Gene Farmer

Gene M. Farmer, 81, of Eldora, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames . Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 3, 2010 1:30 pm at the Eldora United Methodist Church in Eldora with Pastor Richard Boatman officiating. Burial will follow funeral services at the Eldora City Cemetery . Visitation will be held on Friday, April 2, 2010 from 5 to 8 pm at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora.

Gene was born on July 26, 1928, the son of Lester and Veda (Crookshank) Farmer in Marshall County, Iowa. He was raised on a farm near Eldora and also lived in Poseyville and Hughes Crossing. He attended country school until the 8 ^th grade, and then began attending Eldora High School . In 1949, Gene and Alice Akers were united in marriage and the couple moved to Eldora. That same year, Gene began working for Maltby’s Blacksmith Shop and worked there for 5 years, purchasing it with his brother and renaming it Farmer Brothers Welding and Manufacturing Shop. They ran the business together for over 40 years. Alice passed away March 21, 1978. Gene then met Zella Reagan and the two were married in April of 1979. She preceded him in death in 2005. Gene married Margaret Granzow on February 10, 2007 in Eldora, where the couple lived together.

Gene was a member of many organizations including the United Methodist Church of Eldora, member and past president of the Pine Lake Wildlife Club, the Pine Ridge Rifle Club, the Heritage Arms Society, the American Trapshooting Association, President of the Dorothy’s Senior Center, board member and curator for the Hardin County Historical Society and a 50 year member of the Masons. He was an avid gun collector and trader for almost 50 years.

Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, gun trading and collecting, playing bridge and was a local history expert for over 40 years. He also enjoyed making homemade ice cream for the members of the Hardin Co. Historical Society. Most of all, Gene enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Margaret of Eldora; children Cynthia Mayer (Lyle Russell) of Marshalltown, Larry (Janice) Farmer of Hendersonville, NC, John (Bea) Farmer of Eldora, Tom (Erin) Farmer of Knoxville, TN and Jerry's long time companion Carol Maxfield of Marshalltown; step-children Bonnie Granzow (Jeff Johnson), Peggy (Randy) Munson, Jerry (Pam) Granzow and Rick (Kelley) Granzow; numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren; sister Mary Cain and sisters-in-law Lucille and Arlis Farmer; aunt Viola Collins. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Alice; second wife Zella; sons Jerry & David Farmer; brothers Jim, Bob and Ray Farmer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pine Lake Wildlife Club, the Hardin County Historical Society or the United Methodist Church of Eldora.