Robert Luce

Robert Eugene Luce, son of Arcel Luce and Velma Ester (Cochran) Luce was born February 26, 1931 in Clarke County, Iowa and passed from this life Tuesday, April 18, 2023  in Osceola, Iowa at 92 years of age.

Bob grew up on the farm, his life was the farm and raising cattle.  He started showing at the fair at the age of 9 and never missed a county fair, even attending during COVID.  Bob was united in marriage to Delores Vaughn, his high school sweetheart, on January 17, 1950 at Osceola. Three children blessed this union, Sandra, Byron Craig and Deborah.

Bob has been around cattle and farming his entire life. At the age of 16 while working for Dr. Harkin’s cattle operation, he rode in a cattle car with the show cattle, by train to Denver. There he prepared and showed the cattle.  He was progressive in his cattle operation by being one of the first to use artificial insemination to improve his cattle herd.  He dearly loved raising and improving his cattle.  This passion is something he has passed along to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and surely will live on in his great-great-grandchildren.

Bob was outgoing and very active, enjoying his cattle, his dogs and his horses.  Bob was a Past-President of the Clarke County Feeder Calf Association, past Board of Directors of the Farmers Cooperative, member of the Osceola Saddle Club, Murray Saddle Club, Clarke County Sheriff’s Posse, South Iowa Fox Hunters, and received the sportsmanship award at the Iowa State Dog Trials.  He was very active with 4-H and FFA and received an Iowa Farmer Degree. While farming he worked on Mondays at the Osceola Sale Barn. When he retired from farming in 1992, he then drove a school bus for the Murray Community Schools for 19 years.  Over the years, Bob and Delores enjoyed camping together, even if it was just for the night.  He was a gentleman, humble, kind, honest, and trustworthy.  He always went to bat for his family, he didn’t talk a lot, but when he did, you better listen.

Those relatives who preceded Bob in death were his parents, Arcel and Velma Luce, mother-in-law, Mabel Hayes, brother-in-law, Glen Johnson, son-in-law, Eugene Kuhns and son-in-law, John Corkrean.

Bob leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 73 years, Delores Luce of Osceola, daughter, Sandra (Herman) Gracey of Osceola, son, Byron Craig (Vicky) Luce of Osceola, daughter, Deborah Kuhns of Earlham, grandchildren, George Robert Paul of Collins, Dory (John) Bakley of Osceola, Tahra (Don) Bedwell of New Virginia, Jennifer Luce of Osceola, Robert Jon (Daneece) Luce of Osceola, Tyler (Jaime) Luce of Osceola, Heather (Ryan) Flaherty of Winterset, Brent (Jill) Stanford of Cummings, great-grandchildren, Turner (Lynn) Paul, Brenna (Dalton) Paul, Reagan Paul, Mallory (Jeff) Jamison, Vanessa Bakley, Alivia Bakley, Marissa Bakley, Hanna Bedwell, Keifer Bedwell, Brook (Derrick) Freeman, Billie (Cody) Lovell, Corey (Christine) Church, Ryleigh Luce, Raelyn Luce, Kashton Luce, Matthew Luce, Taylor Luce, Kara Luce, Tate Luce, Ryley Snell, Ryder Snell, Avery Flaherty, Payton Flaherty, Tyler Stanford, Blake Stanford, Kayde Stanford, great-great-grandchildren, Makaylyn, Hayzley, Dalton, Emmitt, Theo, Karter, Dawson, Jase, Macy, Eliana, Hayden, Bently, Natalie, Eli, BrayLee, Derrick Jr., Elagance, Chiance, Miracle and LaShay, sister, Rose Marie Johnson of Osceola, as well as other family and many friends.

Bob’s family will greet friends on Monday, April 24, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Osceola from 10:00 to 11:30.  Funeral will be at 2:00 PM at the Church with Pastor Danny McNeal officiating.Interment will follow at the Maple Hill Cemetery.A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Robert’s tribute wall beginning at 2:00 pm, Monday.Memorial contributions may be directed to Clarke County Fairgrounds.Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com