Eugene Edwin Muir

Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of arrangements for Eugene Edwin Muir, 83, of Rippey. Eugene died July 11, 2016 at his home. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2016 at the Rippey United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Sunday after 1:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson.Eugene Edwin Muir, son of Thomas Alexander Muir and Lena Root Muir, was born August 23, 1932 on his parents' farm one mile east of their present farm home. Gene had always lived within a close radius of his home where he died July 11, 2016. Gene graduated from Rippey High School in 1951. On October 11, 1952, Gene was united in marriage with Iva Jo Dagit at the Methodist Church in Paton. They were blessed with three children Steve, Cheri, and Curt. Soon after the couple's marriage, Gene was drafted and entered the U.S. Army March 17, 1953 in Des Moines. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal March 16, 1955 at Fort Belvoir, VA. Gene then served eight years in the reserves. Gene was always a farmer, working hard in his fields as well as raising Angus Cattle –later Simmental Cattle with son Curt, and had raised many hogs from farrow to finish. During those years, he also did custom work, including anhydrous application, baling, and combining. In earlier years he worked at the Stevens Sale Barn and during the 80's, Gene worked for Pilkington Implement in Granger. He loved his family very much and he spent as many hours with his grandchildren as he possibly could. Even with his health greatly failing, he made long trips to be with them. His family shares how much he loved taking young family members with him to combine all day, with them perched on five gallon buckets. It wasn't all work in Gene and Iva Jo's lives. They square danced for many years and had genuine friendships at home and away. Gene showed cattle for many years in the state and elsewhere. He thoroughly loved watching his family show livestock and would spend complete days, sitting in the arena and encouraging them. They know he will be doing the same in the days and years to come. For 18 years, Gene and Iva Jo trekked to Arizona, first with their fifth wheel RV and later they enjoyed a mobile home. Gene, being a people person, easily made wonderful friends. He enjoyed cards, dominoes, shuffleboard, hiking in the mountains of Arizona; and he was a great photographer. His photos of flowers were outstanding. He joined his friends to pick fruit to donate to the food pantry for the needy. Gene certainly had an artistic side, crafting beautiful, lighted ornaments for all occasions, can art (wind ornaments), and did gorgeous Swedish embroidery. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Glen and his wife Doris, Dwight and his wife Sue; precious granddaughter Katie Muir; and mother and father in-law Titus and Ethel Dagit; sister-in-law Wilma and husband Jerry Hillman. Gene's memory will be cherished by his wife Iva Jo; children: Steven Muir (Trudy) of Wayne, NE; Cheri Kersey of Grand Junction, IA; Curt Muir (Kelley) of Rippey, IA; grandchildren Nicholas Muir (Kristine) of Wayne, NE; Molly D'Agosta (Anthony) of Omaha, NE; Travis Kersey (fiancée Laura Tronchetti) of Clive, IA ; Rachel Vogel (Adam) of Panora, IA; C.J. Muir and Kayla Muir of Rippey, IA; five great grandchildren: Kori and Jaxon Vogel of Panora, IA; Merrick and Madeline Muir of Wayne, NE; and Francesca D'Agosta of Omaha, NE; Brothers-in-law, Lloyd (Gloria) Dagit of Jefferson and Raymond (Charlotte) Dagit of Paton; nieces, nephews, and many friends.