Sheldon Juhler Kardell

Sheldon Juhler Kardell, 69, of Story City, died Thursday, June 4, 2020, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born in Atlantic, August 27, 1950, the first child born to Clarence Christian and Violet Jensena (Juhler) Kardell. He grew up on the farm, along with two brothers, one sister and a second cousin. He went to kindergarten at a rural, single room classroom of multiple grades, taught by his mother, Violet. He attended the Marne school through sixth grade, continuing on to Atlantic where he played clarinet in the high school band. After graduating class of ‘68, he studied agriculture at Northwest Missouri State College for a year and a half. He began working for the Iowa Department of Transportation in 1970, where he was employed until retirement. On June 12, 1971 Sheldon and Mary Lee “Mindy” Trailer were married in Council Bluffs. Sheldon and Mindy had three children, Shawn, Sarah, and Paul. During his forty-four year career he and his family lived in a few communities across the state of Iowa: Marne, Atlantic, Manchester and finally Story City, from where he commuted to the DOT office in Ames for twenty-nine years until retiring in 2014. He was the construction supervisor on the Iowa-Wisconsin bridge which crosses the Mississippi River in Dubuque, which opened on August 21, 1982, an accomplishment of which he was most proud. Sheldon enjoyed woodworking, remodeling, making repairs and other creative hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed working on his ‘49 and ‘29 Chevrolets and projects at his home and his children’s homes. He used his experience from an early job as an electrician as well as his knowledge of car engine repair whenever possible and was always enthusiastic and willing to lend a hand in sharing his skills to help others. He was a member of the Story City Lions Club, a member at St. Petri Lutheran Church, and played in golf league with the DOT into retirement. He faithfully attended the annual Kardell family reunion as well as regular high school class reunions. When traveling, he preferred to drive, noting that it was a great way to see the country. He and Mindy visited family across the US and on three trips to Europe. He will be remembered for his patience, sense of humor, his quiet and thoughtful kindness, and his unconditional love to his wife, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren. Sheldon is survived by wife, Mindy; son Shawn of Minneapolis, MN; daughter Sarah (Stephen) Bultmann and grandchildren Sophia Ana-Marie, Evan Andrew, and Miles Lee of Ramstein, Germany; and son Paul of Fort Collins, CO. He is also survived by siblings David (Bobbi) Kardell of Atlantic; Wayne (Patty) Mansfield of LaPine, OR; and Pamela Darrow of Harlan; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother Sherwin and his parents. Social distancing guidelines should be respected.