Rex Kenneth (Holbrook) Whiteside

Rex Kenneth (Holbrook) Whiteside, 90, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2017 at Kansas Soldiers Home in Ft. Dodge. He was born on July 27, 1926 in Dodge City, to Ralph and Suzie Holbrook and was later adopted by Walter and Mary Whiteside of Spearville. 

Rex was a farmer and stockman. He graduated from Jetmore High School in 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served with the occupation forces in Austria. There he met his future wife Elfriede Fruehbauer and they were married on March 26, 1949 in Vienna. To that union were born three children: daughter Susan and sons Gerald and Rex Kenneth Jr.

Rex enjoyed travel, camping, fishing and spending time with his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Clair Holbrook, and one great grandson Jackson Whiteside.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elfriede; daughter Susan (Michael) Hedgpeth; sons: Dr. Gerald Whiteside and Rex Kenneth (Cheri) Whiteside Jr.; sisters: Betty Gabriella and Nadine Hales; grandchildren: Kayla (Chuck) Chiddix, Jeremy Whiteside, Justin Whiteside, Kirstin (Brandon) Fleming, and Aarin Hedgpeth; step granddaughters; Jennifer, Erika, Hawley and Heather Naylor; great grandchildren: Will and Caroline, Jesse and Jamison; and step great grandchildren: Zyan, Lilli, Haley and Ryan.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Abundant Life Family Church on Saturday January 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or an organization of the donor’s choice in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.