Rex Hoskey

TOLEDO-Rex Martin Hoskey, 87, of Toledo, passed on to his heavenly home on Monday, December 9, 2024 under the watchful care of Compassus Hospice and the Sunny Hill Care Center staff. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in September of 2010. Rex defied the estimated length of survival by remaining on a stedfast fight for fourteen years. A Private Family Service will be held followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Public Visitation will be held Friday, December 13, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Rex was born on October 26, 1937, in Montour, Iowa, the son of Melvin and Edith Maxine (McCoy) Hoskey. He was their third child.

Rex attended school in Montour, Garwin and Toledo. He graduated from High School in 1956. He began farming before he graduated, renting forty acres and using less-then-desirable machinery to get the job done. Rex made a little money, so he tried it again, and the rest is history. He began adding rental acres each year, finally purchasing land in 1958.

On June 2, 1957, he and Coleen Hladky were married. Returning from their honeymoon to Colorado, they had less than five dollars to spend, so Rex loaded up a hog and sold it so they could buy groceries.

Rex was an innovative farmer, trying things that were not typical farming practices in the early 1960’s. He began planting 30″ rows, and chose to stop plowing, opting rather to use minimal tillage.

Rex had a passion for fishing and took many opportunities to do so.

Rex is survived by his children, Mary (Pete) Lyon, Toledo, Dawn Hoskey, Toledo, Martin (Marcia) Hoskey, Toledo, Joni (Jeff) Lyman, Palo, and Christopher (Julie) Hoskey, Toledo; fourteen grandchildren; forty-two great grandchildren; his sister, Roberta Bohnsack; and brothers, Richard and Gary Hoskey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Coleen on May 31, 2018.

A memorial fund will be established.