Selmer Newell

Selmer "Tuffy" Newell, 89, of Anita, Iowa, died at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Selmer Dayton "Tuffy" Newell was born on March 15, 1919, in Audubon County, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Mary Jane (Rattledge) Newell. Selmer was eighth in a family of 11 children. They lived on a farm in Audubon County until he was nine, then the family moved to Guthrie County and later moved to the Anita vicinity.

On November 29, 1939, he married Evelyn Mae Schwab. They raised three children and farmed in Audubon Township until 1957, when they moved to Anita. Selmer was an entrepreneur. Over the years, the couple owned and operated Newell's Anita Tavern, as well as a restaurant and a hardware store on Anita's Main Street.

In "retirement", Tuff farmed (and raised some hogs) on 80 acres just outside Anita, bartended at the Redwood Steakhouse, and ran the scales at the Anita and Kimballton Sale Barns. Tuff was a regular around town - playing cards, drinking coffee, or just visiting.
Selmer had a strong sense of country, community and family. He served his country in the Army Air Force in World War II as a tail gunner. He was active in the American Legion, the Chamber of Commerce and other civic boards in Anita. He was always available to pitch in a helping hand with neighbors, friends and family. Much to his grandchildren's delight - he always had a treat for them in his pocket.

An avid collector, he enjoyed collecting and trading coins over the years. He also amassed a large peddle tractor collection, as well as various miniature tractors. He and Evelyn frequented auctions and toy shows to find the missing pieces to their collections.

Selmer is survived by his daughter, Janet McAfee of Adair, Iowa and Charles McAfee of Anita, Iowa; his son, Jerry Newell and his wife, Pam of Rockwall, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Roberta McAfee and her husband Mark Tilton, of Des Moines, Iowa, Ralph McAfee and his wife, Debbie of St.

Petersburg, Florida, Steve McAfee and his wife, Lisa of Massena, Iowa, Alan McAfee of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Scott McAfee and his wife, April of Anita, Iowa, and Brett Newell and his wife, Cynthia of Caddo Mills, Texas; 8 great- grandchildren; his brother, Joe Newell and his wife, Doris of Anita, Iowa; his sister, Doris Scanlon of Henderson, Nevada; his nieces and nephews; and many caregivers, friends and neighbors.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Evelyn; his son, Selmer Junior Newell; his parents; his brothers, Ralph, Lester, Thomas "Jack" and Bernard Newell; and his sisters, Burl Pomeroy, Lilly "Toots" Klever, Fay Stengle and Mabel Evans.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, with the Reverend Nancy Jensen officiating.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2008, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Anita. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.

Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.