Woods Funeral Home

Jeanne F. Hermsen 88 of Independence, passed away with family by her side on May 26, 2025 at Lexington Estates, in Independence, Iowa.

Jeanne Frances Robinson was born on December 4, 1936 in Fairbank, Iowa to Norman and Mary F. “Peg” (Kane) Robinson. She attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fairbank and graduated in 1954.

On June 20, 1956, Jeanne married James Herbert Connell in Mannheim-Sandhofen, Germany, where he was stationed. In the late 50’s Jeanne and Jim returned to the states and finally settled in Iowa. They followed Jim’s passion of flying and working in the aviation field, and operated multiple airports during their marriage. Jeanne managed the bookkeeping and assisted with managing their aviation business from 1968-1983. Jeanne and Jim had six children together and many are still working in the aviation industry. They later divorced in 1984.

Jeanne also worked at Walnut Grove in Independence from 1973-1997 where she ended her working career as Depot Manager.

On September 24, 1994, Jeanne married Merlin Gilbert Hermsen. Merlin did not have any children and loved that he could share hers. Merlin died on November 21, 2020.

Jeanne served on the Independence City Council for 2 terms from 1999-2005 and 2010-2013. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of America.

Jeanne is survived by her 6 children, Michael (Ava) Connell, Decorah, IA, Patrick (Anna) Connell, Kingman, AZ, David (Kris) Connell, Lakeville, MN, Kathleen (Rocky) Hettinger, Gilbert, AZ, Dianne (Chip) Davis, Urbandale, IA, and Krista James, Independence, IA, thirteen grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, a brother; Randy (Suzie) Robinson, Fairbank, IA, two sisters; Sharon Robinson, Oelwein, IA, Denise Robinson, Boone, IA, and a sister-in-law; Coral Robinson. 

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; Norman and Peg Robinson, her first husband, Jim Connell, her second husband, Merlin Hermsen, a sister, Eileen Smith, brother, Norman Robinson, and a step-granddaughter, Ashley Cooper.

Visitation: 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday, June 8th with a 3:30 PM Rosary at Woods Funeral Home and from 9:00-10:00 AM Monday June 9th also at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Monday, June 9th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank, Iowa.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served at the Parish Center following the service.

Donna Marie Higgins 89 of Fairbank passed away Monday May 5th, 2025 at her home. She was born March 7, 1936 the daughter of Harold and Irma (Gletty) Kane. Donna was united in marriage to Ralph Higgins on July 29, 1957. Ralph passed away June 13, 2015.

Donna and Ralph had five children Brian, Tammy, Brad, Terry and Sherry. Donna was a homemaker, loving parent, grandmother and sister, always taking care of everyone. She was a great listener to everyone she came in contact with. In her younger days she made quilts, gardened and enjoyed camping with family and friends.

Donna is survived by her loving children; Brian (Mary) Higgins of Fairbank, Terry “Joe” (Denise) Higgins of Oelwein, Tammy (Keith) Curley of Fairbank and Sherry (Denny) Annis of Fairbank. 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one on the way, two great-great grandchildren, two sisters; Delores (Henry) Schares, Doris Randall and a brother, Rex (Glenda) Kane along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Brad “Willy” Higgins, two grandsons, Corey Annis and Dylan Welsh. Three brothers; Ronald in infancy, Ralph and Roger Kane, one sister, Dorothy Duffy, two sisters-in-law, Verla Kane and Bev Kane and two brothers-in-law, Lucky Roberts and Jack Duffy.

A special thank you to Glenda Kane and Justin Annis for the loving daily care they gave Donna this past year and Cedar Valley Hospice for their support.

Visitation: 9:00-11:00 AM Thursday, May 8th at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, Fairbank

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM May 8th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will follow after the service at the Parish Center.

Darlene Ann Nation age 82 of Waterloo passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Northcrest Specialty Care in Waterloo. She was born May 21, 1942 the daughter of Leonard and Evelyn (Kerns) Salisbury. Darlene attended and graduated from Dunkerton Community Schools. She had a love for photography and dedicated her working career to that. Darlene first worked Olin Mills Photography then at Sears in the photography department and finally at Walden Photo where she worked until she retired. She married Dennis Nation at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank, they later divorced. She met Rick Milks in 1992 and they have been together ever since. Besides her love for photography Darlene loved her dogs and watching and feeding the birds. She enjoyed going on car rides just to see what was going on. But most of all she loved having a good time with friends and family, especially her children and grandchildren.

Survived by: her life partner, Rick Milks, two daughters; Denise Nation and Julie Schares, one son, Jim (Ann) Nation, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild on the way, two sisters-in-law; Jean Ann Salisbury and Betty Salisbury along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: her parents, one son, Brad Nation, two brothers; Don Salisbury and Ron Salisbury.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, April 22nd with a 3:30 Rosary at Woods Funeral Home

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 23rd at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served at the Parish Center following services.

Darlene Hogan, 95, of Oelwein, Iowa passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Darlene was born on April 10, 1929 in Minnesota to Oscar & Alice (Walgrave) Kammerude.

For many years Darlene enjoyed working at Connors’ Clothing store and Kotschers Jewelry Store. She was active in the Catholic Church. Darlene enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, playing cards and shopping for the latest fashion trends.

