Woods Funeral Home

Dorothy R. Sommars of Culver City, California, died Friday, February 25, 2011 at Daniel Brotman Hospital, Culver City, California of natural causes.

She was born March 3, 1926 in Westgate, Iowa, daughter of George and Ella (Greening) Schortau.

She married Larry Sommars on May 21, 1950. They later divorced in 1972.

Survived by: three sons, Clyde (Carol) Sommars of Torrrance, California, Mike (Melody) Sommars of Costa Mesa, California, and Paul Sommars of Long Beach, California.  There are 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by:  her parents and sister, Mildred, an infant sister, brothers-in-law Floyd Lawless and Otto Rapp, nephew Steve Hohmann, special friend, Ray Shy of Marina del Rey, California.

Funeral Services:  March 2, 2011 at First Lutheran Church in Venice, California.

Memorial services:  at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 4, at the funeral home.  Burial in the Fairbank Cemetery.

Fairbank- Marjorie Janet Moulds, of Fairbank, died Thursday, February 3, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, of a sudden illness.

She was born November 27, 1921 at Rockford, Illinois, daughter of Otto and Hulda (Andersen) Kramer.

She married George Moulds on March 25 1945.  She had worked at Allen Hospital in Waterloo for 22 years as a Ward Secretary.

Survived by:Two daughters:  Linda (Don) Christian of Waverly, Janet (Dave) Knepper of Barry Illinois.  Two sons: Bob (Karla) Moulds and Jack Moulds of Fairbank.  Ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by:  her husband, George Moulds, on May 7,  1995 and a brother in infancy.

Services:at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 7, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank, with burial in the Fairview Cemetery, Dunkerton.  Public visitation from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday and a hour before services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

FAIRBANK-Mildred Mabel Olsen, of Fairbank, died Thursday, January 27, at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, Iowa.

She was born August 25, 1926 at Lamont, Iowa, daughter of Charles and Mabel Adams Dopp.

She married Robert Olsen on August 25, 1949 at Grace Methodist Church, Lamont, Iowa.

Survived by:  Three sons: Rev. Duane Olsen and Daryl Olsen of Fairbank. Danom (On) Olsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Three daughters; Brenda Olsen of Reinbeck, Iowa, Danette (Brian) Lujan of Hazleton, Iowa and Daneen Rachel (Duane) Natvig of Northfield, Vermont. Six grandchildren: Jacob, Zachary, Danielle (Ryan) Lujan, Jonas Natvig, Amanda and Aidan Olsen.

Preceded in death:  by her parents, her husband Robert  on January 16, 2002.  Two brothers: George Dopp and Earl Dopp.   One sister: Delma Bowden.

Services: t 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 31, First Presbyterian Church,  Hazleton, with burial in the Quasqueton Cemetery, Quasqueton, Iowa.  Public visitation on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

OELWEIN-Dwayne Merle Suckow, of Oelwein, formerly of Fairbank, died Saturday, October 16,  at St. Lukes Hospital, Cedar Rapids.

He was born July 29, 1930 at Waukon, Iowa, son of Richard amd Mabel (Mohs) Suckow.

He married Beverly Jean Schierholz  on September 17, 1954 and they later divorced.  He married Judy Krueger on September 09, 1989 at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa.

Survived by:  his wife, Judy of Oelwein, one daughter, Peggi Suckow and Steve Welter of Fairbank.  One son, Dennis Suckow of  Hudson.  One step-daughter, Susan (Travis) Larson of Jesup, Iowa.  two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.  One brother, Delbert Suckow and special friend Dorla of Postville, Iowa.

Services: at 1o:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, at Woods Funeral Home,  Fairbank with burial in the Fairbank Cemetery. Public visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour before services.

Before his retirement Dwayne and his  wife, Judy, owned and operated D&J resturant in Fairbank for 20 years.  Prior to that he owned and operated the Heritage House at Tripoli, Iowa, Mozy Inn at North Washington, Iowa and 312 Club at Mcintire, Iowa

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Fairbank-Barbara J. Gipper, of Fairbank, died Monday, October 4, at Fairbank, Iowa, of cancer.

