Frederick Mark Varnum Obituary

Fred Varnum died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 17, with family present.

A Mass of Celebration of his life was held Monday, April 21, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames with Father John Herzog presiding. Burial was at St. James Cemetery near Colo. Visitation was held at Stevens Memorial Chapel on Sunday, April 20, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. with the rosary recited at 4:30.

Fred Varnum was born April 3, 1919, in Zearing, Iowa, to John and Lumilla Varnum. He graduated from Zearing High School in 1937. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, being stationed in Europe, and was at the Battle of the Bulge.

He married Agatha Pantenburg on June 12, 1946, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Ames. He and Agatha resided on the family farm near Colo for over 47 years where he was a dairy and crop farmer. Fred also worked for the Story County ASCS Office, was a member of St. Mary's and St. Cecilia's Catholic Churches in Colo and Ames, Knights of Columbus and Farm Bureau. In 2001, they moved to Ames where he resided until his death.

His interests included gardening, camping and fishing. He was an avid reader and kept up to date with current events. Fred took great joy in his seven daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Agatha; seven daughters, Kay (Steve) Wessman, Agnes (Terry) Krausman, both of Ames; Beverly (Bob) Lidd, Lafayette, Indiana; Virginia (Bernie) McWilliams, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dorothy (Steve) Ives, Durand, Michigan; Annette (Tom) Kalkhoff, Spirit Lake; and Darlene (Keith) Ricke of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; four sisters, Kate (Floyd) White, and Veronica Guthrie both of Grinnell, Martha Garfield, Sebastopol, California; Alma (Dick) Noel, Dubuque, and two brothers John (Roberta) Varnum of Perry; Harvey (Sherri) Varnum of Marshalltown and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Mary Elizabeth Varnum, one grandson, Mark Wessman, and one nephew, Kevin White. Also preceding him in death were family members Jim Guthrie, Charles and Mary Pantenburg and Dick Garfield.

Memorials may be directed to St. Cecilia or St. Mary's Catholic Churches or the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494.