78, of Burlington, IA
Wendell “Gene” Trout, 78, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital following a short battle with small cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of lung cancer.
He was born on July 8, 1947, in Macomb, Illinois, to William Sydney and Theda Grace (McCance) Trout. Following graduation from high school, he took to the sea to explore the world by joining the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (DD-850), which he visited frequently once it was retired from service and docked at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA.
Gene was well known for his love of the ocean, fishing, and occasionally procuring ‘short’ lobsters off the coast of Cape Cod. He greatly admired the Kennedy Family and was fortunate to spend some time as the groundskeeper for Hammersmith Farm, the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy. He was also known for his love of jokes...some clean…some not so much. From the sailors on his ship to the customers at the barber shop to his years at Deery Brothers and finally to the doctors and nurses who cared for him in Iowa City, he was the source of many smiles and much humor.
But what he loved most of all was time with his family. Anointed “Bop” by his grandson Landen, he will be remembered for his nose kisses, donut shop and fishing trips, songs, and tall tales. His lasting legacy will be the joining of two families and their unending commitment to loving and caring for each other in his absence.
Gene is survived by his soulmate and beloved wife of 35 years, Janet Diane Salisbury and his children: Missy (Noel) Danforth of Gaithersburg, MD; Jason Trout of Taunton, MA; Olivia Watkins of Mount Ephraim, NJ; Kayla Roberts of Burlington, IA; and Matthew (Kourtney) Trout of Pella, IA.
He leaves behind eleven adoring grandchildren: Tadiyah (Caroline) and Rainer Danforth; Kinsley, Amelia, and Braylee Trout; Ruth, Mykah, and Titus Trout; Landen Ott; Evelynn McCoog; and Ivy Lovell; and born on his dear mother’s birthday, one great-granddaughter: Juniper Magnolia Danforth.
He is also survived by his sister, Karen Moore of Milan, MO; brother, William (Pat) Trout of Medical Lake, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Ryan Trout and Brett Lovell; and his brother-in-law, Larry Moore.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Martin-Hollis Funeral Home with Pastor Kendall Adams officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial of ashes will follow in the Bushnell Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bushnell VFW or the Bushnell Fire Department.
Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www. martinhollisfh.com.
Death notices (name, death date and services) run free of charge. Families who wish to have a complete obituary published, including picture, family, work history and hobbies and other information should request the Community News Brief to the funeral home that is handling the services OR submit it directly to commuitybrief@gmail. com. Full obituaries run in the Tuesday & Friday issues and cost $45. Includes a laminated copy of the obituary.
