Woods Funeral Home

Fairbank: Allen Dean Matthews, age 67, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at his home. Al was born January 4, 1950 in Oelwein, IA, son of Keith and Lorna (Fortsch) Matthews. He graduated from Wapsie Valley High School in 1968 and from Universal Trades School, Omaha, in 1969.

Al married Karen Allen on October 18, 1969 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. He was employed as a service technician in Cedar Rapids and Oelwein; a machinist at Corn Blossom in Independence and worked in maintenance at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 30 years, retiring in 2003. Following his retirement, Al was employed part-time by DuBois Chemical for ten years.

He was a loving father, proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending school activities and sporting events as well as golfing with friends.

Al is survived by Karen, his wife of 47 years; a daughter, Melissa (Gerhard) Boeschen of Dunkerton; a son, Jason (Denise) Matthews of Randolph, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; Jacob, Morgan, McKenna, McKayla, Mariah, and MeLayna Boeschen of Dunkerton; Courtney (Josiah) Bachtle of Owatonna, Minnesota; two great grandsons, Grayson and Bennett Bachtle. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Dean Allen of Fairbank; three sisters-in-law, Carol (Mike) Tilley, Bloomington, Indiana; Mary Kay (Denny) Frost, Fairbank and Pam (Gary) Miller, Rosemount, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David Matthews and Darrell Matthews and a sister-in-law, Marilyn; his mother-in-law, Marie Allen; step mother-in-law, Frances Trebon Allen and a niece, Liza Frost.

Services: 10:30 am Tuesday April 4, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm, Monday April 3, 2017 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank with a 7:00 pm scripture service.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: to the family.

Oran: Margaret Veronica Staack age 87 of Oran , died Thursday March 23, 2017 at Tripoli Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of natural causes.

She was born July 22, 1929 in rural Fairbank the daughter of William and Blanche (Shannon) Kane. She married LaVern Staack on October 4, 1952 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence. He died September 10, 2003. Margaret is survived by two daughters; Kathy Staack (Lon her significant other) of Cedar Rapids and Diane (Scott) Danner of Tripoli; five grandsons; Travis (Marcia) Greco of Ankeny, Gabe (Shannon) Greco of Huxley, Tony (Jessica) Greco of Des Moines, Jared Danner of Ames and Logan Danner of Tripoli along with eight great-grandchildren; Sophia, Grady, Reed, Owen, Zander, Autumn, Brenna and Paris. She is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law; Helen and Merlyn Cummings of Santa Barbara, CA. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother Joe Kane, three sisters; Agnes Kane in infancy, Genevieve Gritton and Kathryn Reith.

Margaret worked for 34 years as a custodian for Wapsie Valley Community Schools. She and Lavern farmed for many years in the Oran area. She loved working in the field and always kept informed on farm markets. She also enjoyed politics and kept up on current events. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She kept her sense of humor to the end. Margaret had a strong faith in god and was comforted by him during her hardships.

Services: 10:30 am Tuesday March 28, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 pm Monday, March 27, 2017 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Parish Rosary: 4:45 pm Monday, March 27 at the Funeral Home.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials may be directed to the family

Fairbank: Duane H. Meyer age 87 of Fairbank and formerly of Readlyn, died Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

He was born July 5, 1929 in rural Readlyn, the son of Edwin and Hilda (Schweer) Meyer. He graduated from Readlyn High School. While stationed in Alaska, he served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal during the Korean War from 1951-1953 in the 196^th RTC. He married Laraine M. Rettig on April, 17, 1955 at Faith United Church of Christ, Tripoli.

He was employed at Farmer’s Coop in Readlyn for three years and then  worked at John Deere Tractor Works for 28 years until retirement. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. He was also a member of the VFW Post 5661 in Readlyn and the American Legion Post 552 in Fairbank. Duane and his wife Laraine lived in Fairbank for 34 years.

Survived by: his wife, three Daughters; Crystal Gienau of Cedar Falls, Pamela (Jack) Ryan of Debary, FL and Julie (Jerome) Torgerson of Decorah, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: his parents, his step-father; Herman Hesse, two brothers; Victor and Norbert and four step-sisters; Florence, Letha, Lena and Lila.

Services:  10:30 AM Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Visitation:  4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, March 22 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

Burial: Fairbank Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by VFW Post 5661 of Readlyn and American Legion Post 552 of Fairbank.

Memorials: to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Duane was an avid Fisherman. He enjoyed traveling, bird watching and loved to garden.

