Jack Zurlinden's Obituary
Jack E. Zurlinden, age 79 of Centerville, Iowa passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa.
He was born May 13th, 1935 in Triplett, Missouri to Harold and Bettie (Boune) Fleetwood. His parents were later divorced and he was adopted by his stepfather Herman Zurlinden in Spokane, Washington.
Jack was united in marriage to Betty Jones and there were 3 children. He later moved Centerville and was united in marriage to Charlotte Beard Dixon.
Jack spent his life working in the airline industry. He started in Seattle with Pan Am Airlines. He was transferred to Fairbanks, Alaska for 5 years. Then to Honolulu, Hawaii. In Honolulu, he transferred to Canadian Pacific Airlines. He retired from the airlines in 1992 and followed his daughter to the state of Iowa in 1997.
Jack was known for his sense of humor. He was known also for his storytelling so we hope these happenings are real.
When the first love of his life broke up with him he tried to join the French Foreign Legion. He was denied. So he joined the United States Army for one tour of duty.
When he got out, he started working for the airlines and made some lifetime friends. They did many interesting things. One weekend, they got off work and decided to go for pizza. So they flew to Italy, had pizza, and were back to work on Monday.
While living in Alaska, he had the adventure of a lifetime of mushing a sled dog team.
After coming to Iowa, he would spend his summer in the Northwest with his son and also spent time with his friends deep sea fishing in Canada at Port Renfrew and in Southern Washington.
Jack is survived by his wife, Charlotte, daughter, Darlene Deborah (Norman) Tooley of Norman, Oklahoma, son, David (Cindy) Winter of Maryville, Washington, daughter, Tami (Randy) Hunt of Centerville, stepson, Darin Dixon of Cincinnati, granddaughter, Kathy (Adam Alvarez) Hunt of Des Moines, Elizabeth Tooley of Norman, Oklahoma, and Marissa Hunt of Centerville.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and a stepdaughter, Dawn Dixon.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7 PM, Thursday evening, March 19, 2015 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Reverend Dennis Gilbert officiating. The family will be greeting friends from 5- 7 PM Thursday, with the Funeral Home open to the public from Noon-until time of service. A private inurnment at Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Chariton, Missouri will be take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to either the Centerville 18-80 Club or to the Palliative Care Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City and may be sent to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
March 19, 2015 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Celebration of Life
March 19, 2015 7:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
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