Cover photo for Bernard Fay Fairchild's Obituary
Bernard Fay Fairchild Profile Photo
1935 Bernard 2022

Bernard Fay Fairchild

November 28, 1935 — July 4, 2022

Spencer

Bernard F. Fairchild, the son of Herbert Elmer and Faye Eaton Fairchild, was born on November 28,1935 at the Spencer Hospital and passed away peacefully on July 4, 2022. 

Bernard grew up on the family farm near Linn Grove, Iowa where he lived and farmed for 63 years. He attended the Linn Grove School where he participated in sports and especially enjoyed football.  As a boy, he enjoyed doing farm chores, cultivating corn and raking hay with a team of horses and later doing field work with a twenty-horsepower tractor. At the age of 10, he got his first horse named Majorette and together they covered every foot of the farm. His love for horses as pleasure, led to a business of breeding and showing Quarter Horses nationally.  

On August 21,1955, Bernard married Arlene Nola Marker.  Together they farmed, ran Fairchild Quarter Horses and raised their five children on the farm.  Many special memories were made as a family during their time working together in the barns and traveling to horse shows.  In 1998, Bernard and Arlene retired and moved to Spencer, IA.  During retirement, Bernard enjoyed fishing, gardening, having coffee with friends and using lariat ropes to make creative items.  He found true enjoyment sharing his creations with others. He was an active member of the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove and the Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer.  Bernard and Arlene also enjoyed traveling and visiting friends around the country. Bernard loved spending time with his family and was a supportive attendee at numerous events and activities.  

Bernard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Arlene Fairchild; 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and (4) great-grandchildren (plus one expected later in 2022) who will cherish the stories he told us to make us laugh and the lessons we learned from him are: 

Daughter, Debra (Doug) Wetherell, Linn Grove, IA and their children: Megan (Saul) Sliss, Rochester, IN and their children Ellie and Cross; Ross (Amber) Wetherell, Peterson, IA, and their child Alexis and another baby expected later this year; Rachel (Brandon) Kramer, Marengo, OH; 

Daughter, Karen (Jody) Gregg, Callisburg, TX and her son Chad (Katie) Lawrence, Wendell, NC; 

Son, Dave (Kris) Fairchild, Winterset, IA and their children Austin (Judith) Fairchild, Oceanside, CA and Azreal; Caitlin Fairchild, Iowa City, IA; Logan Fairchild, Winterset, IA;  

Daughter, Lori (Scott) Geurink, Wausau, WI and their children, Tessa Geurink, Sioux Falls, SD; Colton Geurink, Wausau, WI; 

Daughter, Kay (Tom) Godfredsen; Urbandale, IA and their children, Kennedy Godfredsen, Urbandale, IA; Thadeus Godfredsen, Urbandale, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Stanley, Mahlon and Homer, and his grandson Alexander Fairchild.  

Other family surviving Bernard are sister-in-law Doris Fairchild, Henderson, NV, sister-in-law Johanna Fairchild, Maryville, MO, and many more family members. The Fairchild family is extremely grateful to the Spencer Hospice and Home Instead professionals, Avera medical teams and the many friends who have supported, visited and provided kindness throughout Bernard’s illness.

SERVICES
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 25, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer.
OFFICIATING
Pastor Ben Unseth
CASKET BEARERS
All of Bernard's Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
VISITATION
Family will be present on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. at Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.
MUSIC
"The Old Rugged Cross"
"In The Garden"
Soloist, Gary Klett

Congregational Hymns
"It Is Well With My Soul"
"How Great Thou Art"

Organist, Marcia Klett
INTERMENT
Burial will take place at 9:00 A.M., Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard Fay Fairchild, please visit our flower store.

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