Henry Hernandez
August 24, 1931 ~ March 19, 2012
Henry Hernandez, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, March 19, 2012, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors by American Legion Moomey-Vogel Post 727. Survivors include his sons, Dan Hernandez of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Paul (Barbara) Hernandez of Austin, Texas; his daughter, Diane (Dirk) Thierer of Carlisle, Iowa; brother, Ray Hernandez of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Inez Schrader of Cedar Rapids, and Mary Prieto of Ames, Iowa; six grandchildren, Nicholas Thierer, Andrew Thierer, Keith Hernandez, Stephanie Thierer, Gabriel Hernandez, and Maia Hernandez; and two special friends, Pam Hernandez and Jo Logan. Henry was born August 24, 1931, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Aniceto and Irene (Cortez) Hernandez. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1949, and also attended the University of Iowa. Henry served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1953 as a radioman third class. On October 27, 1956, he married Vera Solis in Moline. He worked as a technical writer for Rockwell Collins, retiring after 39 years. He was a very active member of Immaculate Conception Parish, serving on many of the church committees, as a lector, and as the school athletic director for eight years. Henry also volunteered his time with the Ecumenical Community Center, including the Helping Hands Ministry and the Margaret Bock Housing Corporation. Henry is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vera; and two brothers, Mike and Joe Hernandez. Memorials are suggested to the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
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Hernandez Family – Thoughts and prayers for your family. God Bless you. Martinez family
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Just know that he is never very far away. God bless.
Dan, Diane, and Paul,
Our deepest sympathies on H’s passing; he was both a gentleman and a great man.
I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of our younger years in your home
and every single time I saw him he greeted me with a smile and an “Ericsan!” which he how he greeted me the last time Jane and I saw him.
He was a great father to the three of you and I am a better man for knowing him.
Love,
Eric and Jane Pattison
I was very sad to hear of Hank’s passing. I will always rememebr him as a fixture at IC, helping out with sports,ice cream social, the bazzar and on the altar. When we spoke at church, he would sometimes mention the school programs we had and how he remembered me up on the stage. He was such a great man. He will be deeply missed by his “IC” family. Thinking of all you.
Sending my sympathy and many big hugs. I did not know your Dad, but I know he was very special. Look at you three wonderful children. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy (Mrs. Snyder)
Paul, Dan and Diane, we are truly sorry to hear of the loss of your father Hank. His smile and sense of humor will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan, Pam, Diane, and Paul, I was sorry to here the news about Hank. He always made me feel welcome in his home, even when Dan and I were doing stupid things, as teenagers do. I always kind of thought of him as a second father. We will miss him.
Brian Tiernan family.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hernandez family. These are difficult times but be sure to embrace the great memories of a life well lived.
Kevin and Melissa Torner
Uncle Hank, rest peacfully, you’ll be missed.
Dan, Diane, and Paul,
Aunt Virginia told me about your Dad’s passing…My condolences to you all and my hope that you will find comfort in each other and in many happy memories shared.
Rita
My condolences go out to the Hernandez family. My mother, Lorraine Hejda, worked with Henry at ADT in the Western Union offices and she absolutely adored Henry and Vera and the kids. She always wanted to go to the ethnic festivals to see them dance. I visited the ADT office often as I was growing up and loved seeing Henry there. He was always so kind and quiet and made everyone comfortable with that great smile of his. Godspeed, Henry, and much love to the family.
We always remember Hank smiling, happy and upbeat.
Hernandez Family,
Condolences on the loss of your Father. A great man who gave much of his time to IC school and sports teams. I also admired his ministry work with the church. He was one of the many good parents that I remember fondly while growing up in the IC community.
Sincerely,
Mike Fagan
Glen Ellyn, IL
Sorry about your loss. Mr. Hernandez was a great boy scout leader. I always appreciated him taking me camping. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
John F Harrington III
Dan, Diane and Paul,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was such a gentle man and always so kind. He was nice to have as a neighbor and always helping out at IC.
I worked in the same department at Rockwell as Hank did. He was always kind,soft spoken, friendly, and a overall nice man. He always had a smile on his face. Later years, I worked at my brother’s shop(Auto Electric) Hank would come to have his car repaired, still with that smile on his face. He was a special guy. I am so sorry for your loss.
Our condolences to the entire Hernandez family. I worked with Hank at the old Collins 3rd Street bldg and with his brother Ray. My wife later worked with daughter Diane at Dowling Catholic. Hank always brightened up the the room with his presence. His constant smile and caring nature made the world a better place. Our Sympathy,
Frank & Karen Soliday – Ankeny, IA
Both of us got to know Hank at Collins. Charlotte and Hank were always comparing notes when the Triple Crown in horse racing rolled around. We remember his smile and laugh. He will be missed, but he’ll be spending Easter with our risen Savior.
To The Hernandez Family, I am sorry for your loss of Hank. I only met Hank a couple times but Dan was like a second big brother when I was growing up, as much time as he spent on the farm. Peace to all of you, Spike
Dear Dan, Diane, and Paul,
My condolences on the passing of your father. Uncle Hank was always a delight to see, and I am inspired by the kindness and liveliness he infused into his life.
-Michele Solis
So sorry to hear about your Dad my Family knew both of your parents he will be greatly missed.
One of the “truely nice” people I ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Paul, Dan, Diane, I’m very saddened to learn of Hank passing. It was always a pleasure to talk with him. Whenever I’m at a ball park and see a great pitch, I always think of him saying, “That was a beauty!”
My mother is a classmate and friend of Hank’s. Her name was Mary Rae Lisenbee. We enjoyed Hank’s sense of humor and kindness at reunions and luncheons. He is missed.