V. “Elaine” Rex, age 93, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, Iowa.
Per Elaine’s final wishes, a Private Family Graveside Services was held with Rev. Ken Miller officiating in the Odebolt Cemetery in Odebolt, Iowa.
The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
Virginia Elaine Rex, a woman whose life was marked by service, dedication, and deep love for her family and community, passed away peacefully with family at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa, on May 21, 2026. Born on November 7, 1932, to George and Virginia Sinning in Humboldt, Iowa, Elaine moved with her family to Lake View, Iowa, at a young age. Growing up near Black Hawk Lake, she spent her youth lifeguarding, swimming, fishing, and ice skating. A naturally gifted individual, Elaine’s athletic talents matched her sharp intellect in high school; she was a starting forward on the basketball team as a freshman and graduated as the senior class Salutatorian in 1950.
At a time when professional opportunities for women were limited, Elaine chose to pursue higher education and fulfill her lifelong desire to help others with compassion. She attended the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines, graduating with her degree as a Registered Nurse. During her training, she became engaged to Ronald J. Rex of Odebolt, Iowa, who was then studying at Drake University. Following their marriage, the couple moved abroad while Ron happily fulfilled his service obligation to the United States Air Force as an aircraft pilot.
In 1958, after Ron’s military tour ended, the young family settled in Odebolt to carry on the Rex family legacy at Rex Chevrolet Company. Elaine balanced multiple roles with grace, working many hours at the dealership while raising her four daughters. She became deeply woven into the fabric of the Odebolt community, church, and schools. A dedicated servant-leader, Elaine was a proud 50+ year member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, Tuesday Club, Odebolt United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women (Hunter’s Luncheon), and The Order of the Eastern Star. Her passion for her community culminated in her and Ron founding the Odebolt Memorial Walk Park, a beautiful green space that earned her recognition as an outstanding volunteer by the Iowa Urban Tree Council in 2017. Outside of her public service, Elaine was an avid bridge player, reader, gardener, seamstress, bird watcher, and baker, warmly remembered by many friends and relatives for her legendary pecan rolls and homemade pies.
Elaine was welcomed into her heavenly home by her beloved husband, Ronald John Rex; her parents, George and Virginia Sinning; her parents-in-law, Floyd and Esther Rex; her siblings, Diana Smith, Edward Sinning, and Judith Fulkerth; and her son-in-law, Dr. Robert Edgar.
Left to carry on her family legacy and cherish her memory are her four daughters: Pamela (Mark) Hansen of Odebolt, Iowa; Patricia Hacker of Williams Bay, Wisconsin; Paula Bierman of Phoenix, Arizona; and Peggy Edgar of Bigfork, Montana. She also leaves behind her honorary daughter, Beate Eggers (Klaus) Weltin of Munich, Germany, who was welcomed into the Rex home as a German exchange student and remained a part of the family. Elaine’s legacy continues through her nine grandchildren whom she cherished dearly: Christopher (Paige) Hansen, Heather (Charles) Hopley, Rachel (Casey) Friedrichsen, Alison (Elliott) Parker, Marcus (Kelsey) Hansen, Rex (Sammi Sader) Reinhardt, Amy (Matt Rutkowski) Hacker, Kelsey (Lorenzo Pavoloni) Hacker, and Bret Bierman. She is also survived by twelve precious great-grandchildren: Bodie Hansen, Lia Hansen, Jonah Hansen, Pippa Hopley, Charlie Hopley, William Hopley, Evelyn Friedrichsen, Sawyer Friedrichsen, Audrey Hansen, Eloise Hansen, Sophia Reinhardt, and Bree Bierman.
Elaine will be profoundly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever celebrated by all who knew her. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date at the cemetery in Odebolt, Iowa.
