Mr. Rex Glen Messersmith

Rex Glen Messersmith, age 84, of Lincoln, passed away April 15, 2016. Rex was born on February 15, 1932, to Frank and Luva Messersmith in Alliance, and was the youngest of seven. He went gently, falling asleep after complications from Parkinson's and old age. Rex excelled with studies and graduated high school at 16. He was the first of his clan to attend university, and was also a proud member of Farmhouse Fraternity, and a proud member of the Innocents of '52. He graduated from UNL with a BS in agriculture. Rex enjoyed a career in radio broadcasting, as both management and on-air talent for 55 years. He started as a Nebraska Co-op Extension Service specialist, was farm director and manager of WNAX radio in Yankton, S.D., and executive director for the livestock auction markets in South Dakota, Minnesota, and North Dakota before moving to the KRVN "farmer-owned" station at Lexington. He had a fast, accurate auction voice. Rex was past president of the Nebraska Ag Relations Council and the Nebraska Agribusiness Club in Lincoln. He also served as executive secretary for the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Association. In March of 2000, Rex was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement and received the NeGSPA Industry Service Award in 2001. Rex is survived by wife, Wilma, after 34 years of marriage; eldest brother, Ken in Alliance; Mark and Sheryl, Rex's son and daughter (California and Texas respectively) and Frank Pratt, his step-son in Lincoln. He is preceded by both parents; brothers, Robert, Lee and Frank; and sisters Eileen and Betty. Services will be held at 11 a.m., April 21. Westminster Presbyterian, 2110 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, A private burial of cremains will follow at Lincoln Memorial. Special thanks to Nancy Liebers, Olinda Hartley, and Rosie Budrhram for the care given to Rex. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Rex's name to either The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the American Diabetes Association.