Woods Funeral Home

Jo Anne Bantz passed away peacefully at her home in rural Fairbank April 16, 2021. She was born April 28, 1933 in Independence the daughter of Emil and Inez (Reiter) Schwake. Jo Anne attended and graduated from Independence High School in 1951. In 1952 she married Dallas Bantz in Maynard Iowa. She worked many jobs through out her journey in life with the longest being for Lehmkuhl Oil in Fairbank and the Harmony House in Waterloo. Jo Anne loved to crochet and made many afghans for all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her hands were rarely still. She also shared her love with food, especially brownies with peanut butter frosting and ice cream. Jo Anne’s busy life style included bowling, dancing, card clubs, Bible Study, Fairbank American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Women’s Health Initiative Research for 8 years at the University of Iowa. She loved attending her grandchildren’s events and occasional trips to the casino. Jo Anne enjoyed traveling, some long trips and some short, Ireland, Florida, Arizona, California, Canadian Rocky Mountains just to mention a few. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons; Wendell and Wayne Bantz, a daughter Jeanie in infancy, three brothers; Paul, Carl and Robert Schwake, one sister; Betty Neeley and a special friend Frank Shaw. Jo Anne is survived by her children Dee (Kevin) of Marion, Wayde (Teresa) of Dunkerton, Wes (Lori) of Fairbank and Jalene (Ken) of Oelwein, 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren with one more great-grandchild and a great-great grandchild on the way and her special friend Arnold Schellhorn.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Friday April 23, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday April 22, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic those in attendance will be asked to wear masks and maintain proper social distance

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, St Judes Children Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project or your favorite charity.

Wilma Jane Haberkamp, 90, of Fairbank passed away Sunday, December 20th at Oelwein MercyOne Hospital due to complications of Covid-19. Wilma was born December 11th, 1930 in Fairbank, Iowa. She was the daughter of William and Agnes Haberkamp. She was baptized December 21st, 1930 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. She attended I.C. Catholic High School and graduated there after. She attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught students at Clarksville Elementary for a short time and spent over 30 years teaching at Wilson Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After retiring from a life-long passion of teaching, Wilma returned to Fairbank and enjoyed working with her sister at their business Jo’s Thread and Thimble. Wilma was highly involved in the Fairbank American Legion Auxiliary and the Immaculate Conception Church. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, playing cards, stitching, gardening, cooking, baking, and most of all spending time with her nephew Doug, his wife Janice and her great nephew and nieces Garrett, Emily, and Lydia. Together, they spent time creating 4-H projects, baking, playing countless games, reading, and would spend the summers helping the kids sell sweet corn. Wilma truly had a one of a kind personality. She was very smart and always had a story to tell or a strong opinion to offer. She loved her family dearly, and will be missed by those who knew her. Wilma is survived by her nephew Doug (Janice) Martins of Fairbank, and their children Garrett, Emily, and Lydia as well as many cousins and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents William and Agnes Haberkamp, sisters Josephine Haberkmp and Mary Martins and brother in law Donald Martins.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Wednesday December 23, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 9:00- 10:00 am Wednesday December 23, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

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

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all attendees will be required to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distance.

Dale Waligorski age 88 passed away Monday December 7, 2020 at Oelwein Health Care Center. He was born in Fairbank Iowa to parents Paul and Bertha (Braun) Waligorski on November 30, 1932. The youngest of four children, the family lived and farmed just East of Fairbank. Dale graduated from Fairbank High School. After graduation he attended Upper Iowa University and graduated after three years with a degree in Biology.

The Army came a calling and Dale spent the next two years being a clerk. He spent 18 months overseas in Germany. He was honorably discharged from service and began his teaching career teaching Junior and Senior High Science in Geneva. His teaching career would take him to Dunkerton and eventually to the Waco School District, Wayland, Iowa, where he taught until his retirement.

During his teaching career he coached basketball and baseball. One of his fondest memories was beating Waterloo East on one night and then beating Oelwein the next night. A pretty big deal for the little school of Dunkerton. During the summer months, Dale managed the Fairbank Pool for many years.

After retirement he returned to his hometown of Fairbank. In his spare time Dale enjoyed fishing and watching ballgames. He was an avid gardener and also owned rental properties which kept him busy with maintenance and repairs.

