Rusty Grinstead

Rusty Gene Grinstead went home to be with the Lord on October 10, 2023 at the age of 67. He left behind a legacy of hard work, good will, and most of all, love shown to all of his family members and friends. He was born on June 2, 1956 to Dewey Grinstead, Jr. and Carol (Wilkinson) Grinstead near Floris. He graduated from Davis County High School in 1974. During high school, he was a member of the football, baseball, basketball, and track teams. Rusty was an excellent high jumper having qualified for the state meet and Drake Relays his junior and senior years, placing 6th at the state meet in 1973. After graduation, Rusty worked as a carpenter building houses in Missouri and Iowa with his good friend Bob Lobbins. He became a master of his trade, helping to build over 100 homes. He put his vast knowledge to good use later in life as he was the ultimate Mr. Fix-it for his children well into their adulthood! He also spent many enjoyable hours working for Donald Jones as a farmhand. Later, Rusty began a career at Hormel in Ottumwa, Iowa. He continued working at the Ottumwa plant for 40 years and he saw the company change to Excel, Cargill and finally JBS before he retired in 2018. During that time, he proved to be an excellent employee and received many recognitions while eventually being promoted to supervisor. His employees all described him as fair, consistent, genuine, compassionate, patient, and hard-working. Rusty married Rose Marie Huggins on August 12, 1977. The couple enjoyed raising their two children, Ryan and Ranae, and attending the many activities that they participated in throughout their school years. When grandchildren came into Rusty’s life, he loved spending as much time with them as possible and enjoyed going to all of their activities. He never missed a game, match, meet, recital, or concert! Rusty had many talents and hobbies. He could build anything, and especially enjoyed woodworking. He was an avid deer hunter and bass fisherman. He also enjoyed coyote hunting with many of his friends from the Floris area and talking on the phone daily with Mike Boas. His other hobbies were turkey hunting, pheasant hunting, trap shooting, 3D bow shoots and bowling. His favorite place to be was in his dream bass boat on a lake with his dog and beloved companion who went everywhere with him, Lucky. Rusty is survived by his son, Ryan (Rosa) Grinstead of Ottumwa; daughter, Ranae (Juan) Lujan of Bloomfield; twelve grandchildren, Lydia, Claire, Ally, Shelby, Bryan, Emily, Jonathan, Cody, Adrian, Brandon, Lantz, Hadley; two great granddaughters, Aspen and Eleanore; three siblings, Cody (Mike) Kerby, Jody Allen, Rick (Bev) Grinstead; five sisters-in-law, Oma Munn, Marietta Huggins, Janice Huggins, Sue Myers, Deb Huggins; four brothers-in-law, Ron (Pat) Huggins, Harold Huggins, Max (Tonya) Huggins, Gary Joe (Pam) Huggins; his faithful companion, Lucky, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; father-in-law, Floyd Huggins; mother-in-law, Golda Huggins; six brothers-in-law, Floyd “Smoke” Huggins, Dwight Huggins, William “Bill” Huggins, Jimmie Huggins, Tommie Huggins, Stan Huggins; three sisters-in-law, Marlene Huggins, Jacquie Huggins, Betty Anne Huggins; and a brother-in-law, Jimmie Munn. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Jacob Sandholm officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday with the family present to greet friends from 3-5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to Wapello Chiefs Bowmen.

Rusty Grinstead

June 2, 1956 - October 10, 2023