State Sen. Joe Seng dies after battling cancer

State Sen. Joe Seng of Davenport, a veterinarian and a beloved politician who sometimes sang and played the accordion on the Iowa Senate floor, has died after a battle with cancer.

The Democratic lawmaker passed away Friday at age 69, just 11 days short of his 70th birthday.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, confirmed Seng's death. He praised Seng for serving his constituents valiantly the past two years after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Seng had been in the Senate since 2003 and had earlier served in the Iowa House and as a Davenport alderman

"He was the kind of guy who lived his Catholic faith," Gronstal said. That included running a veterinary practice that served families from all walks of life, operating restaurants and other businesses, and helping a variety of agencies and charities that served low-income families.

“He was a friend, a colleague and a good person," Gronstal added.

Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said Seng served the people of Scott County with all his heart and soul for many years. "He cared deeply about the families and neighborhoods in his district. He showed that love at his veterinary practice, where he made many friends for life and touched the hearts of thousands of families" she said.

Jochum also said everyone owes a debt of gratitude to Seng's wife Mary, who served as his legislative clerk and was at his side throughout his illness.

Seng was diagnosed in August 2014 with a brain tumor in his left parietal lobe, but he immediately vowed to undergo treatment and continue his legislative career. He underwent surgery a month later to remove the tumor and he occasionally missed a day at the Iowa Capitol while undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. But he  was always present in the Iowa Senate chamber the past two sessions for votes on key bills, and he chaired the Iowa Senate Agriculture Committee.

Although Seng was a Democrat, he  was not particularly known for partisanship, and he sat among Republicans on the west side of the Senate chamber. Throughout his illness, his Republican and Democratic colleagues were helpful to him and his wife. During the 2016 session, it was common to see lawmakers from either party or staff assisting Seng if he needed help to avoid falling when he had to walk up or down stairs while heading to and from committee meetings.

Sen. Tim Kapucian, a Republican from Keystone, told The Des Moines Register last year that he considered Seng a good friend.

"Yes, we have confrontations here. But we are still a big family. We are all Iowans. We are all Americans. We are all here to make Iowa a better place," Kapucian said. "Joe has been a big part of this over the years. I have the utmost respect for him. He has expertise in agriculture and other committees that he works on."

Gov. Terry E. Branstad on Saturday released the following statement after learning of the passing of Seng: “He bravely fought cancer for two years while continuing to serve his constituents at the statehouse.  Joe was a devout member of the Catholic Church and someone that I enjoyed working across the aisle with on life issues.  Joe was a true statesman that put party aside to work for the common good.  He will be dearly missed and I want to extend Chris and I’s thoughts and prayers with Mary and his entire family.”

Each year as the Iowa Legislature has neared the end of its annual session, Seng has been known to serenade his colleagues with music in the chamber. Late during the 2015 session, just before lawmakers were officially gaveled to business for the day, he played "In Heaven There is No Beer" and the "Beer Barrel Polka."

At the end of the 2016 session, Seng's colleagues honored him and his wife with a prolonged standing ovation in recognition of his endeavoring to serve despite his illness and for her assistance.

Seng won re-election in November 2014 without opposition to a four-year term. A special election will be needed to elect a replacement, but the legislative district tilts Democratic and is likely to remain in the Democratic column. Democrats currently control the Senate with 26 seats while Republicans hold 23 seats and Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan is registered as no party.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 422 E. 10th St., Davenport. Burial will be Mount Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. The family will greet friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in downtown Davenport. Memorials may be made  to Right to Life, Humane Society of your choice,  or Defeat GBM, to find a cure for Glioblastoma.