Dale moved to assisted living in Fairbank on Labor Day weekend in 2012. He became a resident of Oelwein Care Center on December 8, 2012 and remained there until his passing.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, sister Doris Kaufman on September 30, 1996; sister Arlene Waligorski on January 22, 2004; and sister Lucile Geske on July 13, 2004; brother-in-law Arnold Geske on September 24, 2020. Left to celebrate his life are his nephew’s and niece’s: James Kaufman Jr., Des Moines; Jeffrey (Sharon) Geske, Peoria, IL; Elizabeth (Robert) Arnold, Sherburn, MN; and Jane (Kurt) Domeyer, Fairbank; and brother-in-law James Kaufman, Sr., West Union.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Oelwein Care Center for treating Dale like a member of their family since 2012.

Dale will be laid to rest alongside his parents and sister Arlene in the Fairbank City Cemetery. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorials in honor of Dale may be directed to Oelwein Care Center, 600 7^th Street SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

Wanda Kaufman age 80 passed away November 15, 2020, surrounded by her family.

Wanda was born July 19, 1940 in West Union, Iowa the daughter of Lester and Opal (Ruroden) Tope. She attended and graduated from Fayette High School Wanda married Jerome Kaufman on July 18, 1959 in Fayette. Wanda and Jerry have resided in Fairbank for the past 52 years.

Lovingly remembered by her husband Jerome (Jerry), children Julie Bentley (Curt Kelly), Denise (Bob) Crew, Sherry (Tony) Duffy, Todd (Tina) Kaufman, grandchildren Kyle Bentley, Klint Bentley, Kaleb Bentley, Brent Duffy, Candace Ratchford, Rachel Walton, Emily Van Winkle, Kaitlyn Kaufman and Traeton Kaufman, thirteen great grandchildren, and countless other family and friends.

Wanda was a loving wife, devoted mother, and an amazing grandmother. Taking care of her family was her proudest role. Wanda had a love for baking and passed that love on to her family. Wanda was actively involved in the family business, going to automotive auctions, doing the bookkeeping and making lunch most everyday. She most enjoyed the time she spent with her family especially with the grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Opal Tope, father and mother-in-law; Fred and Marie Kaufman, a brother Dennis Tope and a granddaughter Lou Ann Bentley.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 21, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish Center. Funeral service following at Immaculate Conception Church at 10:30 AM both in Fairbank.

Inurnment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as well as the new restrictions from the governor all in attendance will be required to wear face coverings and maintain social distance. We also regret that there will not be a luncheon due to the new restrictions.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Wanda’s family would like to express their gratitude for all of the kind words, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Virginia Schellhorn 89 of Oelwein and formerly from Oran passed away Tuesday November 10, 2020 at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo.

She was born December 21, 1930 in Sumner the daughter of Walter and Gladys (Robertson) Tonn. Virginia married Lorenz Herman Schellhorn on February 18, 1949 in Readlyn. Lorenz preceded her in death on October 13, 2019.

Virginia attended and graduated from Randalia High School. She and Lorenz raised their family in Oran and besides being a loving wife, mother and grandmother she drove school bus for Wapsie Valley Community Schools for an amazing 50 years. Virginia took pride and joy in being a dedicated bus driver, she truly cared about the children that she transported back and forth to school every day and to thousands of activities during her career.

Virginia is survived by her son Donald Schellhorn of Urbana, two daughters; Cathy (Melvin) Gonnerman Sr. of Waverly and Marlys (Roger) Boleyn of Oelwein, five grandchildren; Melvin Gonnerman Jr. Philip Gonnerman, Michael Schellhorn, Mae Lee Nutter and Elizabeth Boleyn, 11 great-grandchildren; Marshall Gonnerman, Madison Gonnerman, Gaston Gonnerman, Megan Gonnerman, Drew Schellhorn, Hudson Nutter, Ellie Schellhorn, Genessa Gonnerman, Payton Nutter, Willow Boleyn and Braxton Boleyn. Siblings; Robert (Lorraine) Tonn of Clinton, Marilyn (Donald) Anderson of Britt, Ruby (Dick) Johnson of Sumner, Marjorie Scharnhorst of Oelwein, Larry (Lorraine) Tonn of Cedar Falls and Shirley (Robert) Bany of Red Rock, Arizona along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lorenz, a son Bryan Ray Schellhorn and a daughter-in-law Debra Schellhorn.

Virginia loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always considered all of the children that she transported during her long bus driving career as her bus family.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic there will be private family graveside services.