She was born August 29, 1933 in Oelwein, Iowa, daughter of Johannes (Hans) and Edith (Shannon) Hausler.

She graduated from Oran Community High School in 1950. After graduation she attended Henrotin Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1955.

She married Lloyd Gipper on December 19,1955 at Immaculate Conception
Rectory in Fairbank, Iowa.

Survived by: two daughters, Glenda (Rex) Kane of Fairbank, Iowa, Sarah (Bruce) Bodin of Mankato, Minnesota. Three sons, Jerry (Robin) Gipper of Mesa, Arizona, Mitch (Roxie) Gipper of Fairbank, Iowa, and Tim (Lori) Gipper of Mt. Morris, Illinois.  Fifteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren.  Three brother-in-laws, Ivan (Marcella) Gipper of Waterloo, Iowa, Ralph (Edna) Gipper of Fairbank and Bill Petit of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Two sister-in-laws, Grace (Leroy) Matthews of Charter Oak, Iowa and Hazel (Lloyd) Hultman of Sumner, Iowa.

Preceded in death by:  her husband, Lloyd and her parents.

Services:  at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 8, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank with burial in the church cemetery.  Public visitation from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, with parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Scripture Service at 7:00 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Oelwein- Richard H. “Dick” Brickman, of Oelwein, died Friday, Sept 24, at East Towne Manor Care, Independence of natural causes.

He was born May 16, 1913 at Oran Township, Fayette County, Fairbank, Iowa, son of Henry and Jennie (Stohr) Brickman.

He attended Oran Consolidated School, Oran, IA.

He married Edna L. (Olander) Nichols on June 26, 1940 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.  Edna died November 4, 1987.  He married Irene (Lenius) Fink on January 1, 1989 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.  Irene died on October 18, 1993.  He married Naomi (Smith) Getz on September 16, 1995 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank, she died  in January 2007.

Survived by:  two step daughters, Barb Strang, Iowa City and Pat (Getz) Kuenz, St. Louis MO.  Two stepsons, Les Getz, LaPorte City and Gaylon Fink, Waterloo.  One step grandson, James Bentley of  Oelwein, whom he raised.  Also fourteen step grandchildren, sixteen step great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded by: his parents, his three wives, Edna, Irene and Naomi.  One step stepson Larry Fink, one brother , Dale Brickman and one sister, Edna Youngblut.

Service at: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 27th, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank, with burial in Floral Hills Cemetery, Hazleton.   Visitation on Sunday, September 26 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and on Monday an hour before services at the church.

Memorials may be given in his name to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank, Iowa.

Fairbank-Donald Charles Menuey, 79 of Fairbank, died Tuesday, August 31, at ManorCare Health Center in Waterloo, of a lengthy illness.

He was born July 31, 1931 at Zwingle, Iowa , son of Paul and Helena (Brown) Menuey.

He married Ramona C. Toussaint on July 27, 1953 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Sumner, Iowa.

Donald retired from Rath Paking Company in Waterloo after working there 35 years. He was a lifetime farmer and after his retirement from Raths he was employed at Bachman Tool and Die in Independence.

Survived by: his wife, Ramona of Fairbank, fours sons, Randy (Kim) Menuey, Fairbank, Steve (Connie) Britt, Tony (Jo) Menuey, Dewar, Kerry ( Melanie) Menuey, Fairbank.  Four daughters, Sandra (Mike) Tagtow, Fairbank, Diane (Garry) Damon, Dewar, Becky (Dave) Acker, Waverly, Brenda Buzynski, Waterloo.  Thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.  Two sisters, Helen Ridenour, Manchester and Marlys (Archie) Miller, Independence.

Preceded in death by:  his parents, Paul and Helena Menuey, one grandson, Joshua Menuey, two brothers, Robert  Menuey and Kenneth Menuey.  One sister, Velma Benfante.

