Woods Funeral Home

Gordon Bentley, age 92 passed away January 25, 2019 at Royal Oaks Nursing Home in Dade City, Florida. He was born December 16, 1926 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein the son of Earl and Helen (Lacy) Bentley. Gordon attended and graduated from Fairbank High School, Class of 1944. After graduation, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Gordon was stationed in Japan and was trained as a tank mechanic. However, when he arrived there were no tanks to work on, so he remained in the motor pool during his deployment there. When he returned from the Army, he began working at the Chevrolet dealership that his dad founded the year he was born. During that time with the war going on they were only allowed 1 1/2 cars per month. With only a few new cars to sell, Gordon improvised by reconditioning and selling used cars. He was actually selling more used cars than his dad was selling new ones, so one day his dad told him he should just buy the place. So in the late 1950’s, Gordon bought the dealership from his dad. On October 13, 1955, Gordon married Patricia Joerger at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Together they owned and operated Bentley Chevrolet until 1986. Gordon and Patty always spent at least 2 weeks in Florida every winter to attend the Daytona 500. In 1986, they started spending 5 months each year in Florida where he continued to sell used cars until 2018. Gordon’s love for racing began after returning home from the Army. He would go to Daytona Beach to watch stock car racing back when they were still racing on the sand. Gordon also enjoyed building and racing stock cars in Iowa and was quite good at it. Until one night, his mother told him he couldn’t drive anymore. That didn’t stop Gordon from continuing to build and own race cars through 1963. Gordon passed his love for racing down to his children. All three of them started out racing quarter midgets and eventually the number 35 was on two stock cars driven by his sons, David and Duane. Gordon is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patty of Dade City, two sons; David and Duane both of Fairbank, one daughter, Mary (Joe) College of Earlham, Iowa, 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law; Mary Lou Fink of Fairbank and Betty Sturm of Estelline, SD and one brother-in-law; Charles (Cleo) Joerger of Fairbank. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Mary Jo and her husband Arnold Coffin, two brothers-in-law; Darwin Fink and Bill Sturm and one granddaughter, Lou Ann Bentley.

Services: 10:30 am Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Rosary and Visitation: Parish Rosary at 3:45 pm with visitation to follow from 4:00-7:00 pm Friday, February 1, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Military Rites: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Joe Bovy age 84 passed away Monday, January 14, 2019 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He was born in Waterloo November, 16, 1934 the son of Albert and Loretta (Schmitz) Bovy. Joe married Colleen Shannon on June 28, 1955, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Joe and Colleen started farming in the La Porte City area after they were married. In 1965, they moved to their farm near Oran, where they raised their six children and continued farming. Joe was also employed at John Deere, he later retired after 30 years of service. Joe was a member of the Iowa National Guard for seven years. He served on the Wapsie Valley School Board for a number of years and was a longtime member of the Fairbank Knights of Columbus. Joe also enjoyed working on and driving his 2 cylinder John Deere tractors and was quite proud of them. Most of all, Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He truly enjoyed spending time with his family. Joe always had a smile for anyone he came in contact with. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Colleen, his six children; Sue (Steve) Schneider of Oelwein, Diane (Bob) Biver of Sioux Falls, SD, Linda (Rick Sebetka) Tjelmeland of Jesup, Mary Ann (Peter) Green of St. John, IN Joe (Gail) Bovy of Middleton, WI, and Sharon (Jay) Maxwell of Gaithersburg, MD, 11 grandchildren; Amy (Jon) Renze, Kate (Dave) Meacham, Matt (Wendy) Biver, Eric (Becky) Tjelmeland, Aaron Tjemeland, Adam Tjemeland, Devin (Robert) DeNofio, Courtney (Joey) Calderone, Jessica Bovy, Emily Maxwell, Sydney Maxwell and 6 great-grandchildren; Teagen Renze, Greyson Renze, Bryn Renze, Finley Meacham, Sophia Biver and Giavanna Calderone, two sisters; Joan (Richard) Reiter of Waterloo and Alberta Keough of Cedar Falls, one sister-in-law, Mardeen Bovy and one brother-in-law, Marvin Lund. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Raphael “Ray” Bovy and one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Lund and one brother-in-law, Jim Keough.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Friday, January 18, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 pm, Thursday January 17 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials to be directed to the family for later designation.

