Frankie Meyers

Frankie Dean “Bud” Meyers, 80, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake.  Family will greet friends one hour before the service.  Following the service, there will be a time of sharing memories and a celebration of Bud’s life at Holt Airport Hangar, Mason City Municipal Airport.  Family suggests memorials to Frankie Dean Meyers Memorial Fund.

Bud was born June 9, 1932 in Clear Lake. He was the son of Frank Dean and Beulah (Breuer) Meyers.  He attended Clear Lake High School and was a member of the Class of 1950. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  His unit was one of the first units to receive blue uniforms, but he was not issued black shoes, as they did not have shoes big enough for him. 

Upon the death of his father, he moved back to Clear Lake after serving in the US Air Force, and helped his mother operate Frank’s Café, their family business. This is where he learned to cook.  He later worked at the Ritz as a bartender.  

Bud married Helen Langenfeld April 23, 1955 in Carroll, Iowa.  They operated a nursing home in Clear Lake from 1955-1957.  He then went to work for Nabisco as a route driver.  He worked for Fredriksen Welding for 18 years and learned the art of ornamental design through observation and practice.  For the next few years, Bud drove truck for Kennedy Farms, delivering produce. 

He enjoyed bowling, gardening and canning.  His goal one year was to put up over 1,000 jars, and he came close with over 700 jars. He shared much of this with family and friends. He enjoyed cooking, and was especially known for “Bud’s Chili,” which was enjoyed by many people.  He enjoyed hunting and had made over 35 duck boats. He had a duck shack on the Ventura Marsh.  He was a member of Clear Lake Rifle and Pistol Club and was one of the individuals that helped to start the gun show.  He was a long time member of the Ventura Gun Club and was involved in Iowa State Trap Shoot Association and had shot over 400,000 registered clays.  He enjoyed shooting at The Ventura Gun Club, and at The State and National Trap Shoot level. He was a very accomplished shooter. He was a member of Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Department from 1970-1993. He was the Assistant Chief from 1974, until he retired in 1993. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake and Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board. While on the board, he helped with walleye conservation and restoration projects.  He was a lifetime member of The Amateur Trap Shooting Association, The National Rifle Association and The Iowa Firemen’s Association.   He served on The Board of Directors of Iowa State Trap Shooters Association for 15 years.  

He is survived by his wife, Helen Meyers, Clear Lake; five children, Douglas Dean (Mary Helen) Meyers, Clear Lake, Diane K. (Mark) Holt, Mason City, Randall S. Meyers and special friend, Mary Hankenson, Clear Lake, Donna Meyers and (Jaimi Kiger), Mason City, and Shelly (Jerry) Gardinier, Clear Lake; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Greg) Johnston, San Marcos, Calif., Jonathan Holt and (Rachel Elsbury) Mason City, Kathleen Hartnett & (Steve Everett) Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sarah (Matt) Norris, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Megan Hartnett, and (Tom Budde), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Daniel Hartnett, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Kelli Gardinier, Clear Lake; and three great-grandchildren, Luke James Johnston, Owen Matthew Norris and Will Everett.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Ann Marie Meyers.  

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.