Beulah A. Fairbanks

Beulah A. Fairbanks, 92, of Mason City, IA, died Thursday, May 14, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM on Monday, May 18, 2015, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 4th Street SE, with Pastor Jeni Bohls and Assisting Minister Bryan Odeen officiating. Inurnment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Beulah Fairbanks memorial fund in care of the family. Beulah Adeline Nuehring was born March 1, 1923, in Belmond, IA, the daughter of Otto and Ruth (Johnson) Nuehring. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belmond, IA and attended schools in Goodell and Mason City. In 1941, she was united in marriage to Henry Eichmann. He passed away in 1943. On April 5, 1947, she was married to Richard Fairbanks at St. James Parsonage. They farmed in the Mason City, Riceville, and Clear Lake areas. Beulah worked in retail many years, retiring from Sears after 20 years in 1980. They spent 22 years wintering in Texas and enjoyed their many friendships. She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, crocheting, reading, playing cards, and baking. In her later years, her great and great-great grandchildren were her joy. Beulah was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church for 68 years, participating in “circle” and “fellowship” until unable to attend. Beulah is survived by her husband of 68 years: Richard Fairbanks of Mason City; 3 children: Patricia Grandy and husband Glenn of Brighton, CO, Julie Carpenter and husband Bob of Mason City, and Brad Fairbanks and wife Pat of Clear Lake, IA; 12 grandchildren: Brenda Smith and husband Earl, Tony Plagge and wife Deb, Shari Knowlton and husband Tom, Amber Paugh, Trevor Grandy, Regina Grandy, Jennifer Keifer, Eric Keifer, Jared Fairbanks and wife Jennifer, Ben Ebeling, Sara Peterson and husband Kyle and Addie Carpenter; 8 great grandchildren: Ashley Plagge, Ryan Smith, Alec Knowlton, RaeAnn Knowlton, Cooper Paugh, Averie Ebeling, Brynn Peterson, Leo Peterson and another great grandson on the way; 1 great great grandchild: Elijah Barnhardt; 1 brother: Robert Leon Nuehring; 4 sisters-in-law: Virginia Nuehring, Marilyn Nuehring, Doris Groh and Nancy Fairbanks. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law: Harry and Florence Fairbanks; infant daughter: Barbara Eichmann; daughter: Karen Eichmann Plagge; grandson: Marc Grandy; 2 sisters: Lucille Steeke and Alice Rowe; 2 brothers: Orvall Nuehring and Wilbert Nuehring; and 4 brothers-in-law: Herb Steeke, Joe Rowe, Karl Groh and Lloyd Fairbanks.