Woods Funeral Home

Dennis Duane Athey, 89 of Oelwein, Iowa died on Saturday February 29, 2020 at his home.  Dennis was born on March 21, 1930, in Quamba, Minnesota son of Paul and Carolyn Athey.  He married Pauline Elizabeth Theis on December 1, 1951, in Mora, Minnesota. Dennis went into the Navy and served from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War. After returning home he was employed at Rath Packing Company, worked as a painter and was engaged in farming.  He enjoyed frequent family trips to Canada, fishing, hunting, pitching horseshoes, golfing, playing cards , baking delicious pies and telling stories of his time growing up in Minnesota and his Navy life. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on the Church Board of Elders, he was also a member of the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552. Survivors include: three sons David (Dixie) of Waterloo, Ronald (Deb) of Oelwein, Michael (Dawn) of La Porte City and one daughter; Diane (Chris) Leeman of Tripoli. 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his wife Pauline, an infant daughter Danette, an infant son, Brian; Parents Paul and Carolyn Athey, brothers; Adrian and Daryl, three sisters; Naomi, Lorna and Maxine and a grandson, Adam Bartels.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Friday, March 6, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and from 9:30-10:30 am Friday at the church.

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

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.

Memorials: to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Fairbank American Legion.

Donald William Martins, 93, of Fairbank died Sunday February 23rd at Oelwein Health Care in Oelwein Iowa.  He was born on August 27th, 1926 in rural Luana Iowa, the son of Leska and Alta (Brandtman) Martins .  Donald went to country school at the Grand Meadow No. 3 and graduated from Luana High School in 1950.  He enlisted in the US Army on Jan. 31st 1951.   He served in Germany, being awarded the Army of Occupational Medal and the National Defense Service Medal,  until Honorable discharge in January 1954.  On December 29, 1954 Don was united in marriage to Mary Haberkamp at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbank.  Don and Mary began farming the Haberkamp family farm along with Mary’s family.  Don’s passion was growing crops and raising livestock, he was a very good steward of the land.  He was an active and very proud member of the Fairbank American Legion for many years.  He served with the color guard in countless parades and at funerals of fallen service members.  In Sept. 2018 he was a member of the Cedar Valley Honor Flight.  Don was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank, where he served on the church board many years. Don’s hobbies included going to tractor pulls, working with cattle, doing field work, and tractorcades.  He was a successful farmer and loved visiting with area farmers and neighbors about all things farm. Don is survived by his son Doug (Janice) Martins of Fairbank: three grandchildren, Garrett, Emily, and Lydia Martins of Fairbank and a sister in law Wilma Haberkamp of Fairbank.  sisters Darlene Nuehring of Postville, Ia.,. Della Cowell of Luana, Ia, a brother Duane (Marlys) Martins of Waukon, Ia. and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mary Martins, three brothers: Delbert Martins (wife Donna), Delos Martins (wife Donna Mae) and Dwight Martins, a sister, Delores Larson (husband Harry) and brothers in law; Eldred Nuehring and William Haberkamp and a sister in law; Josephine Haberkamp.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Saturday, February 29, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church , Fairbank, Iowa.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Friday February 28 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Military Honors: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: to the family for later designation.

Donna Gilliam age 90 of Fairbank passed away Friday, February 14th, 2020 at her home in Fairbank. Donna is survived by her two daughters, Deanna (Greg) Hildebrandt of Rosemount MN, and Jill (Dave Filiatrault) Welsh of Waterloo. She was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Chad Hildebrand and Lisa (Nick) Glatz of Rosemount MN, Amie (Justin) Davie of Fairbank,  Michael (Kylie) Mathews of Saint Paul MN, Joel (Malorie) Hildebrandt of Odenton MD, and John (Stephanie) Welsh of Fairbank.  She was also blessed with 14 great grandchildren Colin, Cameron, Christian, and Cole Glatz, Hannah and Hailey Eitzenhefer, Mary Puffett, Briley and Pierson Davie, Sophia, Levi, Lydia, and Scarlett Mathews, and Willow Welsh. Donna’s family will be holding a celebration of life later this spring to remember her and her late husband, Hubert Gilliam.

