04/23/2020
Rexford Gene Koonce was born on September 24, 1943 in Knoxville, Iowa. He attended Knoxville High School where he was a member of the football team and held the school record in pole vaulting with the track team.
Rexford later received his GED and served with the United States Marine Corps. One of his special memories of service was duties during the Cuban Missile Crisis and his service time while stationed in Hawaii.
Rexford was introduced to Rebecca Kay Wadle by a cousin, Mabel (Koons) Hardin, and they were united in marriage on his birthday, September 24, 1966 at Christ the King Church, in Des Moines.
Their marriage was made special by their love for each other and working together raising their family of four sons: Gene Allen, Randall John who passed away at the age of 3 weeks in 1969, Kevin Ray, and Brian Jay.
Rexford provided for his family and his extended family with his employment with Iowa Power. He was later a gas serviceman for Mid American Energy Company for 42 years until his retirement in 2006. Rexford was the first employee ever to be honored as Serviceman of the Year.
Rexford enjoyed his retirement watching western movies, the Iowa Hawkeyes, listening to country western music, and making marble games for family and friends. He enjoyed playing the guitar, but most important to him was HOME!!
And speaking of home, their home was always open to extended family as well. Rexford never met a stranger, and has left many fond memories for the many lives he touched. There are too many stories and jokes to mention.
Rexford passed away Thursday afternoon on April 23, 2020, shortly upon arrival at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He attained the age of 76 years and will be remembered as a kind, charitable, Family Man.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Becky; three sons and their wives and eight grandchildren. They are: Gene and Elaine (Puzder) Koonce of Urbandale T yler and Emily Koonce Peyton Koonce
Kevin and Kerry (Rigg) Koonce of Indianola Madison Koonce
Kyle Koonce
Brian and Michelle (Mattox) Koonce of LeMars Erin Koonce
Emily Koonce Erica Koonce
Lizzie Koonce
Of his original family Rexford leaves his sister, Judy and her husband, Ed Hines of Springfield Mo, a brother John Koonce of Springfield Mo, and a sister-in-law, Charlene Koonce of Tampa Bay, FL.
His love of extended family and friends who Rexford leaves includes brother and sister in laws Randy and Connie Wadle, brother and sister in laws Fred and Nancy Wadle, Cindy Marshall and many nieces and nephews and special friends Jim and Mable Hardin.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Randall John Koonce; his parents, Clayton and Ethel (Harvey) Koonce; his brother, Jerry Lloyd Koonce; brother-in-law Jerome Wadle, and a sister-in-law, Judy Koonce.