Herbert Leroy Wahlert Jr.

Mr. Herbert Leroy Wahlert Jr., age 87, of Exira, IA, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, IA.

Herb was born and raised in Exira and graduated with the class of 1957. He spent several years in Denver, Colorado, where he enjoyed racing his 1962 Chevy Super Sport and winning many trophies. In the summer of 1964, he returned to his hometown of Exira where he drove a mail truck for Pony Express. After retirement, Herb took on small trucking jobs hauling water for hog operations at AMVC and helping friends and neighbors with their livestock.

When he wasn’t working, Herb spent his time riding horses and traveling out west for family gatherings and tractor shows. He loved his family, both chosen and blood. He had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and one great great niece.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Michelle and Justin Hess, Michael and Jennifer Bauer and family, and Meg and Dave Schmidt, who stood by Herb’s side until the end. Their kindness and support have been a true blessing to our family, and we are grateful and proud to call them part of it.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Leroy Wahlert Sr. and Claudine (Basham) Wahlert; his sister and brother-in-law, Clarissa Ann (Wahlert) Terpstra and William Dow Terpstra; his brother-in-law, Samuel Stehle; his niece and nephew-in-law, Patricia Terpstra and Don Jordan; his niece and nephew-in-law, Ilene Patty and David Tucker; and his nephew-in-law, Tony Chavez.

Herb is survived by his sister, Ida Kay Stehle of Longmont, Colorado; and many nieces nephews and other family members.

A prayer service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, with Pastor Glen Meyers presiding at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira. An interment will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery east of Exira following the prayer at the funeral home.

Services are entrusted with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira, IA.