Mary Bellis age 96 of Fairbank passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 at MercyOne Oelwein Senior Care. She was born May 16, 1923 in Oelwein the daughter of Adolph and Herma (Minton) Nieman. Mary grew up in Fairbank and attended the Fairbank Public School. After graduating in 1940 she went to the American Institute of Business (AIB) College in Des Moines and earned her degree as a Court Reporter.

Mary moved to Washington, D.C. in 1941 where she married Earl R. Bellis of Randalia, Iowa on February 12, 1943. They had two children, Robert and Carolyn, both born while living in Washington, D.C. Mary worked as a Court Reporter for the Office of Price Administration (OPA), the Department of Navy and the U.S. War College in Washington, D.C. In 1951 the returned to Fairbank because of her father’s failing health. Mr. Nieman was President of the Fairbank State Bank. Earl began working at the bank and eventually took over his father-in-law’s position. In 1950 Mary began working at the bank and remained there for 52 years until she retired in 2002.

Mary was a very active member of the community. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and belonged to the LWML (Lutheran Women Missionary League) She was a Ladies Aid member of St. John’s and held many different offices as well as teaching Sunday School for several years. Mary was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Fairbank Community Club. She enjoyed her family and grandchildren, card clubs, bowling and gambling.

Mary is survived by her son Robert (Jean) of Fairbank and her daughter Carolyn McLaughlin of Emeryville, California, two grandsons; Jeff (Julie) Bellis of Dubuque and Ryan (McKayla) of Fairbank, six great- grandchildren; Carsen, Chace and Cain of Dubuque, Blayde, Brylee and Bryar of Fairbank. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl and a her son-in-law, Steve McLaughlin.

Funeral Services: 10:30am Friday, February 7, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Scripture Service: 7:00 pm Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.

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

Evelyn Reiter Pfiffner, 90, of Oelwein passed away on January 9, 2020 at her home. Funeral Services wil be 10:30 am Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in the Fairbank Cemetery.

Evelyn was born on March 9, 1929 in Centerville, Iowa to Loyal and Ruth (Arney) Barnes. Her family moved around a lot in her younger years, attending many different schools and graduating from Dunkerton High School in 1947.  She was united in marriage to Elmer Reiter on February 13, 1948 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. They lived on the family farm north of Fairbank. Evelyn continued to live there until she moved to Oelwein in 2002. Elmer passed away July 23, 1980. On March 9, 2002 she married Cletus Pfiffner at St. Francis Catholic Church Barclay in rural Dunkerton. Cletus passed away February 15, 2018. Evelyn worked as a bookkeeper beginning in 1960, first for Don’s Truck sales and then Woods Construction she then became the city clerk for the City of Fairbank until retiring in 2000. She loved life on the farm along with helping with the farm work. When she wasn’t working she enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking with Cletus, Evelyn was known to make one of the world’s best pumpkin bars. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino with friends, feeding and watching the deer and wildlife in her back yard, just being around people but most of all she loved spending time with her family. She was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank and the Fairbank American Legion Auxiliary. Evelyn believed and would tell her family and friends “Whatever you do have a good time” she had a great life and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Rob (Dawn) Reiter of Oelwein; her step children, Tom (Carolyn) Pfiffner of Waterloo, Matt (Nicki) Ivey of North Hampton, PA, Ken (Marcea Seible) Pfiffner of Waterloo, Teresa Pfiffner of Waterloo, Lisa (Matt) Pfiffner Eaton of Oregan, IL, Linda Wilson of Cedar Falls, Maria Pfiffner of Waterloo and Kathy Pfiffner of Fort Dodge, seven step grandchildren: Elizabeth, Kristina, Emily, James, David, Donovan and Vivian. She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Elmer and Cletus, three brothers, Larry (Rachel) Barnes, Floyd (Jean) Barnes and Frosty (Alice) Barnes; a sister, Marie (Gene) Cantrell; and her parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

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.