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1922 Vail 2013

Vail Hess

December 22, 1922 — April 20, 2013

Vail Hess 90, of Grundy Center, Iowa, went home to His Lord, Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care, while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Grundy Center on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Mike Nemmers will officiate. Interment will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center.
Visitation will be held at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center on Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church 301 E. I Ave. Grundy Center, Iowa.
Vail was born December 22, 1922 in Melrose Township in Grundy County, IA to Ernest M. and Fanny A. (Smith) Hess. He grew up on a farm in Grundy County, IA. He graduated from Conrad High School in 1940. After graduation he worked in Chicago, IL and came back to farm in Grundy County.
On August 18, 1945 Vail married Lorraine Kathryn Taylor at her parent's home. He spent his life with Lorraine on their farm in Grundy County. He committed his life to Jesus Christ at an early age. This commitment was central to his life after that. Lorraine passed away in 2006.
Vail was a member of the First Baptist Church in Eldora, Iowa for many years and currently was a member of the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center. He was a faithful member of both churches and loved his church family. He had the joy of knowing his children and grandchildren are Christians and will spend eternity with Him someday. His life was an example of Christ to his family and others he knew.
Vail enjoyed working the portion of ground that God allowed him. He also had been involved for several years with the Grundy County Farm Bureau and Grundy County Republican Party.
Survivors include his four children: Rebecca (Cork) Peterson of Reinbeck, IA; Patricia Bakker of Grundy Center, IA; Douglas Hess of Pueblo, CO and Judith Hess. Also two grandsons: Todd (Sandra) Peterson of Waterloo, IA and Robert (Heather) Bakker of Waukee, IA. Four great-grandchildren: Katelyn and Hailey Bakker and Vanessa and Caleb Peterson. Also surviving are two sisters, Maxine (Merle) Harmon of Minneapolis, MN. and Darlene (James) Conrod of Cathlamet, WA. Two sister-in-laws Betty Hess of Grundy Center, IA and Clesta (Ernest) Keller, of Salem, IN and a brother-in-law, Ray Taylor of Steamboat Rock, IA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents, Ernest and Fanny Hess, Brothers, Gerald and Gordon and Sisters, Cecile Lindsey and Carol Timm.

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