AUKES, Virgil J. 1931-2015

AUKES, EVERT, GROOTE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/1/2017 at 11:54:11

On March 31, 2015 Virgil John Aukes, 84, of Waukee, Iowa went to be with his Savior in heaven. He passed on peacefully at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 4 at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel, with family greeting friends one hour prior to services. Burial with honors will be 1:30 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Methodist Cemetery, Wellsburg, Iowa.

Virgil was born on January 14, 1931, in the family farm home 3 1/2 miles north and 1/2 mile east of Wellsburg, Iowa. His parents were John D. and Helen (Evert) Aukes.

He attended rural German Township #7 School through 8th grade and Wellsburg High School, graduating with the class of 1947. His dad died that fall so he helped his Mother, with his five brothers and sisters, operate the family farm.

On February 25, 1949, he married Joann Groote of Grundy Center, Iowa. She then joined the family on the farm. Later Virgil and Joann farmed on their own on a farm near Morrison, Iowa. Together they welcomed two sons into their family.

In November of 1951, Virgil was drafted into the Navy for the Korean War. Joann joined him in California and Hawaii for most of his four years of duty. When they returned Virgil attended ISU in Ames, Iowa, where he studied business. After several mid-west locations the family moved to Texas in 1969, making Dallas their home. He retired from corporate business in 1994, but continued his interest in Grundy County farming until his death.

Virgil enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joann. Whether by car or plane, he was always interested what was over the next hill. But his greatest love was for his church and his family. He was pleased to see them both mature into fine, productive, Christian gentlemen and fathers, each with a wonderful, loving Christian wife.

Virgil is survived by two sons; Dean (Michele) Aukes of Sherman, Texas and John (Tracy) Aukes of Adel, Iowa; two brothers; Dale of Bangor (Union), Iowa and Wayne (Carol) Aukes of Wellsburg, Iowa; sister, Lavonne (Kempton) Walbaum of Marshalltown; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joann; parents; sisters, Evelyn Aukes De Neui and Virginia Aukes Geerdes.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.

--McCalley Funeral Home (www.mccalleyfuneralhome.com)