Woods Funeral Home

Jim Johnson age 72 of Independence passed away Friday September 25, 2020 at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence from lung cancer. He was born August 22, 1948 in Independence the son of George and Dorothy (Schamp) Johnson. Jim graduated from Independence High School in 1967. He then proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After returning home from the Army Jim married Sandra Burnett April 29, 1972 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. He was employed in manufacturing his entire working career, first at P&H Harnischfeger for 15 years then Rockwell Goss both in Cedar Rapids and most recently, Terex in Waverly where he retired in 2017. Jim had a passion for cars starting when he was a teenager, whether it be fixing them or rebuilding them. He also enjoyed fishing whenever he got a chance especially with his brother-in-law Steve who was more like a brother to him. Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandra, three sons; Bradley (Kari) Johnson of Independence, Brian Johnson of Waterloo and Ryan Johnson of Altoona, four grandchildren; Jayden, Liam, Claire and Logan, one Brother Richard (Connie) Johnson, three sisters; Nancy (Bob) Frerichs, Gloria (Steve) Kroeze and Anna (Bill) Izzo, two sisters-in-law; Susan Johnson and Pam Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Kent, Joel and Ned along with a nephew, Tim Burnett.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic there will be private family graveside services held Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Fairbank Cemetery.

Military Rites to be conducted by the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Pat Miller, 61, of Fairbank passed away peacefully on September 25 after a long fight with cancer.

He was born January 2, 1959 in Oelwein, the son of Joe and Lo-E (Rastatter) Miller. He married Lynn Pouk on October 17, 1992 in Streator, Illinois. Together Pat and Lynn had two children, Ryan and Brianne.

Pat graduated from Wapsie Valley High School with the Class of 1977. During and after graduating from school he worked at the family business Miller Plumbing and Heating until his death. Pat was a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a longtime member of the Fairbank Knights of Columbus, and member of the Fairbank Community Club. He loved officiating, coaching and watching sports. He especially enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Pat always welcomed anyone that would stop by the store to say “hi”, talk over the latest headlines regarding sports, or what was new in town. Most of all he enjoyed time spent with his family and friends who will all miss him so much. One last parting thought from Pat, “FMV”.

Pat is survived by his wife; his two children; his three brothers, Joe (Jeanne) Miller, Greg (Shelli) Miller and John (Jo) Miller; his two sisters, Jane (Hal) Holder and Barb (Tim) Klopfenstein; his father-in-law, Ron Pouk; his brother-in-law, Brian (Diane) Pouk, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Robbie Pouk.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Due to the recommendations regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic everyone in attendance will be required to wear face coverings, maintain social distance and to please limit their time in the funeral home.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Carole Levendusky age 79 of Dubuque, formerly of Fairbank passed away August 21, 2020 at her home. She was born December 25, 1940 in Waterloo the daughter of Joe and Sue (Quinn) Kemp. Carole attended and graduated from I.C. Catholic School in Fairbank. She married Clair Levendusky on November 14, 1959 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Carole and Clair raised their family in Fairbank and were longtime members of I.C. Catholic Church. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Carole is survived by her three daughters; Laura (Barney) Niner, Barb (Mark) Babiak and Jodi (Rich) Brunning, two sons; Charlie (Janell) Levendusky and Jeff (Terri) Levendusky, eight grandchildren; Kayla (Nathan) Scheer, William (Fiona) Niner, Alex (Mallory) Niner, Joshua (Lauren) Levendusky, Brian (Taylor) Levendusky, Troy (Mariah) Levendusky, Jake (Jenna) Levendusky and Jordyn Levendusky, two great-grandchildren; Palmer and Henry Scheer. Five sisters; Mary Jo (Dean) Hartley, Kathy (Don) Corcoran, Pat Kayser, Roberta (Dick) Mason, Annett Kemp (Larry), two brothers; Ed Kemp and Peter Kemp (Jan) and one sister-in-law Lee Ann Kemp and one brother-in-law Lawerence Levendusky as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband a brother; Mike Kemp and a sister; Liz Kemp along with many brothers and sisters in law.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Wednesday, August 26, 2020 with visitation from 10:00-11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Due to the recommendations concerning the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic those in attendance are required to wear face coverings and maintain social distance.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials; may be directed to the family for later designation.

