Carl 'Gene' Richards

CARL "GENE" RICHARDS

Marion

Carl "Gene" Richards, 77, of Marion, died peacefully Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by family. Private services: 10 a.m. Monday, May 3, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, May 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

"Following the continued guidance from health officials, physical distancing must be practiced which requires a limited number of people allowed into the visitation at one time. The use of face masks or shields is required."

Gene was born June 5, 1943, to the parents of Ira and Winnie Richards in Wier City, Kan. Gene graduated from Southeast Rural High School in 1962.

Gene ventured to Iowa in 1962 with his father. He soon became a laborer and then a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 125 for 55 years, retiring in July of 2006.

Gene met the love of his life in 1965 and married Sandra Kanengieter on June 11, 1966, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gene and Sandi move to Marion, Iowa, in 1970. They were blessed with three children and lived in the same house until his death. He was a lifetime member of the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. and A.M. Marion Lodge 6.

Gene loved to spend time with his family and friends. He always was armed with a hug and quirky smile. He enjoyed traveling to Texas for the winter with Sandi. Gene never missed an opportunity to see his children or grandchildren. Gene could spend hours in a garden or flower bed. He enjoyed growing his plants from seeds. Gene was a jack of all trades; he could patch your jeans or help build a garage. He loved to share his lifelong knowledge with his children and grandchildren, teaching them things about life, values, family and love.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Winnie Richards; his brother, Mac Richards; nephew, Mark Richards; and his mother and father-in-law, Nannie Mae and Ralph Kanengieter.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Sandi Richards of Marion; daughter, Carla (Mike) DeGeorge of Brooklyn, Iowa, children, Samantha DeGeorge, Shelby DeGeorge and Trinity Dingle; son, George Richards (Bonnie Shannon) of Springville, Iowa, children, Dakota Richards, Cody Richards, Cordell Richards, Kayda Coble and Madi Martin; son, Tim (Jennifer) Richards of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, children, Evelyn and Benjamin Richards; sister, Sue (Roger) Reid of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bob (Lynn) Richards of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jack (Judy) Richards of Elizabeth City, N.C.; sister-in-law, Twila Kelley-Thomann; and brother-in-law, Michael RJ Kanengieter of Colorado. Gene also is survived by many dear nieces and nephews.