Richard "Dick" Ferneau

***PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER ON FRIDAY, THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR DICK HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY, JANUARY 15 AT 1:00 P.M.. THE VISITATION WILL STILL BE THURSDAY, JANUARY 11th AS SCHEDULED.***

Richard “Dick” Ferneau, 90, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Bickford of Marshalltown.

Services for Dick will take place on Monday, January 15 at 1:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Bonser officiating. He will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends and family are also invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, January 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born Richard Glen Ferneau on March 5, 1933 in Marshalltown, Iowa, he was the son of LaVerne and Bernice (Brayton) Ferneau. After graduating high school in 1951, he was united to the love of his life, Marjorie Specht, on November 18, 1951 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home and raised their children in Conrad and Dunbar, celebrating almost 43 years together until her passing in 1994. Later he was united in marriage to Virginia Grabenbauer.

Dick was not afraid of hard work, and he dedicated his career to farming and was also a charter bus driver and a U.S. mail and seed corn truck driver. He was an extremely gifted musician, well-known for his traveling organ, which he played at many nursing homes. Dick could also play piano and the accordion and he enjoyed singing first as part of the Missionairs, as part of a barbershop quartet and in Men’s Chorus at Stavanger Church, where he was a faithful member. He was also a member of the Mid-Iowa Antique Power Association.

Dick lived an active and well-rounded life. He participated in RAGBRAI several years and enjoyed camping and playing golf. His love of travel took him all over the United States and on several cruise ships.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons: Paul (Janie) Ferneau of Conrad, IA, Ron (Kathy) Ferneau of Urbandale, IA, and stepson Al Grabenbauer of Marshalltown, IA; grandchildren: Ryan, Lucy, David, Kelsey, Melanie, Jeremy, Anna, Dustin, Garrett, Kristian, Brayton and Lorelei; great-grandchildren: Annelise, Aria, Zander, Michael, Nathaniel, Owen, Lonica and Elizabeth; his siblings: John Ferneau and Jane Black; and several nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren, Lainie and Melissa.

In eternal life, Dick is reunited with his first wife Marjorie Ferneau, second wife Virginia Ferneau, his parents, brothers Robert and Vern Ferneau, stepson Mark Grabenbauer and stepdaughter Lisa.