Jack Lorraine Curtis age 98 passed away January, 10, 2019 at Ravenwood Care and Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo. He was born January 19, 1920 in Fairbank the son or Merton and Nancy (Adams) Curtis. Jack grew up in the Fairbank area where he attended and graduated from Fairbank High School. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 and attained the rank of Tech 5 Sergeant. Jack also received five bronze stars as he was in five major battles in WWII. On June 19, 1949 he married Verna Wierck at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Jack and Verna made their home in Evansdale and remained there until their passing. Verna preceded Jack in death on August 10, 2015.

Jack worked various odd jobs until he started working at John Deere in Waterloo. He was employed there from 1946 until his retirement in 1981. Jack loved to fish on the Mississippi River in the Guttenburg area, where he and Verna had a trailer for many years. He worked on many cars in his life and always had a big garden. Jack was very proud of his military background and that he was a retiree of John Deere.

Jack is survived by two sons; Peter (Luci) Curtis and Christopher (Jenni) Curtis both of Evansdale, two daughters; Susan Curtis (Larry Oberheu) of Waterloo and Meladee (Sheldon) Rokusek of Elk Run Heights, four grandchildren; Stephanie (Chuck) Woodley, Sunshine (Mark) Husman, Brady (Jheanette) Rokusek and Kayla Curtis, three great-grandchildren; Kyli and Madison Husman and Adrianna Rokusek. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Michael Curtis, three brothers; Franklin, Elmer and Howard Curtis, three sisters; Lillian Halblieb, Mabel Polege and Elma Smith.

Funeral Services: 11:00 am Wednesday, January 16, 2019 with visitation from 9:00-11:00 am at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank, Iowa.

Military Rites: by the U.S. Army and the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

Memorials: to the Fairbank American Legion or the Fairbank Veterans Park.

Loren William Niebuhr age 85 passed away Sunday, Dec 16, 2018 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, Iowa following an 18-month heroic battle with Glioblastoma (brain cancer).

Loren was born January 31, 1933 in a chicken house in rural Fairbank.  He grew up in the rural Fairbank and Waterloo areas, (briefly in San Jose, CA) attended Fairbank country school and graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to1955.  He married Mary Braun on July 25,1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Mary Niebuhr passed away September 4, 1990.

Loren farmed his entire adult life and worked 30 years at John Deere Waterloo PEC from 1955 to 1985.  He founded, built, and helped operate Wapsie Ridge Golf Course over the last 25 years of his life.  Loren was a master of many trades.  He retired in October of 2018 after well over 100 equivalent years of work.

Loren dedicated himself to anything he did and encouraged others to strive for perfection on any task, large or small. His hobbies included fishing in Canada, golfing, reading, crossword and picture puzzles, watching FOX News, and scrapping metal. His biggest joy was helping anyone in need.  Loren was a fixer; if it was broke, you fix it.  And what he fixed was often better and stronger than it was before.  This carried over to the people he touched, as he was always there to help and maybe unknown to him, fixed part of them as well.

Loren is survived by his life partner of 26 years, Shirley Riggle of Fairbank, his sons Michael (Lori) of Olathe, KS, Kevin (Annette) of Dunkerton, Daniel (Anne) of Fairbank, sister-in-law Bonnie Niebuhr of Grundy Center, sister-in-law Delores Orcutt of Spring Green, WI, 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous step-children and step-grandchildren.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents Harold & Edith (Bradley) Niebuhr, his wife Mary (Braun) Niebuhr, his son Daryl, three brothers; Max, Gene (Evonda), and Gail, brothers and sisters-in-law; Melvin Braun, Laverne (Buck) Braun, Ray and Francis (Braun) Buckner, Glenn and Mildred (Braun) Larson, and Jim Orcutt.

Funeral Services: No formal services per Loren’s request.

Celebration of Life: Cancelled

Memorials or Cards: may be directed to the family, c/o Loren Niebuhr, 203 N. Washington, Fairbank, Iowa, 50629

 Patricia Stirm age 77 of Waterloo passed away December 1, 2018 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from complications during open heart surgery. She was born March 16, 1941 in Waterloo the daughter of William and Evelyn (Heinen) Schmit. Pat graduated from Don Bosco High School in 1960. She was a bartender at Hillcrest, Red Cedar, Jim’s Lounge and Park Road. She married Kenneth Stirm Jr. on July 26, 1983. Pat was a very energetic individual, she enjoyed working with crafts and working outside in the yard. Most of all she loved being a mother and grandmother and spending time with her family. Pat is survived by her four children; Vicki (Dan) Rigdon and Brigette (Dustin Tippett) Mangrich of Fairbank, Mark (Kandis) Ciesielski and  Doug (Tracy) Ciesielski of Jesup, two step-children; Ken (Tricia) Stirm and Karla (Kevin) Klein, 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. Two brothers; William (Bert) Schmit of Colorado and Jerry (Cindy) Wagner of Brooklyn, four sisters; Jean (Mark) Hayden of Colorado, Lynette (Gary) Frost of La Porte City, Tina (Dave) Morales of Cedar Falls and Kim (Brent) Cantrel of Waterloo. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ken Stirm, two sisters; Carol Lutgen and Donna Monat and one brother Richard Schmit along with her beloved pets Annie and Andy.

