June 06,2018

Jack Refer, age 92

Celebration of Life Services for Jack Refer, age 92, formerly of Lenox, who passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Hansen House in Council Bluffs, Iowa will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon with the family greeting friends prior to services. Interment with military rites accorded by the Parkinson American Legion Post No. 250 and Iowa National Honor Guard will be held in the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Parkinson American Legion. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we ‘Celebrate Life’.
Jack Rodney Refer was born June 19, 1925, in Victor, Iowa the son of John Refer and Camilla (Conner) Refer. He grew up in Victor attending school. The family moved to Lenox in 1942 and he graduated with the Class of 1944 from Lenox Community High School. After graduation Jack joined the United States Army serving from October 23, 1944 to November 26, 1946. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After he was honorably discharged, he returned to the Lenox area where he began working at Reeder’s Filling Station. During this time he had a desire to learn about refrigeration and he attended schooling in the Chicago area for his license. Jack returned to Lenox where he took a position at the Lenox Light Plant working nights. During the day he started to get Jack’s Refrigeration Sales and Service up and going. Eventually he ran this business full-time. On September 21, 1951, Jack was united in marriage to Betty Ann Eigenheer. The couple made their home in Lenox and were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Shanita and Lori.
Jack was an avid Hawkeye fan, holding season tickets years before they had winning seasons. The entire family enjoyed vacationing at Lake of the Ozarks for many years. Boating, jet skiing and water skiing were enjoyed by all thanks to Grandpa’s toys. Jack and Betty were able to spend more time in The Ozarks after Betty retired. In 2001, Jack retired because he wanted to care for Betty when she became ill. On April 11, 2001, Betty passed away. Jack remained in the family home for many years, eventually moving into Vintage Park for about three years. In August of 2017, Jack moved to Hansen House in Council Bluffs due to his declining health and to be near his daughters.
Left to cherish Jack’s memory are his two daughters, Shanita Broich of Omaha, Nebraska; Lori Cook and husband Craig of Gretna, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Ken Broich of Omaha, Nebraska; Heather Cook of Omaha, Nebraska; Adam Broich and fiance Kendra Little of Lincoln, Nebraska; Michelle Cook and Chase Wilson of Omaha, Nebraska; one great-grandson, Noah Wilson of Omaha, Nebraska; one brother, Gary Refer and wife Sharon of Villisca, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Ila Lincoln of Osage, Iowa; and Bonnie Kirk of Adel, Iowa; along with many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Jack in death are his parents John and Camilla Refer; a sister, Betty Refer, at infancy; two brothers, Robert Refer, as a teenager; and Lary Refer; his loving wife Betty Refer in 2001; three brothers-in-law, Tom Lincoln, George Bothell and Nick Nicholson; two sisters-in-law, Lois Bothell and June Nicholson.
Jack will be missed by his family.
The memories we shared throughout the years
will remain in our hearts forever.