Woods Funeral Home

Garry Alvin Meier, age 76, of Oran, Iowa died Friday, October 11, 2024, at his home.

Garry was born on March 6, 1948, Waverly, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Lucinda (Traetow) Meier. He graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1966. He was drafted into the United States Army and initially stationed at Fort Hood, TX where he married Diane Youngblut on March 22, 1968. The couple’s first son, Joe, was born and Garry was sent to Korea for 9 months during the Vietnam War. After completing his service, the family moved to their first home in Waverly, Iowa, and they soon had a baby girl, Michele. With a growing family, they bought Diane’s grandparents’ house and moved to Oran in 1972. Their family would soon be complete when Benjamin was born in 1973. Through the years, Garry worked at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa and served the community at the Oran Volunteer Fire Department. Garry and Diane spent 37 wonderful years together raising their family and grandkids until Diane’s passing on December 16, 2005. On October 23, 2015, Garry married Chris Geary Ramirez. They spent their time between Oran and Mission, Texas until his passing.

Garry was a longtime member of the VFW and American legion in Waverly and Fairbank. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, riding his Harley, collecting cars, mushroom hunting, and woodworking with Diane.

Garry’s memory is honored by his wife, Chris Meier of Oran; his three children; Joe (Nanci) Meier of Montezuma, Iowa, Michele (John) Lawrence of Montezuma, Iowa, and Ben (Missy) Meier of Dubuque, Iowa; and seven grandchildren; Bryce Meier, Jordan (Ashley) Meier, Alicia (Lucas) Meyer, Alexandria (Dustin) Kirk, Jahna (Nick) Hassinger, Tanner Meier, and Corinne Meier; eight great-grandchildren; Graceyn, Oberon, Brody, Conner, Karter, Alivia, Owen and Luke; his three siblings Charles Meier, Larry (Cheryl) Meier, and Sandra (Gary) Quade; and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Diane Meier, his parents, his sister-in-law LeAnn Meier, and his niece Angie Quade Kettwig.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 am. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Oran. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. at St. Peter. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery in rural Oran with Waverly Area Veterans Post giving military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Oran Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Valley Hospice or any local veteran’s association.

The service will be livestreamed at “Saints in Mission” Facebook page.

Lunch will be served in the church basement following the services.

Mary Louise Peters (Carroll, Dimmich) age 76 of Fairbank passed away on February 28, 2024 in Orlando, Fla. at the home of her daughter Jana. She was surrounded by her loved ones including one of her dearest friends Mary Jans of Fairbank. Mary Lou as many called her was the daughter of the late Louie & Clara Peters. She worked at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank for several years as church secretary. Mary graduated from IC High School in 1965 as Fairbank was her hometown. She was witty, independent and a social gal who always lived her life on her own terms. She loved to dance, bake and read and had a knack for home decor. She was devoted to her family and leaves behind five children: Thomas (Michelle) Carroll of San Jose, Calif., Christie (TJ) Hunter of Phoenix, Ariz., Jana (Brian) Spence of Orlando, Fla., Jeremy (Krista) Carroll of San Carlos, Calif., Jeffrey (Jenna) Carroll of Sebastian, Fla. and she is survived by eleven grandchildren. There will be a Mass in her name at the IC Catholic Church Fairbank on September 1st at 8:30 AM. Afterwards the family will proceed to the IC Cemetery. Mary Lou’s children would like to thank all of her Fairbank friends for making her life so rich. She loved you all very much.

Donna Mae Geary age 90 of Cedar Falls and formerly of Fairbank, died on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Western Home Communities where she resided the last few years of her life.

Donna was born on July 25, 1934 to Ralph and Pauline (Sagert) Reinard in Raymond, Iowa. Donna’s grandparents, William and Emma (Kurtt) Sagert, were also instrumental figures in her childhood. On June 18, 1952, Donna married Robert (Bob) Geary. Donna and Bob would live in Waterloo until 1970, where she worked in the bakery of the SunMart grocery store near their home. Following their move to an acreage outside of Fairbank, she served bravely as a bus driver for the Wapsie Valley Community School District for nearly 30 years.

