Gordon E. Rahn, M.D.

Gordon E. Rahn M.D., 84 of Mount Vernon, died Thursday August 17, 2006 at the Anamosa Care Center, from a long illness. Celebration of Life Service 3:00 p.m., Sunday at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel where the family will greet friends from 1:30 until service time Sunday. Burial with military rites at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Gordon is survived by his wife Kathryn and daughter Anita K. (Gordon) Clark all of Mount Vernon, three sons: Victor J. and friend Sherian of Solon, Vance G. (Janeen) of Anderson, South Carolina, and Rox E. (Sonya) of Palm Coast, Florida, a brother Sheldon (Barbara) of New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, a daughter-in-law Kerri Rahn, of Cypress, Texas, and a step-sister Lois Hilbert of Norman, Oklahoma. Also surviving Gordon are his grandchildren: Matthew G. Clark, Jennifer K. Clark Nurre, Thadeus and Tyler Rahn, Jamie and Angela Rahn, Laura, Lydia, and Natalie Rahn; great grandchildren Griffin and Shyler Clark and Clayton and Garrett Nurre. Preceding Gordon in death were his parents, his step-father Donald Southard, son Steve, and a grandson Zuric Rahn. Gordon was born September 20, 1921 on the family farm near Lanark, Illinois, the second son of Lloyd and Clara "Elizabeth" Carter Rahn. Gordon's family sold their farm in 1928 and moved from Lanark to Mount Vernon and later to Lisbon from 1934 until 1943. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1939, graduated from Cornell College in 1943, and from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1945. He married Carolyn Kepler in 1943 in Cedar Rapids. They were divorced. Gordon served as a physician with the U.S. Navy during World War II in Seattle, Washington. He retired after thirty-three years with the rank of Commander from the Navy Reserve and was a member of the Hahn-Howard American Legion Post #480 of Mount Vernon. Gordon married Kathryn L. McElwain, October 5, 1953 in Lanark. Gordon was a family practitioner and surgeon in Mount Vernon, practicing medicine for forty-five years, retiring in 1989. He volunteered his expertise by being a member of the Iowa Medical Association, American Heart Association, and served as President of the American Lung Association of Iowa. Gordon was a member of the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church where he taught Adult Bible classes. He was past member of the Mount Vernon Rotary and Lions Clubs. Gordon served on Mount Vernon City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission. He enjoyed working with the youth of Mount Vernon by serving as Master for the Boy Scouts of America, Troop #40. He and his family operated the Ski Pal in rural Mount Vernon. Gordon loved boating, sailing and snow skiing. Gordon's priority was his devotion to medicine and helping people. A memorial fund has been established.