F. E. "Pete" Messenger

Floyd Eugene Messenger, one of three sons of William Floyd Messenger and Ethel Leone (Darnold) Messenger, was born on July 13, 1926 on a farm near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Fondly known as "Pete" or "Gene", he went to Prairie Valley Country School, also known as "Frog Pond", and attended high school in Silver City, Iowa, where he graduated in 1945.

Gene and Virginia "Ginger" Rosalene Goss were married on March 19, 1950 in Council Bluffs. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Cynthia Susan in 1951, Floyd Michael in 1953, Dennis Paul in 1954, and Rebecca Ann in 1955. The family lived on several farms before finally making their home on his parents' family farm in the 80's.

Gene farmed all his life and was well known for the dozer work he did in this area. He loved to travel, read, hunt and fish, but flying was his passion. Gene and Ginger flew extensively in the plane he owned and piloted for many, many years. As a child, he and his brother, Lee built a small cabin on their home place. Later in his adult life, Gene purchased twenty acres near Fort Collins, Colorado and built a large one room cabin with two decks. This cabin was named, "U4EA" (euphoria), was a place, frequented often and loved by not only he and his family, but also many relatives and friends.

Gene passed away at his home near Malvern on November 14, 2010 at the age of 84 years, 4 months, and 1 day. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Ethel Messenger, son Mike Messenger, and brother Lee Messenger.

Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Messenger of Malvern; children, Cindy Murphy and husband Dave of Harlan, IA, Paul Messenger and wife Salinda of Lanham, MD, and Rebecca Lichtenberg and husband Jerome of Ida Grove, IA; brother, Jerry Messenger and wife Dee of Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law Mary Messenger Powell of McKinney, TX; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.

Memorials suggested to:

Heartland Home Health & Hospice
2301 Eastern Ave
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-7194
Website: www.mcmh.org

Interment in Silver City Cemetery.