Keith Gail Farrens

Keith Gail Farrens was born to Russell and Adah (Casteel) Farrens, the youngest of six children, on January 1, 1926 (his fathers birthday), on the farm north of Clarinda, Iowa, near Hawleyville. He remembered many stories as a little boy growing up and working on the farm. His first job, at eight years old, was delivering water on his pony, Old Captain, to the threshing crew, for 20 cents a day. He also talked about his mother reading books to him in the winter time and playing a lot of cards. Times were hard, but he didn’t realize it as a kid.
Keith met Gerry (Geraldyne Shafar) at school in Gravity, Iowa. They quickly fell in love and secretly eloped on March 20, 1943, in Papillion, Nebraska. Even though they were only 17 and 16 the judge went ahead and married them for $8.00. Gerry finished high school and Keith worked at Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha until they moved back to Gravity to work for his dad on the farm. Keith always wanted to be a pilot and enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported for duty on June 3, 1944. At this time the war was beginning to come to an end, so he was disappointed in not becoming a bomber pilot. Keith had many stories of being in the military and also loved being a WWII Veteran. He especially enjoyed being a member of the Bedford American Legion. You would almost always see him in his WWII hat!
Farming was his love. After being discharged from the service they rented 8 acres. Bought three milking cows, a team of horses, and 300 chickens. The chicken house caught on fire and thankfully they saved half the chickens. A few years later while on a trip to Montana with his folks, they received a call from his sister that lightning had struck the barn and it burned down along with their new tractor. Their owner didn’t want to rebuild the barn so they auctioned the farm and a man from Hamlin, Iowa – Nelson Kraschel (the 27th Governor of Iowa) liked how Keith had everything neat and clean. He offered him a job to farm 550 acres and raise 300 head of cattle, so they moved to Hamlin. This was a good move and after a couple of years they had a new car, new truck, new furniture and enough to purchase their own farm. In 1952, he purchased 240 acres, six miles south of Lenox. At this time Keith was awarded Taylor County Young Farmer of the year! In the fall of 1956, he saw an ad to rent some land in northern Iowa. He always wanted to farm all flat land, so he sold all their livestock, rented his land and moved to Webster City, Iowa, and raised chickens and cattle. This is where Keith got his pilots license. He loved flying and went on several flying trips through the years and even owned his own airplane. They loved Webster City and had many good friendships, but longed to go back to farm their own land and build a new house. A farm opened up south of Conway for sale with a new house so they bought it. Moved in March of 1959 to what is called the home place. It was a good life raising four children on the farm. Good times and hard times but many good memories and stories! In 1976, they built their home on the north edge of Bedford and had many wonderful years there with dad going to the farm everyday.
Keith and Gerry joined the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church in 1952 and were members ever since. Keith loved his church family and hardly missed a Sunday. He also enjoyed being in parades through the years, with hitching up the wagon with a couple of ponies for the kids, riding go-carts with the Shriners, and driving his convertible. He loved 4th of July because he could be in three parades. Together they traveled to every state in the United States along with Europe, Canada and Mexico. They went on a family vacation every summer. Loved being snowbirds, by going to Arizona and Texas each winter.
Camping at the Iowa State Fair was a highlight for over 50 consecutive years. Celebrating anniversaries with family and friends with big parties – 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and especially enjoyed their 70th ! It was a gift to be married 73 years. After Gerry passed away eight years ago, it was so hard for Keith with learning how to live as a bachelor, with how to cook, using the dishwasher or washer & dryer. He just wasn’t the same without Gerry.
Keith’s last year was trying for him, but he always stayed positive. He continued to farm till the fall of 2023 when he moved to Vintage Park Assisted Living in Lenox, Iowa. It was a great place for him and so grateful for the loving care he received there. He always wanted to live to be 100, mow hay and have a big party, but God had other plans. His favorite saying was “Don’t let the old man in!” and he truly lived this!
Keith’s family meant everything to him. Enjoyed many family “Thanksmas” and 4th of July get togethers. He kept up the best he could, with sending cards or calling each one on their birthdays. He went to kids activities, graduations, birthdays, ballgames. He was proud of his family and talked about them often. Keith had a strong faith in Jesus and he knew he would see Gerry again in heaven. Today he is happy! Smiling from ear to ear! We will miss you! “Bye for now!”
Preceding Keith in death are his parents; brothers: Lee Farrens, Don Farrens and Kenneth Farrens; sisters: Faith Stephens and Agatha Beemer. Son – James (Jim) Farrens of Ocala, FL.
Left to cherish Keith’s memory include his three children, daughter Rosie Rucker and husband Mike of Treynor, IA; son Ron Farrens of Bedford, IA; and son Roger Farrens of Snohomish, WA; ten grandchildren, Lisa Bond and husband Mitch of Sharpsburg, IA; Charla Farrens and significant other Jeff Blythe of Vian, OK; Scott Rucker and wife Temple of Council Bluffs, IA; Rochelle Goff and husband Greg of Ankeny, IA; Kyle Rucker and wife Christina of Sparta, MO; Shannon Farrens and husband Kyle
Richardson of Wayne, IL; Wendy Remes and husband Joe of St. Charles, IL; Bobbi Schellerer and husband Mark of St. Charles, IL; Evann Farrens and significant other
Tanner Wilcox of Parnell, MO and Ryan Farrens of Seattle, WA.; Twenty-two great-grandchildren plus a baby boy arriving in January, Nine great-great grandchildren; other family members and dear friends.