Harry Eugene Palm, 82, of Ottumwa, died at 7:50 p.m. April 22, 2024 at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.
The son of Milo P. and Erma Phippen Buckley, Gene was born June 8, 1941 in Exira, IA. He married Gertrude Rose “Rosie” Cox on January 22, 1956 and she preceded him in death on April 19, 2018.
Gene grew up in Omaha, NE and attended a vocational school. He was a Vietnam War veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea.
Gene worked as a truck driver and farmed on the side his entire life, starting on his grandma Phippen’s farm. He had worked at John Morrell & Co. and as a carpenter for Local #767 for 25 years before working as a boiler technician at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
Gene was a member of Christ’s Church and had been a member of Ottumwa Masonic Lodge #16 A.F. & A.M. He and his wife enjoyed playing Santa and Mrs. Claus at Christmas time, attending flea markets and dancing, especially with the Boot Scooters. In his younger years he enjoyed going on the Pony Express rides with his family.
Surviving are his children, Tralawney “Loni” (Kevin) Ellis and Greg (Kris) Palm both of Ottumwa; 6 grandchildren, Autumn (Dusty) Williams, Dayton Archer, Lacey (Matt) Olson, Tara Short, Chasity (Chris) Masciana and Caleb Ellis; 10 great-grandchildren, Sydney Savage, Adelynn Williams, Seeley Williams, Hunter Archer, Tyler Olson, Rylee Archer, Tucker Olson, Ivan Short, Sophia Short and Celilia Masciana; 2 brothers, Donald “Butch” (Joyce) Palm of Monroe and Charles Palm of Omaha, NE.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Patrick Palm; a sister, Dixie Palm and a brother Robert “Bobbie” Palm.
Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 26th at Reece Funeral Home. Military honors will be conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Christ’s Church.Hide
