Dr. Herbert Bruce Tjaden, 93, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away on October 18, 2026, at his home. He was surrounded by his wife, children, and close friends at the time of his passing.
Herbert was born near Titonka, Iowa on November 2, 1932, one of five children to Stephen and Flora Marie (Bruns) Tjaden, at the family farmstead. Herbert grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka. He attended a one-room country schoolhouse for his early education, later graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1954.
After earning his undergraduate degree at St. Olaf, Herbert attended the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, receiving his medical degree in 1958. While in medical school, he met his future wife, Alice Lee Schrody, a student in the University’s Medical Technology program. After medical school, Herbert completed an internship at King County Hospital in Seattle, Washington.
Herbert was then accepted into a coveted Urology Residency program back at the University of Iowa College of Medicine under the direction of the highly renowned and respected Dr. Rubin Flocks. Prior to starting his residency, Dr. Flocks requested that Herbert complete his mandatory two years of military service. He joined the US Army Medical Corps as a Captain, and before being deployed overseas.
Herbert and Alice were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa, on June 28, 1959. After completion of his military service in Korea, he joined Dr. Flocks in Iowa City in the Urology Residency Program.
Herbert and Alice started their family in Iowa City during Herbert’s residency, having three children, Stephen William Tjaden (1961), Kristine Lynn Tjaden (1962), and Erik Bruce Tjaden (1964). After graduation from the Urology Residency, Herbert and Alice moved their young family of five to Burlington, Iowa, and he started his own private practice in urology in 1965. About six years later, Dr. Roderick Kellogg joined Herbert in urology practice, and the two doctors enjoyed a long and successful partnership that served the Burlington area for more than 40 years. He retired as a physician in 2005.
Herbert enjoyed spending time with his growing family, caring for the amazing variety of orchids in his greenhouse, tending to the Messiah Lutheran Church property with the landscaping committee crew, and doing yardwork at his home of 57 years on the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball fan, never missing an opportunity to watch his teams play.
Herbert is survived by his wife Alice of 67 years, three children: Stephen Tjaden (Gabrielle), Kristine Kendell (Darren), and Erik Tjaden (Susan); seven grandchildren: Nicholas Kendell (Natalie Jo Del Vecchio), Alyssa Kendell (Jordan Setser), Tyler Tjaden, Hazel Tjaden, Jett Tjaden (Isabelle Howsare, fiancé), Axel Tjaden, and Isabel Tjaden; one great-grandchild: Mills Monson Del Vecchio Kendell; and sister Lorna Weiser. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Marge, William, and Joy.
In accordance with the family’s wishes, no visitation or formal service will be held.
Memorial donations can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, Iowa.