Stephen Spickert

Steve Spickert, 97, of Marshalltown, Iowa left us on Monday, June 8, 2015, to join all the friends and family who have passed before him. He was especially looking forward to joining his beloved wife of 61 years, Louise; his infant children Jimmy, Rosemary, and Mary Louise; his siblings, Vivian, Joseph, and Tommy and his son-in-law, Robert Turner One of the last of his great generation he adventured his way through the Great Depression, met and married the love of his life, and started a family that has cherished him through three more generations. Stephen Woodward Spickert was born at home in Tama County, Iowa on January 29, 1918 to Elijah and Ruth (Hagerty) Spickert. On November 4, 1935, he married Louise Kriegel at St Patricks Catholic Church in Tama, Iowa.He served his country honorably in the US Naval Construction Battalion in the final year of World War II, an experience he said he wouldnt do again for a million dollars but wouldnt take a million dollars to take it back. After returning home to Tama he worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for forty years. During those forty years and until almost the end of his days, he pursued his passion as an honored and trusted expert dealer in antique watches, playing cards and knives. He and Louise were devoted to the happiness of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They lovingly welcomed everyone into their family- the Cubans, the Protestants, the Canadians, and the Hillbillies. Steve is the last person to have befriended and learned from the world-famous magician T. Nelson Downs, the last person known to have built Tama Public High School, and one of the last to have hitchhiked the Lincoln Highway in its infancy. He was a member of St Marys Catholic Church, American Legion, the Brotherhood of the Maintenance of Way, Central Iowa Archeological Society, Hawkeye Knife Collector, and 52+ Joker Club. He knew more stories that the Brothers Grimm, could do magic tricks, wiggle his ears, and according to his six year old great-granddaughter had really clean feet. Left behind to remember him and continue his passion for learning, family and fun are his daughters, Madonna Turner of Central Point, Oregon; and Shirley (Justino) Calzada of Marshalltown, Iowa. Grandchildren: Bradley(Kathleen) Turner of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jay (Shree) Turner of Toronto, Ontario, Amee(Dan) Ellis of Des Moines, Iowa, Marcos Calzada of Marshalltown, Iowa, Nicolas Calzada of Marshalltown, Iowa, great-grandchildren, Carson, Frances and Zev; and sister, Martha Eubanks of California; his sister-in-law Gertrude Anderly; many many others whos lives he enriched; and a bunch of dogs. . A memorial gathering will take place on Friday, June 12, 2015, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com. Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice, 502 Plaza Heights Road, Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Steve and his family. Phone 641-844-1234. The family would like to thank Iowa River Hospice for all there tender loving care and support they have shown the family.