Memorial
John Joseph Grant, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, July 23, 2017 at his home in Cottage Grove Place. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2017 at St. Matthew Catholic Parish in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017 at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, with the Rosary at 3:00, and the Scripture Wake Service at 6:00. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. A reception will be held at Cottage Grove Place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
John was born January 31, 1920, the son of Michael and Margaret (Feeley) Grant, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1942. He was stationed in Italy while serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII from 1942 to 1945. On May 4, 1946, he married Margaret Muriel Wieder; she passed away in 2011. After several moves, they made their home in Park Ridge Illinois until 2007, when they moved to Cedar Rapids.
John spent his entire career in sales, starting as a chicken litter “peddler” traveling the Midwest. Ultimately he became the National Sales Manager for Wyler Foods from 1963 – 1986, where he and the company enjoyed success – even surpassing their biggest competitor Kool-Aid for a period of time.
John was a devout Catholic, drawing much comfort from saying the Rosary and attending daily Masses. He greatly enjoyed traveling, photography, reading, people, and engaging in political conversations. More than anything, John loved his family and friends. He was a devoted husband and father, and a very giving person who will be missed by all those that knew and loved him.
Survivors include his daughter, Barb (Brett Nitzschke) Grant; daughter-in-law, Arlene Grant; and nephews, John (Donna) Marshall, and Paul (Kathy) Marshall.
He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Robert Grant, and parents.
The family would like to thank the staff of Cottage Grove Place for their special care to John.
Memorials may be directed to Operation Threshold, P.O. Box 4120, Waterloo, IA 50704, in memory of John.