Raif Kenjar

Raif Kenjar

Cedar Rapids

Raif Kenjar, 92, of 3609 Bluebird Drive SW, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his daughters on Monday, February 5, 2024. A visitation will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where friends may greet the family. Internment will take place Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 12 pm at the Muslim National Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Ismeta, four daughters, Mirsa (Bill) Nieland, Frieda (Scott) Anderson, Fatima (Scott) Kenjar and Jasmine (Andrew) Almoayyed, four grandchildren, Mia (Matt) Kurudza, Bobby (Jen) Neiland, Elle (Hakon) Dahlsveen and Aya Almoayyed, and three great-grandchildren, Ezra and Adaira Kurudza and Sage Bryland. He leaves behind several other “children,” being “Tata” to many over the years. He was preceded in death by his nephew Budo Heder.

Raif was born on January 5, 1932, in the village of Kljevci, a small village in Sanski Most in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, formerly Yugoslavia, to Arif and Fatima Kenjar. He spent his early years in the care of his grandparents during WWII; later joining the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) where he rose to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and led a specialized division of troops trained on US-donated M-4 Sherman Tanks to protect borders following the Tito-Stalin Split.

He left the military to pursue a path to America, moving first to the Displaced Persons Camps in Trieste, Italy, and sharing many of his favorite memories from the time he spent living in Brindisi and Bari. He met his first wife, Anna in the DPC where they were married, eventually moving to Duisburg, Germany and finally settling in Dinslaken where his first two daughters were born. He proudly achieved the status of Hauer, working in a coal mine, and spent nearly a decade building an amazing life before joining his father in the United States.

As one of many immigrants offered employment by Howard Hall, Raif, and his family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1967. He worked for Iowa Steel and Iron Works for more than 28 years, starting in maintenance and making his way to plant superintendent before retiring.

After his divorce, Raif visited Yugoslavia where he met his current wife Ismeta, and after a brief courtship she joined him in the U.S., marrying him on January 6, 1978. They would go on to have two additional daughters, sacrificing everything to make sure that their children had all that they needed and more.

Raif never met a stranger, striking up conversations with everyone and finding joy when surrounded by people. He was the life of the party, the kindest soul, and the epitome of “there is always room for one more.” Rather than becoming bitter from his difficult childhood, he opened his home to anyone who needed help or just needed a father, instilling in his children that it is incumbent upon us all to work hard and help anyone in need. Though he worked long hours to provide, he always found time to play with his girls and there was never a question of how much he loved his whole family.

He was the American dream, modeling hard work and integrity and while he was never a victim of his circumstance, he believed in forgiveness and showing compassion to those who made mistakes.

He was the kindest most loving person as evidenced by those who surrounded him not just in his life, but also through his final days. He was never happier than these last few years as he helped raise his granddaughter Aya, perhaps the most important job of his life. He was bigger than this earth and will be greatly missed by the many who loved him but is the perfect example of a life well lived. In his honor, we hope you chat up a stranger, “steal a little kid’s nose” or simply tell someone how much you love him or her today.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the UnityPoint Hospice team for their care and support in these final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Islamic Center of America or the charity of your choice.

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