John "Jack" Earl Chase
October 18, 2010
John “Jack” Earl Chase, 79, died Monday, October 18, 2010, at Mercy West Lakes Hospital in West Des Moines from congestive heart failure. He was born September 18, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa to Earl Julius and Catherine Leota Chase.
Jack graduated from City High School in Iowa City. After graduation, Jack attended the University of Iowa for a year before joining the Army and serving in the Korean Conflict, being stationed in Germany. Upon completing his military service, he re-enrolled at the University, earning his degree in accounting. After receiving his CPA certificate, he began his career in Tulsa, OK as an internal auditor for Arthur Young and Company. He returned to Iowa to be closer to family, taking an internal auditor position with the Daniels family-owned Ardan Sales Company. His career continued in manufacturing with Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company in Des Moines, American Chain and Cable in Fairfield, IA and a transfer to the Detroit area, where his work included contract negotiations with the unions.
His passion for accounting took him to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo where he began his teaching career. This opportunity created an interest in computers, leading him to teach many students until his retirement in 2003.
Jack was an active member of Traer United Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, worship leader, and spending countless hours preparing video and slideshow presentations used weekly in worship services. His messages from the pulpit showed his passion and dedication. His other interests include his love of computers, fishing, playing cards, southern Gospel music, and most of all, his family.
Jack is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gretchen; children, Nancy (Jeff) Stroburg, Shery (Terry Lint) Chase, Jacky (Lee) Garrett, Cathy DeReus, Tom (Penny) Chase; grandchildren, Jake (Kelly), Berndt, Emily, and Chely Stroburg, Elliott (Kate), and Jordan Florer, Bailey and Allison (Nick Neese) DeReus, Abbie, Steven and John Chase; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Kaye Stevens; brother-in-law, Wayne Fliss; nieces; nephews; and many special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gloria Jean Chase and Georgia M. Fliss.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2010, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue. At Jack’s request, cremation has taken place and a family graveside service will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Legion in Traer, IA, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or a charity of your choice in loving memory of Jack.
Jack loved life – he was supportive, a patient listener, compassionate, and had his own unique sense of humor. He was a good man and we will miss him.
Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Joan and Larry Hoffman
11/01/2010
Dear Fiend Gretchen and Family
e were stunned and saddened to learn of Jack's death. We received messages from both Marcy Bloem and our son Evan. We have so many memories of wonderful times with your family and ours in Des Moines and Ankeny. It's hard to believe how quickly time passes. Our prayers for you are that wonderful memories, the loving thoughts of others and the peace, presence and comfort of God will sustain all of you in the difficult days ahead. Please let us know how to stay in touch as the last address we have is Cedar Falls.love in Jesus.
Larry and Joan Hoffman
Donna Young
10/30/2010
Sorry to learn of Jack's passing; I always enjoyed his Sunday school teaching and also talking about Southern Gospel artists. My sympathy and prayers to you and your family Gretchen.
Evan Hoffman
10/28/2010
I am saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mr. Chase. I remember many times in Ankeny and at church in Des Moines with him and his family. May he find rest with Christ and his family find peace knowing he is in his saviors presence.
Dixie
10/28/2010
Dear Gretchen & family,
I am so sorry I won't be able to come to Jack's memorial service. I truly want to be there and give you a hug. My heart is hurting for all of you. I'm so glad I was able to see & talk with him recently - a gift!
What a wonderful man! I am blessed to have known him.......
Love to all of you!
Brian Bloem
10/28/2010
I previously sent a condolence, but it hasn't shown up, so I wanted to be sure you got my message.
Gretchen, Tom and the rest of the family,
I was very saddened to hear of Jack's passing. He was always so nice to me and I liked him so much. I spent a lot of time at your homes in Ankeny and Windsor Heights and your whole family was always very welcoming.
What I remember about Jack was that he was always good humored, patient and wise. Not only did I enjoy spending those high school years hanging around Tom, it was fun hanging around Jack too.
I know he will be deeply missed. I wish I was able to attend the visitation, but I am living in South Bend, IN now, but know that all of you are in my prayers.
