Falaniko Rocky Senio, 57, died peacefully at his home in Springdale on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday January 23, 2010 at the West Branch Friends Church Visitation will be held 4:00-8:00PM on Friday at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch. A memorial fund has been established. Burial will be in the North Liberty Cemetery, rural Springdale. Falaniko Rocky Senio, known to his family as Tuvale and to his friends as Niko, was born on September 25, 1952 to Senio Sialafau and Miriama Vou in the village of Nofoali’i, Western Samoa. Growing up in the traditions of the Samoan islands, Niko excelled in rugby, volleyball, cricket and track. He spent much of his youth working on the family plantation raising crops such as copra, bananas and taro. He also spent time spear fishing and diving in the South Pacific. He learned to play the Samoan slack-key guitar at a young age by watching and listening to his father. Singing harmony to his native songs came naturally to him. After high school he moved to American Samoa to look for work and from there decided to join the United States Marine Corps. After enlisting he was injured and sent to Tripler Army Medical Center where he met Gwen Millett who worked for the Red Cross. The two were married on June 14, 1975 in the Tripler Hospital Chapel. Niko and Gwen gave birth to their son, Atonio, on June 16, 1978 at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu. The young family moved to Springdale, Iowa in 1981 and was later completed by the birth of their daughter, Malia, in 1983. Niko was a jack of all trades but eventually enrolled at Kirkwood Community College where he became certified as a Nurses Aide and later as a Rehabilitation Aide. His deep rooted Samoan culture, which holds the elderly in the highest esteem, suited him perfectly for his 20 year career at the Iowa City Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Here he endeared himself to the residents and coworkers through his singing and caregiving. Music was an essential part of Niko’s life. He and his friends and family have performed countless Polynesian programs. One of Niko’s proudest honors was when he received the talking chief title and the name Gaseata to represent his village. Over the years in rural Iowa, he transformed his backyard into a tropical paradise containing hundreds of native and exotic species. A touch of his island home can be enjoyed by all visitors to Springdale. His physical strength was apparent throughout his year-long battle with cancer. Niko died on January 19, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father – Senio; his brothers – Safanua, Savelio, Falaniko; and sisters – Maliana and Akenese. He is survived by his mother, Miriama of Nofoali’I; his loving wife Gwen Senio of Springdale; his son Tony Senio, daughter-in-law Erin and their daughter Si’iva of Coralville; daughter Malia Senio and son-in-law Duane Charlton of Tampa, Florida; sisters - Keke, Nila, Rosalia, Itagia, Anaseata and Feavea’i ; brother - Falaniko and countless other family members and friends. Saturday January 23, 2010, 2:00PM at West Branch Friends Church Click for Map and Directions Friday January 22, 2010, 4:00 - 8:00PM at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home West Branch Click for Map and Directions