Rex Hadeen

Rex Hadeen passed away on Monday, July 27 in Haxtun at the age of 91.

Rex was born on Aug. 19, 1928 to Caleb and Susie Hadeen in Haxtun. He went to school and graduated from Haxtun High School in 1946. After graduating high school, Rex worked for several farmers until he started working for Miller Implement in 1948. While he was employed at Miller Implement, he was a parts man, salesman, put machinery together and over hauling tractors. He received many honors for his dedicated service from John Deere. One of these honors was a trophy for his dedicated years and they said they would give him the rest of the Deere after he worked a 100 years total.

Rex married Maxine Grauberger on Aug. 2, 1951 in Sterling.

He enlisted in the Army in 1950 and was stationed in New Jersey. While he was in boot camp, they asked for a volunteer and he started to do office work of typing orders for other members. He was set to deploy to Korea but broke his ankle and stayed stateside. Then he was transferred to California.

After serving in the Army, Rex returned to Haxtun and went back to work for Miller Implement until it closed. At that time, Rex went to work part time for the Dudden Implement in Holyoke. He worked there in the summer and spent winters in Weslaco, Texas from 1992 through 2012. Rex worked at John Deere for 55 years.

Rex enjoyed woodworking and making projects for the family, fishing, playing pool, camping, hunting, gardening, playing cards and helping start Corn Festival tractor pulls with Loren Whittmore in 1972. Rex helped Maxine and others build Victory Federated floats for many Haxtun Corn Festivals.

Rex and Maxine sailed the seas eight times during their marriage and spent 23 winters in Texas. In June 2010, Rex and Maxine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise and inland tour; taking their children and spouses along.

He served on the Haxtun Hospital Board as Vice President, the Haxtun Housing Authority as President, the Haxtun Federal Community Credit Union Board, and was a member of Odd Fellows serving as District Deputy Grand Master, President and Secretary for many years. He was a member of the American Legion, a charter member of Jay Cees. He belonged to the Methodist Church where he served on the board. Rex was a FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer for the very first tractor pulls for Corn Festival. He also belonged to the Haxtun Gun Club and was a secretary. He also was a Boy Scout leader.

He liked pancakes and chocolate cake. Rex and Maxine had four children: Pam Adams, Garry Hadeen, Terry Hadeen and Susan Harr.

Rex is survived by children Pam Adams, Garry and Pat Hadeen, Terry and Phyllis Hadeen, and Susan and Rod Harr; grandchildren Kevin and Sherry Salvador, Robin and Jeff Fugate, Jennifer Hadeen and Steve, Brinda Hadeen, Dustin Hadeen, Jason and Kristin Hadeen, Doug and Jessie Hadeen, Scott and Amy Hadeen, Michelle and Michael Phipps, Morgan Harr and Conner Harr; 12 great-grandchildren and one-great-great grandchild.

Rex is preceded in death by his wife Maxine Hadeen; son-in-law Rick Adams; brothers Jim and wife Lura, Rich and wife Audrey, and Ken and wife Barbara; sister Alice; and great-grandson Jonathan Fugate.

A funeral service was held at the Haxtun United Methodist Church in Haxtun on Aug. 1. Interment followed the service in the Haxtun Cemetery. Pastor Jeri Soens officiated the service.

Baucke Funeral Home of Holyoke was in charge of the arrangements.