Woods Funeral Home

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

Oran: Dustyn Henry age 27 passed away on December 15, 2016 at Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo, IA. Dustyn was born January 31, 1989 in Waterloo the son of Randy and Brenda (Mincks) Henry. He attended Wapsie Valley Community Schools in Fairbank.

Survived by: his parents: Randy and Brenda Henry of Oran, a son; Bostyn and his son’s mother; Laura Barrett, two brothers; Randy Jr. (Stephanie) of Hazleton and Brandon (Tasha) of Cedar Falls, a Special Friend; Jessica Reisner, two nieces; Cameryn and Braelynn, five nephews; Damon, Seth, Caedan, Gavin and Brody, his Grandmother; Gladys Mincks of Decorah along with many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Preceded by: his Paternal Grandparents; Richard and Rose Henry of Cresco and his Maternal Grandfather Allyn Mincks of Decorah.

Services: 12:00 pm Friday , December 23, 2016 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Visitation: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Friday December 23 at Woods Funeral Home.

Memorials: to be directed to the family.

Dustyn was deeply loved by his family. He had a unique sense of humor and a charming wit. Once he got to know you, you were a friend forever.

Fairbank: Violet Mary Shields age 104 passed away December 13, 2016 at Oelwein Healthcare Center. Oelwein, IA. Violet was born May 4 1912 on a farm near Hazleton  the daughter of Leslie and Mary (Bodwish) Steggall. She was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Shields on June 4, 1936 at Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein, they made their home in Fairbank. Vi was a homemaker and was also the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, she also worked for Cowlishaw Insurance and McKee Drugstore all in Fairbank. She enjoyed serving on the Fairbank Library Board as well as being a volunteer for the children’s reading program. She was a longtime member of  Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Her hobbies included playing cards, baking and embroidery.

Survived by: her daughter, Janet Avis and two granddaughters; Diane and Susan Avis along with three nieces; Kay Lowe, Shirley Nauholz and Joann Aubrey.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, one sister, Frances Nielsen, two brothers; Harry Steggall in infancy and Lynn Steggall and a son-in-law, Albert “Red” Avis

Services: 10:30 am Friday, December 16, 2016 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Visitation: 9:30-10:30 am Friday December 16 at the funeral home.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: to the Fairbank Library or the Fairbank Fire Department.

Fairbank: Charles (Chuck) Richard Murray age 85  passed away Friday, September 2, 2016 at Maple Crest Manor Nursing Home in Fayette, Iowa from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born April 12, 1931 in Algona, Iowa the son of John Earl and Alice Jeanette (Bravick) Murray. Chuck grew up near Buffalo Center where he attended and graduated from the Buffalo Center School in 1948. From September 23, 1952 to September 23, 1954 he served in the Army with Company H of the 87th Infantry at Fort Riley Kansas, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Upon completion of his military service he came home to farm with his father and brother, James, growing row crops and raising purebred black angus cattle. He also worked with Federal Crop Insurance, during that time he sold crop insurance and also adjusted crops, he the served on the Review Team eventually becoming a district director stationed at Emmetsburg, Mason City, Winterset and Independence. On October 24, 1964 he was joined in marriage to Carol Haberkamp at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank, Iowa, just one of three weddings that day. Following a wedding trip to the west they settled down in the Buffalo Center area for almost eight years before moving to the Fairbank area in 1972.

Survived by: his wife Carol of Fairbank, three sons; Patrick (Emmanuelle) of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Michael (Janelle) of Buffalo Center and Thomas (Melissa) of Marion and a sister ; Helen (John) Kelso of Lake Mills, four grandchildren; Victoria, Justin, Rebecca and Tyler Murray along with three step-grandchildren; Ben Newman and Kennith and Madeline Hunt, two sisters-in-law; Eleanor Murray and Beverly Mathison and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: his parents, a stillborn son, Mark Todd, his brothers James and John Murray and a sister Margaret Moening.

Services: 11:00 am Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Visitation: 3:00-6:00 pm Monday, September 5, 2016 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and from 9:30-11:00 am Tuesday at the church.

Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Memorials in lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the United Methodist Church or St. Croix Hospice.

Fairbank: Alan LeRoy Russett age 83 passed away August 28, 2016 at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein, Iowa. Alan was born December 14, 1932 in Frankville, Iowa the son of Daniel and Dorothy (Kneeskern) Russett. After graduating from high school he attended Winona State Teachers College for two years and then he enrolled at the University of Iowa school of Pharmacy. During this time he decided he was not getting what he wanted out of pharmacy school, so he joined the Army and became a medical corpsman. During his time in the Army he met his future wife Elsie Guseman, she was also in the Army, they were married May 22, 1957 in Morgantown, WV. Upon completion of his military service Alan returned to pharmacy school and graduated in 1959. Alan worked as a pharmacist for 54 years in numerous locations, including Oelwein, Creston, Iowa Falls and Anamosa where they raised their two sons and finally at various Covenant Clinic pharmacies around northeast Iowa before retiring. He was also an active member of the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552 and the United Methodist Church also of Fairbank.

Survivors: his wife, one son; Dan (Maureen) of Naperville, Illinois, one daughter-in-law; Linda Fries of Dubuque, four grandchildren; Emily, Erica, Maria and Timothy, one brother; Randy (Helen) Russett, four sisters; Dolores Stephan, Mary Breitsprecher, Beverly (Curt) Ruston and Kathleen (Allen) Gerber, one sister-in-law; Sue Russett, two brothers-in-law; John Schultz and John Moore.

Preceded by: his parents, his son, James Russett, three brothers; Donald, Keith and Merlin Russett, one sister; Jan Schultz, two brothers-in-law; Gerald Stephan and Gary Breitsprecher.

Services: 10:30 AM Friday, September 2, 2016 at United Methodist Church in Fairbank

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Thursday September 1, 2016 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Military Rites: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Inurnment:  at a Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

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

Fairbank: Ramona C. Menuey age 90 passed away Tuesday August 16 at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein. Ramona was born August 16, 1926 near Jesup, IA the daughter of John and Irene (Hess) Toussaint. She attended and graduated from Sumner Schools in Sumner, IA. After graduating from high school she worked at Rath Packing in Waterloo for about 7 years. Ramona married Donald Menuey July 27, 1953 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner. She and Don made their home in rural Fairbank where they raised eight children. Ramona was a dedicated homemaker and mother and truly enjoyed both.

Survived by: four sons; Randy (Kim) of Fairbank, Steve (Connie) of Britt, Tony (Jo) Menuey of Dewar and Kerry (Melanie) of Fairbank, four daughters; Sandy (Mike) Tagtow of Fairbank, Diane (Garry) Damon of Dewar, Becky (Dave) Acker of Waverly and Brenda (Jim) Joynt of Waterloo along with 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law; Barb Toussaint of Sumner, Gerri Menuey of Florida and one brother-in-law; Archie Miller of Independence.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, one grandson; Josh Menuey, two sisters; Marcella Wheeler and Veryl Schares and one brother; Vern Toussaint.

Services: 10:30 am Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Friday August 19 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Parish Rosary: 4:30 pm Friday August 20 at Woods Funeral Home.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: may be directed to the family.