Woods Funeral Home

Fairbank: Ed Sadler age 78 passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the Denver Sunset Home. He was born August 22, 1942 in Waterloo the son of Leonard and Mary (Fettkether) Sadler. Ed married Donna Reiter April 23, 1966 in Waterloo. He grew up in rural Dunkerton and attended Dunkerton Community Schools. Ed first worked at Shirey’s Concrete and from there he worked at John Deere for 27 years until his retirement in 1992. While working at John Deere, he also farmed in rural Fairbank both row crops and livestock. Ed was a lifelong farmer for all of fifty years and truly enjoyed everything to do with farming whether it be putting the crops in or harvesting them as well as taking care of the livestock. He also enjoyed his weekly trips to the Waverly Sale Barn even if he wasn’t buying or selling anything. Over the years, he collected many John Deere two cylinder tractors that he loved restoring and tinkering with in his shop. Ed enjoyed being with family and friends, especially playing cards and marble games. Most of all Ed was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and truly loved the time spent with all of them. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna, his son Steve (Angie) Sadler, two daughters; Sharon (Mike) Buss and Susan Sadler all of Denver, four grandchildren; Bethany Sadler, Breanna Sadler, Hunter Buss and Sydney Buss, three brothers; Harold Sadler, Melvin (Theresa) Sadler, Gerald (Elaine) Sadler, three sisters; Rita (George) Schmitz, Judy Starbeck and Donna Nelson, his-in-laws; Thres Sadler, Lavonne & Kenny Fischer, Ruth & Marvin Taylor, Mary & Paul Speer along with many nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son; Timothy, five brothers; Dean, Raymond, Irving, Garold and Alvin, one sister; Mary Sadler, his in-laws; George Schmitz, Don Nelson, Paul & Linda Reiter and Gene Reiter.

Rosary: 3:45 pm and Visitation from 4:00-7:00 pm Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Monday June 7, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with lunch following at the Parish Center.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery

Memorials: may be directed to the Immaculate Conception Church or to the Oran or Fairbank Fire Department.

Steve Hovey age 64 of Fairbank passed away unexpectedly Monday May 31, 2021 at his home. He was born November 2, 1956 in Independence the son of Harry and Ruth (Beebe) Hovey. He attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools with the Class of 1975. After high school he began working for World Radio first in Waterloo as a salesperson and then became the store manager his career spanned a total of 15 years serving as manager in various stores. He also worked at Silver Eagle Harley Davidson, Bertch Cabinet, Tyson and PPG all in Waterloo. Steve enjoyed fast cars in his younger years as well as working on gas engines and collecting different kinds of antiques and pop bottles. He is survived by three sisters; Vicki Hovey of Waterloo, Susan (Steve) Shaner of Oelwein and Lisa (Rod) Stoler of Jesup, five nieces and three nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Shawn “Shelly” Carpenter.

Funeral Services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Hope Wesleyan Church in Independence, Iowa

Cards maybe sent in care of Steve to Susan Shaner 12-12th Ave. NW Oelwein, IA 50662

Audrey Foster age 89 of Fairbank and formerly of Des Moines passed away Monday May 31, 2021 at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence. She was born April 5, 1932 in Panora Iowa the daughter of John and Gladys (Whitcomb) Shreffler. Audrey attended and graduated from Des Moines North High School. In 1952 she married William Foster at the Grant Park Christian Church in Des Moines. Besides being a devoted wife and mother Audrey worked for Bell telephone for many years until her retirement. Audrey and Bill loved to travel and that is what they did during their retirement. Their travels not only included every state in the United States they also traveled to every continent in the world with the exception of two. Besides traveling she loved spending time with family and friends and was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes as well as the Wapsie Valley Warriors. She is survived by her son Tony (Carol) Foster of Fairbank, two grandsons; Matt (Holly) Foster and Duane (Heidi) Foster, five great-grandchildren; Kennedy, Riley, Mackenzie, Kambrii and Karlie along with several nieces and nephews as well as her beloved dog Snowflake. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son; Tom Foster and her sister; Evelyn Stevens.

