Herbert Huff

A service for Herbert David Huff was held 4:00 p.m., July 19, at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. Visitation was at 1:00 p.m. with family present from 2:00 p.m. until time of service. Reverend Julia E. F. Poulsen of the United Methodist Church in Jefferson provided words of comfort. Honorary bearers were David Huff, Douglas Huff, Denise Huff, Steven Bortz and Jeffrey Bortz. Denise Huff gave the eulogy. Sheryl Sloan was the pianist and Kyle Roeder was the soloist. Hymns chosen were How Great Thou Art and The Lord’s Prayer. Herbert David Huff passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 15th, 2014 after a two year battle with esophageal cancer.

Herbert was born May 27, 1937 to David and Ada Jansen Huff of LuVerne. He graduated from LuVerne High School in May of 1955. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in May 1960. On June 12th, 1960 he married Barbara Jean Wilt of Jefferson. The couple was blessed with four children: Theresa, Dave, Doug, and Denise. Theresa was tragically killed in 1972. Herb worked in the mechanical engineering field in the Springfield/Quad Cities areas from 1960-1976. From 1976-1985 he worked doing what he loved most, farming his family’s farm in LuVerne. In 1985 the family relocated to Savannah, MO where he worked in maintenance for the Weyerhaeuser Paper Company. He again utilized his mechanical engineering skills in this position. In 1997 his beloved wife, Barbara Jean, passed away. In 1998 Herb retired and started a new chapter in his life. In November 1999, Herb married Linda Bortz from Jefferson and they remained happily married until the time of his death. Herb and Linda loved to travel and enjoyed seeing many parts of the country in their RV. Herb very much enjoyed riding his bicycle whenever he got the chance. He particularly enjoyed riding the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Iowa. Always a man of science and learning, Herb decided at a young age to donate his body to The University of Iowa. In the spirit of his donation, we ask that any donations be made to The University of Iowa Medical School, The Jefferson Library, or The United Methodist Church in Jefferson.

Herb is survived by his wife Linda, his brother Harry Huff, his children: Dave Huff of Savannah, MO, Doug Huff (Michele) of Savannah, MO; Denise Huff of Kansas City, MO, Steven Bortz (Karina) of Superior, CO, and Jeffrey Bortz (Kristine) of Alamo, CA; grandchildren: Alyssa Gibson (Tyler) of Kansas City, MO, Mallarie Schafer (Joe and great grandchild Henry) of Savannah, MO, Collin Huff of Savannah, MO; Nicholas Bortz; Adrian Bortz; Elise Bortz; Kristoffer Bortz; Thomas Bortz- Harper; and Jennifer Bortz-Harper; nieces, nephews, other relatives and  many friends.
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