Woods Funeral Home

Marie Arlene (Bickel) Westphal age 82 of rural Fairbank passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. She was born July 20, 1940, in rural Anamosa, daughter of Robert and Martha (LeClere) Bickel. Marie married Kenneth Westphal Nov. 14 1964 at the Methodist Church in Marion.

She attended Country school and graduated from Central City in 1958. Marie worked in the Marion and Cedar Rapids area for five years before she was married.

Marie and Ken had two children while they lived on an acreage near Waterloo for twenty-seven years. They then moved to rural Fairbank. Marie was an active member in the First United Methodist Church in Dunkerton for 52 years.

Marie was particular about her garden and flowers. She made sure that the vegetables were rotated on an annual basis. Nothing went to waste. It was either frozen or canned to be enjoyed during the fall, winter and spring months, or it was given away to family and friends. Of course there was always room for her flowers, especially gladiolas. Marie enjoyed traveling with the family with trips to almost every corner of the United States. There were trips to friends & family along with sight seeing trips. Later in life she enjoyed visiting Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida during the winter months. She loved doing the word scramble in the newspaper and word search puzzles. unfortunately, in the last few years her eye-sight wasn’t as good and she could no longer do them. Marie loved family picnics and get togethers. She enjoyed the annual fall camping trip with the family and loved spending time with grandkids and great-grandkids. Marie didn’t know how to drive a vehicle until after she was married, with time, little perseverance and lots of empty country roads she learned to drive. Marie was always willing to assist with projects, no matter what the project was. This included projects for family and friends.

Marie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ken, a daughter, Sharon (Ken) Spohn of Omaha, a son, Ronald (Brenda) of Earlville IL. Five grandchildren Shelley (Richard) Kruse, Kevin Spohn, Stephanie Westphal, Sarah Westphal and Hannah Westphal.  Two great grandsons Wyatt & Dustin. Three brothers and three sisters; Henry (Annitta) Bickel of Marion, Janet Bickel of Marion. Clifford Bickel of Anamosa, Leonard Bickel of Cedar Rapids, Donna Bickel of Cedar Rapids, Barbara (Dennis) Stevens of Highland,IL. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, two infant brothers, one brother, Larry Bickel, two sisters-in-law, Clara Bickel & Judy Bickel. 

Visitation: 9:00-10:30 AM Thursday, April 27, 2023 with funeral services to follow at the United Methodist Church 301 Washington Street, Dunkerton, Iowa 

Interment: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa.

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

Lunch will be served immediately following the service in the church social hall.                                                       

Marcia Louise Bankus age 71 of Fairbank passed away Friday, April 7, 2023. She was born June 9, 1951 in Des Moines the daughter of Emery and Marion (Henn) Goodenberger. Marcia grew up in Winterset, she attended and graduated from Winterset High School with the class of 1969. After graduation she enrolled at the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines. Marcia worked as a Registered Nurse for her entire working career. She was a school nurse for more the 20 years at various school districts. On May 27, 1972 she married Dale Bankus in Winterset. They first made their home in Sibley and then Chariton where their two children, Julie and Bob were born. Dale’s job kept them moving from town to town until they both retired. Their final destination was Fairbank in 2015. Marcia enjoyed crafts, bird watching, going out to eat at various restaurants and playing cards. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, but most of all she loved her family especially her grandchildren and loved attending their various activities whenever possible. Marcia is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dale, her daughter Julie (Brady) Mann, her son, Bob (Lindsay) Bankus, six grandchildren; Michael Mann, Abby Mann, Lexi Bankus, Gavin Bankus, Everly Bankus and Fallon Bankus, three sisters; Rhonda (Jeff) Wagoner, Sondra (Dale) Smith and Pam Anderson, two brothers; Perry (Terri) Goodenberger and Marty (Stacy) Goodenberger, one sister-in-law, Novella (David) Kemp along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her mother and father-in-law, Rosser and Lena Bankus.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, April 12 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Thursday, April, 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 455 6th Street, Jesup, Iowa.

Memorials: may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Jesup or to the family for later designation.

