Violet ‘Lollie’ Fairbanks, 96

Nov. 2, 1923 —
March 12, 2020
 
LIME SPRINGS - Violet M. “Lollie” Fairbanks, age 96, of Lime Springs, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Accura HealthCare in Cresco, Iowa. 
Graveside services with the family will be held later at a date to be announced. 
Lollie was born on Nov. 2, 1923, the daughter of Louise and Leonard Sheriff in the village of Spring Grove, Minn. She attended school there through the eighth grade. Family recalls the stories of her and her siblings walking to the country school and the memories they made together. 
She was united in marriage to Ferd Engelhart on Feb. 13, 1941, in Caledonia, Minn. and from that union, seven children were born, Gary, Robert, Bonnie, Fred, Richard, Sandra and Steven. Following Ferd’s death, Lollie moved to Spring Valley, Minn., where she later met Arthur Fairbanks, and from their union, two daughters were born, Dawn and Denise. Together, the couple made their home in Lime Springs.
Over the years, Lollie held a variety of jobs, including working the tobacco fields, factory work and cleaning jobs. She was also a wonderful homemaker and in-home daycare provider. Many of those children also became loves of her life along with her numerous grandchildren. 
Lollie was a woman of very few needs or material possessions, but she would give the last of what she had to anyone in need, this included her love of baking treats for family and friends, especially her delicious brownies and cupcakes. She was good at “hiding” her own little stash for her sweet tooth, too! She was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold. Her faith was a beacon of strength for her through life’s troubles and triumphs. 
Over the last year, while at Accura, Lollie enjoyed her time playing bingo with the residents and the activities put on for them. She also looked forward to the visits and calls from her children and grandchildren. They always put a smile on her face. She would reminisce and share stories of the past with them. Lollie and Jacob would also pull out the card table and work on puzzles. If a piece went missing, Lollie often had it hiding on her lap.
She is survived by her children, Gary of Austin, Minn., Robert (Mary Lou) of Belvidere, Ill., Fred (Dianne) of Rushford, Minn., Sandra Munson of Elkton, Minn., Dawn Fairbanks of Lime Springs and Denise (Jay) Hanson of Lime Springs as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren nieces and nephews, cousins, and the dear friends she held close to her heart.
Lollie has now been reunited with the family and friends who preceded her in death.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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