Victor L. Stateler

Victor L. Stateler, 88, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, took the hand of his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 19, 2024. Dad was born at home, September 3, 1935, in Griggs Town County, Kentucky, the son of Virgie and Victor L. Stateler Sr. Sadly, his father was tragically killed before Dad was born. Victor spent his childhood and youth in and around Chicago, Illinois. His summers were spent in Kansas and Kentucky, with grandparents and cousins. His grandfather, Pappy, influenced Dad to grow to be a man who loved and walked with the Lord. Dad eloped with the love of his life, Carol Ann Klenk, when he was 18 years old. They were together for 68 years before Mom's passing in 2020. Vic worked as a fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served our country proudly during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from the University of Illinois, with a degree in Electrical Engineering, after thinking "he was not college material." He worked on the Apollo Space Program for Collins Radio, which brought his family to Cedar Rapids. He also had a short stint with Lockheed in Santa Cruz, CA. With the opening of Area 10, (Kirkwood Community College), he completed graduate school to become a professor of Electrical Engineering Technology until his retirement in 1998. Victor and Carol considered themselves blessed with 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Those left behind to carry on his family legacy are Debra (Daniel, deceased) Lord, Barbara Guerra (Antonio Esparza), Nancy (Chris) Kumsher, Zachary (Hessica) Lord, Julianne (Brit) Wilson, Madolyn, Isabelle and Emma Kumsher, Aubry and Trey Guerra, Jazmyn and Gideon Wilson, Decklyn Lord, and his sister Nancy Foote. His parents and brother, Rudy Hall, preceded Victor in death. Dad trusted in Jesus after reading a Gideon Bible while stationed in Korea. A co-worker at Collins encouraged him to attend Noelridge Baptist Church where he met lifelong friend, Ken Reasor, who invited him to Cedar Valley Bible Church. CVBC has been his church family for over 40 years where he served as a deacon, elder, Bible Study and Sunday School teacher and small group leader. Vic and Carol joyfully moved and lived in the Cottage Grove Place Community for 9 years, making very special friends among the residents, staff, and servers there. There are way too many to single out, but the family is very grateful for their friendship, care, support, and laughter. Victor's family share heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson. Besides being Dad's excellent doctor, she was his confidant and trusted friend. Stephanie, Alicia, Bobbi Jo, and Noelle of UnityPoint Hospice, who built a very comforting relationship with Dad in the last month, gave our family much needed encouragement. A HomeGoing service for Victor will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Cedar Valley Bible Church, 3636 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow the service at Linwood Cemetery, 520 Wilson Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids. You are invited to attend. Cremation and inurnment services provided by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers, Victor and the family will kindly thank you to direct any donations to Cedar Valley Bible Church. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the Word of our God shall stand forever." Isaiah 40:8 Please share a memory of Victor at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.