Wilbur Woodward

WILBUR "BUD" WOODWARD

Wilbur "Bud" R. Woodward, 97, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic, Iowa.

The son of Wilbur E. and Bertha M. Lawton Woodward, he was born February 7, 1918 in Cass Township, Cass County, Iowa. He attended country school one mile west of where they lived; after 8th grade, he chose to work on the farm full-time. He was united in marriage to Laverne Donetta Sothman in Atlantic on March 5, 1940, and they farmed west of Atlantic until moving to the home place. A crop farmer and fat cattle feeder, he was involved all his life; still running the combine at age 89. In 2012, he moved to Allen Place in Atlantic.

Bud loved his family and preferred a simple life. He always enjoyed a good cup of coffee with friends and spent many hours at McDonald's. After moving to Allen Place he was always up for a game of Bingo. Another special friend was his Red Heeler Australian Mix "Tuffy." The family gave him the pup after Laverne died and they bonded for life when "Tuffy" saved Bud from being trampled by a herd of cattle. "Tuffy" was named "Hero Dog of Iowa" in 2000. Bud was a member of the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis.

Bud is survived by his son, Duane (Karen) Woodward of Lewis; daughter, Beth Ann (John) Meyers of Emerson, Iowa; grandchildren, Amy L. (Joseph M.) Novotny of Omaha, Nebraska, Vonda K. (Joseph P.) Adams of Gainesville, Virginia, Bryan M. (Brenda) Meyers of Indianola, Bradley L. (Mandee) Meyers of Avoca, Amanda B. (Andrew) Burbank of Norwalk; great grandchildren, Alaina Novotny, Kelsie Novotny, Joshua Adams, Taylor Adams, Lindsey Meyers, Lane Meyers, Baylee Meyers, Ally Meyers, Brayden Burbank and Blake Burbank; three sisters, Annabelle Petrucci of Santa Barbara, California, Jane Walkinshaw of Griswold and Janet (Everett) Breach of Norfolk, Nebraska; special friend Kathryn Witzman of Atlantic; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years; sister, Elaine Anderson; brother, Roscoe Woodward; and his dog, "Tuffy" at age 11 years in 2007.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis, with Reverend Nadine Aydt officiating. A private family burial will take place prior to the service at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, April 27th, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Memorials may be made to the Oakwood Cemetery Association in Lewis.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Bud's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Wilbur “Bud” Woodward

BORN
February 7, 1918
Cass Township, Cass County, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
At the age of
97 Years, 2 Months & 14 Days
Atlantic, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 10:30 A.M.
United Congregational Methodist Church ~ Lewis, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Reverend Nadine Aydt

PIANIST
Kathy Govig

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
By Randall Breckerbaumer
“How Great Thou Art”
“Just A Closer Walk With Thee”

CASKET BEARERS
Bryan Meyers
Brad Meyers
Andy Burbank
Joseph M. Novotny
Joseph P. Adams
Joshua Adams

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
David Walkinshaw
Dick Woodward
Elvin Breach
Bob Sothman
Craig Meyer
Bob Beckendorf
Joe Mewhirter

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Brenda Meyers
Mandee Meyers
Amanda Burbank
Amy Novotny
Vonda Adams

INTERMENT
Oakwood Cemetery ~ Lewis, Iowa

LUNCHEON
Bud’s family invites you to join them for dinner at the Lewis
Community Center immediately following the service


Memorials may be made to the Oakwood Cemetery Association in Lewis.

Just A Farmer

“Just a farmer,” you said
And I laughed ‘cause I knew
All the things that farmers
Must be able to do.

They must study the land,
Then watch the sky
And figure just when
Is the right time and why-

To sow and to plant
To buy and to sell
To go to the market
With cattle and well-

You know the books
That farmers must keep
To pay all those taxes
And be able to sleep.

And you know the fixin’
That farmers must do
When machines like mad monsters
Blow a gasket or two.

I quess when God needed
Folks to care for His earth
He chose “just farmers”
‘Cause He knew their true worth.

Helen G. Coon