C. Jay Wurtele

C. Jay Wurtele

Cedar Rapids

A Celebration of Life for C. Jay Wurtele of Cedar Rapids will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Bever Park, Cedar Rapids, in the Bever Pavilion. Jay passed away last November following a long illness. He was 80 years old.

Jay was born to Clifford Jacob and Meta Alice (Bergmann) Wurtele on March 7, 1942, in Chicago. He was raised an only child in Cedar Rapids and attended Washington Senior High School. He apprenticed at Kramer and Son Printers in Chicago and worked as a press operator and lithographer in the Cedar Rapids area until his retirement.

Jay loved camping and travel, especially in Arizona and the Rocky Mountains. He was an avid photographer and woodworker. He liked to collect and restore antique furniture as well. He loved and rescued many cats during his retirement.

Jay is survived by two children: daughter, Dawn Marie (David) Ellis of Westminster, Colo.; son, Ryan (Jamie) Wurtele of Atkins; two grandchildren, Kayden and Cheyenne Wurtele; and his former spouse, Gail Stewart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cara Jean; and his second wife, Holly (Rice) Wurtele.

Jay was cremated at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home and will be interred at Linwood Cemetery at a future date.