George A. Joens, 82, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on December 11, 2017, peacefully at home surrounded by family.  The family will greet visitors on Wednesday, December 13th from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Czech National Cemetery.

George was born February 22, 1935, to Frank and Martha (Kuncl) Joens.  He graduated from Wilson High School and served in the Army in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He met his "farmgirl" Carol "Kay" Sauter from Millersburg at a dance and they married July 18, 1959.   After a short time working for Valenta Plumbing, he joined his twin brother Frank and opened TruArt Carpet, later changing the name to Joens Brothers Interiors when his two younger brothers (Don and Jim) joined the business.  He retired in 2011.

George was an incredible father, grandfather and great grandfather and always put his family first.  He taught all of them the importance and power of togetherness and that we are stronger together than we could ever be alone.

He was known for big and bold ideas, and he had a deep love for his Czech heritage and promoting it.  He was instrumental in bringing to life the Czech Village Association and always looking for ways to draw traffic to the area.  This eventually led to the creation of the National Czech and Slovak Museum that was dedicated by the President of the Czech Republic, President of Slovakia and the President of the United States in 1995.  He also worked tirelessly to find a Czech artist (Jan Kotek) to make a stone replica of the famous St. Ludmila and St. Wenceslaus sculpture in Prague which is now on display at Czech Heritage Park at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

He was also a valuable member of the Prairie Booster Club where he supported all of his kids in their activities.  He loved video-taping the football games. This led to play by play commentary with his friends Paul, Jerry and Dave on cable TV.  One of his proudest accomplishments was that all six of his kids graduated from the University of Iowa and he became a lifelong Track and Field fan.

His love of sports and family combined when he created the Joens Family Olympics.  Over 100 family and friends would participate in athletic team events.  Ironically, he was in his 40's when he started running and ended up completing multiple Drake Relay Marathons.

George was an avid gardener and enjoyed being outdoors.  He raised chickens and geese and even a few peacocks.  He loved Christmas and started a Christmas Tree Farm and the entire family worked on it together.  He loved that his family was part of other family's holiday tradition of cutting their own trees. When the kids were little they enjoyed summers at their cabin.  Eventually they sold the cabin and built a pool at home so everyone could stay active and have fun.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay, his children; Craig (Helen), Scott (Robin), Angie, Sara Griffin (Troy Burckhartt) and Doug (Jeanne) Joens and 14 grandchildren; Amy, Sam, Kaitlyn, Rachel, Meghan, Jackson, Cael, Brody, Johnny, Emma, Karaleigh, Benjamin, Tate, and Paisley and 1 great granddaughter Brinlee.  Also surviving are his brothers Frank (Jan) Joens, Jim (Karen), and sister-in-law Terri Joens and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his son Jason, brother Don, and his parents.

K místům, která za to stojí, neexistují žádné zkratky.

There are no short cuts to any place worth going.