Rebec, Thomas R. 1926-2012

REBEC, ZIVNEY, KAISER, BIANCALANA, THIESSEN, JARMIE, MACKEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/9/2017 at 14:01:51

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
June 14, 2012

THOMAS R. REBEC

Thomas R. Rebec was born February 3, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Rufus and Helen (Zivney) Rebec. His childhood years were spent in Cedar Rapids where he hunted the woods and fished the river. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1944 and from Coe College in 1948.

He was a veteran of World War II serving with the 304th Infantry in France and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart and honorably discharged in 1945.

Tom held management positions with several life insurance companies before joining Grinnell Mutual Life in 1965. He was appointed Vice President with Grinnell Mutual in 1971 and was named President in 1974. He retired from that position in 1984.

In 1980, he married Alice (Kaiser) Biancalana and they retired to Florida in 1985. For the past few years they had been spending their summers at their home in Spencer. Tom was an avid fisherman. He looked forward to his annual fishing trip with his sons to Canada and fishing with his brother-in-law Dick Thiessen. He was an exceptional bridge player and thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge with his friends in Spirit Lake and Sebring.

Tom passed away on June 10, 2012, at Spencer Municipal Hospital at the age of 86. His parents, his brothers, Jack and Donald, his sister, Maryanne, and his son, Steven, preceded him in death.

His memory will be cherished by his wife, Alice Rebec; his children Rob (Kathryn) Rebec of O'Fallon, MO, David (Kim) Rebec of Melbourne Beach, FL, and Lornie (Bruce) Jarmie of Powell Butte, OR; his stepchildren, Valarie Biancalana (Stuart Mackey) of Waverly, IA, and Tom (Brenda) Biancalana of Des Moines, IA; his nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and his many relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Spencer Hospital, 116 E. 11th St., Spencer, IA 51301.

A private service will be held at a later date.