Donald Fairbanks

DONALD FAIRBANKS

Anamosa

Donald Fairbanks, 94, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Anamosa, with his family beside him.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. Friends may call between 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Prairieburg. Goettsch Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Don is survived by his sons, Russell of Anamosa and Mark (Marcy) of Kotzebue, Alaska; his grandchildren, Jeffery, Jeremy, Donald, Robert and Fallon; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Joyce Robinson of Cedar Rapids; a special niece, Mary Emerson of Marion; and many other nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Bernice.

Donald C. Fairbanks was born Nov. 9, 1921, in Monticello, Iowa, to Lester and Edith Clough Fairbanks. After his mother's passing, he was raised by his loving stepmother, Elsie. He attended and graduated from Monticello Community Schools. On April 28, 1947, Donald married Bernice Yanda at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa. The couple farmed in Cass Township, Jones County, until 1962, when he retired from farming and went to work for the Iowa Men's Reformatory in Anamosa until he retired in 1981.

Don was an avid gardener and enjoyed being outdoors, picking mushrooms, boating on the Wapsi River, fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed traveling. He made many trips to Alaska to spend time with Mark and his family. He went on his last moose hunt at the age of 91. At 92, he traveled to Mexico and danced with his granddaughter at her wedding. We will cherish "Grandpa" stories, his quick smile and laugh.