Noah Matthew Bell was born Tuesday, November 5, 2002 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  His election-day birth completed our family.  He was baptized the following month and made his stage debut as the Infant Jesus in a live Nativity Scene.  He was a happy, easy-going baby who adored his big sister and loved to make others laugh, even at such a young age.  As a toddler, he followed Anna everywhere and desperately wanted to do everything she could do.

In 2006, when the family moved to Indianola, Noah attended Victory Christian Academy.  Under their instruction, he began his love of reading and discovered performing music for the first time.  Noah was also very lucky to have wonderful daycare through Victory where he cemented lifelong school friendships.

Noah was in the first class of Kindergarteners at the newly built Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary School.  He looked forward to school every day.  The excellent teachers recognized his gifts and continued to encourage his progress, especially in reading, mathematics, and music.  Our family weathered another student learning the recorder, and Noah began to play trombone and cello, along with singing in the choir.  He also swam for the Tide YMCA Youth team.

Noah continued to participate in all of the music programs.  Now at Indianola Middle School, he added Show Choir and Jazz Band to his experiences. His Theatre journey began with a secret audition, and it would eventually include lead roles in dramas and comedies, as well as parts in musicals; performing at the Des Moines Civic Center as part of the High School Musical Showcase. Our family is forever grateful to those instructors who nurtured Noah's talents, both on and off the stage, creating those experiences with him.

Noah was privileged to belong to several bands, clubs, choirs, track and swim teams, and societies throughout middle school and high school.  His senior year began with COVID-19 protocols and a modified schedule, but Indianola High School graciously continued to allow the students to compete, perform, and excel.  His leadership roles in the Marching Band and Theatre Club provided both challenges and successes.  He earned admission to the Iowa All-State Choir, but no gatherings or concerts were held that Fall.  Noah was a proud and accomplished 2021 graduate of Indianola High School.

After some time off, Noah joined Burkhead Electric in the Fall of 2022 and began his electrical apprentice program.  Noah's program was tailored to include a variety of experiences and mentors, both in the field and in the classroom.  He was immediately welcomed as part of their work family, and he was excited to learn and design electrical systems.  Burkhead Electric became his second home where he felt valued and heard.  Our family witnessed the commitment, dedication, and love Noah received.  When Noah was swimming competitively, he routinely performed better in team relays than in individual races.  We saw those same behaviors as he worked to serve his Burkhead coworkers.

Noah is survived by his parents, Rachel and Matthew Bell; his sister, Anna Bell; and his grandparents, Wm. Allen Jr. and Elsie (Houston) Bell; as well as several extended family members:  Mark Metzner and his children, Bailey, Aaron, and Madison; Craig and Sandi Metzner and their children, Max, Lauren, Sophia, and Olivia; Karl and Caroline Metzner and their children, Gavin, Dashiell, and Nathan; Deborah and Ron Hartmann and their children, Micah, Gabrielle, and Isaac; Cathy Kunisch and her children, Kati, Eli, Jonah, and Jacob; Wm. Allen III and Sheila Bell and their children, Stephanie and Andrew; and Christopher Bell and his children, CJ, Caleb, Joshua, Kaiden, and Alexa. We will all greatly miss him.

Celebration of life services for Noah Matthew Bell, 22, of Indianola, who passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025, will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, June 21, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to services from 1 to 3 p.m.