Angie VanDaele passed away Tuesday August 11, 2020 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo at the age of 95. She was born November 6, 1924 in rural Fairbank the daughter of Frank and Mary (Meier) Buzynski. Angie attended and graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fairbank. She married Arthur VanDaele on June 16, 1948 at I.C. Catholic Church in Fairbank. Angie and Art lived in rural Fairbank where they raised their two daughters and farmed the land together until Art’s passing in 1997. She was a hardworking and loving farmwife, mother and grandmother. Angie was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she volunteered for many activities such as the annual fall dinners and countless funeral dinners. She is survived by her two daughters; Judy Boehme of Fairbank and Debra (Ed) Bormann of Oelwein, four grandchildren; Michelle (Shawn) Mullihan, Jessica (Nick) Miller, Lewis (Chris) Boehme, Jason (Jamie) Albrecht and Brad Hunziker (Jennifer’s husband), 20 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law; Becky VanDaele and Manetta Buzynski. Angie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son-in-law; Tom Boehme and one granddaughter; Jennifer Hunziker.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Tuesday August 18, 2020 with visitation from 10:00-11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Due to the restrictions regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of those in attendance will be required to maintain social distance and wear face coverings.

Internment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation. Those not attending and wishing to send a card they may be sent in care of Angie to Debra Bormann, 800 6th Ave. SW Oelwein, IA 50662

She was an amazing woman, wife, mom, grandma and great grandma. She lived 95 years in mostly wonderful health.

She was hands on 100% She was not just a farmers wife, she was a farmer. She has left a legacy of hard work, love and family.

It’s sad to say goodbye, but a happy day to celebrate a life well lived. in the next few days reflect on all the good things that made her special.

LaVern Wachal of rural Fairbank passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Unity Point Allen Hospital at the age of 96. He was born December 25, 1923 in rural Walker, Iowa, the son of George and May (Helbig) Wachal. LaVern grew up in rural Walker where he attended and graduated from High School. After school he served his country in the United States Army during World War II. LaVern was stationed in Berlin, Germany and was involved in the Invasion of Normandy. While he was in Germany he met his future wife, Helga Zoerner. They were married July 3, 1948 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. LaVern and Helga made their home in rural Fairbank where they raised their family and farmed the land. He was a lifetime farmer. He retired from the physical part of being a farmer a few years ago but was still very involved with the mental part of the business right up until his last days. LaVern was an avid reader even using a Kindle in his later years, he also enjoyed putting together puzzles as well as solving crossword puzzles; he especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his children; Jean (Jim) Turner of Lexington, Kentucky, Sue (Terry) Scarbrough of Hudson, Steve (Linda) Wachal of Dunkerton and Robin Wachal of Cedar Falls as well as 13 Grandchildren, 17 Great- grandchildren and one Great-Great grandchild as well as a sister; Berniece Bellach. LaVern was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helga, one daughter, Debra Wachal, three brothers; Erwin Wachal, Marvin Wachal and Norman Wachal.

Funeral Services: 11:30 am Saturday July 25, 2020 with visitation from 9:30 am until services at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all attendees are required to wear face masks as well as maintaining social distance.

Military Rites: American Legion, Peter-Kress Post 636 of Dunkerton.

