Woods Funeral Home

 Verna Bernice Curtis age 87 of Evansdale formerly of Fairbank passed away on August 10, 2015 at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo of natural causes. She was born February 3, 1928 in Fairbank the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Niebuhr) Wierck. Verna attended and graduated from Fairbank High School while in High School she enjoyed playing basketball and picked up the nickname “Shorty” even though she was anything but short. She worked as a seamstress at both Hinson Manufacturing and Powers Manufacturing both in Waterloo, she was on the Allen Auxillary for 25 years where she also served a term as president. Verna married Jack Curtis on June 19, 1949 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank and together they raised five children.

Survived by; her husband, three sons; Pete (Luci) Curtis, Mike Curtis and Chris (Jenni) Curtis all of Evansdale, two daughters; Susan Curtis (Larry Oberheu) of Waterloo and Meladee (Sheldon) Rokusek of Elk Run Heights, four grandchildren; Stephanie Woodley, Sunshine Huisman, Brady Rokusek and Kayla Curtis along with two great-grandchildren; Kylie and Madison Huisman.

Preceded by; her parents, six sisters; Evelyn Polege, Dorthea Johnson, Mildred Hunemuller, Helen Johnston, Marie Balien and Wilda Beck, three brothers; Dale, Henry and Norbert Wierck.

Services: 10:30 am Friday, August 14, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, August 13 at the funeral home and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Burial: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, IA

Memorials: may be directed to the family.

 Thomas Shannon age 81 of Baxter, Iowa formerly of Fairbank passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the Baxter Healthcare Center of natural causes. He was born October 27, 1933 in Fairbank, IA the son of Edgar Joseph Shannon and Helen Overmann. Tom graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Fairbank in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955, during the Korean War he was a member of the A 86th Engineer Battalion. Tom married Colleen Magneson, September 19, 1953 and they later divorced, he then married Betty Ramsey, February 14, 1996. Tom worked at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, hobby farmed and was an avid gardener.

Survived by: Colleen Shannon the mother of his eleven children; six sons, Lonnie (Cindy) of Waukee, Thomas II of Fayette, Larry (Cindy) of Buffalo, MO, John (Denise) of Norwalk, Patrick Of Altoona, and Jeff of Norwalk, five daughters; Kathy Sonderleiter of Fayette, Carolyn “CJ” (Gary) Wilson of Fairbank, Kathleen (Dan) Walston of Bedford, Deborah (Amy) Shannon-Downey of Newton and Jennifer (Dustin) Lee of Toddville, 30 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, two sisters; Geraldine Bliss and Joan Bates both of Oelwein.

Preceded by: his parents, a brother, Gilbert, a sister, Donna Loftus, his wife; Betty, two granddaughters; Mandy Marie Shannon and Dana Kristine Sonderleiter.

Services: 3:00 pm Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Visitation: 1:00-3:00 pm Wednesday, July 8 at Woods Funeral Home.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: in lieu of flowers please perform a kind act for someone not expecting it.

Fairbank: Ralph Higgins age 82 passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Arlington Place , Oelwein, IA due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Ralph was born April 17, 1933 in Independence, IA the son of Ralph and Martha (Reed) Higgins and step-father Leo Kane. He graduated from Fairbank High School and then went to Barber School, he later joined the Navy and served from 1952-1956. Ralph married Donna Kane on July 29, 1957 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Ralph was employed at John Deere for 27 years and retired in 1993.

Survived by: his wife; Donna, two sons; Brian (Mary) of Fairbank and Terry (Denise) of Oelwein, two daughters; Tammy (Keith) Curley and Sherry (Denny) Annis both of Fairbank, 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and a step-sister; Janice (Pete) Houska of Sac City, IA

Preceded by; his parents, one brother; William Higgins, his step-dad; Leo Kane a son; Brad “Willy” Higgins and two grandsons; Corey Annis and Dylan Welsh.

Services: 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16 at Woods Funeral Home, with a 4:00 pm Parish Rosary.

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

Memorials: may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or to the family.

Lacrosse, WI: Dominic Joseph Napoli age 100 passed away on June 2, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lacrosse. Dominic was born April 4, 1915 in Oelwein, IA the son of John and Theresa (Parrotta) Napoli, he attended and graduated from Sacred Heart School in Oelwein. Dominic married Mildred Cosselman May 3, 1941 in Oelwein, his entire life was spent in the vicinity of Oelwein and Oran where he and Mildred lived for 68 years with the exception of a short period of time in Alaska. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Oran, he held various offices and did much work for the church. Dominic worked for the Chicago Great Western and the Chicago Northwestern Railroads for 39 years. He was also a member of the I.A.M.A. and M.A.R.V.E.

Survived by: his wife Mildred of 74 years, two sons; David (Nancy) Napoli and Dennis (Rose) Napoli, four grandchildren; Dina Golightly, Nathan (Laura) Napoli, Nikole (Rick) Hauser and Joey (David) Best, three great-grandchildren; Cassidy Golightly, Sophia Napoli and Nicholas Best.

Preceded by: his parents, two sisters; Mary Greco and Rose Sparano and three brothers; Pete, Leo and Charles Napoli.

Services: 11:00am on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank, IA.

Visitation: 9:00-11:00 am Saturday, June 6 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank.

Burial: Floral Hills Cemetery, Hazleton, IA.

Fairbank: Eldon Kenneth Schmidtke age 93 passed away on May 31, 2015 at Mercy Plus Living Center in Oelwein. Eldon was born December 20, 1921 near Oelwein, IA the son of Rudolph and Mareva (Sheeley) Schmidtke. He attended school in Stanley, IA and helped on the family farm while growing up. Eldon served his country in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant during WWII from 1942-1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions while fighting in Italy. Before Eldon left for Europe he was stationed at Camp Fannin in Tyler, TX where he met Ruby Johnson. After Eldon was discharged he reconnected with Ruby and they were married July 3, 1945 in Independence, IA. They celebrated 59 years of marriage before she died in 2004. From that union came three sons, Dick (Kate) of Grain Valley, MO, Charlie (Cathie) and Duane (Carma) of Fairbank, IA and one daughter, Linda of Marion, IA. Also there are eleven grandchildren, Alan, Dawn, Amber, Angie, Rose, Adam, Clancy, Eric, Brian, Megan, Liz and 10 great-grandchildren; Brianna, Steven, Emma, Abilene, Izabella, Scarlett, Elliott, Melanie, Emillio, Camila and a baby boy due anyday. Other survivors are one sister, Dorothy Willingham of Oelwein, two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schmidtke of Elkader and Doris Johnson of Tyler, TX, one brother-in-law, Wilbur Nading of West Union, Helen Hillman of Oelwein who he married in 2006 and later divorced. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Leo, Harold, Donald, Robert and Harry along with three sisters, Lois Harper, Doris Nading and Lavon Clay. Eldon started farming north of Fairbank in 1947 until retiring in 2006. He also opened El’s Town & Country Grocery Store in Hazleton from 1959 until 1962. Eldon’s great love was pitching slo-pitch softball, he didn’t start until he was 66 years old and finally hung up his glove when he turned 80.

Services: 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank.

Visitation: 4-7 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank and for one hour before services Wednesday at the church.

Burial: Fairbank Cemetery in Fairbank with Military Rites conducted by the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552.

Memorials: a memorial fund has been established in his name.

Waterloo-Alfred E. (Fritz) Heilmann of Waterloo, died suddenly at Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo on May 18 from complications that occurred after suffering a fall at his home.  Fritz was born in Marengo, Iowa on March 10, 1924 son of Reverend H.J. and Pauline (Engel) Heilmann.

He graduated from Fairbank High School in 1942.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Campaign from 1943-1945.  After the war, he married Mirian J. (Petey) Hein on November 18, 1945.

Fritz sold cars at Wheeler Motors in Waterloo, owned and operated Heilmann’s Service Station in Dunkerton for more than 20 years, sold cars again at Bill Burton Crossroad Ford and later worked at Waterloo Tire company.  After retiring he served as a volunteer for 20 years at Allen Memorial Hospital.

Survived by: his wife, Miriam (Petey).  Son, Steve (Merry) and daughter Vicki (Jim Reans), four grandchildren: Jonathan (Kim), Matthew (Christi) Porter, Scott and Katherine; three step grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

Services: Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10:30 am at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 904 Bluff Street in Cedar Falls

 Visitation: will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 21st.  There will also be visitation on Friday from 9:30-10:30 am at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls.  Internment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Dunkerton, with Military Rites conducted by members of Post 36 of the Peter Kress American Legion, Dunkerton.

Memorials: may be directed to the family.

Fairbank: Ivan Hesse age 63 passed away on Monday May 18 at Manor Care Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo following a short illness. Ivan was born September 19, 1951 the son of Melvin and Janola (Hartman) Hesse in Waterloo, IA. He attended school at Wapsie Valley Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1969. After high school Ivan worked at John Deere and retired from there in 2002 after 31 years of employment, after his retirement from John Deere, Ivan continued to farm. Ivan was a member of the Cedar Wapsi Coon Hunters Association and loved golfing with his Tuesday morning golf league.

Survived by: three brothers; Mike (Glenda) Hesse, Lonny (Barb) Hesse and Brian Hesse all of Fairbank, three sisters; Nancy (Rick) Happel of Dunkerton, Becky (Doug) Lindsay of Masonville and Dianna (John) Griese of Fairbank along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceded by: his parents and a brother William Hesse

Services: 10:30 am Friday, May 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank

Visitation: 4-7 pm Thursday, May 21 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Memorials: may be directed to the family.

Fairbank: Lucile Judisch age 93 passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Grandview Care Center in Oelwein, IA. She had been suffering from dementia, osteoporosis and eventually succumbed to congestive heart failure. She was born the daughter of Carl and Elsie (Nichols) Moehlis on December 7, 1921 in Sumner, IA. She was baptized February 15, 1922 at Immaculate Conception Church in Sumner. She attended country school and parochial school in Buck Creek. On September 23, 1941 she was united in marriage to Erwin Judisch of Buck Creek. Lucile and Erwin farmed near Buck Creek for 42 years and then moved to Fairbank in 1983. Lucile was admitted to Grandview Care Center in September of 2007 and resided there until her death. Lucile loved life on the farm including the work that comes with it, she also enjoyed embroidering. She will be remembered for her love of laughter and her love of cats and dogs.

Survived by: three daughters; Karen Kay (Al) Richards of Alpha, Janice Jean Judisch of Waterloo and Brenda Beth Kerns of Fairbank. She is also survived by three grandchildren; Jason Zander, Chris Richards and Deanna Mueterthies along with four great-grandchildren; Abby Richards, Hannah Richards, Nathan Mueterthies and Marisa Mueterthies.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband Ervin in 1988, a brother Lester Moehlis in 1997, a sister Gladys Rieck in 2010 and a son-in-law Bill Kerns in 2011.

Services: 10:30 am Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein, IA

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, April 3 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, IA

Memorials: may be directed to the family.

Fairbank: Joan Jeanette Heineman age 79 passed away March 20, 2015 at the Denver Sunset Home of natural causes. She was born May 19, 1935 the daughter of Peter and Ida (Engel) Staack at their home near Hawkeye, IA. Joan attended  and graduated from Oran High School. She married Duane Heineman May 24, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank, IA, they made their home in rural Oran where they raised their six daughters. Joan and Duane lived on the farm until 2005 when they moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Fairbank, Duane passed away on July 27, 2006.

Survived by: six daughters; Linda VanDaele of Jesup, Terri (Bob) Mudd of Walker Debbie (Larry) Saurbrei of Readlyn, Cheryl (Al) Dancer of Denver, Lori (Bill) Hoskyn of Solan and Michelle Ragsdale (Rex Helfrich) of Washington, 20 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren, one sister; Helen (Merlyn) Cummings of Santa Barbara, CA and one sister-in-law; Margaret Staack of Oran.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, one grandson; Ryan Ragsdale, two sisters and their husbands; Arlene (Ray) Roete and Evelyn (Milton) Potratz and one brother; Lavern Staack.

Services: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 10:30 am St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Oran

Visitation: Tuesday, March 24 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

Burial: St. Peter’s Cemetery, Rural Oran, IA

Memorials: to the family.