Galen was born October 30, 1940, south of Lyman, IA to Lloyd and Olivette (Weaver) Newman. He attended Griswold Schools and graduated from the Griswold High School with the class of 1958. Galen soon met Betty Lou Eden and they were united in marriage on October 15, 1961, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, IA. During the marriage they moved to Atlantic and made Atlantic their home. At the start of his working years, he was employed at Ross’s, Super Value, Mahle until his retirement in 2003.
Galen and Betty loved to travel, especially on bus tours. One of their most memorable trips was to the Grand Canyon and riding mules down the canyon. His greatest love was for his children and grandchildren. Galen also enjoyed going on many tractor rides, playing in his card group, watching birds, attending his coffee group, seeing events at the Anita Opry, making homemade ice cream, and being dedicated to his faith. Galen was longtime members of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic for 60 years, where was involved in many committees and events.
Left to treasure his memory is his daughter, Melinda (Monte) Dressler of Anita, and their children, Amanda (Lucas) Allsup, Danielle (Josh) Allsup, Benjamin (Katherine) Dressler; his son, Kevin (Jess) Newman of Atlantic, IA and their children, Alexandra Weir, Kayden, Kaleb and Khloe Newman, Maizie Newman; his great grandchildren, Ethan, Lane, Brookelyn, Payton, Gracie, Stella, Brayden, Rowen; his sister, Dorothy (Charles) Burnett of Atlantic, IA, twin sister Gloria (Roger) Cashatt of Glenwood, IA; sister in-law Sharon Newman of Council Bluffs, IA; his brother-in-law, Lawrence (Joy) Eden of Casey; his special fur baby Charley the cat; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friends including the card party group who have been together over 50 years.
Preceded in death are his parents, wife Betty, son Darrin in infancy, brother Darwin Newman; brother and sister in-laws Margaret Reid Wilson, Lorene Lansaw, Norma Jean Eden; nephews Mark Johnson, Miles Johnson.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service held on Monday also at the church. Burial will take place at First Lutheran Cemetery just south of Wiota, IA. Lunch will be provided after the committal service at Zion Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be directed to the Newman family and will be designated to some of his favorite charities.
The staff at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com until the Schmidt Family Funeral Home website is completed