Services: at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 3, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank, with burial in the Church Cemetery.  Public visitation from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, at the funeral home.  There will be a rosary by the Fairbank Knights of Columbus  Council   NO. 11161 at 6:00 and a Scripure Service at 7:00 p..

Memorials may be directed to the family.

MARION-Ethelyn D. Lehmkuhl, of Marion, formerly of Fairbank and Waterloo area, died Saturday, August 21, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She was born December 12, 1920 at Sumner, Iowa daughter of Ozro and Ella  (Bowers) Littell.

After graduating from Upper Iowa University, she taught at Fairbank Elementary School.  She married Wilbert (Webb) Lehmkuhl in San Diego, California on June 13, 1942. During the war they both worked at Rohr Aircraft in California.  After the war they returned to Fairbank  and operated Lehmkuhl Hardware in Fairbank.  During the 1960s, she taught junior high English in Dunkerton.  After retirement she played piano for 19 years at VonMaur in College Square Mall in Cedar Falls.

Survived by: son, Rande (Lora) Lehmkuhl, Marion, Iowa and her five grandchildren, Jack, Steven, Meranda, Lexi, and Sadi.

Preceded by: her husband, Webb, November 7, 1974, her parents, one brother,  David and one sister, Zona

Visitation: the family will greet family and friends on Thrusday, August 26, at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Inurnment in Union Mound Cemetery, Sumner, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Fairbank-Corey Allen Annis, of Fairbank, died Saturday, August 7, at University of Iowa Hospital, due to an automobile accident.

He was born on June 6, 1987  at Iowa City, Iowa, son of Dennis and Sherry (Higgins) Annis.

He graduated from Wapsie Valley High School in 2006.  He attended Hawkeye Community College  in Waterloo and graduated in 2009 with a degree in welding.  He had currently left his job at Lifeline in Sumner to start a new career at Deere and Company in Waterloo.

Survived by: his parents, Denny and Sherry (Higgins) Annis of Fairbank. Three brothers, Jason Annis of Oelwein, Justin (Brittany) Annis and Seth Annis both of Fairbank.  Two sisters, Heather (John) Stewart of Marion, and Taylor Annis of Fairbank.  Maternal grandparents, Ralph and Donna Higgins of Fairbank.

Preceded in death by: paternal grandparents, Jack & Marie  Annis, his uncle Brad “Willy” William Higgins and two cousins, Rick Annis and Dylan Welsh.

Services: at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 11, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank, Iowa, with burial in the Church Cemetery.  Visitation on Tuesday, August 10, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

FAIRBANK-Brad “Willy” William Higgins, of Fairbank, died Friday, August 6, 2010, at Fairbank, Iowa due to an automobile accident.

He was born September 6, 1960 at Waterloo, Iowa, son of Ralph and Donna (Kane) Higgins.

He graduated from Wapsie Valley High School, Fairbank, Iowa in 1978.  He started working for John Deere & Company and then in 1984 he became an employee at Curley’s Sumner Locker in Sumner, Iowa..  In 1997 he became employed by Rockwell Automotive in Sumner until his death.

He married Becky Menuey in 1989.  They later divorced.

Survived by: one son, Shyler (Chelsea) Higgins,  of Johnston, Iowa, a daughter, Mannie Higgins, of Cedar Falls, Iowa.  His parents, Ralph and Donna Higgins, of Fairbank, Iowa.  Two brothers, Brian (Mary) Higgins of Fairbank, Iowa and Terry “Joe” (Denise) Higgins, of Oelwein, Iowa.  Two sisters, Tammy (Keith) Curley,  and Sherry (Denny)Annis, both of Fairbank, Iowa.  Several nieces and nephews and his ex-wife, Becky (Menuey) Higgins.

 Preceded in death by:  his grandparents, Leo and Martha Kane, Harold and Irma Kane and nephews Corey Annis and Dylan Welsh.

Services: at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 11, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank with burial in the Church Cemetery.  Visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 10, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the family.