Woods Funeral Home

Linda Jo Christian, 74, of Waverly and formerly of Fairbank, passed away on Wednesday January 1, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following a brief illness.  Visitation will be from 9:30 -11:00 AM on Saturday January 11, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank.  Memorial services will then begin at 11:00 AM.  A memorial fund has been established.

Linda was born in Waterloo on October 30, 1945, the daughter of George and Marjorie (Kramer) Moulds.  She graduated from Dunkerton High School with the class of 1963.  On April 30, 1965 she was united in marriage with Donald Christian, they later divorced.  Linda had worked a few part-time jobs over the years but spent most of her life being a mother and grandmother.  She retired from RGIS Inventory and had worked with Seaver Company stocking sunglasses in various stores around Iowa.  She loved working in the yard, flowers, travelling with her sister, sewing in her earlier years, but most of all, time with her family.  Linda touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her.

Left to celebrate Linda’s life is her daughter Stacia (Robert) Hagedorn of Waterloo; her son Eric (Kimberly) Christian of Newton; her grandchildren: Amber and Jacob Axon, and Royce Christian; her step grandchild Sydney Hagedorn; her brothers: Robert Moulds and Jack Moulds, both of Fairbank; her sister Janet (David) Knepper of Barry, IL.  She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Marjorie.

Barbara Maude Ford age 74 of Independence passed away Wednesday December 4, 2019 at MercyOne Hospital in Waterloo. She was born October 15, 1945 the daughter of Laurence and Miriam (Scoville) Ford. She first attended the Fairbank Public School and then she was enrolled at the Woodward Academy in Perry, Iowa. Barbara spent the majority of her adult life living in Independence at the B&D Community Living Program. She recently moved to Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Oelwein due to her declining health. She is survived by two sisters; Mary Jo (Robert) Yee of California and Alice “Penny” Ford of Vermont, three brothers; Robert (Shirley) Ford of Virginia, Laurence (Jo Ann) Ford of Oklahoma and Paul Ford of Minnesota, a sister-in-law Margaret Ford of Maynard along with many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, two sisters; Gertrude “Truty” Lockwood and Florence Sawyer as well as one brother, John Ford.

Funeral Services: will be held at a later date.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

Dorothy Richards age 96 of Fairbank passed away Friday, November 29, 2019 at the Tripoli Nursing Home. She was born November 1, 1923 in Independence the daughter of William and Alvina (Reuter) Pint. Dorothy attended and graduated from the Independence Schools. On February 12th, 1945 she married Kenneth Richards at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church In Independence, the same church where she was baptized, received first communion and was confirmed. Dorothy and Kenny made their home in rural Fairbank where they raised their eight children. Besides being a dedicated mother, homemaker and helping out on the farm whenever needed she occasionally was called upon to fill in for Kenny as a bus driver for the Wapsie Valley School District. Dorothy was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank as well as a active member of the Parish Guild. She was a loving and giving mother and grandmother and truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Dorothy is survived by six children; Mary (Ron) Seeley, Bob (Nancy) Richards, Pam (Sammy) Balakrishnan, Ron (Kelly) Richards, Julie Happel (Scott Blasberg) and Dennis(Jenny) Richards. One son-in-law Jerry Marlow and one daughter-in-law, Jean Richards, 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one sister-in-law, Nilla Yarrington. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son; Jim Richards, one daughter; Deb Marlow, one sister and brother-in-law; Leona and Elmer Suhr, three brothers and a sister-in-law; Floyd (Katherine) Pint, Laverne Pint and Norb Pint.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Wednesday December 4, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday December 3, 2019 with a 3:45 pm Parish Rosary at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

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

Greg Fuller age 62 of Fairbank passed away Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, He was born October 7, 1957 in Waterloo the son of John and Mary (Applehans) Fuller. Greg attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools, Class of 1975. During his teen years, he worked at Fairbank Furniture in Fairbank and his father’s farm. He worked many places but his favorite place was the tannery, where he worked with old friends and made life long friends. In his later years he worked at Nestle at that time he retired. On January 6, 1979 he married the love of his life Lynette Rae Wolfgram. They had Three children Jason (Brittany) Fuller, Tyson Fuller, and Lacey (Abby) Wilken. He had six grandchildren Hunter, Leena, Addilyn, Bentley and Baylee Annis and Jaelyn Wilken. His passions included cars, carpentry, and tinkering on anything mechanical. Greg is survived by his wife Lynette Fuller, three children; Jason (Brittany)Fuller of Fairbank, Tyson Fuller of Fredericksburg and Lacey (Abby) Wilken of Nashua, six grandchildren; Hunter Fuller, Leena Fuller, Addilyn Fuller, Bentley and Baylee Annis all of Fairbank and Jaelyn Wilken of Nashua, a sister Sandy Chapman of Pryor, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father John his mother Mary, his brothers Dick, Ron, Rob and his sister Cindy and nephews Rick, Chad, and Dean.

