Rex A. Hoover

Rex A. Hoover, 76, of Durand, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at his home, with his family surrounding him. His final words were, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”
He was born May 5, 1949, in Eau Claire at the former Luther Hospital, the son of Willie and Virginia (Pabst) Hoover. He graduated from Durand High School in 1967. On July 12, 1969, Rex married Linda Kees, and together they raised three sons.
Rex served his country in the U.S. Army overseas in Neu-Ulm, Germany, working in the motor pool until his honorable discharge in December of 1970. Following his discharge, the couple moved to Menomonie, where Rex earned his degree in Industrial Arts from UW–Stout.
Rex began his career as an Industrial Arts teacher at Holcombe High School, where he developed the auto mechanics Capstone program. In the early 1980s, he joined the union as a millwright and moved to the family farm in the Durand area. He worked at Uniroyal in Eau Claire until its closure. In the early 1990s, he moved his family to Rhinelander, where he worked as Maintenance Manager for U.S. Stick Corporation. In the late 1990s, Rex returned to the farm in the Durand area and worked as a process engineer for Nestlé in Eau Claire until his retirement.
Rex was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, and his faith was very important to him.
Rex enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, fishing, gardening, Nestlé Wednesday luncheons, Friday night family dinners, and the occasional trip to the casino. He will be remembered for his storytelling and his larger-than-life tales.
Some of his favorite memories included trips to the White River, fishing with “Grumpio” and his boys, deer hunting, and time spent at the hunting cabin. He also enjoyed spending winters in Mississippi.
Rex is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda; three children, Jason of Bruce, WI, Josh (Sara) of Menomonie, and Jacob (Jamie) of Wausau; seven grandchildren, Austin, Elizabeth, Danielle, Isabella, Katelyn, Christopher, and Makenzie; one great-grandchild, Madison; siblings, Valerie Jevne, Roger Hoover, Gladys Klopp, and Gerald (Joe) Hoover; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Dusty Hoover, Larry Hoover, Ronnie Hoover, Steve Hoover, Randy Hoover, Karen McGinnis; and a special friend and neighbor, Larry Lawless.
No services will be held. A private family scattering of his remains will take place at a later date.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Durand is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.rhielfuneralhome.com