Richard E. Cardwell

Richard E. Cardwell, 75, of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at his residence. Funeral services will be 7 P.M. Monday, December 15, 2014 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation with family present will be one hour prior to the service time. Online condolences can be directed to meyerbroschapels.com. Richard was born the son of George W. and Mary F. (Ellis) Cardwell on October 22, 1939 in Sioux City, Iowa. He married Florence M. Larson on January 8, 1981 in Elk Point, South Dakota. Florence passed away in 1985. He worked for the Parks Department for the City of Sioux City where he retired after 33 years. He also worked for a short time at Wilbert Vault Company. He was a man with a large heart and a passion for maintaining and restoring the history of the Sioux City Fire Department. Richard was the son and grandson of two Sioux City firefighters and spent time as a kid with his father at the fire stations and at the fire dispatch center in the 1950s. Richard's passion for the fire department lead him to donate generously to help the SCFR Historical Society restore a 1935 fire truck that will be on display at Fire Station 4. Richard also donated personal items for his father's service to the department for display. Richard received an award from the Chief of the fire department in 2013 for the passion and generosity he has shown us. Richard Cardwell was a true friend to the Sioux City Fire Department and will be missed by all the members who knew him. Richard loved his many pets he had throughout the years. He enjoyed wood carving, collecting James Dean memorabilia, watching old movies on TCM, and Elvis Presley. Richard is survived by his sister, Patricia (Bob) Freeman of Galva, Iowa; several nieces and nephews, Jeff Cardwell, James Pederson, Julie (Shaun) Bell-Sarff, Michele (Jeff) Combs, and Marcia (Bob) Mathison; many great nieces and nephews; two step-daughters, Stacy and Terry; and special friend and caregiver, Penny Moore. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Florence; and one step-daughter, Marta Waterland-Henshaw. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Siouxland or to the Siouxland Humane Society.