Richard Lee Alexander's Obituary
Richard (Dick) Lee Alexander, 90, of Promise City, Iowa, passed peacefully on to his heavenly home on June 21, 2026, surrounded by family at Wayne County Hospital.
Dick was born to Leonard and Verna (McMurry) Alexander on October 14, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa. He moved with his family from Des Moines to the Farrington family farm where they leased the dairy farm until they started their own their family dairy near Confidence.
Dick graduated from Wayne County High School in 1952 at age 16. He worked for his dad on the dairy farm for a couple years before moving to St. Louis to attend Midwest Bible Institute where he met his future wife, Lena Garber. He graduated from Midwest with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies.
Dick and Lena were married June 15, 1957. To this union was born six children, Paul, Mary, David, Lois, Stephen, and Rachel. They purchased their own dairy farm near Promise City in 1972, where they lived until their passing.
Dick was known for his love of God, family, and farming. He spent hours studying his Bible so he could faithfully lead Sunday School (for 65+ years) and served in many different offices at Corydon Bible Church. He loved watching his family when they were together, whether it was playing games, singing, eating, or just spending time together. Many a family member sought his advice about spiritual matters. Dairying was his life (he helped milk cows up to his last few weeks), and was always concerned about getting those cows fed (he mowed hay every summer until this year, and was planning to do it even this year!).
Dick had many other interests as well. He loved to roller skate (and taught all his kids how to do so). He sang in the church choir for year (right alongside all his kids and some of his grandkids), as well as in men’s quartets for years. He read 1000’s of books in his lifetime (many of them numerous times). While he didn’t enjoy fishing himself, he sure enjoyed eating the fish his family caught!
Dick is survived by his children, Paul (Deleta) Alexander, Mary (Carol) Palmer, David (Kelley) Alexander, Lois (Craig) Palmer, Stephen (Melissa) Alexander, Rachel (Daniel) Bear; 34 grandchildren, 68 great- grandchildren; brother, Bob Alexander, along with numerous extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lena; his parents; grandson, Kenny Mathes; siblings, Leonard Alexander Jr., Larry Alexander, Dorothy Alexander and their spouses.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Corydon Bible Church in Corydon, IA, at 2:00 pm with interment to immediately follow at Confidence Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, June 29, 2026, from 12:30-2:00 pm. Memorials in honor of Dick can be made to the Corydon Bible Church or Freedom Bible Camp and mailed to Corydon Bible Church, Attn: Alexander Family, 610 North Washington, Corydon, IA 50060.
The service will be live streamed and can be accessed at this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/richard-alexander-2026
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