Darlene is survived by 4 daughters: Diane (Bob) Allen, Deborah (Ray) Rasmussen, Mary Jo (Jerry) Hegarty, and Therese (Darrel) Steggall; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Darlene is preceded in death by her two husbands: Virgil Bieger and Jim Hogan; 3 grandchildren: Josh Smith, Carissa Smith, and Zachary Rundle; and a sister, Mary Joyce Blumer.

A private burial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Darlene’s name to St. Croix Hospice, Sacred Heart Church, or to the family for later designation.

Mary Ellen Youngblut age 101 of Oran passed away Friday, March 21, 2025 at Cobblestone Court Assisted Living In Sumner, Iowa just 10 days short of her 102nd birthday. She was born March 31, 1923 in Iowa Falls the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Klinger) Klenzman. Mary Ellen attended and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Oelwein. She married Francis Youngblut on July 1, 1942 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Mary Ellen and Francis spent their entire married life in Oran, where the raised their four daughters. She worked alongside her husband Franny “Tuff” at Youngblut Feed and Fertilizer and later Youngblut Elevator in Oran. For a short time she worked at a women’s clothing store in Oelwein but with four daughters she was spending more in merchandise than she was making so she didn’t stay there long. She then returned to helping Franny at the elevator until they retired.

Survived by: her four daughters; Barbara Yungtum, Carol Youngblut both of Waverly, Marilyn (Larry) Briddle of Marshfield, Missouri and Darlene (Bruce) Smith of Boonville, Missouri, six grandsons, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and one on the way.

Preceded in death: her parents, her husband, one brother, Gene Klenzman and one son-in-law, Dennis Yungtum.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Tuesday March 25, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank with visitation from 10:00-11:00 am also at the church.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice

Richard James Wenger age 69 of Fairbank passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from injuries he sustained in a truck accident near Marshalltown. Rich was born December 8th, 1955 in Oelwein the son of Duane and Marion (Buchholz) Wenger. He grew up on the family farm just north of Fairbank. Rich attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools Class of 1974. He married Ruth Vandersee on June 2nd 1979 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maynard. Rich began his truck driving career at Oran Ag Services hauling mostly grain from the elevator and for area farmers. His next truck driving job was at Renard & Seegers who had several John Deere dealerships in northeast Iowa, hauling all different types of farm machinery. He dedicated the rest of his working days there, which included three different owners during his time there. He truly loved what he did and enjoyed all the people he met along the way, especially the customers he delivered equipment to. When he wasn’t working his day job he could be found working in his very organized shop on most anything he could get in the door. Whether it be woodworking or tinkering on a lawnmower he loved working with his hands. He will be missed in the neighborhood as he was the go to guy for most any project. Rich also could be found helping Ruth occasionally with some of her countless projects or maybe just chasing each other around town on bicycles. Rich loved anything to do with trucks, he made many trips to the Mid-American Truck Show which is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. He enjoyed playing cards and many different board games and he didn’t even mind playing an occasional game of Pickleball.

Survived by: his wife of 45 years, Ruth, a daughter, Lisa (Jeremy) Bro, two brothers; Kenny Wenger and Bob (Mavis) Wenger, his mother-in-law, Gwen Vandersee, four sisters-in-law; Karolyn Wenger, Vivian Wenger, Barb (Dale) Lowe and Elaine Gallagher, one brother-in-law, Paul Vandersee along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: his parents, two brothers; Steve and Roger Wenger, his father-in-law, Laverne Vandersee, two brothers-in-law; Mike Gallagher and Vernon Vandersee.

Visitation: 9:00-11:00 am Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Woods Funeral Home

Funeral Service: 11:00 am Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Woods Funeral Home.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Lunch will be served at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Fairbank following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Ronald (Ron) Andrew Pouk, 88, of Fairbank, Iowa passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family. 

Ron was born in Streator, IL on August 14, 1936 to Andrew and Catherine (Dzurisin) Pouk. After graduating from Streator High School, Ron served in the United States Army. After his time in the service, Ron spent the majority of his career working at a steel mill. He married Robbie Jacobs on June 27, 1964 at St. Stephen’s Church in Streator. Together, Ron and Robbie had two children. 

Ron enjoyed fishing, gambling, doing puzzles, and watching football games (especially the Bears and Hawkeyes who never failed to disappoint him). Above everything else, Ron loved spending his time chatting to and joking with his family – especially his grandchildren. Ron always greeted them with a smile and sent them with treats on their way out the door. His quick whit, fun facts, and terrible jokes will be missed dearly.

Ron is preceded into death by his beloved wife; his parents; his brothers, Fred Pouk (Streator, IL) and Norman Pouk (Streator, IL); his brother-in-law Rod Kuerth (Pontiac, IL); and his son-in-law, Patrick Miller (Fairbank, IA). 

He is survived by his children Brian (Diane) Pouk (Ottawa, IL) and Lynn Miller (Fairbank, IA); his sister Jeanette Kuerth (Pontiac, IL); his grandchildren Ryan Miller (Humboldt, IA), Brianne Miller and her fiancé, Luke Zielinski (Waukee, IA); and Alyssa Miskell (Coralville, IA).

The family is having a private burial at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Fairbank. Memorials can be directed to the family for a remembrance to be determined at a later date.