Brian Bloem
paula
10/27/2010
I am so sorry I cannot be there with all of you, physically for the Memorial service for Uncle Jack this weekend. Know that I am certainly there in spirit... Please let me know when the burial will be so I can plan to attend.
My love and prayers to you all!
Paula
PS: I'm sure he's in Heaven with my Mom and Dad....and rejoicing with Jesus!
I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through this year without his
love and support!
Dave & Sandy Barnes
10/27/2010
Jack was Penny's (Dave's sister) father-in-law so we would see Jack & Gretchen quite often in passing or at family events. He was a great man who loved to tell stories and he gave great advice. He was the "Jack of all trades and master of several". There's no doubt Jack is making new discoveries in Heaven right now and we will see Him again. May God bless his memory and comfort all who mourn his loss.
Bill & Nita Quibell
10/27/2010
Dear Gretchen and Family,
We so dearly loved Jack. We will miss him and Gretchen at all our
concerts. He would always be full of compliments and made us feel
so wonderful. We will miss his emails. He loved his church and most
of all his love for our Savior Jesus Christ and his dear wife. He
will be missed very much, but we know it isn't goodbye, just "see
you later Jack". We are here if you need us Gretchen. Love and
prayers to you.
Brian Bloem
10/26/2010
Gretchen, Tom and the rest of Jack's family.
I just learned of Jack's death and I am very sad. Jack was a big part of my childhood. I spent a lot of hours at your house and he was always of good humor, and full of patience (he needed it Tom) and wisdom.
He was always very nice to me and made me feel very welcome, as you all did. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you deal with this time of sorrow. I'm living in South Bend, Indiana now, so I won't be at the visitation, but I wish I could be.
God bless you all,
Brian Bloem
Brian Whannel
10/26/2010
Jack was very dear to me. He loved to talk Hawks, we often argued the Mac vs. PC, and politics. Most important we agreed on our religion. He was a passionate follower of the teaching of Christ. The kingdom of God is now his to enjoy. God bless Jack Chase.
Dan and Carol Brobst
10/25/2010
Gretchen,
We are so sorry to learn of Jack's passing. The obituary in the Courier was a fitting tribute to his life.
We both enjoyed working with Jack at Hawkeye and truly admired his unwavering commitment and dedication to address faculty concerns and issues. We could always count on Jack to bring concerns directly to us and to discuss them openly. We also appreciated the opportunity to seek Jack out when we wanted and needed his perspective.
We also will have great memories of times spent with you and Jack in your home and with your families. Jack will be missed, but he will never be forgotten. His contributions in reaching out to others will be remembered by many.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family now and in the days ahead.
Dan and Carol Brobst
Dr. Eldon B. Swanson
10/25/2010
Having worked with Jack at Hawkeye Community College for many years, I was saddened to read about his passing. Jack was an incerdibly knowledgeable teacher and colleague. I always enjoyed our conversations during college wide activities and found Jack's passion for what is right to be refreshing and contagious.
My deepest sympathy and condolences during this difficult time. May God bless and keep each of Jack's family members in his loving embrace and grace.
Angela Embree and Bob Rummelhart
10/25/2010
Cathy, Shery, Tom, Jacky and Nancy,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I only had one opportunity to meet him but through that opportunity and the many great stories Cathy has told me I know he was a very wonderful man and will be missed by many. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Having recently lost my own father, I can tell you that the many wonderful memories you have will over time make things better and help you realize that he never really will be gone as he will always be in your thoughts and in your hearts.
With much love,
Angie and Bob
Jamie
10/25/2010
My deepest sympathy to your family. "Chase" was always my favorite accounting teacher at Hawkeye and was the best instructor I ever had. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always patient.
Pam (Foth) Clough
10/24/2010
Dear Gretchen and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I saw it in the Courier this morning. You guys were such good neighbors in Traer. Eric and I enjoyed knowing him and the rest of the family. I think Eric babysat a couple of times for your grandkids. Good people like Jack will be truly missed by many! My prayers are with your family in this time of loss. Take care!
Pam