Gerald T. Gaffney

Gerald T. Gaffney was born July 8, 1934 on the family farm southeast of Winthrop the son of Francis and Margaret Ryan Gaffney. He attended the local schools and graduated from Winthrop High School in 1952. Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and served honorably during the Korean Conflict until his discharge in 1956.

Gerald was united in marriage to Lois E. Solem on October 8, 1960 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop. To this union were born five children: Bob, Scott, Angela, Roxanne, and Renae. They made their home in Hiawatha after their marriage until moving to Center Point in 1975. In 1993 Gerald and Lois moved to Winthrop. Gerald worked at Heabel's Lumber Company and then Suburban Lumber Company in Cedar Rapids until retiring in 1995.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop and the Buffalo Creek Golf Course. Gerald loved to play baseball and golf. He was on the Winthrop Town Team in his younger years and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He played golf at Buffalo Creek where he participated in men's league for many years. He also enjoyed the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Gerald entered into his eternal rest on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence following a short illness. He was 78 years of age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter-in-law Sharon Gaffney, four brothers: James, Robert, Edward, and Gene Gaffney, and two infant sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years Lois; two sons: Bob (Lisa) Gaffney of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Scott (Kristie) Gaffney of Spokane Valley, Washington; three daughters: Angela (William) Kearbey of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Roxanne (Mark) Skender of Chicago, IL; and Renae (William) Kanellis of Manchester, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 PM until 8 PM Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop where a parish scripture service will take place at 8 PM Friday. Friends may also call on Saturday until 10 AM.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop with Father Donald J. Plamondon officiating. Interment with military rites will take place at St. Patrick's Cemetery at Winthrop.

A memorial fund has been established.

The Fawcett Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. To send an online condolence go to www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.