Ernest Warren Stoppelmoor
Ernest Warren Stoppelmoor
Iowa City
Ernest Warren Stoppelmoor slipped away and into the arms of his Heavenly Father at dawn on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Solon Care Center in Solon, Iowa. He fought a five-year battle with multiple myeloma and a subsequent stroke three years ago. Services will be held at Parkview Evangelical Free Church, 15 Foster Road, Iowa City. A time of Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Atrium at Parkview Church. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, April 14, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel at Parkview Church.
Ernie was born June 7, 1938, at home on the farm in Blairsburg, Iowa, to parents William and Grace (Naber) Stoppelmoor. He was the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Blairsburg High School in 1956 and married Doris Elaine Johnson the same year. They had four children.
In 1957, he moved his young family to Iowa City to attend the State University of Iowa Hospitals (UIHC) Roentgenologic Technique Program (X-ray Technology), graduating in 1958. Upon graduation he became a member of the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists, serving the organization as treasurer in 1962, president-elect in 1964 and as president in 1965 and 1977. He was honored with the Matthew J. Keilly Memorial Award in 1979 and life membership for his dedication and contributions to the profession and the ISRT.
It was while he was at UIHC that he met Webster Gelman, M.D. Dr. Gelman and Dr. Howe wanted to build and establish their own orthopedic clinic and X-ray department. They asked Ernie to come work for them and manage that department. As the physician group grew it became Towncrest Medical Properties, which he served as business manager, and Towncrest Center was developed. The area remains a hub of mental health, wellness and healthcare services. He never retired and continued to go his Towncrest office until he was 83.
On Dec. 18, 1976, he married Nancy Miller Harney in their home on Seventh Avenue in Iowa City. They became partners both in life and in business.
Ernie loved to play in the dirt – gardening, planting seedling trees and shrubs. He always left every home greener than when he moved in. In 1979 he fulfilled a life-long dream to buy his own farm, formerly, the Jedlicka farm, which he named Wistful Vista. With that started a lasting relationship with Bob Dvorsky and sons Brad and Brent, who farmed for us.
The annual deer hunt was one of his best weeks. It was a pleasure for him to teach his children and grandchildren the joys of hunting – respecting the land, the animals and the requirements. He loved to walk those hills of Wistful Vista any time of the year.
Ernie was meticulous about everything, comfortable in a three-piece suit and tie or an old pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. He loved to bird watch during breakfast, go to auctions and buy that $1 box and early morning walks on the beach in Vero Beach. He could tell a joke with the best of them. He loved music, played in a dance band years ago, sang at many weddings and loved to dance.
He became a member of Parkview Evangelical Free Church in 1986. He served one term as a deacon and along with Nancy served as a greeter for over 20 years, stepping aside only when his health no longer allowed him to stand for long periods of time. His faith in God and the prayers of his church family sustained him through the difficult days. He knew that Heaven was waiting for him. In 2008, the Church of the Nazarene in Iowa City honored him with the Good Samaritan Award for his contribution to their outreach program – Christian Culture Community.
Ernie will be remembered by his children, Richard Ernest (Caroline Nelson), David William (Faith), Jeffrey Charles (Jolene), Sara Alice. Grandchildren are Michael, Sam, Charlie, Heather, Emily, Rachel, Ryan, Cory, Kyle, Hali and Evan; plus 15 great-grandchildren. His dear sister Viora walked her little brother to school on his first day and cried when she left him there. Blaze (the cat) misses that shoulder to sleep on. Left to carry on is his wife Nancy of 46 years – his love, his partner and his caregiver.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and their spouses, Lavern (Eva), Lawrence (Wilma), Floyd (Jean), Sterling; sisters, Dorothy (James) and Ruby (Sidney); and grandson, Richard Justin. He was joined in Heaven by numerous dogs (especially Sunny) and cats (especially Ezzie).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Parkview Church – Worship Arts, 15 Foster Road, Iowa City, IA 52245; or the Iowa City Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 3910 Napolean Lane, Iowa City, IA 52240, where two of our dogs (Oakie and Coco) were rescued.
“To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:8