Visitation: 3:00- 5:00 pm Thursday December 6, 2018 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Memorial Service: Following the visitation at Woods Funeral Home.

Inurnment: at a later date.

Memorials: to be directed to the family.

Mary Elizabeth LaRue died Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at the Denver Sunset Home at the age of 96.  She was born July 20, 1922 the daughter of Joseph and Hazel Furino. She attended grade school at St Patrick Catholic School and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1940.  After graduation, Mary worked in a chocolate shop in Cedar Falls where she met her future husband George LaRue. They were married December 5, 1942 in St. Paul, Minnesota while George was on leave from the U.S. Army before serving in Germany and France during WWII. After George came home in 1945 they lived in California for a short time after their son was born. They then returned back to Iowa and settled in Raymond.

Mary worked as a secretary at the American Can Company, Fagen Electric and the Waterloo Savings Bank. She was awarded Secretary of the Year by the National Secretarial Association in 1960. George and Mary then owned and operated LaRue’s Muffler and Brake Shop for many years prior to their retirement.Mary and George were married 38 years before George passed away in 1980. Mary continued to live in Raymond until age 91 when she moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Fairbank, IA. She enjoyed working in her yard, reading, embroidering, working crossword or jigsaw puzzles and was very active in her church. Her greatest joys in life were her family and her religion.

Mary will be deeply missed by her son Craig (Dianne) LaRue of Denver, 3 grandchildren; Lisa (Mark) Sage of Cedar Falls, Scott (Susi) LaRue of Readlyn, Melanie (Shawn) Mastin of Waterloo, 3 great grandchildren; Vince(Emily) LaRue, Julia LaRue and Isabel LaRue all of Readlyn, 2 step grandchildren; Brad Mastin and Luke Mastin of Waterloo,  a sister Antoinette DeGear of Springfield MO, sisters-in-law, Byrdena Furino of Anamosa and Jean Furino of Santa Barbara, CA, along with several nieces and nephews and a close friend Diane (Del) Drilling of Raymond.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, two brothers, Henry and Joe, two sisters Caroline and Camilla, and nephew Eddie McDonald.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Raymond.

Visitation: 9:00-10:30 am Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Raymond.

Memorials: may be directed to the family.

Carson McGrane, age 12, passed away Saturday, September 15, 2018 in Fairbank. He was born on December 5, 2005 in Waterloo, the son of James and Jodi (Lindstrom) McGrane. Carson recently began a new school year as a seventh grader at Wapsie Valley Community Schools. He was a very loyal friend and role model to kids of all ages. He was an active member of the youth wrestling club at Wapsie Valley. Carson also enjoyed playing football, hunting and riding snowmobiles. Most of all, he was a hard worker on and off the wrestling mat and football field. He was always looking for something to do, but his true passion was mowing lawns for family and friends. Aside from sports and mowing, Carson enjoyed fishing and riding jet skis on the Mississippi River. In his spare time, he loved riding his bike and hanging out with his friends. There was nothing Carson didn’t like or didn’t want to try. He touched the lives of so many people, young and old.

Carson is survived by his parents James and Jodi, one brother Devin Ledesma of Ankeny, maternal grandparents; Jim and Annie Lindstrom of Oelwein, paternal grandparents; LuAnne and Lonnie Bibler of Waverly, Dan (Luan) McGrane of Cedar Falls, great-grandparents; Max McGrane of Fairbank, Duane (Suzanne) Lewis of Waterloo, many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as his dog, Gizmo.

He is preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Don and Anne Coselman, Jack and Marcelline Lindstrom and  Charlotte McGrane.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Saturday September 22, 2018 at Wapsie Valley High School, 2535 Viking Avenue, Fairbank.

Visitation: 2:00 – 8:00 pm Friday, September 21, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 106 Iowa Street South, Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Carson McGrane Scholarship fund. Deposits may be mailed or dropped off at Northeast Security Bank 120 East Main St. PO Box 466, Fairbank, IA 50629.