Donna and family lost Bob to cancer in 2001. After realizing she needed new inspiration in her life, she rededicated a portion of their acreage which Bob, a pilot, had previously used as a landing strip; the land would become a place where she could express herself through her love of flowers and antique art. “You’ve got to take an interest in something. There’s no point in dwelling on what could have been. This is now,” Donna shared when interviewed by The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier on the land’s transformation following Bob’s death. Donna would become known for her beautiful flower gardens, and enjoyed when passersby would stop to admire her work, often offering them a cup of coffee and a tour.

In addition to her love of gardening and antiques, Donna was an aficionado of all things fiber art; she was a master of crochet, knitting, and cross-stitch. Her memory lives on in the numerous afghans, cross-stitch tapestries, and transplanted perennials bestowed upon her loved ones. We’d like to think that Donna is already busy sewing some beautiful new projects in Heaven.

Above all else, Donna’s greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. She concluded every visit by telling them she loved them, and then planting multiple kisses on their cheeks. 

Donna is survived by sons Tom (Joyce) Geary of Denver, Iowa and Steven (Jolene) Geary of Bristol, Wisconsin, daughter Chris (Garry) Meier of Oran, and daughter-in-law Marie Jo Geary of Des Moines; five grandchildren: Andrea Geary (Steven Swanson), Wade Geary, Jeremiah Geary (Jamie Voshell), Brittany (Nick) Cripps, and Brandon Geary; five step-grandchildren: Gina (Karl) Ekstam, Michael (Paige) Kossack, Joe Meier, Ben Meier, and Michele Lawrence; seven great-grandchildren: Mila, Michael, Jai, Xavier, Keynan, Analisa, and Uriah; and 17 step-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Pauline; her husband, Bob; her son, Michael; her sister, Carolyn Olmstead; her brother, Roland Reinard; and her step-grandchild, Lisa Rowen.

A heartfelt thank you to the special angels at The Martin Suites and Cedar Valley Hospice who went above and beyond to help make Donna’s transition as peaceful and pain-free as possible.

Donna will be laid to rest by her immediate family in a private graveside service at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice.  Alternatively, you could consider rededicating a patch of land near you to native perennial plantings.  Donna would love it.

Dennis Roger Farrington age 78 of Fairbank passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at St Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. He was born June 13, 1946 in Oelwein the son of James and Lisetta (Tiedt) Farrington. Denny first attended Sacred Heart School and then Oelwein Community School where he graduated from. After high school he was employed at John Deere in Waterloo for the next 30 years retiring in 1996, starting out first in the foundry and then the component works on Westfield. Denny married Paula Siggelkov on May 6, 1967 in Fairbank at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They made their home in Fairbank where they raised their four daughters as well as being foster parents for 15 children over a span of 13 years. After his retirement, Denny spent much of his time wood working.  He was quite a craftsman, making rocking chairs and cradles for his daughters along with many other creations. He also worked for many years with his good friend, Mark Owens, and his company, American Tradition which was originally located right across the road from his house. Denny continued to work with Mark even after he moved his shop to his farm north of Fairbank with one condition: on the days that Mark needed him, he would have to come to Fairbank and pick him up. Denny’s family is not sure how much work got done, but he enjoyed it so much that he worked right up until December of last year when he became ill. Denny was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church, charter member of the Fairbank Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of the Fairbank Jaycees. He enjoyed spending time with his family whether it be the holidays or the grandchildren’s school activities. Denny and Paula also enjoyed taking chartered bus trips to many different destinations. What mattered most to Denny was his family, especially his grandchildren.  He really loved being grandpa. He loved doing card tricks and of course his famous disappearing penny trick. Denny is survived by his wife, Paula, four daughters; Sheila Farrington of LaPorte City, Janece (Armando) Silva of Fairbank, Stephanie (Joe) Ahles of Waterloo and Jill (Josh) Zbornik of Independence, nine grandchildren; Armando Jr.,  Malena, Emma and Nolynn Silva, Jessica and Joey Ahles, Austyn, Alayna and Addisyn Zbornik, and one bonus grandson, Abe Silva. He is also survived by one brother, Mike (Elaine) Farrington and two sisters; Veronica (Tom) Roth and Virginia (Harv) Curry along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn and Al Everman, three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; Maxine  and Jack Dempsey, Marion Siggelkov, Sister Julie Siggelkov and Fred Siggelkov; three nephews; Butch Everman, Rick Curry, Scott Dempsey and three nieces; Kim Mason, Kelly Everman and Tracy Cox.

