HEARD, Russell "Rex" 1920-2005

HEARD, BOWERS, REECE, ROSE, LANN, JACOBSEN

Posted By: Jeffrey R Phillips (email)
Date: 2/16/2005 at 21:11:12

Russell “Rex” Heard

Russell “Rex” Heard, age 84 of Steamboat Rock, passed away Feb. 10, 2005 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames. Funeral services were held Feb. 14, 2005 at the First Baptist Church in Steamboat rock, with pastor Bruce Baillie officiating. Burial followed in the Steamboat Rock cemetery, with full military rites provided by the Hoover-Eiserman Post #242 of the American Legion.

Heard was born Aug. 24, 1920 in Tracy, Minn., the son of Rowland and Ella (Bowers) Heard. He graduated from Owasa High School in 1940, and married Bernice A. Reece on Oct. 26, 1941 in her parents’ home. He then entered the United States Marine Corps in 1942, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned to Owasa where he worked for a farmer for several years before going on his own. The couple moved to Steamboat Rock in 1955 where he farmed prior to working as a custodian for the Steamboat Rock school system until the mid 1970’s. He then served as a custodian at Ackley-Geneva high School before retiring in 1985.

Heard was a member of the First Baptist Church in Steamboat rock where he was a trustee. He was also a member of the Pine Lake Saddle Club, serving as president for 40 years. He also served as president of the Steamboat rock Boat Club for 33 years, and was a member of the Hoover-Eiserman Post #242 of the American Legion. He was also a former member of the Steamboat rock Fire Department and served on the city council.

He is survived by his wife; sons Michael “Rex” Heard of Steamboat Rock and Stephen (Evelyn) Heard of St. George, Utah; daughters Catherine (Jim) Rose of Steamboat Rock and Rebecca (Steven) Lann of Steamboat Rock; sister Elizabeth Jacobsen of Windom, Minn.; brother Jim (Jane) Heard of Steamboat Rock; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Raymond, William, Donald, Carroll, Ted and Claude; sisters Catherine Heard, Joy Huzel, Gladys Mounter, and Dolly Stonebraker; and granddaughter Christa Rose.

The Creps-Abels Funeral home of Eldora was in charge of the arrangements.