Kent Russell McElvania, 72, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 4, 2024. Kent was born on February 5, 1952, in Iowa Falls, Iowa. He was the oldest of three children born to Patricia (Kellogg) and Glen McElvania. Kent graduated from Orange High School in Waterloo, Iowa in 1970 and Ellsworth Community College in 1973 where he met his future wife, Lois. He earned a degree from Buena Vista College and worked for them for 10 years in the Admissions Department. He joined Upper Iowa University in 1985 as Director of Admissions and after 18 years he took on a role with compliance in the Athletic Department.
On July 19,1975 Kent was united in marriage to Lois Strabala at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside, Iowa. They started their married life in Storm Lake, Iowa and moved to West Union in 1985. They were blessed with three children, Erin, Jeff, and Paul. Kent was very active in the community as the Palmer Hospital Board President, Dollars for Scholars President, and West Union Recreation Foundation Treasurer among many others. He was a proud member of Holy Name Catholic Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus. In 2017 Kent retired from Upper Iowa allowing him to spend more time with Lois, his grandkids, and enjoying his hobbies.
Kent was known for his positive and optimistic attitude. He was his kids’ number one cheerleader with motivating words for any situation. Kent mentored many college students during his time at Upper Iowa University. He was an avid golfer and loved golfing with his sons and friends. One of his favorite activities was the yearly golf trip he took with his friends for 36 years straight. Kent was a loving grandfather who would spend hours putting together puzzles, playing with toys, and watching their sporting events. Together he and Lois enjoyed traveling including many trips to visit family and friends.
Kent was preceded in death by his father, Glen McElvania; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Rita and Cecil Strabala, and beloved aunts and uncles, Bob and Lilla Kellogg, LaVon Simpson, Lyle and June McElvania, and brother-in-law, Leon Strabala.
He is survived by his wife, Lois McElvania of West Union, Iowa; daughter, Erin McElvania (Mickey TeKippe) of Glenview, Illinois and their daughters, Penelope and Beatrix; sons, Jeff (Christine) McElvania of Bettendorf, Iowa and their sons Teddy and James; Paul McElvania (Jenny Rapp) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and her sons Ryan, Andy, and Toby; mother, Patricia McElvania of Alden, Iowa; sister, Kay (Bud) Ruhl of New London, Minnesota and their son Ryan; sister, Kris (Steve) Tjarks of Alden, Iowa and their son Riley; uncle ,Marlyn (Marlys) McElvania, sisters-in-law, Marie (Marv) Walker of Des Moines, Iowa; Anne (Nick) Strittmatter of Monticello, Iowa; Beth (Tom) Gehring of Mahtomedi, Minnesota and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home in West Union, Iowa. Rosary Prayer service will be held prior to the visitation starting at 3:30pm at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am on Monday, March 11, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Fayette, Iowa.
Burial will take place at the Mount Calvary Cemetery, West Union, Iowa with a lunch to follow at Holy Name Catholic Church Parish Hall in West Union.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the North Fayette Valley Dollars for Scholars Foundation or West Union Recreation Foundation.