Joseph Newell

Joe Newell, 95, of Anita, Iowa, died at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

Joseph "Joe" Harold Newell was born to Thomas and Mary Jane (Ratledge) Newell on Sunday, June 27, 1920, near Gray in Audubon County, Iowa. Joe was the ninth child in a family of eleven children. They lived on a farm in Audubon County for about seven years, then his family moved to Guthrie County and later moved to a farm north of Anita.

Joe served in the Army during the early 40s. Following his military service, he returned to the farm to help his dad.

Joe married Doris Elaine Anderson on October 20, 1943, in Audubon, IA. Following marriage, they farmed near Dedham, IA, and then south of Coon Rapids, IA. Their hard work at this farm provided them with the opportunity to buy the farm northeast of Anita, where they moved in 1947. The couple had three children, Darrell, Dennis and Jody.

In addition to the long hours required for farming, Joe liked horses and bought ponies for his sons to show throughout Southwest Iowa. During the early 50s he worked for a power company in South Dakota. While at this job he found that there were multiple generations of ponies and horses in fields that had never had a halter on them. This was the start of Joe's pony and horse-trading, as he would bring them back to the farm and get them gentle enough to sell. Over the years, he has been involved in raising, buying and selling Shetland ponies, Pony of the Americas, Appaloosas and Paints. One of his outstanding stallions was Sir Pat Hand, a registered Paint.

Joe also raised and traded cattle, hogs and goats. Generally, he was willing to trade for almost anything, as is shown by his having owned a buffalo, llama, brahma heifer, Scottish Highlander, and about anything else that people wanted to sell. Joe even took a buffalo to school one year for all the kids to see.

Joe was always willing to help neighbors, friends and families in need. Joe was very social and often made trips into town to visit and converse with friends. Joe enjoyed getting the news and swapping stories at his "office" in Anita.

Joe's greatest joy of all was spending time with his great-grandchildren. He loved to talk to his great-grandchildren about their cow herd and how their calves were doing. He also enjoyed talking to his granddaughters about their competing in horse competitions. Joe and Doris enjoyed watching his great-grandchildren perform in various sporting events in which they attended regularly.

Joe is survived by his wife, Doris; two sons, Darrell and his wife, Linda of Argyle, TX; Dennis of Anita; and daughter, Jody of Des Moines, IA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Dan Newell and his wife, Tori of Anita; Julie Giuliani of Middleburg, VA; Steven Newell of Argyle, TX; Melissa Shakuro with her husband, Jack of Naples, FL; and Scott's wife, Jessica Newell. His surviving great-grandchildren include, Dylan Newell of Wiota; Brooke, Baylee, and Drey Newell of Anita; Ellia Giuliani of Middleburg, VA; Race and Ryder Newell of Vancouver, WA; and Aleksander Shakuro of Naples, FL. He is survived by his sister, Doris Scanlon of Henderson, NV; and several nieces, nephews, and members of his extended family; along with friends and neighbors.

Preceding him in death were his grandson, Scott Newell; grandson-in-law, David Giuliani; his parents, Tom and Mary Jane Newell; five brothers, Ralph, Lester, Thomas "Jack", Bernard and Selmer "Tuff"; and four sisters, Beryl Pomeroy, Lillie "Toots" Klever, Faye Stangl and Mabel Evans.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Anita.