Dwayne & Marjorie Fiscus

Marj attended school and graduated from the Churdan High School in 1951. She met her future husband Gilbert (Dwayne) Fiscus at a baseball game in Farlin where she was impressed by his black 1948 Studebaker Land Cruiser. Marj had just gotten her driver’s license and persuaded Dwayne to let her drive his new car and it was the first of many dates. They were married on June 1, 1952 in the First Baptist Church in Churdan. Marj worked as a receptionist for Dr. Phillip Lohr in the Churdan doctor’s office while Dwayne was serving in the US Army during the Korean War in the 101st airborne unit. Three daughters were later born, Sheryl, Shonda, and Sharla. Marjorie was a very social person who truly enjoyed family and friends and keeping herself busy. Marj had great pride in her small town of Churdan. She kept busy as a saleswoman for Fuller Brush and Avon for over 45 years. Dwayne and Marj enjoyed many winters in Arizona where Marj kept active with shopping and various activities at the clubhouse including choir, crafts, and Mexican dominoes. Marjorie was always young at heart.

Her favorite things were shopping to buy gifts for family and friends, camping at the lake, the Clay County Fair, reading and time at the library, listening to music and live concerts, taking pictures with her disposable camera, sending letters and post cards to family and friends, and other social activities and clubs.

The most beloved and treasured people in Marj’s life were her four grandchildren: Emily, Brian, Alicia, and Tricia and her great granddaughter Clara May.

Marjorie died on April 13 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, following a hard fought battle from a brain injury after falling at home.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dwayne, three daughters; Sheryl Rice of Jefferson, Shonda (Bill) Crooks of Boone, and Sharla (Brad) Paup of Jefferson, four grandchildren; Emily (Tim) Rhoades of Polk City, Brian Rice of Des Moines, Alicia Paup (Jeremy Draves) of Jefferson, Tricia Paup (Dustin Owens) of Jefferson, one great granddaughter, Clara Rhoades and another great grandchild on the way. Sisters and brothers in-law, Lois Curtis, Dwight (Rheta) Fiscus, Dean (Rozetta) Fiscus, Delbert (Marilyn) Fiscus, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends including many grand dogs. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Harold & Marian (Conant) Curtis, brother Charles Curtis, and son-in-law Duane Rice.

Funeral services were held April 17, at 10:30 a.m. from the First Baptist Church in Churdan with Pastors David Smiley and Bobby Palmer officiating. Burial was made in the Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan. Musical selections “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden” were sung by soloist, Danille Curtis and accompanied by organist, Rochelle Guess. A pray service was held at 7:00 p.m. April 16 at the Brown Funeral Home.

Serving as casket bearers were Stan Curtis, Kent Curtis, Travis Curtis, Alan Fischer, Alex Fisher, Christopher Fischer, Jack Hinners and Tim Hinners. Honorary bearers were Emily Rhoades, Brian Rice, Alicia Paup, Tricia Paup, Tim Rhoades, Clara Rhoades, Jeremy Draves and Dustin Owens.

Dwayne Fiscus

Funeral services for Dwayne Fiscus will be held at 11:00am Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa. Prior to the service, the family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00am.

Interment with military rites will be at Highland Twp. Cemetery in Churdan. A luncheon will follow at the Churdan Baptist Church.

Gilbert “Dwayne” Fiscus, the son of Clifford and Josie May (Gilbert) Fiscus was born January 19, 1932 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the oldest of four boys. Dwayne started school in Davenport where his dad worked at the John Deere factory. When Dwayne’s grandpa passed away, the family relocated to Greene County to farm. Most of his childhood was spent near Farlin where he loved to run the Farmall Super M tractor and care for the guernsey milk cows with his three younger brothers.

Dwayne did not complete high school so he could help raise the family and run the farming operation when his father became ill. In 1949 Dwayne bought a brand new Harley Davison motorcycle which he often rode to work at a factory in Perry. Dwayne met his future wife Marjorie Curtis at a baseball game in Farlin where she was impressed by his black 1948 Studebaker Land Cruiser. Marj had just gotten her driver’s license and persuaded Dwayne to let her drive his car; it was the first of many dates. They were married on June 1, 1952 in the First Baptist Church in Churdan.

Three months after their wedding, Dwayne was drafted to serve in the US Army during the Korean War in the 101st Airborne Unit. Dwayne spent most of 1952 to 1954 stationed in Germany as an airplane mechanic for small airplanes. When Dwayne returned from Germany, he worked various jobs around the Churdan area including the local lumber yard, implement dealer, and helped several local farmers. Three daughters were later born: Sheryl, Shonda, and Sharla. Dwayne served on the Police Department and Fire Department for many years and listening to the police scanner became a lifelong hobby. If something was happening in the county, Dwayne was informed.

When his youngest daughter, Sharla, was in high school, Dwayne studied with her and completed his GED. Dwayne spent most of his career working for Consolidated Cooperative as a Refined Fuel Sales and Delivery driver before he retired in 1997. Dwayne was a member of the Churdan American Legion and an active member of The First Baptist Church in Churdan and served as a Deacon. Dwayne and Marj enjoyed many winters in Arizona where he liked to watch and fly model airplanes and tried to keep up with Marj’s various social activities and shopping trips. Dwayne enjoyed time with his four grandchildren and in recent years his six great grandchildren. In 2014 Dwayne was able to take the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. which was a wonderful experience for the entire family. In 2015, Marj passed away unexpectedly, and Dwayne relocated to various apartments and assisted living facilities in the area where he made friends and enjoyed his shopping outings.

One of his favorite things was camping, which created countless memories with family and friends over the years. Dwayne also enjoyed watching TV, sports, airplanes, motorcycles, and annual trips to the Clay County Fair. Much of Dwayne’s retirement was spent in the car at Walmart’s and shopping centers waiting on Marj to buy gifts for her family and friends. During his lifetime, Dwayne encountered many health struggles but was resilient and often surprised his family by his ability to overcome the challenge. His family often teased him about his determination and stubborn attitude.

The most beloved and treasured people in Dwayne’s life were his four grandchildren: Emily, Brian, Alicia, and Tricia; and his six great grandchildren: Clara, Cora, Cade, Kassidy, Alayna, and Karter.

Dwayne died peacefully on May 17, 2024 surrounded by family at The Lakeside Village in Panora with the assistance of Care Initiatives Hospice. Dwayne lived a full life to the age of 92 years, 3 months and 29 days.

He is survived by his three daughters: Sheryl Rice of Ankeny, Shonda (Bill) Crooks of Boone, and Sharla (Brad) Paup of Jefferson; four grandchildren: Emily (Tim) Rhoades of Polk City, Brian Rice of Des Moines, Alicia Paup of Jefferson, Tricia (Dustin) Owens of Jefferson; six great grandchildren: Clara Rhoades, Cora Rhoades, Cade Rhoades, Kassidy Owens, Alayna Owens, and Karter Owens; brother and sisters-in-law: Delbert (Marilyn) Fiscus, Rheta Fiscus, Rozetta Fiscus, and Lois Curtis: many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends including many grand dogs. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie Fiscus; parents: Clifford & Josie May (Gilbert) Fiscus; brothers: Dwight Fiscus and Dean Fiscus; brother-in-law, Charles Curtis; and son-in-law, Duane Rice.