Gene Held

Eugene Frederick Held was born June 28, 1931, in Eureka Township, Adair County, the son of Erwin Marx and Ella Elsie (Neumann) Held. He passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield at the age of 89.

Gene attended country school and graduated from Fontanelle High School in 1949. He was a lifelong active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. His confirmation memory verse was 1 Timothy 4:8, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, loving promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” He was an active member of the Fontanelle Lions Club and had been a Jackson Township trustee for over 50 years.

On Jan. 19, 1952, he was united in marriage to Jane South at United Methodist Church in Greenfield. To this union four sons were born: Steven, Jim, Tim and Patrick. In 1953, he moved to the farm. He worked for the State of Iowa with the S.C.S. and part time inspector for Adair County Mutual. He enjoyed being with his family and time spent in town with friends. He loved coffee time especially making coffee and popcorn at the Co-op in Fontanelle. He was a lifetime resident of Adair County.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jane Held in 2012 and brother, Tobe Held.

He is survived by his four sons, Steve Held (Sue) Breen-Held of Des Moines, Jim (Brenda) Held of Lowell, Arkansas, Tim Held (Kathi Robinson) of Norwalk and Pat (Linda) Held of Fontanelle; 11 grandchildren: Marc (Jessica) Held, Lucas (Kirstyn) Held, Amy Harms, Eric Held (Angie Landers), Matthew Held (wife Taylor), Amanda Held (Andy Miller), Gena Ward (Philip), Ellen (Joshua) Linkenhoker, Tyler Held, Megan Held (Joe Zayac) and Cara Held (Christian Albaugh); great-grandchildren: Grace, Isaac, Payge, Katie, Spencer, Jacob, Travis, Hailey, Addison, Kaydence, Mitchell, Nicholas, Rheagun, Chase, Paiton, Alivia and Kenzie; other relatives and friends.

Private (immediate family only) funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, with burial in Fontanelle Cemetery. Pastor Steven Broers will officiate the service. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Gene’s funeral service will be livestreamed on the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Open visitation without the family present will be 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle.

Memorials may be directed to Bridgewater Fire Department, Fontanelle Fire Department or to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle.