Obituaries : John Charles "JC" Fank

John Charles “JC” Fank, 62, of Sleepy Eye, MN, formerly of Vinton passed away peacefully on October 27, 2019 at Mayo Clinics in Rochester, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Saturday, November 2, 2019, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton with Father Jim Brokman as Celebrant. Visitation will be held Friday, November 1, 2019, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday. Knights of Columbus will start the visitation with a Rosary at 4:00 pm. Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, rural Vinton. The casket will be closed at all times.

John was born July 17, 1957, to Melvin and Jean (Walderbach) Fank in Independence, IA. John was the oldest of five children. He graduated from East Buchanan High School in Winthrop, IA with the class of 1975, and went on to Iowa State University College of Agriculture, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor’s in Animal Science. He was a lifelong fan of the Cyclones and loved cheering for them in all sports. In September of 1984, he was united in marriage to Dixie Meyer in Vinton, IA. Together they raised a family of three children that meant the world to him. John loved farming and agriculture, always having a passion for beef cattle. He passed his love for agriculture on to his children, always fostering any endeavor they set their minds to, no matter how crazy. He worked hard to instill a strong faith in each of his children, and with that passed along his passion, motivation, and determination to seek out any challenge. John was also a very active member of every community he lived in and near.

John worked most of his years as a banker, heavily interested in agricultural lending. He started his career during the farm crisis in the 1980s and never stopped loving it. His work took him far and wide, allowing him to call places like Mitchell, SD and Omaha, NE home. Eventually, he and Dixie settled in the Vinton, IA area to begin raising their family while John worked for Farm Credit and Hawkeye Bank. The family later relocated to Tipton, IA as John followed his career with Hawkeye Bank. He worked briefly for Hawkeye International Trucks in the Cedar Rapids area. In 2002 they returned to Benton County after John returned to banking.

John spent the last few years of his life living in the Springfield/Sleepy Eye area of Minnesota where he continued his trend of meeting friends where ever he went and pursuing his passion for agriculture. While in Minnesota he was very active with the Springfield Party in the Park committee and the Springfield Chamber.

John is survived by his children:Allison (Justin Cunningham) Fank of Nora Springs, Camille (Ryan) Schremser of Independence and Breandan Fank of Cedar Rapids, his remaining siblings; Ron (Polly) Fank of Independence, Gary (Michele) Fank of Winthrop, Dianne Fank of Winthrop, brother-in-law, Louis Kacere; several nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

John was preceded in eternal rest by his parents, Melvin and Jean Fank, and his sister, Mary Kacere.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for John and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.