Roene Cammack

Roene Mae Cammack died on March 30 in Birmingham, AL. Born on the kitchen table of a farmhouse near Garnavillo, IA, to Eva (Groth) and Alfred Burghardt on April 10, 1936, she was a lifelong teacher and organizer.

After graduating from Randalia High School, Roene earned a teaching certificate at Iowa Wesleyan College before earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and, later, a master’s degree in education. Her career as a teacher spanned 35 years, beginning in Denver, CO, where she taught for two years before returning to Iowa. Roene eventually retired in 1996 from Harding Middle School in Cedar Rapids, IA after 24 years of teaching seventh graders there. She also served as president of the school board for the Marion Independent School District.

In 1961, Roene married George Cammack, and they settled in Marion, IA, where they raised their sons. Together the family explored the United States each summer and eventually achieved their goal of visiting every state in the Union.

After retiring, the couple lived in Sedona, AZ for almost 20 years and celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary there among the red rocks. After George’s death, Roene moved to Birmingham, AL, to be nearer to her sons.

Roene was born a teacher and advocate for those she cared about, and she cared about the entire human race. Everyone who knew her considered her “a force of nature” and often saw the outspoken and occasionally ferocious defense she mounted whenever she saw injustice. Throughout her long life, she used her daunting energy to work with her church and civic groups to make this a kinder, more generous world.

Roene leaves behind an extended family. In addition to her sons, John (Ari) and Tom (Tammi), she is survived by siblings Veryl Burghardt (Patricia) and LuAnn Berthel. A flock of descendants who adored her include seven nieces and nephews, 10 grands and two great-grands.

In lieu of flowers please honor Roene with a donation to the P.E.O. Foundation, Chapter B, Birmingham, AL or a charity of your choice.

A Memorial Service in her honor will be Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Visitation will immediately follow service.