole Reicher; great-grandson, Thomas Reicher; his sisters, Marlene (Laverne) Zumbach, and Phyllis (Earle) Sather; and brother-in-law, Jerry Matteson.

In lieu of flowers or gifts memorials may be directed to the family. The family will be planting trees in honor of Robert.

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