The family would like to invite owners of classic cars who plan to attend the visitation or the funeral to please bring them in honor of Greg’s love for classic cars.

Visitation: from 4:00-7:00 pm with a 3:30 pm Parish Rosary, Wednesday October 30, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Thursday October 31, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

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

Diane Wenger age 70 of Fairbank passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo. She was born January 13, 1949 in Waterloo the daughter of Jerry and Mary (Demuth) Cornmesser. On December 12, 1975 she was united in marriage to Kenny Wenger at the Immaculate Conception Church in Sumner, Iowa. Diane attended elementary school at Immaculate Conception in Fairbank and continued her high school education at Wapsie Valley graduating in 1967. After high school Diane enrolled at Pitzes School of Cosmetology in Waterloo. She was a beautician at Eve’s Beauty shop in Fairbank for a number of years after that. Diane was a longtime and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank where she taught CCD for 27 years, served on numerous boards as well as being a Lector for Scripture Services. She worked for Doese Photography from 1996 until this year when her health would not allow her work any longer. Diane was a dedicated supporter of the Wapsie Valley FFA Program, her and Kenny and truly enjoyed going to all the different District, State and National competitions. She is survived by he husband, Kenny, her son Matthew Wenger of Ames, her daughter Ann (Jesse) Johnston of Molton, Brothers and sisters in law; Rich and Ruth Wenger of Fairbank, Bob and Mavis Wenger of Atkins, Vivian Wenger of Hazleton, Carolyn Wenger of Lincoln, NE along with three nieces and three nephews. Diane was preceded in death by her parents: Jerry and Mary Cornmesser, her father and mother-in-law; Duane and Marion Wenger and brothers-in-law; Steve and Roger Wenger.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Monday, October 28, 2019 with a 3:30 pm Parish Rosary and a 7:00 pm Scripture Service at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank.

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

Howard Durham 78 of Fairbank passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at MercyOne Senior Care in Oelwein. Howard was born July 7, 1941 in Waterloo the son of Emmett and Mary Ellen (McCuniff) Durham. He attended and graduated from Fairbank High School. Howard worked at Bentley Chevrolet for many years. He also owned and operated the Fairbank Redemption Center in Fairbank for a number of years. Howard was one of the founding and longtime members of the Fairbank Gun Club. He was also very involved with the Fairbank Historical Society. Howard enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as getting together with friends at the grocery store for coffee and conversation. He is survived by his longtime friend, Vicky Buckman of Hazleton. Howard was preceded in death by his parents. There will be private graveside services at a later date.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

Lorenz Schellhorn age 95 of Oelwein and formerly from Oran passed away Sunday, October 13 at Arlington Place in Oelwein. He was born February 13, 1924 in Chickasaw county the son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Warnke) Schellhorn. Lorenz married Virginia Mae Tonn February 18, 1949 in Readlyn. They lived in Oran until moving to Oelwein in 2017, living first at Mealy Apartments then moving to Arlington Place. He was the owner of Schellhorn Produce in Oran. Lorenz also worked at Rath Packing for a number of years, drove semi, was a school bus driver and custodian for Wapsie Valley Community Schools as well as farming until his health forced him to retire. He loved to go fishing, play cards and traveling with his son Bryan, especially the international trips. Lorenz was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Virginia, his son Donald Schellhorn of Urbana, two daughters; Cathy (Melvin) Gonnerman Sr. of Waverly and Marlys (Roger) Boleyn of Oelwein, five grandchildren; Melvin Gonnerman Jr. Philip Gonnerman, Michael Schellhorn, Mae Lee Nutter and Elizabeth Steinbron, 10 great-grandchildren; Marshall Gonnerman, Madison Gonnerman, Gaston Gonnerman, Megan Gonnerman, Drew Schellhorn, Hudson Nutter, Ellie Schellhorn, Genessa Gonnerman, Payton Nutter and Willow Steinbron, two brothers; Arnold Schellhorn of Oran and Orlyn Schellhorn of Clarksville along with several nieces and nephews. Lorenz was preceded in death by his parents, a son; Bryan Ray Schellhorn, a daughter-in-law; Debra (Deb) Schellhorn, three brothers; Roland, Erwin and Wilhart Schellhorn and two brothers in infancy; Marvin and LaVerne and two sisters; Adeline Schellhorn and Esther Niemeyer.

