Deloris “Dee” Fawkes

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday February 21, 2026, at the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of service in the Celebration Center. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family.

Dee is survived by her 4 sons, Mike (Linda) of San Francisco, CA, Larry (Elizabeth) of Charlottesville, VA, Kurt (Janet) of Naples, FL, Bruce (Lisa) of Crystal Lake, IL, 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Dee is preceded in death by her husband, George, parents, Harry and Ethel (Jordison) Nellis, sister, Shirlee Anderson, and brother, Glenn Nellis.

Deloris Flo Nellis was born on January 9, 1930, in Fort Dodge. She was raised and educated in Fort Dodge, graduating from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1948. After high school she went on to earn her teaching degree at Iowa Teachers College (now UNI) in 1950. Dee obtained her bachelors degree in 1969 from Drake University, and her masters from Iowa State University in 1985.

On December 26, 1950, Dee married George Fawkes, and the couple made their home in Fort Dodge. She taught 2nd grade for Fort Dodge elementary schools for over 30 years retiring in 1995. During her retirement, she was a volunteer for the Blandon Art Museum, Fort Dodge Public Library, and other educational areas, never giving up her love for teaching. Dee was an avid reader, usually having multiple books going at once. She also loved traveling the world with George and attending grandkids special events. Dee was an avid quilter and knitter, once being certified to knit for the Army during WWII. She was a member of the Friendship Haven Art Club.