Visitation: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday June 5, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

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

Cards may be sent in care of Audrey to Tony Foster 104 Halpin Street, Fairbank, Iowa 50629

Loren Reiher age 82 passed away Saturday May 8, 2021 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. He was born March 3, 1939 in Allison the son of John and Lydia (Trepp) Reiher. Loren attended and graduated from the Allison Community School. After high school Loren proudly served in the United States Army from 1962-1963. He married Kathy Herman on December 10, 1967 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Klinger. Loren was as an owner-operator with Warren Transport from 1965-1968. Loren and Kathy farmed from 1968-1977 in both Missouri and Iowa. Loren then returned to Warren Transport working in the recruitment and safety department from 1977-2000 when he then retired. Loren is survived by his wife; Kathy, two sons; Lon Reiher (Chris Wescott) of Fairbank and Patrick (Nicole) Reiher of rural Tripoli, five grandchildren; Hailey Reiher (Dillon Delong) Jessi Reiher (Tyler Hanson) Justin Reiher, Dylan Reiher (Dylyn Powell) and Courtney Dinsdale (Levi Stockdale) and 2 great-grandchildren; Bennett and Ledger, his mother-in-law; Mildred Herman, one sister; Marilyn Cole, three brothers-in-law; Laverne (Terri) Herman, James (Celia) Herman and Karl Herman, one sister-in-law; Margaret (Roger) Kistler, he was preceded in death by his parents, one son; John, three sisters and their husbands; Phyllis (Lyle) Hansen, Ruth (Lavern)Brocka, Carol (Darwin) Buhman and one brother-in-law; Dean Cole.

During his retirement Loren and Kathy spent their winters where it was warm, first Florida and most recently Arizona. The rest of the year they spent in Prairie du Chien where Loren loved to fish and spend time with friends and relatives. His greatest joy without a doubt was the time spent with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation/Celebration of Life: 3:00-6:00 pm Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic face coverings are suggested along with social distancing.

Military Rites Conducted by: Amvets Post 88 of Allison

Interment: Allison Cemetery

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

James L. Kaufman Sr. passed away on April 27, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society Care Facility in West Union, IA. He was born on September 22nd, 1932, in Brandon, IA, the son of Fred and Marie (Steils) Kaufman.Jim grew up in the Eagle Center Area.  He married Doris (Waligorski) on June 2nd, 1958, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank. After losing Doris in 1996, He married Glenda (Busey) on September 17th, 2006 at the Fairbank United Methodist Church. As an adult he resided in Fairbank, Iowa for many many years until his move in November 2020 to the Good Samaritan Home in West Union. Jim held many positions in his lifetime.  He worked at Don’s Auto, John Deere as well as serving in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955.  Later he went to Barber College and after graduating he owned and operated Jim’s Barber Shop in Fairbank for many years.  His main passion came later, resulting in him starting his own excavation business, which he loved more than anything, it was never just work to him, it was his livelihood.  He had an exceptional knowledge of how things should be done, and was known for being “One of the Best”, in the field. Jim is survived by his wife Glenda of West Union, his children James “Jimmy” of Des Moines, Jane (Kurt) Domeyer of Fairbank, four stepdaughters: Kim, Kris, Del Jean and Erika, two grandchildren; Sean (Ashley Murphy) Wortman and David Wortman both of Fairbank and a special great grandson Austin Wortman of Oelwein, two brothers; Jack Kaufman and Tim (Shar) Kaufman, three sisters; Connie Broell, Susan Thompson and Mary Kay (Gloria) Kaufman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, 2 brothers; Wally and Jerry Kaufman, brothers in law; Jim (Doc) Broell, Arnold Geske, Dale Waligorski, sisters in law; Milly Kaufman, Wanda Kaufman, Nancy Kaufman, Lucile Geske and Arlene Waligorski and one step daughter Linda Brule. 

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Friday April 30, 2021 at Woods Funeral Home

Funeral Mass 11:00 am Saturday May 1, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic face coverings will be required for those in attendance.

Military Rites: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Interment; Immaculate Conception Cemetery

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation

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.