- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 26, 2014
- State: Iowa
Bernie Bell, of Algona, had an eye for a good horse and a love of adventure. Bernie died Thursday June 26, 2014 at his home. He was 77. Bell, the son of Melvin and Mary (Fowler) Bell, was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Blairsburg, Iowa. His passion for horses started young, when he and his brothers rode horses his father bought for them. He continued riding as an adult, winning many awards on his favorite horse, Chief. For many years, he ran Bernie’s Buy-Right gas station in Jewell. He was a natural salesman who sold many things, but his passion was buying and selling horses. On May 4, 1991, he married Michele Montag of Algona. They enjoyed trail riding with family and friends and participated in local horse events. Bernie retired in 2011. Since then, he was often seen in his red pick-up “making the rounds.” Left to cherish Bernie’s memory is his wife of 23 years, Michele; children, Bernie (Tracy) Bell, Jr. of Jewell, Ken (Sue) Bell of Sylvian, Ore., and Deb Bell of Gilmore City; stepdaughters Molly Montag of South Sioux City, Neb., Katie (Steve) Kramer of Knoxville, Iowa, Mary K. (Steve) Smith, of Algona, Diane Devin, of Livermore, and Wendy Hiscocks, of Livermore; stepsons Robbie Foth, of Livermore and Randy (Mona) Foth, of Livermore. He has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; second wife, Dorothy Foth, and brothers, Don and Robert Bell; sister, Bonnie Rifen; granddaughter, Julie Heim; and great-grandson, Zach Heim.
