Stanley Lem Abkes

Stanley Lem Abkes was born August 19, 1939 in Sibley, Iowa to Theodore Cornelius and Alice Kay [Hayenga] Abkes. He was baptized at the Reformed Church in Sibley. He was three years old when the family moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa. When he was 14 years old he made profession of faith in the Christian Reformed Church. He graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1957 where he participated on the varsity wrestling team. He was employed by John Deere from 1959 until 1964. He married Karen Jacobson Tjarks on June 21, 1967. He went on to work as a flooring subcontractor, and later for Commercial Flooring, retiring after 44 years in the professional flooring business in 2013. Stan had a great love for his wife and family. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, family gatherings, and reunions, and of course his dogs.

Stanley Abkes is survived by his wife: Karen Abkes of Iowa Falls, Iowa; 3 sons: Kim [Jane] Abkes, Richard [Shelly] Abkes, and Leonard Abkes, all of Iowa Falls; one daughter: Alice Abkes of Iowa Falls; four step-sons: Ronnie Tjarks, Gary [Ronda] Tjarks both of Iowa Falls, Doug [Elaine] Tjarks of Indianola, Iowa, and Kevin Tjarks of Buckeye, Iowa; a step-daughter: Shelly [Tom] Hoffman; a brother: Theodore Abkes of Cedar Falls, Iowa; numerous grandchildren; and even more great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Theodore and Alice Abkes; and three brothers: Virgil Abkes, Romaine Abkes, and Gordon Abkes.