James “Jimmie” Lee Kacena, 74, of Burlington, died at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

            Born October 1, 1933 in Iowa City, he was the son of Alene and John Kacena.  On September 18, 1954, he married Carolyn Marner in Iowa City.  She survives.

            Mr. Kacena was a graduate of Iowa City High School and attended the University of Iowa.  He was in business in Iowa City until 1974 when the family moved to Burlington where Jim owned and operated Kacena Equipment, Inc., John Deere dealership.  After retiring, he became a licensed real estate agent, owned Midwest Lease Company, and owned and managed rental properties.  He obtained his pilot’s license and flew his own plane for a number of years.

            Mr. Kacena was a member of the Board of Directors at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Burlington since 1980.  He was a member of Burlington Rotary Club, Burlington Golf Club, First United Methodist Church, former member of Des Moines County Zoning commission and volunteered in the building of two homes of Habitat for Humanity.  He was an active member and past president of Carthage Lake Club, where he enjoyed many friendships.  He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating with his friends and family.  He took pleasure in collecting antique duck decoys, gardening and building wooduck houses for the Rotary Club.  He was an avid reader and supporter of the new Burlington Public Library and a longtime Iowa Hawkeye fan.  He was a thoughtful and loving husband and a caring father and grandfather.

            Survivors include his loving wife, Carolyn Kacena and their five children; David Kacena of Iowa City, Christopher (Shawn) Kacena of Sherwood, Arkansas, Kathryn (Lorry) Lazenby of Joplin, Missouri, Cynthia (Lynn) Cavett of Macomb, Illinois, and Jennifer (Randy) Frice of Burlington; eleven grandchildren, Ashton, Abby, and Cameron Kacena, Amy (Blaik) Mason, Jacob and Nicholas Kacena, Hannah, John, and Rachel Lazenby, Maxwell and Jackson Cavett; one step grandson, Blake (Amanda) Shadell; three great grandchildren, Aiden, Brennan, and Chloe Mason; two brothers, Robert (Betty) Kacena and Stanley (Carole) Kacena; one sister, Karen (Tom) Diltz; a cousin, Albert Spetrino and many nieces and nephews. 

            His parents and one grandchild, Nathaniel Lazenby preceded him in death.

          Memorials have been established for the Carthage Lake Club Habitat Fund and Burlington Bike Trails.