Rex Edward Warden, 81, of Newton, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, at his home in rural Newton. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society of Iowa, Immanuel Baptist Church or MercyOne Hospice may be left at the funeral home.
Rex, the son of Don E. and Virginia E. (Williams) Warden, was born Feb. 8, 1938, in Newton. He graduated from Newton High School in 1956. Rex was united in marriage with Sandra Langmaid March 23, 1958, in Green Mountain. Besides Newton, they lived in New Sharon, Montezuma, St. Louis, Michigan and Kellogg. Rex worked at Strand Excavating Company as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 2000. In 2011, they moved back to Newton. Rex was a member and served as a deacon at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Newton, Montezuma Regular Baptist Church and the Ithaca Baptist Church in Michigan. He was also a past member of the Kellogg Lions Club.
Rex enjoyed collecting items and running heavy machinery. He loved spending time with friends and family and had a lasting impact on everyone he met. Rex had an infectious smile and great sense of humor. No one was safe from his teasing or his pranks. Rex loved the Lord and his faith shown through him in everything he did.
Rex is survived by his wife, Sandy Warden of Newton; children, Tim (Mary) Warden of Blairstown, Rick Warden (Deb Crookham) of Montezuma, Carla (Pat) Foley of Des Moines, Mike (Sheila) Warden of Grinnell and David (Shelley) Warden of West Branch; 26 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Marlene Warden of Arlington Heights, Ill.; many nieces and nephews; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Tom Warden and Don Warden, Jr.; and a grandson, Daryn.