Interment: Grove Hill Cemetery, rural Readlyn, Iowa.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation. Cards may sent in care of Virginia to Marlys Boleyn, 209 7th Avenue SW. Oelwein, IA 50662

Joan Wedemeier of Oran passed away Tuesday November 10, 2020 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo at the age of 88.  She was born August 17, 1932 north of Fairbank on her parent’s farm, Ernest and Bertha (Greaning) Fink. She was baptized, confirmed and attended parochial school at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank and graduated in 1950 from Oran High School. On September 13, 1953 she married Vernon Wedemeier they made their home in Oran and were blessed with eight children. Joan was an Avon Sales Representative for over 30 years. She enjoyed crocheting, making baby blankets and quilts giving many away to family and friends. She was a devoted and loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Granny. Joan is survived by five daughters Sandra, Shelley and Sally of College Station, TX, Sharon of Fairbank and Sonya of Oran. Three sons Steve and Stacey of Fairbank and Scott of Amana. Grand children Eric, Ashley, Glenn, Martin and Erica. Great grandchildren Siya, Owen, Drake, Adrianna and Eastyn. Her two brothers Don (Phyllis) Fink of Kent, WA and Richard (Jo) Fink of Independence and many nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, two sisters Rachel (Virgil) Wedemeier and Julia (Ray) Oltrogge, one brother Clair (Gloria) Fink.

The Family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to all the wonderful staff at Oelwein Healthcare Center, Mom was a resident there since December 2016. Thanks to Mercy One Emergency Department in Oelwein and Mercy One, 2^nd Floor Cardio Nurses, Dr. Slaven and Erin Sinram PA. Also special thanks to Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

Visitation: 9:00-11:00 am Friday November 13, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home

Funeral Services: 11:00 am Friday November 13, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic everyone in attendance will be required to wear face coverings and maintain social distance.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. If attending dress casual, those not attending and wishing to send a card they may be sent to Scott Wedemeier 309 6^th Avenue, Amana, 52203.

Becky Van Daele passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at her home in Independence at the age of 88.  She was born on May 13,1932 near Littleton Iowa the daughter of Wilmer and Elsie (McGlaughlin)Seamans.  Becky graduated from Jesup High School in 1949.  After graduating she went to work at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo.  On June 15,1953 she married Rene Van Daele at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank.  Rene and Becky lived in rural Fairbank where they raised their three children and farmed the land together until Rene’s passing  on April 5,1978  In 2007 Becky moved to Independence.  In 1993 after volunteering over 7,000 hours at the Mental Health Institute in Independence Becky was hired as their volunteer coordinator, working until she retired in 2008.  Becky was a very active volunteer in both the Fairbank and Independence communities. She was a KCRG 9 Who Care recipient and received the Governor’s Volunteer Award.  She was a 59 year active member of the Fairbank American Legion Auxiliary holding many local and district offices, and longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church.  She also volunteered many hours at the Independence Senior Center, Buchanan County Council on Aging and was a mentor for the Independence Community School District.  

She is survived by her two sons Rick (Linda) of Fairbank, Russ (Kathy) of Hudson  and daughter Brenda (Curt) Patterson of Cedar Falls. Grandchildren: Chad (Amber) Van Daele  of Fairbank, April (Justin) Hicklin  of London, UK, Amy (Michael) Estrada of Nevado,  CA., Ben (Liz) Patterson of Cedar Falls, Alex ( Allie) Patterson of San Clemente CA, Tony (Lisa) Patterson of Cedar Falls, Haley (Mark )Iehl of Cedar Falls, Rene (Brooke) Van Daele of Dunkerton, Reese (Lexie) Van Daele of Parkersburg, Ridge , Rylan, Kateri, Ariana and Kira Van Daele, all of Hudson. 22 Great Grandchildren, Elsie, Ava, Luke, Isla, Rex, Perry Bay, Navy, Claudia, Vera, Miko, Cooba, Sam, Abram, Sloane, Abby, Emma, Jacob, Annie, Ellie, Aubrey, Aria and Beau. Three step great  grandchildren, Jim, Katie & Jack.  A brother Lowell (Kathy) Seamans and sister Ruth Meade.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, siblings, Marcen, Charles, Gordon, Roland, Naomi Boyce,Luella Stoneman, and infant siblings Lucille, Charlotte and Richard.

Becky lived with passion, putting her whole heart in whatever she did, whether it be caring for her family, volunteering, avid Cubs fan, jewelry making, playing Bingo and cards and collections of all sorts. She uniquely  lived out her values of family, hard work and being a great friend to many.

Visitation: 9:00-10:15 am Saturday November 14, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all people in attendance will be required to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distance.

Memorials: May be directed to the family for later designation.  Those not attending and wishing to send a card,  they may be sent in care of Becky to Brenda Patterson, 1015 Orchard Dr. Cedar Falls, Ia. 50613.