Bert Junior SANKEY

SANKEY, WARMBIER, HASSEBROCK, GASKILL, LINDHORST, RASMUSSEN, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/26/2009 at 10:07:19

Bert J. Sankey, 77, of Britt, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 22, at the Britt Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. Joel DeBoer officiated. Music was provided by pianist, Peg Eisenman who accompanied vocalist, Diana Sankey. Bill Eckels and Louis Smidt ushered. Honorary casket bearers were Robert Sankey, William K. Sankey, Jacob Sankey, Joshua and Diana Sankey, Jenna and Scott Gaskill. Casket bearers were Todd Gayken, Curt Smidt, Ervin Nelson, Jerry Peterson, Darin Peterson and Dave Skilling. Burial was in the Evergreem Cemetery, Britt. Flag presentation was by the Britt Honor Guard. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Bert Junior Sankey, the son of Bert and Clara (Warmbier) Sankey, was born on August 14, 1928, in rural Kossuth County. He attended country schools and graduated from the Algona High School. After graduation, Bert went to Coe College where he lettered in football. In July of 1948, Bert enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and was stationed in Memphis, Tennessee. On December 28, 1948, he married Violet Hassebrock at the Kamrar Presbyterian Church. The couple was transferred to Alameda, California until 1951 when Bert finished his hitch with the Navy. They lived in Algona, Humboldt and Renwick while Bert worked at many implement dealerships. The couple moved to Britt in 1961, where he continued working at the implement dealership. In the mid-1960s, Bert worked in Titonka with his brother-in-law at Schmidt Plumbing where he learned the trade. He opened Sankey Plumbing and Heating in the late 1960s in Britt, later selling it to Chuck Conway. Bert opened Sankey Oil in Britt in 1971, which he owned and operated until his retirement. Bert took care of a lot of people throughout his life. Not only the customers he served but also his children, grandchildren, his wife whom he loved very much and his beloved dog, Daisy. He was a member of the Masons and Am Vets.

Bert is survived by his wife, Violet; two sons, Michael Sankey and his wife, Karen of Algona and William Sankey and his wife, Vicky of Forest City; five grandchildren, Robert Sankey, Joshua Sankey and his wife, Diana, Jenna (Sankey) Gaskill and her husband, Scott, William K. Sankey and Jacob Sankey; and his sister, Lavon Lindhorst and her husband, Ralph of Algona. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Doris Rasmussen and Thelma Schmidt.

March 1, 2006
The Garner Leader & Signal, Iowa