Tony John Moeder

Tony John Moeder

Hiawatha

Tony John Moeder, 51, of Hiawatha, passed away on April 4, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy after a valiant six-year-long fight with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Hiawatha, Iowa, at 11 a.m.

Tony was born on July 14, 1971, at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla., to Denis and Leta Moeder. He grew up in San Diego, Calif., and attended the University of San Diego where he played baseball. He went on to play four more years for the California Angels minor league organization. In 1994, Tony was selected to Cedar Rapids where he played first base for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and was a member of the 1994 Midwest League Champions. In 1996, he was selected to Lake Elsinore, Calif., where he was a member of the California League Champions. His baseball career took him to Australia and Italy, where he made incredible friends all over the world.

Following his baseball career, Tony became the vice president of sales and operations at Office Express Office Products for 20 years. He loved his customers and considered them all friends.

In 1994, while playing in Cedar Rapids, Tony met the love of his life, Kathy Keel. They were married on Sept. 28, 1996, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 2001, they welcomed their first child and beloved son, Kyle John. In 2004, their precious daughter, Mary Kathryn, came into this world to complete the family unit. His family was at the forefront of his life. He was passionate about his children and their events and loved coaching Kyle’s baseball team.

Tony is survived by his wife Kathy, son Kyle and daughter Mary Kate; his mom and dad, Leta and Denis Moeder, Ocala Fla.; his sister, Tiffany Moeder, Denver, Colo.; brothers-in-law, Rick Keel (Brenda), Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Randy Keel (Lisa), Hiawatha, Iowa; Mike Keel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins, and many dear, lifelong friends.

Tony was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Dick Keel; maternal and paternal grandparents, Bethel and Elmer Krob and Rita and Bert Moeder; uncles, John Moeder and Leon Moeder; and great-nephew, Beau Randall Keel.

The family expresses incredible gratitude to all who have cared for Tony throughout his journey; Krista and Mitch with The Caregivers; Milestones; the incredible staff that became family to Tony at Country House Residence; Mercy Medical Center; Teri and Clover Rexroth; and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House. Thanks to the friends, family, and #TeamTone for their unwavering love and support. These people are angels on earth and the family thanks them for all they have done.

Tony’s contagious smile and quick wit drew so many people to him. Everyone who knew Tony loved him and words cannot describe how much he will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mercy Foundation, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Financial gifts will benefit the training programs for caregivers provided by the DeWolf Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia. Following Tony’s journey, the Moeder family is committed to ensuring that the wonderful caregivers in this community receive the education, resources and support they need to give our community’s dementia patients the best care ever.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.