Des Moines;  James A. Wierck, 63 years old of Des Moines died at his home on February 27.  He was born on April 20, 1954 in Oelwein, Iowa.  he is the son of William Alfred and June (Teachout) Wierck.

He married Shirley Kisner at Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein on October 28, 1972.

He is survived by; his wife Shirley. His children; Tina Lyon, Jennifer Wierck, Andy Wierck, Lara Wierck, Amanda Clark and Jesse Wierck.  Grandchildren: Jack and Maya Lyon, Jada Wierck, Addy, Coda and Warren Wierck, Jacob Wierck, Alexa and DJ Clark and Atlee Wierck.  Also two brothers: Robert Wierck and Dennis Wierck. Jim was preceded in death by his parents along with one brother and sister-in-law Rick and Donna Wierck.

Services: 10:30 am Monday, March 6, at the Woods Funeral Home.  Visitation on Sunday, March 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Fairbank: Bernice Anna (Federspiel) Babinat  died on February 26, 2017 at Affinity House in Waterloo, Iowa.  She was born on September 5, 1926 the daughter of Louis and Magdalen (Funfsinn) Federspiel.  Bernice went to school in Gilbertsville thru the eight grade.  She married Melvin A. Babinat on September 28, 1948.

She is survived by her ten children; Michael (Debra) Babinat of Cedar Falls, Barbara (Dale) Wille of Waterloo, Judy (David) Kolbeck of Waterloo, Yvonne (Edward) Smith of Marion, Ronald (Lori) Babinat of Waterloo, James (Sally) Babinat of Big Bend, WI, Eugene (Tammy) Babinat of Silsbee, TX, Jane (Fred) Weber of Jesup, Helen (Alan) Heitz of Aurora and Kenneth (Tracy) Babinat, Rocklin, CA.  Eighteen grandchildren, three step grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren and one sister, Jeanette Klinoff of Jasper, TX.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, Melvin, granddaughter, Jennifer Babinat and three siblings; Sister Irene Federspiel, JoAnne Wierck and Loren Federspiel.

Services: Saturday  March 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculatc Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank.  Visitiation on Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m at the funeral home, with rosary at 3:00 and Scripture at 7:00 . Also and hour before service visitation at the funeral home.  Burial in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery

Cedar Falls: Brenda Marie Gill age 33 passed away February 10, 2017 at her home. Brenda was born on August 5, 1983 and is the of daughter of Steve and Carol (Engel) Gill. She attended Wapsie Valley Community Schools and graduated in 2002. After graduation Brenda spent several years in Florida. Most recently, she lived in the Cedar Falls area and was employed at Eye Care Associates of Waterloo as an Optometrist Technician. Brenda is survived by her fiancee’ Erik Hegtvedt of Cedar Falls, her father; Steve (Linda) Gill of Denver, three sisters; Brittany Annis of Fairbank, Breanna (Cody) Geweke of Shell Rock and Betsy (Brent) Wierck of Fairbank, nieces and nephews; Bentley and Baylee Annis, Brady and Brooks Geweke, Lennon, Liza and Lilly Wierck, her grandmothers; Carolyn Gill and Charlotte Engel. She also is survived by two step-sisters; Crystal (Gene) Forrester of Martin, TN, Nicole (Jamie Klatt) Stevens of Cedar Rapids, a step-brother, Eric Stevens of Waterloo, a step-niece, Caelin Klatt, two step-nephews; Chase Covert and Carter Ricketts along with many Aunts and Uncles. She was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Marie Gill, her grandfathers; Jack Gill and Lyle Engel, step-grandfather, Calvin Brown and an Uncle, Paul D’Eliseo.

Celebration of Life: 10:30 am Friday, February 17, 2017 at Heartland Vineyard Church, 1405 Greenhill Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Visitation: 3:00-7:00 pm Thursday February 16, 2017 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank, Iowa and for one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers: a memorial fund has been established in her name.

Fairbank: Thomas Eugene Boehme age 68 passed away February 7, 2017 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Tom was born November 10, 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa. He is the son of Melvin and Alice (Judas) Boehme. He attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Schools. Tom married Judy VanDaele on August 27, 1966 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Tom worked at John Deere in Waterloo and retired after 30 years of employment. After retirement he kept busy by attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities along with transporting members of the Fairbank Amish Community. Tom was a family man in every sense of the word, he truly loved his family and friends and he will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 50 years; Judy, two daughters; Michelle (Shawn) Mullihan and Jessica (Nick) Miller and one son; Lewis (Chris) Boehme all of Fairbank, 15 grandchildren; Blake (Megan Otto) Levendusky, Alex Levendusky, Collin (Mallory) Levendusky, Madison, Grace and Bailey Mullihan, Haley, Hanna, Kobe and Kate Risse, Zach and Cole Miller, Briggs, Brinley and Bayler Boehme and two great-grandchildren; Nora Levendusky and Gavin Henry. He is also survived by two brothers; Dan (Sheri) Boehme of New Hampton and Jim (Karen) Boehme of Waverly, two sisters; Mary (Leon) Heineman of Readlyn and Lori Boehme of Altoona, his mother-in-law; Angeline VanDaele of Fairbank and a sister-in-law; Deb (Ed) Borman of Oelwein. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two sons-in-law; David Levendusky and Jamie Risse and his father-in-law; Arthur VanDaele.