A lunch will be served immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Duane Paul Janssen age 83 of Fairbank passed away Friday, March 31, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Duane was born March 5, 1940 on the family farm near Hampton, the son of Ben and Grace (DeVries) Janssen. He attended and graduated from the Chapin School District with the class of 1958. Duane married Elaine Zander on June 24, 1960. To this union two daughters were born, Angela and Sherry. Elaine passed away in 1992. After Elaine’s passing Duane met Esther Canfield and they became good friends and eventually lifelong partners for nearly 30 years until Esther passed. Duane was a steelworker for the majority of his working career, first at Waterloo Steel, then at Eastern Iowa Pork and eventually Roberts and Dybdahl where he retired. Duane was a lifelong cowboy he loved everything about the cowboy way, the hat, the boots and most of all the horses. After his retirement he spent countless hours out in the Amish community where he kept his horses. He enjoyed helping the Amish with chores and giving them rides to wherever they needed to go. Duane still kept in contact with many of them right up until the week of his passing. Duane was a friend to many people it seemed that no matter where he went he knew somebody and would always greet them by saying “Hey how ya doing Chief” everyone was chief to him including his grandchildren. Duane’s greatest love was for his family, especially his grandchildren. He always enjoyed the time he spent with them whether it be just sitting in his recliner visiting with them while they played with his hair or giving them rides in the wagon behind the lawnmower. There are many people that are going to miss seeing that friendly man wearing the white cowboy hat and cowboy boots, especially his loving family. Duane is survived by his daughter Sherry (Rick) Hufford, three granddaughters; Jodi (Mike) Reitmajer, Kristin (Cody) Farr and Nicole (Jose) Nava and one grandson, Travis Hufford, five great-grandchildren; Cruz, Macie, Ella, Clay and Cole, two sisters; Marge (Ralph) Larson and Marilyn (Gene) Heilskov, two sisters-in-law; Mary and Ruth Janssen along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elaine, his special friend, Esther Canfield, a daughter, Angie, five brothers; Bill, Bud, Ervin, Robert and Ken Janssen, one sister; Dorothy Miller and her husband Melvin and a sister-in-law, Marsha Janssen.

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

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 5 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Oran, Iowa.

Inurnment: St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, rural Oran.

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

Lunch will be served after the service in the church fellowship hall.

Jacqueline Muriel Burnett age 92 of Oelwein and formerly from Fairbank passed away, Friday, March 17, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Jackie was born January 17, 1931 in Oelwein the daughter of Elmer and Muriel (Grummitt) Fink. She married John Burnett on February 14, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Jackie and John raised their family of four children in Fairbank where she remained until John’s passing, she then moved to Oelwein in 2003. Jackie began her working career while she was a teenager first at the telephone office in Fairbank. While raising her family she worked at Curley’s Grocery Store and at the Bel-Mar Drive Inn both located in Fairbank. She next worked at Fareway and finally at K-Mart in Oelwein where she eventually retired. Jackie also worked at Jo’s Thread and Thimble in Fairbank surrounding herself with a couple of the things she enjoyed doing, sewing and quilting. Jackie was very proud to have attended the same church from birth, as well as being baptized, confirmed and married all at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, reading and was a fierce competitor when it came to playing cards, especially her favorite game 500. After John’s retirement Jackie and John enjoyed spending their winters in Port Aransas, Texas. The most important thing and the one she loved and enjoyed the most was her family, she loved spending time with them whenever it was possible. Jackie is survived by her four children; Michael of Colorado Springs, CO, Steven of Fairbank, Sandra Johnson of Independence and Sheryl (Steve) Pavelec of New Hartford, 10 grandchildren; Steven (Rachael) Tarrie, Brad (Kari) Brian, Ryan, Travis (Tanya) Tony, Tiffany (Jeremy) Edward (Bridget) and Sarah along with 20 great-grandchildren, she is also survived by two brothers; Gary Fink and Jim (Elly) Fink both of Fairbank. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, a grandson, Timothy Burnett, a sister, Betty Moeller, a son-in-law, Jim Johnson, a brother-in-law, Leon Moeller and a sister-in-law, Zelma Fink.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, March 22 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

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

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: May be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the family for later designation.

A lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall after the service.

Pamela McNamara age 70 of Dunkerton passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer. Pam was born December 14, 1952 in Cheyenne, Wyoming the daughter of Robert and Valva (Eaton) Nielson. Pam grew up in Waterloo and graduated from Waterloo East High School. She was a longtime mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, retiring after 32 years of service. Pam married Eugene McNamara on September 13, 1969 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Pam and Gene settled in Dunkerton where they raised their family. Pam enjoyed crafts, puzzles and baking but above all she loved her family and spending as much time as possible with them. She is survived by her husband, Gene, three children; Chad McNamara, Jamie McNamara (Becky) and Tami (Donny) Franck, four grandchildren; Mason McNamara, Emilee McNamara, Ceraphine Franck and Persephanie Franck. Pam was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Debra (Nielson) Gaffney.

Visitation: 4:00-8:00 PM Friday, March 24 and for one hour before the service, Saturday at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Services: 11:00 AM Saturday, March 25 at Woods Funeral Home.

Inurnment: at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, Dunkerton.

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

A lunch will be served at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Fairbank following the service.

