(Davenport, IA) -- Scott County District Judge Gary McKenrick has ruled that the perpetual care endowment for historic Oakdale Memorial Gardens will be placed with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. The move was approved by the Iowa Securities Division and will ensure that the funds will be managed effectively for generations to come.

The historic cemetery, final resting place for Leon Bismark “Bix” Beiderbecke and many other prominent Quad Citians including 260 pioneer families, was put into receivership more than 30 years ago because the perpetual care endowment had declined. By placing the funds with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Oakdale will have a trusted organization to invest and administer the funds.

“This will benefit Oakdale because more perpetual care funds will go for cemetery maintenance and less for the costs of managing the funds,” said Susan Skora, President and CEO of Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB). “It will help fund cemetery maintenance in the future. That should ease the minds of surviving family and friends.”

Nearly $400,000 will be managed by the foundation. Earnings from the investment of the funds will be used for perpetual care at the cemetery. The principle will remain intact.

“People who have an interest in the Oakdale Memorial Gardens as a historic site, or have loved ones buried here, often give donations to help with maintenance,” said Deb Williams, Oakdale office manager. “With the involvement of the Community Foundation, there will be no question for donors that the funds will be invested and spent wisely and also will provide tax benefits to the donor.”

Oakdale Cemetery is a popular historic site for students and hiking groups, and tourists from all over the world visit to pay respects at the grave of Bix Beiderbecke. The cemetery was established in 1856. It’s the final resting place for more than 24,000 people, including members of the Davenport family, the Bettendorf family, the Palmer family, and Henry Washington Lee, the first Episcopalian Bishop in Iowa. 

Williams says that just like a home, a cemetery requires constant maintenance, particularly when headstones are more than 150 years old. Oakdale is managed by five individuals - Darrell Iossi, General Manager, is a volunteer, as well as Janet Bleitz and David Cribbs who are Trustees of the preneed trust, are also volunteers who receive no compensation. Doug Grassle, sexton, and Deb Williams, office manager, receive compensation.