Stanley R. Reiff

Stanley Robert Reiff was born May 8, 1926, in Ida Grove, Iowa to George and Katharine (Roepke) Reiff. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and was a graduate of Ida Grove High School in 1943. After helping his father farm for a year, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. He received his basic training in Farragut, ID, and he served aboard the U.S.S. Fillmore (attack transport) as Electrician's Mate, 2nd Class, in the South Pacific, New Hebrides, Guam and the Philipines. He received his honorable discharge at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, IL in 1946.

While home on leave, Stanley married Shirley Parker on July 11, 1944 in Ida Grove. They farmed southwest of Holstein from 1947 until 1989 when he retired. Stanley truly enjoyed farming (John Deere tractors!) and helping his many good neighbors. He valued hard work and took pride in his profession. Having celebrated 65 years of marriage, Shirley passed away November 5, 2009. Stanley continued to reside on the farm until April, 2012, when he moved to the Ridge in Holstein.

Stanley was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein, serving on church council and holding several positions. He served on the Holstein Cooperative Elevator Board for 12 years and served on the Ida Mutual Insurance Association Board for 17 years. He enjoyed family, friends, playing cards, golf, dancing and traveling. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, smile, and patience.

Stanley is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents; two brothers, Eugene and Don; and his sister, Dorothy Brown.

He is survived by his five children, Diane and Tom Kolbo of Nevada, IA, David and Diane (Dowd) Reiff of Fairfield, IA, Brian and his fiancee, Stephane Yurick, of Tempe, AZ, Kent and Anita (Challinor) Reiff of Ankeny, IA, and Randy and Keri (Bucy) Reiff of Normandy Park, WA; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Patti) Kolbo, Heidi (Nick) Boyd, Heather Kolbo; Emily (Jack) Greiner, Molly Reiff, Lindsay Reiff; Eric Reiff, Alicia Reiff, and Connor Reiff; nine great grandchildren; and many dear nieces and nephews.