Cletus Joseph Fandel, 89, of 620 Briarstone #30, Mason City, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home on April 20, 2008.
    Memorial services were held Saturday, April 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Jon M. Seda officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.
    Cletus was born on March 19, 1919 at Rodman, Iowa the son of John Frederick Fandel and Dorothy (Esser) Fandel.  Cletus received his education at Holy Family School in Mason City.  Cletus was a member of the American Legion, was a Scout Master, was an executive vice president of the Newman Booster Club at its inception, and he had been active in the Democratic party as precinct committee chairman.  He was an instrumental force in organizing the ‘North End’ picnic get-togethers, as well as an instrumental force in organizing the Holy Family Alumni breakfast group.  He was a avid sports fan, and took pride in driving the Holy Family players to their sports games before buses came on the scene.
    Cletus joined the U.S. Army and was a military policeman, which he was very proud of.
    Cletus enjoyed going to the Surf Ballroom at Clear Lake, joining his many friends for dancing to the Big Bands.  The thing Cletus liked most was socializing.  He was known for his robust zest of life, innate ability to speak his mind, infectious sense of humor and devilious charm.
    Cletus and Laurel loved entertaining and hosting parties for their many friends, and their family at their homes in Plymouth and Mason City, Iowa.  They enjoyed their retirement, traveling to Corpus Christi, Texas for the winter months, and reuniting with their Iowa friends.  They enjoyed their card party groups in Plymouth, and enjoyed walking the mall, making and meeting old and new friends, their “special” Friday night group gatherings for laughs and dinner, and Sunday mornings after Mass, with coffee and donuts (he always had two!)
    Cletus married Laurel Jean Tessum at the Church of Incarnation in Minneapolis, Minn. on June 25, 1949.  They were happily blessed with three sons, C.J. and wife, Bunny, of Grizzly Flats, Calif., David and wife, Jackie, of Mason City, and Brad and wife, Sherrie, of Garner, Iowa.  They were then blessed by three daughters, Cindy Fandel of Mason City, Kelly and husband, Dave Kratz, of Clear Lake and Kimberly Garner of Clear Lake.  Cletus loved his grandchildren and they thoroughly enjoyed hearing the many hilarious stories of Grandpa back in the day.  Grandchildren are, Kristina Miramon, Nicole and husband, Eric Umbarger, Shae and husband,  J.J. Thompson, Joe and Ashley Fandel, Misty, Cody and Hailey Fandel, Hollie and Summer Hoffarth, Kelly and husband, Neal Neuberger, and Jon Ehresmann, Joshua and wife, Kelly Kratz, Andrea and husband, Mike Frantz, Amber and husband, Ryan Allen, and Calan Kratz, Dylan Garner and Melissa Peterson Garner.  Great grandchildren are Lindzie, Sydney, Grace and Jake Umbarger, Payton Rae Hoffarth, Caden and Samuel Kratz, Gabriel and Cole Frantz and Cabot and Jett Neuberger.
    Cletus had many other family members on the Fandel/Tessum side that were deeply embedded in his heart.  Family meant everything to him and what memories of an 89-year lifetime he has been blessed by!
    Cletus’ bride of 59 years, Laurel, made his life completely and beautifully fulfilled.  In their 59 years together they had shared a lifetime of deep love, joyous laughter, and much happiness.  Their treasured memories of so many, many friends, old and new and of family made Cletus’s 89 years lovingly complete.  He celebrated life to its fullest.  As you celebrate Clete’s life, know he is celebrating you!!
    Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.