Visitation: 2:00-4:00 pm Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home.

Funeral Services: 4:00 pm Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home

Interment: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oran.

Memorials: to the American Heart Association or to the family.

Allen “Bugs” Dwight Cushion, 70, of Fairbank, passed away Sunday, October 6th at Mercy One Hospital, in Oelwein, of sudden heart failure. Bugs was born November 15th, 1948 to Howard and Evelyn Cushion of Maynard and was the second eldest of seven children. After graduating in 1966 from West Central (Maynard) he pursued a career in auto mechanics and continued making a living doing what he loved until he retired at the age of 64. Bugs married Teresa Ann Miller March 11th, 1972 at the Fayette Methodist Church, and the two soon made their home in Fairbank having three children, a daughter Traci, and two sons Travis and Eric. He loved anything with a motor, all things racing, and rekindled his passion for farming and tractors after his retirement. Bugs always made time for those he loved and was willing to share his vast knowledge on anything mechanical whenever anyone asked for advice. He
 always had a story or a joke no matter the situation. Bugs will be deeply missed and not forgotten. He is survived by his youngest son Eric (Bean) of La Crosse WI, his brothers, Donnie of Mable MN, Duane of Maynard, Darrell of Fayette, and his sisters, Carol Orr of Fayette, Cathy Heldt of Garnavillo, and Cindy Campbell of Mesa AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Evelyn of Maynard, daughter Traci, wife Teresa, and son Travis.
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Visitation and Celebration of Life: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery.

Elsie Russett, 97, of Fairbank, passed away July 29, 2019 at Mercy One Living Plus in Oelwein, Iowa, surrounded by family.  Elsie was born in Locust Grove, West Virginia, the daughter of Marshall and Euruth (Kelly) Guseman.  After graduating from high school, she attended nurses’ training in Morgantown, WV.   Upon graduation, she worked as a hospital and office nurse in Morgantown.  She joined the U.S. Army as a nurse, achieving the rank of Captain, and spent part of that time in Italy.  While stationed together at Fort Leonard Wood, she met her future husband, Alan Russett.  They were married in 1957 in Morgantown, WV.  They lived in Iowa City, Oelwein, Creston, Anamosa, Iowa Falls, and Fairbank.  Elsie worked in Anamosa as a school nurse.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an active member of the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552, and the United Methodist Church.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.  She was an artist, seamstress, den mother, quilter, gardener, great cook, and loved to spend time with her friends and her family near and far.

Preceded in death by: her parents; son James; husband Alan; siblings Virginia, Dorothy, Dale, and Betty.

Survivors: Dan (Maureen), son; Linda (Jeff) Fries, daughter-in-law; four grandchildren: Emily, Erica (Sam) Paulsen, Maria, and Timothy.

Services: Sat Aug 10, at 11am at United Methodist Church in Fairbank

Visitation: Fairbank Methodist Church, Sat Aug 10, from 9-11am (two hours prior to services)

Military Rites:  Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Inurnment: West Virginia National Cemetery

Memorials: in lieu of flowers can be directed to the United Methodist Church, Fairbank

Ralph Gipper age 94 of Independence and formerly of Fairbank passed away Monday, July 29, 2019 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. He was born January 13, 1925 in rural Fayette County, Iowa the son of John and Pearl (Beebe) Gipper. Ralph married Edna Gust on January 31, 1946 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Fairbank.

Ralph graduated from Fairbank High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army in 1946. Ralph was a 30 year employee of John Deere in Waterloo retiring in 1982. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank where he was a Trustee on the church council for 20 years and was currently a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Ralph loved puttering on things out in his garage or down in the timber. If he didn’t have the tools to complete the job at hand he would make them. He didn’t believe in buying new if you could fix the old. He spent many hours repairing or restoring John Deere Tractors whether they were his or someone else’s. He definitely fit the title “A Jack of all Trades”.

Survived by: two daughters; Mary Ann (Ralph) Blessing of Waterloo and Virginia (Dan) Sweeney of Marysville, WA, one son Ed (Sue) Gipper of Independence, two sisters; Grace Matthews of Charter Oak and Hazel (Lloyd) Hultman of Westgate, one brother, Ivan (Marcella) Gipper of Waterloo, eight grandchildren along with many great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: his parents, his wife, one son; John Gipper, one sister, Emma Pettit, three brothers; Albert, Leonard and Lloyd and one grandson in infancy.

Memorial Services: 11:00 am Wednesday July 31, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home.

Visitation: 9:00-11:00 am Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: to the family or Cedar Valley Hospice.