Rex Allan Picken was born on February 28, 1951, to Donald and Joanna (Sinclair) Picken in Mahaska County, Iowa. He attended school in Cedar, Iowa, through 6th grade and graduated from Eddyville High School in 1969. Rex attended Iowa State University. He married Becky Brunt on January 22, 1972. Two sons, Joel Allan Picken and Kyle Mark Picken, were born into this union.
In 1974, Rex and his dad formed Picken & Picken Construction, which built and remodeled new homes. Donald retired in 1984, and Rex continued building, joining Amwood Homes as a dealer in 1987. He retired in 2014, moving to Missouri to be closer to family.
Rex was a man of faith who always thought of others first. It was known among family and friends to “call Rex” whenever something needed to be built, repaired, or advice was needed. Rex was the listener and problem solver for many. Out of all his roles, he embraced being ‘Papa’ the most. Rex could spend most weekends at softball and basketball games cheering on his granddaughters. He was a fan of Iowa State sports, the Chicago Cubs, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rex passed away on October 24, 2024, at his home, at the age of 73, after he endured an over four-year journey with cancer that he handled with faith, humility, and humor. He is survived by his wife Becky; his sons Joel and Kyle (Megan) Picken; granddaughters Kinsley, Aubrey, and Layla; niece Renee (Ron) Godfredsen and their children Ryan, Sarah, Sean, and Seth; niece Sheri (Ed) Curtin and their children Eddie and Austin; sisters-in-law Mary Beth Tyrrel and Melinda Dexter; stepsister Sue Wells (Judy Luellwitz); and several special nieces and nephews.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Karen Osterfoss Myers; stepmother Frances Wells Picken; brothers-in-law DeVerne Osterfoss, Charles Tyrrel, and Gary Brunt; and niece Kelly Jo Osterfoss.
Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Home Hospice (Kansas City, MO) or MHP Serenity House (Oskaloosa, IA).
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