Return to Class of 1954
09/25/2026
Robert (Bob) Henry Rees was born October 23, 1936 in Marion County, Iowa, the first child of Donald and Dorothy Rees.
He was blessed with 89 years of a full and happy life, marked by love, hard work, and the joy he found in family and the simple pleasures of everyday living.
He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1954, having spent most of his grade-school years in Pleasantville, Iowa.
On November 4, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marie Rowley at the Community of Christ Church in Knoxville, IA.
He dearly loved his wife and cherished the life they built together. The couple were blessed with two sons, Rusty and Brad and a daughter, Deanne.
They moved to Ida Grove, Iowa in 1971, after living in Eldora, Iowa for several years.
Bob built a long career working for agricultural equipment dealers in Ida Grove, holding roles in sales and/or parts management with Ida Grove Ford Tractor (and Allis Chalmers), International Harvester, and Case (Vetter Equipment). Later, he also enjoyed serving as a bank courier for United Bank of Iowa.
He was known for his friendly nature and loved being outdoors-hunting, fishing, rafting, gardening, and tending to the vegetables and flowers he enjoyed growing.
As a young man, he was active in 4-H showing livestock, and throughout his life he enjoyed motor vehicles and the simple pleasure of driving. He also loved riding bikes, putting more than 3,000 miles on the Ida Grove trails.
He enjoyed cooking breakfast, grilling on Sundays, square dancing, spending time with family, and traveling-visiting different sights, including Madrid, Spain, Branson, MO, Florida, Colorado, Caribbean cruise, and others.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Marie. Those left to cherish Bob’s memory include Rusty (Kelly) Rees of Sioux City, IA, Brad (Tammy) Rees of Bondurant, IA and Deanne (Daren) Larison of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Isaiah (Hannah) Corben, Bryan (Haleigh) Rees, Kristina (Alex) Stittsworth, Austin Larison, Dustin (Melissa) Carnes, Sunshine Carnes, and Amanda (Jason) Hanika; 18 great-grandchildren; and sibling: Ron (Julie) Rees.