Our beloved Dad and Grandpa Gene Robert Myhre, a longtime resident of Donnellson, passed away on December 28, 2025 at the age of 93. He was born on August 29, 1932 in Zion, Illinois, the son of Beuell and Esther (McGuillvary) Myhre. On September 1, 1951 he married the love of his life Ruth Varner in Kahoka, Missouri. They remained devoted to each other until her death on April 26, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister Beverly Brooks.
Survivors include his son Daniel (Deborah) Myhre of Montrose, Iowa and his daughter Diana (George) Smith of Fort Madison, Iowa. He has four grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Gene was a United States Army veteran having served in the Korean War. He worked as a printer at the Daily Gate City for seventeen years and he also worked for Fruehauf. He worked for the City of Donnellson into his eighties.
He loved playing his guitar and singing gospel music and shared those talents with the community and Bethel Bible Church, where he was a devoted member. He was an avid reader, cartoon drawer, and joke teller. Above all else, he was a man of God who lived a life that honored Him. His love for God overflowed into our family and into everyone who crossed his path. He was truly a living testimony of what a man should be, sacrificing daily for those around him. Even until the very end, he yearned to learn more about God, faithfully reading his Bible and soaking in every word.
We will deeply miss his dry sense of humor and his ability to brighten anyone’s day with a smile, upside down glasses and a joke. Each of us has been touched by the love that Grandpa poured into our lives. Grandpa and Grandma built a legacy that we hope to carry on. We love you so much dad/grandpa and we look forward to the day we will see you again.
“Well done good and faithful servant”-Matthew 25:21
Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson where the family will meet friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at Bethel Bible Church rural Donnellson, Iowa, with Pastor Aaron Hand officiating. Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson with a flag presentation by the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474.
A memorial has been established in his memory for Bethel Bible Church.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
