08/16/2026
Jeff Greenlee, age 67 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Jeffrey Allen Greenlee was born on October 2, 1958, in Sac City, IA, to parents Richard and Viola (Schnirring) Greenlee. Jeff grew up in Knoxville, IA, where he attended school.
As a young man, he was ready to see a little more of the world and moved with friends to Arizona and later Texas. During those years, Jeff worked a variety of jobs, primarily in construction and as a factory laborer.
In the mid-1980s, Jeff returned to Knoxville and painted fulltime, he then worked for a time as a school janitor before beginning his career with Pella Industries. He began spending time with his widowed sister-in-law, Mary Greenlee and her children Paul, Jeremiah, Sarah, and Jesse. On July 25, 1987, Jeff and Mary were united in marriage at the First Baptist Church in Knoxville. Together, they were blessed with two more children James and Zachary.
Although Jeff grew up in Knoxville, the Sac City area had always been a familiar place to him. As a child and young man, he made frequent trips there to spend time with his grandparents and cousins. In August of 2000, Jeff and Mary made Sac City their home after purchasing his Grandma Nelson’s home, where they raised their family.
Jeff worked hard throughout his life and was a good and dependable provider for those he loved. After many years with Pella Industries, he retired in 2020. More than anything he accomplished through his work, however, Jeff was proud of his family. He was his children’s biggest fan and took great pride in each of them. He may not always have been one to put those feelings into words, but his family knew just how much they meant to him.
Quiet, laid-back, and an introvert at heart, Jeff was perfectly content enjoying the simple things in life.
He liked watching football if for no other reason than to cheer for whichever team happened to be the rival of his family members’ favorite team-mostly because he knew it would get them riled up. That subtle sense of humor was very much Jeff.
He was a devoted fan of The Walking Dead and enjoyed watching old westerns. Jeff also loved to read, an interest he shared with Mary. The two would often read the same books, giving them something to talk about and compare notes on as they made their way through the stories together. He also enjoyed going to garage sales and seeing what treasures might be waiting to be found.
As much as Jeff enjoyed his quiet time, nothing could bring out his smile quite like his grandchildren. Spending time with them was among his greatest joys, and the happiness they brought him was easy for everyone to see.
Jeff could certainly be stubborn at times, but that, too, was simply part of who he was. Beneath his quiet and reserved nature was a man who loved his family deeply, worked hard to provide for them, and took tremendous pride in the lives of his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Greenlee of Sac City, IA; children Jeremiah (Casey) of Perkins, OK, Sarah (Brian) of Canton, IL, Jesse (Ellemay) of Sac City, IA, and Zach (Beth) of Odebolt, IA; seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; stepmother Sharon Greenlee of CO; stepfather Ken Smith of Chariton, IA; siblings Diane (Jim) Schwartzman of Leavenworth, KS, Linda (Kirk) Navo of CO, Brenda (Jeff) Adamovicz of KS, Julie (Kyle) Stierwalt of Rochester, MN, and Debbie (Richard) Kazmerzak of Indianola, IA; sisters-in-law Laura (Tom) Pierce of Des Moines, IA, and Ruth Anderson of Webster City, IA; brother-in-law Tim Rowland of Sioux City, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends;
Jeff was preceded in death by sons, Paul and James; parents Richard Greenlee and Viola Smith; brother Dennis “Butch” Greenlee; and granddaughter Autumn.
SERVICES
Private services at a later date.
Farber & Otteman
Funeral Homes & Cremation Center
1120 W. Main St.
Sac City, IA 50583
712-662-7135