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Charles Eugene Pyatt

Funeral Services for Charles Pyatt, 91, of Greene, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church in Greene with Pastor Daniel Flucke officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019, at Retz Funeral Home, 519 N. First St. Greene and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Charles was born on the family farm on April 5, 1928, the son of John and Sybil (Morey) Pyatt and died on June 5, 2019, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his education in rural schools and graduated from Greene High School in 1946. He farmed his entire life on the family farm except for 1948 when he attended radio school.

Charles Eugene Pyatt
Charles Eugene Pyatt

On Oct. 29, 1950, he married LaVonne June Eliasen, they raised 7 boys: Steven, Stan, Scott, Stew, Tom, Tim and Anthony. LaVonne passed away on their 54th Wedding Anniversary. Charles then married Hattie Havig on Aug. 27, 2005, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.

Charles’ passion was being a steward of the land. He won Conservationism Awards and was a forerunner of contour farming and terracing. He always fought for the rights of the farmer from the NFO days and helped form the American Corn Growers Association. Seeing the value of corn he tried to find new markets for his crop. He worked hard at developing an ethanol plant in Minnesota. He became a lobbyist for the American Corn Growers which took him to Washington D.C. to fight for the farmer.

He loved to play sports and always said he was the best left handed baseball player Powersville ever had. For 20 years he watched his boys play sports and continued to watch his grandchildren through school. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins.

Charles liked to travel and often took Sunday rides to look at crops. He would drive his pickup, tapping to Country Music while selling for Na-Churs or to town to enjoy a cup of coffee and the latest bit of news. He enjoyed the outdoors from fishing trips to Canada to being a part of the Red Fox Hunting Club.

Charles starred in a documentary, King Corn, and was proud of teaching a couple city boys a little about farming.

He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greene. Charles was a gifted man that made his talents available whenever needed. Charles carried himself as an authority figure and was very business minded. He was known for his ability to tell a story, his infectious smile, and his love of family.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Hattie, sons: Steve, Stan (Rhonda), Stew, Tom (Bev), Tim, Tony (Michelle) Pyatt; grandchildren Adam (Jan) Pyatt, and their children Kylie, Jayden, Bryce; Lauri (Sterling) Smith; Sara Pyatt; Elizabeth (Chad) Riley and children, Stella, Sophia; Jonathan Pyatt; Addison Pyatt; Joel Pyatt and Grace Pyatt; sister Shirley Watters; numerous stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sybil; first wife, LaVonne, son Scott, sister Charmaine; grandson Ryan, brothers-in-law Dean Watters, Harold Wiebke and Walter Eliasen; sister-in-law Judy Eliasen;

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family at P.O. Box 219 Greene, Iowa 50636.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home, 519 North First St. Greene; 641-823-4457.

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