Richard L. Steenblock

Richard L. Steenblock, 90, of Belmond, passed away Sunday Nov. 23, 2014, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Goodell. Pastor Mike Shaffer will officiate. Burial will take place in the Amsterdam Cemetery east of Goodell. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, at Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luicks Lane S., in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Richard LuVern, the son of Peter and Margaret Frohling Steenblock, was born Nov. 21, 1924, on a farm east of Goodell. He attended country school near Goodell through the eighth grade. During World War II Richard and his brothers farmed for their parents. After the war, Richard married Rhea Fitz of Clarion on Jan. 29, 1947. The couple had been married 67 years and 10 months. The marriage was blessed with two children, a son, Jerry and a daughter, Beth. Richard farmed his entire life, and retired at the age of 57. The couple moved into Belmond in 1980.

Richard and Rhea have enjoyed more than 30 years of retirement. They spent winters in Texas and summers in Minnesota. Richard enjoyed fishing and golfing. Most of all, he liked playing and being together with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed playing jokes on his kids and his friends. Foremost was the little old man outfit he would put on for Halloween to startle the trick-and-treaters.

Richard was a member of the United Methodist Church in Goodell.

Richard is survived by the love of his life, Rhea, children, Jerry and wife Margaret of Klemme, daughter, Beth Bartell and husband, Lyle of Mason City, grandchildren, Tina (Jay) DePuew of Belmond, Scot (Rhonda) Steenblock of Chatfield, Minnesota, Tracy (Scott) Albrecht of Mason City, Matt (Hillary) Bartell of Mason City; great-grandchildren, Halie, Brandon and Kara DePuew, Andrea and Jessica Steenblock, Hannah and Hattie Albrecht, Gracie Bartell, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rhea's parents, Kenneth and Maude Fitz of Clarion, and 12 brothers and sisters.