Joe Bell
Urbandale
Joseph "Joe" Bell, 90, passed away of natural causes on Monday, March 24, 2014, surrounded by his family at Urbandale Health Care Center, Urbandale, IA, where he had lived since March 2013 after living many years in Des Moines.
In respect of his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. The family will greet friends at Iles Dunn's Chapel from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27 with a short prayer service starting at 7 p.m. A private burial of the urn will take place at a later date in St. Marys Cemetery, St. Marys, IA.
Joe was born September 16, 1923 in St. Marys to Peter and Martha Bell and graduated from St. Marys High School in 1940. Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army for three years during World War II. He graduated from Drake University in 1950 then got his real estate salesman license in 1955 and sold real estate part time while teaching. He completed his career at Iowa Realty as a broker associate in sales and assistant sales manager retiring at age 83!
Joe married Vivian Dillon in 1958 and had three children, Dan, Teri, and Tammy. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a Red Sox fan and a big supporter and contributor to Drake University, where you could find him at many basketball and football games cheering on the Bulldogs.
Joe is survived by daughters, Teri (Jim) Divis and Tammy (Tom) Peterson all of Urbandale; grandchildren, Jami (Blake) Brown, Ryan Divis, Bailey Peterson and Kyle (Angie) Peterson; great granddaughters, Graci Brown and Elle Peterson; and sister, Geneva Halvorson. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian; son, Dan; parents, Peter and Martha; and sisters, Mary Wilgenbusch, Teresa DePhillips, Esther Jones and Lucy Griffith.
The family has respectfully requested that memorial contributions be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, 50313.
The family would like to thank the Urbandale Health Care Center for the wonderful care they gave Joe.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Joe was the sweetest person and very fair in real estate.One time my brother came to his open house and wanted to buy his first home Joe called me and said to write the offer up and he would present the offer and the deal went very smoothly.Joe was a very good friend!
Bonnie Ellis
Coworker
March 20, 2019
Joe B not only taught me a lot about real estate, he taught me a lot about life. He hung in there with me, even when I didn't deserve it. Thank you Joe.
Eric Danielson
March 28, 2014
Joe was the nicest guy. He was always ready with a real estate or, better yet, a baseball story. Well played, Joe. You will be missed by many.
Mikki Holloway Bryant
March 28, 2014
Mentor and friend to all of us in real estate community. Baseball lover! Never forget our trip to see Lefty in Mt. Ayr with Bonnie Ellis. A favorite day in my life. Thanks to Bonnie and Mitch for the Guest Book!
Sally Fisher
March 28, 2014
My sympathy to Joe's family. I worked with Joe and he will always be remembered to me as a very kind and gentle man. He will be missed.
Nancy Baak
March 27, 2014
Joe was the nicest man. I enjoyed knowing him through the many years that he worked for Iowa Realty. My sympathies go out to his family.
Cynthia Fisher
March 26, 2014
So sorry to hear we lost an nice and decent man. Joe and I worked next to each other at Iowa and he was full of stories, I loved to hear. Very good soul. Rest in peace Joe, Wendie O'Brien
March 26, 2014
We considered Joe a good friend and mentor for Bonnie. He was the best guy to tell stories and history of Des Moines He will be greatly missed
Bonnie Ellis
March 26, 2014
My prayers go out to your family during this time. Joe was a good teacher and coach and we appreciated his talents that he shared with us at Hartford High School. He will be remembered with respect for the wonderful person he was.
Minnette Siedenburg
March 26, 2014
Loved Uncle Joe..Many fond memories. Great coach and teacher,,He was a great help to me during my real estate time..Nadine Wilgenbush Doughty
March 26, 2014
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