Services: 10:30 am Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-8:00 pm Friday February 10, 2017 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: to the family.

Fairbank: James Franklin Beierschmitt, 81, passed away Monday, January 23, 2017, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown after a brief illness. He was born March 27, 1935, in Waterloo the son of Ralph and Frances (Barlow) Beierschmitt. Through high school graduation he attended Fairbank schools and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1956 with a degree in sociology. He served in the United States Armed Forces from 1957 to 1959 where he worked as a Doppler and radio repairman and enjoyed participating in intramural basketball and baseball leagues. Jim worked in pharmaceutical sales, retail, and most recently at the Dunkerton Co-op. He served on the Goodwill Board and volunteered at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Jesup for several years. While living at the Veterans Home the past eight years he also volunteered in the chapel and enjoyed various field trips and outings. Jim was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed playing golf and fishing and was a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan, traveling to bowl games in Florida several years. He also enjoyed following UNI and ISU sports, cheering for the Panthers and Cyclones whenever they weren’t playing against the Hawkeyes. Jim also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his five grandchildren.

Jim is survived by three sons: Bob (Caryn) Beierschmitt of Rockford, IL; Dan (Susan) Beierschmitt of Johnston, and Jeff Beierschmitt of Sanford, FL. Five grandchildren: Rachel and Shannon Beierschmitt of Iowa City; Christian and Kaley Beierschmitt  of Apopka, FL, and Danielle Beierschmitt of Rockford, IL. Two brothers: Don (Brenda) Beierschmitt of Jesup and Bill (Mary) Beierschmitt of Fairbank. One sister-in-law: Judy Beierschmitt of Quinlan, TX. Nieces and nephews: Tom (Serena) Beierschmitt, Cindy Simmons, Susie (Johnny) Williamson, LuAnne Aaron, Edward (Michele) Beierschmitt; Brandon (Erin) Beierschmitt, Nicole (Jeramy) Siems, Heather (Jason) Brodie, Eric (Carissa) Beierschmitt, and Kathy Beierschmitt; 34 great nieces and nephews and 11 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert, John, and Howard; sister, Mary Sue; two nieces, and two nephews.

Services: 10:30 am Friday January 27, 2017 at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup, Iowa.

Rosary: 3:45 pm Thursday at the Funeral Home

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday January 26 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and for one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank with Military Rites conducted by Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Memorials: to the family

Fairbank: Ruth Isabelle Gallup Love age 100 passed away January 7, 2017 at Lexington States in Independence, Iowa. Ruth was born September 28, 1916 the daughter of Frank and Nellie (Washburn) Dewees in Fairmount, North Dakota. Ruth graduated from Jesup High School with the Class of 1934. Ruth married Loren Gallup on February 23, 1947, they made their home at the Gallup home farm near Littleton. This farm was near the Amish families and they befriended many of their good neighbors over the years. Ruth and Loren farmed until his death in July of 1987. Ruth was an accomplished pianist and played on Sunday’s for the Littleton Presbyterian Church, she also taught Sunday School. The Gallup’s spent their winters in Florida for many years. Ruth married Harvey Love of Aurora, with whom she and Loren were good friends on July 14, 1989. They lived on a farm near Aurora in the summer and spent winters in Florida. When Ruth began having difficulties with her health she chose to move to Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence and eventually to Lexington Estates also in Independence. Always thinking of others, she chose to donate her body to the medical school at the University of Iowa. Ruth is survived by her husband Harvey Love of Independence, 3 nieces; Mary Lou Poggenpahl of North Liberty, Laura Ott of Fairbank and Arlene Zumbach of Marion and a nephew Frank Gallup Sr. of Independence. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, a nephew; Donald Peterson and a niece, Norma Palmer Kunkle.

Services: 11:00 am Wednesday January 11, 2017 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Visitation: 9:30-11:00 am Wednesday January 11 at the funeral home.

Memorials: to the family