Rex Leist

Rex "Ilo" Leist passed away Thursday, May 18, 2006 at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 85 years.Ilo was born January 20, 1921 to Charles and Emma (Jacobsen) Leist 6 ½ miles east of Exira and attended the Exira High School. On April 5, 1942, Ilo was united in marriage to Edele Rita Pedersen in Maryville, Missouri. He then served in the US Navy for three years during WWII and fought in 27 major sea battles in the Pacific Ocean. After his discharge, Ilo began farming on the family farm. Besides farming, he enjoyed music and was a square dancing caller for 20 years. In 1978 they retired and moved to Atlantic where he was employed with SWITA as a driver. Ilo was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the St. Paul Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed his work with the Lions Club. Ilo is survived by his wife Edele, of Atlantic; one daughter Marty Jo Hackwell and husband Gary, of Arvada, Colorado; two sons Collin R. Leist and wife Mary, of West Des Moines, IA and Charles R. Leist and wife Janice, of Clive, IA; five grandchildren Jeff Hackwell, Perry Hackwell, Shawna Repphun and husband Jason, Summer ONeill and husband Chris, and Noah R. Leist; three great grandchildren, Devon Hackwell, Collyer Repphun and Sawyer Repphun and a sister-in-law, Darlene Knutsen and husband Carl of Atlantic.He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Emma Leist.Services for Ilo will be Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Atlantic with a visitation on Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 at Rolands. A luncheon will follow the services with burial in the Exira Cemetery.Funeral InformationIN LOVING MEMORY OF REX "ILO" LEISTBORNJanuary 20, 1921East of Exira, IowaAt the age of 85 years, 3 months and 28 daysENTERED INTO RESTThursday May 18, 2006FUNERAL SERVICETuesday, May 23, 2006 10:30 A.M.Saint Paul Lutheran Church ~ Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Dennis Meyer and Pastor Sally Meyer MUSICAL SELECTIONS Amazing GraceWhat a Friend We Have in JesusHow Great Thou Art by Congregation #532ORGANISTEileen DenneSINGERTami TrewetBEARERSJohn Schroeder Don Schlotzhauer Milt Knutson Bruce Yarger Howard Juel Merlin Meyer FLOWER COMMITTEE Jan Knutson Sandra Schlotzhauer Beverly Meyer Lois Yarger Kaja Juel INTERMENTExira Cemetery ~ Exira, IowaMilitary ServiceAtlantic Color Guard of Atlantic, IowaLUNCHEONIlo's family has requested friends join them for a luncheon,before going to the cemetery, to be held in the church fellowship hall.