Albert "Bert" Fellows
Albert “Bert” Milton Fellows, 91, of Mesa, AZ, passed away November 19, 2024, from congestive heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. Services will be held in conjunction with his wife Jan’s (upon her passing), in Boise, ID at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
Bert was born September 15, 1933, to John R. Fellows and Dorothy M. Minteer Fellows in Chicago, IL. His siblings included Nancy (Don) Larson of Kirkland, WA, Linda (Jerry) Siegrist of Waukon, and John Robert “Johnny” Fellows. Johnny tragically died in a bonfire when he was four years old. His death was a painful reminder of the fragility of life.
Bert had many hobbies growing up, including squirrel hunting, fishing, basketball, baseball, and playing the trombone. After graduating from Waterville (Iowa) High School in 1951, he would often bet new acquaintances that he had the smallest graduating class. He rarely lost that bet, as his senior class had only 13 members!
Bert went on to study at Iowa State University. He graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. While in college he met his future wife, Janet Mae Ohlson. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps in 1955, earning his commission through the ROTC program. Bert and Jan were married February 4, 1956. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds boarded a troop ship to Germany where the soldier completed his tour.
Following his service in the military, Bert found work with Boise Cascade, a building and lumber supply company. With Boise Cascade he applied what he’d learned working for his father at the family lumber yard in Waterville. His career took him to the plywood industry, where his expertise in the glue and bonding process of plywood took him to Europe and Asia to sell and promote plywood products.
Bert loved both Waterville and his new “hometown” of Boise, ID, where he made the most of the abundant outdoor opportunities. Bert and Jan had three biological children, and in 1976 the family adopted five-year-old Tim. Tim quickly became an integral part of his new family, learning to love nature, to swim, ski, float rivers, fish and hunt with his siblings.
Bert was a natural storyteller. He loved sharing stories and jokes, particularly ones relating to his small-town Iowa upbringing. As a contributor to “The Town on the Hill, a History of Waterville, Iowa”, written by Robin Ouren, Bert described the life and times of people he knew growing up in northeast Iowa. One of his favorite stories was about the time he and Willard Leiran were bringing a load of lumber up one of Waterville’s steep hills. The load hadn’t been secured, it shifted, and the lumber slid out the back of the truck, causing the truck to be stationary on its back wheels until unloaded!
Bert was the best grandpa! His grandkids and great-grandkids lovingly called him Grandpa Tractor because he towed them around his yard in Boise in a small trailer attached to his John Deere lawn tractor. After moving to Mesa, Bert loved to drive through the mountains and go “jeeping” in the desert. He also enjoyed selling cacti with his friend, Brian, at the Mesa Flea Market. Bert and Jan picked up tennis in their golden years and enjoyed playing into their 80s.
Bert believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He found comfort in his small congregation at Fellowship Square, where he loved to sing hymns. It was with them he attended services the Sunday before his death.
Bert is survived by his wife and sisters; his children, Rebekah Sue (David) Skelton, John Robert (Julia) Fellows, Cheryl (John) Heldt, and Timothy Alan Fellows. Bert was blessed with ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents; his brother; and a grandson, Douglas Kyle Heldt. He will be greatly missed, but the stories and the love he shared with all will continue to be shared with others.
