Joseph E. Naumann

Joseph E. Naumann of Urbandale, IA passed away January 6, 2024, at the age of 87 from complications of a cancer treatment immunotherapy drug at Iowa Methodist Hospital.

Joe was born in the family home near Greene, IA on January 3, 1937, to William Naumann and Magdalen Naumann (nee Koenigsfeld). He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque and received his MBA from Drake University. He taught school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa before starting work in IT at Wellmark/ EDS from 1974 until retiring in 2004.

Joe met his wife Marla Naumann at Wellmark in 1980 and the couple married in Lake Tahoe, NV on March 23, 1989. They built a home in Urbandale in 1992 and spent their years together fishing, boating, traveling (four continents and 35 countries), golfing and biking.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Charles Naumann; brother-in-law, Fred Vasey and sister-in-law, Roberta Vasey; and nephews, Jeff Naumann and Robert Vasey.

Joe is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marla; brothers, Phillip (Cheryl) of Coldwater, OH and Paul (Muriel) of Iowa City; sister, Janet Zimmer of Silver Spring, MD; sisters-in-law, Linda Naumann of Iowa City, and Nan Gardiner (Greg) of Walnut Creek CA; nephew, Brad Vasey (Lora) of Norwalk; nieces, Lisa Mascardo (Dom) of North Liberty, Ann Grimstad (Joe) of Decorah, Susan Schatz (Brian) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Andrea Hardwick (Todd) of Holly Springs, NC, Karen Phillips (Ken) of Rochester, MI, Bree Pedrayes (Gus) from Herndon, VA, Beth Zimmer of Lincolnia, VA, and Renee Naumann of Iowa City; great-nieces and nephews, Charlie and Jake Mascardo, Max and Oscar Grimstad, Leah and Daniel Schatz, Jocelyn, Riley and Holden Hardwick, Brooke and Audrey Phillips, Tyler and Ella Pedrayes, Hunter and Keely Vasey.

Joe was a life-long learner and an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction. His idea of a good time was streaming the Great Courses on TV. He volunteered for the Senior College organization, building a new enrollment system, and serving as its Treasurer for several years. Joe was a huge Iowa Hawkeye’s and St. Louis Cardinals’ fan, had a sarcastic wit, loved his family and the pets he and Marla had over the years, including Neo and Emma the rescued cats adopted three years ago.

To honor Joe’s memory a Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. with a visitation one hour prior. Private family burial at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd St, Des Moines IA, 50313 or Holden Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr. Iowa City IA 52242. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print