Rex Conn was born August 7, 1900, near Marengo, Iowa. He received a B.S. (1922) in animal husbandry from Iowa State College (University). He was engaged in farming until 1928 when he became a county extension agent (1928-1932) in Sioux County, Iowa. He later accepted a position as a buyer (1932-1935) for the Producers Commission Association of the Sioux City Stockyards. In 1935, Conn became the Extension Director (1935-1944) for Linn County. Conn was named Farm Editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1944, a position he held until 1969. In addition, he had a radio show and appeared on agricultural television programs. After retirement, Conn accepted an unpaid position as a communications specialist at Kirkwood Community College.



Conn served as President (1955-1956) of the Newspaper Farm Editors Association, and as President (1961-1962) of the All-Iowa Fair Board. Conn received several awards and honors including the Newspaper Farm Editors Association J. S. Russell Memorial Award (1964) and the Iowa State University Alumni Medal (1967).



On June 25, 1925 Conn married Helena Dorothea Schoenfelder. They had five children, all of whom graduated from Iowa State: Mary (1947), Rex Jr. (1949), Dorothy (1951), Ruth (1952), and Lois (1955). He passed away in 1975.