Gene Belknap

Alva Eugene Belknap died on April 7, 2006. Gene died at home with his family present. Gene was born on May 28, 1919 in Creston, Nebraska to John Oscar Belknap and Myrtle Eunice (Gorman) Belknap. He attended school in Platte County Nebraska before moving with his family to Strahan, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1939.

Gene attended Tabor Jr. College before moving to Shenandoah, Iowa in 1944. Gene was united in marriage to Martha Irene Reed on Oct. 2, 1943 in Seneca, Kansas. Into this union one son was born, Marvin Eugene Belknap. While in Shenandoah, Gene was employed by Ray Stewart Produce. In 1952 he started employment with DeKalb Seed Company. In 1957 Martha lost her life in an automobile accident. Gene re-married in 1959 to Shirley Joan (Shrum) McElroy who had two sons, Doug and Ron. Gene worked for DeKalb for 27 years, retiring in 1979. In subsequent years Gene was the Weed Commissioner for Page and later Fremont counties until 2004.

Gene was an active member of Elks Lodge #1122 for 37 years, serving in many offices, one of which was the 2002/ 2003 Exalted Ruler. Gene especially enjoyed pulling the Elk's float in the many local parades. Gene's other areas of interest in life were sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, camping, horses and spending time with his family.

Gene is survived by his wife Shirley, of Shenandoah; son, Dr. Marvin Belknap and his wife Pam, of Shenandoah; two stepsons Doug McElroy of Shenandoah and Ron McElroy and his wife Joan of Bloomfield, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Chaney Phipps and husband Eric of Bondurant, Iowa, Andrew McElroy of Topeka, Kansas and Laura McElroy of Sioux City, Iowa. Also surviving are two sisters Avis Jones of Malvern, Iowa and Lois Anderson of Shenandoah and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Martha Belknap, grandson Samuel McElroy and brother John Belknap.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by the Rev. Rick Sleyster. Attending the memory register were Helen Blunt and Joyce Shilling. Caring for the flowers were Shirley Pease, Jamie Skalberg and Rita Gibson. Ushers were Donald Nelson and Norman Covault. Honorary casket bearers were Don Gibson, Terry Miller, Bill Wiechman, Dr. Gary Connell, Melvin Moody, Steve Chambers, Dennis DeWild, Maurice Hoxie, Rawson Stevens, Dean Beecher, Dr. Marvin Piburn and Jeff Wilkins. Casket bearers were Don Jones, Harold Jones, Mark Trively, Chris Trively, Tom Olson and Kent Hoxie. Fraternal rites were accorded by the B. P. O. Elks Club #1122 of Shenandoah. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery. A memorial is being established. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.