Memorial

Charles “Chuck” Hollan, 91, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026.  

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church: 5338 Johnson Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.  Visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the church.  Burial, with military honors, will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Chuck was born on September 5, 1934, in Cedar Rapids to Frank and Anna (Kroupa) Hollan. The youngest of three children, he spent his entire life in Cedar Rapids. As a boy, he enjoyed swimming, fishing trips to Minnesota, ice skating, and participating in numerous sports and musicals. During high school, he qualified for the Drake Relays.

He began working at Collins Radio in 1952 and retired after 40 years. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1954 to 1957. After his service, he returned to Collins, where he met and married Pearl Avis.

Chuck and Pearl built their home on 26th Street in Cedar Rapids with the help of Chuck’s father, Frank, and his brother in law, Dave. The tree planted by his father in 1960 still stands in the front yard. Chuck lived in that home for 55 years.

Chuck and Pearl raised four children—Doug, Brenda, Steve, and Mike—and were active in church and community life. Chuck taught Sunday school, coached youth softball and basketball, led a young couples’ group, served on church boards, was active in Boy Scouts, and served as a camp director at Cedar Springs Camp. After Pearl’s passing, he continued serving others through hospital and nursing home visits and senior adult ministries.

He loved attending his children’s sporting and school events and later his grandchildren’s activities. In his free time, he enjoyed caring for his home and yard, woodworking, Iowa Hawkeye sports, traveling, and time with family and friends.

Chuck considered himself blessed to have met and married Patricia Smith. With her love, his final seven years were filled with happiness, gratitude, and renewed purpose.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Pearl; sisters Bernice Brooks and Lois Samek; his son, Doug; and his granddaughter, Michelle Hollan. He is survived by his wife, Pat Hollan; his children—Brenda Neppel (Jerry), Steve Hollan (Lisa), and Mike Hollan; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Chuck Hollan’s name to St. Lukes’s Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care in Cedar Rapids through the St. Luke’s Health care Foundation.
• Online Giving: Visit the St. Luke's Health Care Foundation online portal to make a secure memorial gift.
• Mail: Send checks to St. Luke's Health Care Foundation, 810 1st Ave. NE, 2nd Floor, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
• Designation: Specify that the donation is for hospice/palliative care or in memory of a specific individual.