Visitation: 3:00-6:00 PM Sunday, August 11, 2024 with Knights of Columbus Rosary at 2:30 PM at Woods Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Monday, August 12, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

Lunch will be served in the Parish Center following the mass.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the Fairbank Library, Fairbank Fire Department or Little Island Childcare.

Margaret Ann Roberts age 76 of Dunkerton passed away July 10th, 2024 at her home. She was born November 30, 1947 in New Hampton the daughter of Hans and Elsie (Griesert) Ross. Margaret grew up in rural Fredericksburg first attending a rural country school and then the Fredericksburg School where she graduated in 1966. After high school she considered a career as a flight attendant but when she found out that would require a move to somewhere like Chicago she decided that she was too much of a small town girl for that. Margaret then began her career at KWWL in Waterloo which spanned the next 43 years of her life, she spent most of that time as a sales coordinator. Margaret married Arthur Roberts on October 6, 1979 in Fredericksburg. They lived in Waterloo briefly and then moved to Dunkerton where they raised their family. Margaret was the foundation of her family and they would always come first. She was somewhat of an old fashioned girl at heart, she loved family gatherings, cooking, playing cards, especially Pepper, she enjoyed golfing, occasional trips to the casino and when that wasn’t possible she would play casino video games on her laptop. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Art, six children; Michael (Lindy) Roberts, Mark (Stephanie) Roberts, Jeff (Deb) Roberts, Lisa (Brian) Wrage, Tracy Roberts and Christine Roberts, 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, one brother, Harold (Sheryl) Ross and one sister-in-law, Pat Ross. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Scott Roberts and one daughter, Francine Roberts, three brothers; John Ross, Bob Ross and Carl Ross, two sisters-in-law; Letha Ross and Ann Ross.

Visitation: 3:00-6:00 pm Sunday, July 14th at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank and for one hour before services Monday at the church.

Funeral Services: 11:00 am Monday, July 15th at St. John’s Lutheran Church Bennington 4110 East Mount Vernon Road, Waterloo, Iowa

Interment; Rosehill Cemetery, Fredericksburg, Iowa

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Dorlin James “DJ” Moeller age 87 of Fairbank passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Dorlin was born January 14, 1937 in rural Bremer county the son of Herman and Lydia (Matthias) Moeller. He grew up on the family farm in rural Fairbank, he attended and graduated from the Oran School. After high school he received his Bachelors Degree in Education at Wartburg College in Waverly. Dorlin began his teaching career in the Allison-Bristow School district and then the Wapsie Valley Community School district, retiring in 1997, altogether he taught mathematics for a total of 38 years. He was greatly appreciated for his many years of teaching and was known for his patient but firm method of instruction. After retirement Dorlin did a little farming because he always enjoyed life on the farm. He enjoyed watching sports on television, he was an avid Pittsburg Pirates fan as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes and of course the Wartburg Knights. He loved the game of Cribbage and used it as a teaching tool, as a matter of fact it was pretty much a requirement for his many nieces and nephews to learn to play it. Dorlin spent a number of years living at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein and considered the staff and many of the other residents as part of his family, he truly enjoyed living there. He is survived by his brother, Ron (Dianna) Moeller and his sister, Lois (Jerry) Heineman, a sister-in-law, Marlene Moeller along with 32 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Verla Kane and Darlene Tiedt, two brothers; Leon and Kenneth Moeller, two brothers-in-law; Ralph Kane and Earl Tiedt, one sister-in-law, Betty Moeller, one niece, Tracy Heineman and one nephew, Greg Moeller.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Saturday, July 13, 2024 with visitation from 9:00-10:30 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: may be directed to the Wapsie Valley Education Foundation.

A lunch will be served following the service in the church fellowship hall.