Obituary of Mehmed Abdagic

Mehmed "Medo" Abdagic, 81, of Coralville, formerly Iowa City, Iowa, passed away on July 16^th after a 6-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his beloved son and daughter, Vernad and Mersiha Abdagic, and his grandchildren, Emina, Emma, and Ava Abdagic.

Mehmed was born on June 6^th in Zagreb, Croatia, to Fadila Mustedanegic and Nazif Abdagic. His father died during WWII when Mehmed was an infant. After completing his education, he worked as a bookkeeper for the Yugoslavian government, where his skill with numbers shone.

In 1970, Mehmed married Saha Abdagic (Nee Pehlic) in Yugoslavia. They had three children: Mersiha Abdagic, Vernad Abdagic, and Vernes Abdagic. Mehmed and Saha shared 45 years of marriage filled with love and dedication.

When war broke out in Bosnia in 1992, they fled their homeland, leaving behind everything they knew in search of a better future. Their journey was fraught with challenges; Mehmed found himself captured by enemy forces and endured perilous trench digging amidst flying bullets. Meanwhile, Saha showed remarkable resourcefulness, smuggling valuable possessions and funds as they escaped the war-torn country. Together, they selflessly assisted their neighbors by gathering and distributing essential supplies during this tumultuous time.

In late 1993, Mehmed and his family arrived in Aachen, Germany, where they resided for several years before immigrating to Kalona, Iowa, sponsored by the Red Cross. Mehmed worked in a factory upon arrival and later at CIVCO, where he and Saha worked together until his retirement, after 22 years of service, to care for her.

In his life in Iowa, Mehmed cherished becoming a grandfather to four grandchildren: Emina Abdagic, Emir Abdagic, Ava Abdagic, and Emma Abdagic. He adored spending time with them, celebrating their accomplishments, and was deeply involved in their lives, loving them dearly.

Mehmed had a passion for soccer, often watching games with his family and cheering for underdog teams. Before the war disrupted his life, he relied on his daughter Mersiha to keep score of matches he couldn't attend due to work commitments.

Mehmed led an active life, finding joy in yard work and DIY projects at home. Following his wife's passing, he embraced cooking traditional Bosnian dishes, infusing each meal with love and care. He cherished neighborhood walks, where he often engaged in friendly conversations and offered assistance to neighbors. His beloved cat, Persephone, brought him much companionship and comfort.

Mehmed was known for his strength of character, compassion, and willingness to help others. He found joy in simple pleasures.

Mehmed was preceded in death by his wife Saha Abdagic, his father Nazif Abdagic, and his mother Fadila Mustedanegic. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.

A gathering for friends and family will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. To share a thought, memory, or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

In Bosnian (U Bosanski):

Mehmed “Medo” Abdagić, 81, iz Coralvillea, nekadašnjeg Ajova Sitija, Ajova, preminuo je 16. jula nakon šestogodišnje borbe sa rakom. Bio je okružen svojim voljenim sinom i kćerkom Vernadom i Mersihom Abdagić. Njegovi unuci Emina, Ema i Ava Abdagić.

Mehmed je rođen 6. juna u Zagrebu, Hrvatska, od porodice Fadile Mustedanegić i Nazifa Abdagića. Njegov otac je umro tokom Drugog svetskog rata kada je Mehmed bio dete. Po završetku školovanja, radio je kao knjigovođa u jugoslovenskoj vladi, gde je zablistao njegov umeće sa brojevima.

Mehmed se 1970. godine u Jugoslaviji oženio Sahom Abdagić (rođ. Pehlić). Imali su troje djece: Mersihu Abdagić, Vernada Abdagića i Vernesa Abdagića. Mehmed i Saha dijelili su 45 godina braka ispunjeni ljubavlju i predanošću.

Kada je 1992. izbio rat u Bosni, pobjegli su iz domovine, ostavljajući za sobom sve što su znali u potrazi za boljom budućnošću. Njihovo putovanje bilo je ispunjeno izazovima; Mehmed se našao zarobljen od strane neprijateljskih snaga i izdržao je opasno kopanje rovova usred letećih metaka. U međuvremenu, Saha je pokazao izuzetnu snalažljivost, švercujući vrijednu imovinu i sredstva dok su bježali iz ratom razorene zemlje. Zajedno su nesebično pomagali svojim komšijama prikupljajući i dijeleći osnovne zalihe u ovom burnom vremenu.

Krajem 1993. godine Mehmed i njegova porodica stigli su u Aachen, Njemačka, gdje su boravili nekoliko godina prije nego što su emigrirali u Kalonu, Iowa, pod pokroviteljstvom Crvenog krsta. Mehmed je po dolasku radio u fabrici, a kasnije u CIVCO-u, gdje su on i Saha radili zajedno do njegovog penzionisanja, nakon 22 godine radnog staža, kako bi brinuli o njoj.

U svom životu u Iowi, Mehmed je volio da postane djed četvero unučadi: Emini Abdagić, Emiru Abdagiću, Avi Abdagić i Emmi Abdagić. Obožavao je provoditi vrijeme s njima, slaviti njihova postignuća i bio je duboko uključen u njihove živote, jako ih je voleo.

Mehmed je imao strast prema fudbalu, često je gledao utakmice sa svojom porodicom i navijao za autsajderske timove. Prije nego što mu je rat poremetio život, oslanjao se na ćerku Mersihu da vodi evidenciju utakmica kojima nije mogao prisustvovati zbog obaveza na poslu

Mehmed je bio aktivan čovjek. Uživao je u radu u dvorištu i učestvovanju u nekim kućnim „uradi sam“. Počeo je da kuva tradicionalnu bosansku hranu nakon što mu je žena umrla. Mehmedova hrana se uvijek pripremala s ljubavlju i trudom. Mehmed bi išao u šetnju po komšiluku kada je to vrijeme dozvoljavalo. Moglo se naći kako ćaska sa komšijama i pruža mu ruku pomoći. Uživao je u društvu svoje mačke Persefone. Mehmed je bio snažan čovjek. On je utjelovio snagu izvan fizičke. Bio je čovjek sa saosjećanjem, brigom i razumijevanjem.

Mehmed je bio poznat po snazi ​​karaktera, saosećanju i spremnosti da pomogne drugima. Pronašao je radost u jednostavnim zadovoljstvima.

Pre Mehmeda su umrli supruga Saha Abdagić, otac Nazif Abdagić i majka Fadila Mustedanegić. Iza njega su ostala djeca i unuci.

Službe će se održati u Gay and Chia 10. avgusta u 11 sati. Mehmedovo posljednje počivalište će čuvati u srcima onih koje je volio.