Bernard J. Marak

Bernard J. Marak

Swisher

Bernard J. Marak, 82, of Swisher, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St., SW. Celebration of Life will be: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at Brosh Chapel. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery, Swisher.

Bernard was born Oct. 18, 1939, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Joseph and Martha (Stejskal) Marak. He graduated from 1958, from the first graduating class of Jefferson High School. Upon completing high school, Bernard went to Chicago, where he attended Utilities Engineering Institute and received a technical study certificate in welding. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Rotter, they moved to a farm in Swisher, where they started their family and Bernard farmed with his dad and brother. Bernard was also known as a master welder who could design or fix anything related to metal. He was hired in 1968 by inventor Louie Langhurst, to build a soybean flaker. It was successfully created and went to be used in factories throughout the world. For years, Bernard also served on the Anderson Cemetery board, as well as a board member of the former Swisher Telephone Company. He enjoyed traveling with Phyllis, but most of all, he enjoyed meeting and talking with friends as well as strangers.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis; their son, Chris (Penny) Marak; and their daughter, Susan (Kevin) Marak Jones. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Adam, Kate, Jennifer, Justin and Joshua; three stepgrandchildren, Casey, Natasha and Stephanie; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Darrell (Carolyn) Marak; a brother-in-law, Jim (Linda) Rotter; a sister-in-law, Shirley Schulte; many nieces and nephews; and his special Pomeranian girl, Greta.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Wm and Helen Rotter; two sisters-in-law, Mary and Donna; several brothers-in-law; a niece; and several nephews.

The Marak Family would like to thank the many caregivers at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids as well as Hospice of Mercy.

Memorials may be directed to Swisher Fire Department or Swisher American Legion in his name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.