Donald W. Brandt age 79 of Fairbank passed away Thursday March 9, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Donnie was born December 16, 1943 in Oelwein, the son of Wilbert and Doretta (Bartels) Brandt. He attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools with the class of 1962. On May 9, 1964 he married Glenda Yeager at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. Donnie worked at John Deere in Waterloo and retired after 34 years of dedicated employment. Shortly after that he began his career at Wapsie Valley Community Schools that spanned 21 years, first as the custodian at Fairbank Elementary and then as both a regular bus route driver and a dependable activities bus driver. Donnie also served for more than 27 years on the Fairbank Fire Department serving most of them as chief. He was a longtime member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and donated countless hours of his time to serve the parish that he loved so much. Donnie was a people person he always enjoyed visiting and helping out wherever needed. First and foremost for Donnie was his family he loved all of them unconditionally and was always there for them, whether it would be watching after grandchildren or helping with a project his family could always count on him to be there. He is survived by his wife, Glenda, his son Mike (Kim) Brandt, three daughters; Robyn (Marty) Kane, Noel Happel (CJ Burford) and Molly (Mike) Rochford, 12 grandchildren; Cameron (Danielle) Brandt, Collin Brandt, Cole Brandt, Conner Brandt (Megan Jones), Austin (Amber) Kane, Tyler Kane, Gavin (Bryanna) Kane, Augusta Ingersoll (Marty Fuentes), Christian Ingersoll, Will Happel, Nolan Rochford and Luke Rochford, 11 great-grandchildren; Colton Brandt, Jade Brandt, Delilah Brandt, Maddox Brandt, Millie Rose Brandt, Hayden Kane, Hudson Kane, Kashton Kane, Braylen Kane, Siya Fuentes and Owen Fuentes. Five brothers; Lauren Brandt (Mary), Gary (Lori) Brandt, Gene (Patty) Brandt, Keith (Cheryl) Brandt and Terry (Mindi) Brandt, two sisters; Betty (Clay) Passick and Barb Wandling, three sisters-in-law; Donna (Dave) Trimble, Dorothy Yeager and Susan Vilmain and one brother-in-law, Gordie Yeager. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Glen and Wilma Yeager, three sisters-in-law; Carol Brandt, Bea Thompson and Carol Wilson, two brothers-in-law; Lee Matson and Don Wandling and a nephew, Greg Brandt.

Visitation: 3:00-7:00 PM Sunday, March 12 with a parish rosary at 2:45 PM at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Monday, March 13 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Inurnment: at a later date in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

Lunch will be served following the mass at the Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Arnold Schellhorn passed away Friday February 17, 2023 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo after a battle with dementia. He was born October 30, 1926, in the rural area near Fredrika, Iowa, the son of Wilhelmina (Warnke) and Henry Schellhorn. He was baptized at the Evangelical & Reformed Church in rural Sumner and was confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Bremer County. In his early years, he lived on the family farm near Grove Hill where he attended rural grade school. He walked or rode his bicycle 4.5 miles one way to Readlyn for his freshman year of high school. After that, he worked at home to help with the family farming duties. On November 18, 1947, he married Lorna Sell at St. John Lutheran Church in Buck creek. He and his Bride lived in rural Bremer County and near Oelwein before moving to Oran in 1954 where he would build his family home. Arnold’s work history included working at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo before settling in at Lorber Construction in Oran where he worked for approximately 50 years. For several years in the 1970’s, Arnold would “moonlight” repairing shoes on night a week for Duffy’s Shoe Store in Oelwein. It was also around this time that Arnold and Lorna operated a lunch trailer for approximately 6 years, named the “Tummy Stuffer”, which they pulled to auctions and provided hot food/concessions for the auction attendees. After “retiring”, Arnold still enjoyed staying busy doing small carpentry projects for various people around town upon request. He wanted to be a friend to all he met and desired that all persons he met would also consider him as their friend. To say the least, he was usually pretty quick with a joke to put a smile on other peoples faces.

Arnold and Lorna were known for dancing several nights a week. They enjoyed fishing (but never took much time to do so) and enjoyed playing cards, laughing, and having fun with other couples. they also enjoyed boating/water skiing in the summer and ice skating/sledding in the winter with other families in the Oran area. Arnold enjoyed being a work mentor to his grandsons as well as being with all his grandchildren and attending their activities. Arnold was a life-long and active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Oran. The church was a big part of his life as he served on all council positions in addition to mowing the church lawns and doing church custodial work. He began opening the church for the Sunday services every Sunday beginning in approximately 1958 and continued doing so for more than 55 years. He was an Oran Fire Department member for several years and served as the Assistant Fire Chief for approximately 3 years. He was a district officer for Aid Association for Lutherans and Thrivent for several years and was secretary of the Oran sanitation District for many years.