Interment: Fairview Cemetery Dunkerton, Iowa.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Miriam “Petey” Heilmann passed away on June 10, 2020 at age 95. She was a resident of the Pinnacle Care Center in Cedar Falls. Petey was born on November 26, 1924 in Dunkerton, Iowa the daughter of Carl and Eva (Jenson) Hein. She graduated from Dunkerton High School in 1942 and initially worked in the offices of the Rath Packing Company. Petey married Alfred “Fritz” Heilmann on November 18,1945 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank and were blessed with two children, Steven and Vicki. Fritz and Petey owned and operated Heilmann’s Service Station in Dunkerton for more than twenty years, She kept the books. Petey also worked for Peoples Bank and Trust in Dunkerton for many years, and at age 60 passed the test for her insurance license. After retiring she volunteered at Allen Memorial hospital for more than 20 years. She is survived by her son Steven (Merry) and daughter Vicki (Jim Reans), four grandchildren: Jonathan (Kim), Matthew (Christi) Porter, Scott, and Katherine (Peter Bo); three step grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

Private Family Funeral Services: 10:00 am Saturday October 3, 2020 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 904 Bluff Street, Cedar Falls.

Inurnment: Fairview Cemetery Dunkerton, Iowa.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation in care of Vicki Jones, 3309 Mount Vernon Drive, Waterloo, IA 50701.  

Barb Brennan age 61 of Fairbank passed away Thursday June 4, 2020 at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo due to complications of Covid-19. She was born April 15, 1959 in Cresco, Iowa the daughter of Max and Charlotte (Tonn) McGrane. Barb graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools with the Class of 1978. On March 8, 1979 she married Wade Brennan in Independence they made their home in Fairbank where they raised their two children, Joshua and Tonya. Barb was a dedicated wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother and most recently the caregiver for her father, right up until the day she was hospitalized. She enjoyed collecting DVD’s, blankets and small animals as well as going to garage sales. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family especially her grandchildren. Barb is survived by her husband; Wade, her son; Joshua (Kamie Voges) and her daughter; Tonya (fiance’ Jeremy Yauslin) all of Oelwein, two brothers; Danny (Luan) McGrane of Cedar Falls and Dennis McGrane of Fairbank and her father, Max of Fairbank, 11 grandchildren; Sierra, Dakota, Chloe, Dalton, Kaydence, Katelyn, Dylan, Austin, Kayla, Alana and one great-grandchild; Oakley along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother; Charlotte, a sister-in-law; Barb McGrane and a nephew; Carson McGrane.

Celebration of Life: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a 10:30 am Memorial Service , Saturday July 11, 2020 at the Fairbank Island Park. Please bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.

Memorials may be directed to the family: in care of Tonya Brennan 303 1st Street NE Oelwein, Iowa 50662

Dave Owens, 88 of Fairbank passed away Tuesday, April 14 at MercyOne Senior Care in Oelwein. He was born April 22, 1931 the son of David and Vera (Terpstra) Owens. Dave grew up in the Colfax area and graduated from the Colfax High School. After High School He enrolled at Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, he graduated from there with a Degree in Teaching. He continued his education at Drake University where he received his Masters Degree. Dave proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. During his service he was a Parachutist as well as an instructor for beginning Parachutists. Dave married Margaret Meckley on March 23, 1951 in Colfax. Dave and Margaret were lifelong educators, spending the vast majority of their careers and lives in the Wapsie Valley Community School District. Dave started at Wapsie Valley as a High School Principal and soon moved up to the Superintendent position which he held for the next 34 years. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Fairbank as well as the Fairbank American Legion. Dave also was the President of the Fairbank Community Club for many years. Dave was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather as well as being a dedicated educator. He is survived by his son Mark (Becky) Owens of Fairbank, two granddaughters; Kara Owens of Atlanta, GA and Gina Owens of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 67 years, Margaret, his sister Patsy Evans and his brother-in-law Frank Evans and one niece, Katie Darbyshire.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic guidelines restricting gatherings to no more than 10 people there will be a private family graveside service. A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date at the Fairbank American Legion.

Memorials may be directed to the Fairbank United Methodist Church, the Fairbank, Oran or Readlyn Fire Departments or to the family. Cards may be sent to Mark Owens, 6965 W Ave. Fairbank, Iowa 50629