Arnold is survived by 2 sons, Galen (Elaine) of rural Sumner and Alan of Oran; 3 grandchildren, Aaron (Lindsay) Schellhorn of Melbourne, Florida, Travis (Katie) Schellhorn of Independence, and Anna (Kyle) Lillmars of Englewoods, Colorado; one step grandchild, Kerri (Curtis) VanEe of Waverly; 3 great-grand daughters and 4 step great-grandchildren. Arnold is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lorna; one son, Ronnie John (died in infancy); 2 sisters, Adeline Schellhorn and Ester Niemeyer; 7 brothers, Marvin and Lavern (both lost in infancy), Roland, Willhart, Erwin, Lorenz, and Orlyn.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00pm Wednesday February 22, 2023 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank, and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

Funeral Services: 10:30am Thursday February 23, 2023 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Oran

Interment: Grove Hill Cemetery

In Lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation

Lunch will be served following services at St. Peters in Oran.

Dwayne “Buzzy” Ott, 88 of Fairbank, passed away Thursday, February 16^th at the Denver Sunset Home. Dwayne was born on January 27^th, 1935, at home near Fairbank to August and Viola (Reiter) Ott. Dwayne grew up and remained in the rural Fairbank area where he also attended and graduated from Fairbank High School. On April 27^th, 1957, Dwayne was united in marriage to Geraldine (Gerry) Fisk at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and he shared his life with her until her passing in 2003. This union was blessed with two children, Dennis and Donna. Dwayne served time in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 before returning to the family farm. He served on the St. John’s and Lord of the Harvest church boards as well as the Oran creamery.

Dwayne was a lifelong dairy farmer, and there was nothing else he enjoyed more than farming, fixing things, and the mountains. Every summer when the farming had slowed down, Dwayne and Gerry would travel to the Rocky Mountains. Dwayne had a fondness for Estes Park and his trips to the mountains held a special place in his heart. In 2003, Dwayne stepped back from farming for the next generation of family to enjoy it like he had for so long. On April 24, 2004, Dwayne was remarried to Laura Heilmann and together they continued to travel, including trips to his beloved mountains.

Dwayne is survived by his son Dennis (Roxanne) Ott of Fairbank; daughter Donna (Randy) Brown of Mountain Home, Arkansas; four grandchildren: Joshua (Brittany) Brown, Bethany (Ryan) Clark, Darcy (Christian) Kroemer, Amy (John) Scott, and six great-grandchildren: Jocelyn Brown, Caleb Brown, Charles Scott, Melanie Scott, Bristol Kroemer, and Conroy Kroemer; a brother-in-law John Shields Jr.; and a stepson Rob Heilmann. Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents August and Viola Ott, his sister Edna “Toot” Shields, a stepdaughter Dawn Zaruba, his first wife Gerry and his second wife Laura.

Visitation: 9:00-10:00am Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank.

Funeral Services: 10:00am Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

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

Darrel Francis Cox age 81 of Fairbank passed away, January 23, 2023 at his home. He was born October 14, 1941 in Waterloo the son of Raymond and Helen (Whitney) Cox. Darrel grew up in rural Fairbank and spent the rest of his life in the same area. He was a graduate of the very first class of Wapsie Valley Community Schools in 1960. Darrel was a lifelong farmer while also working at John Deere in Waterloo for 38 years, which he retired from in 1998. He married Carolyn Ann Schutte on August 19, 1961 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank. Carolyn passed away March 11, 1988. Darrel enjoyed driving, making the rounds and visiting as many people as he could in a day. He had a regular schedule he stuck to each week for the different eating establishments in the local area and if he didn’t show, someone was on the phone to one of the boys making sure he was okay. Darrel’s family was his pride and joy. He thrived in attending all of his boys’, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities and rarely missed an event. Along with the love of his family and friends, came his strength in faith. Darrel was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church of Fairbank where he was baptized, confirmed and married. He will be missed by so many, especially his family, whom he loved so much.

Darrel is survived by his four sons; Russ of Readlyn, Brian (Reiko) of Greenwood, Indiana, Dan of Plainfield and Mike of Readlyn. Nine grandchildren; Alicia (Nate) Jones, Rhino (Abby) Cox, Sheila (Dave) Wangsness, Khyle (Shaliah Anderson) Cox, Jerod Cox, Christy Cox, Kevin (Lillie) Cox, Ashlyn Snowden and Branden Cox. Nine great-grandchildren; Jesse, Jamie and Jase Jones, Kiptyn and Kynlee Cox, Hannah, Wade and Wes Wangsness and Bo Cox. One brother, Craig (Wilma) Cox;  one brother-in-law, Elton Schutte; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Schutte. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother, Curtis Cox;  his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rueben and Esther Schutte; a brother-in-law, Orlyn Schutte;  and a sister-in-law, Shirley Schutte and several close friends.

Visitation: 3:00-7:00 PM Sunday, January 29 at Woods Funeral Home and for on hour before services Monday at the church.

Funeral Services: 10:00 AM Monday, January 30 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: May be directed to the United Methodist Church or to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served following the services at the Fairbank American Legion.