Fred M. Bunce age 94, died on Dec 26, 2018 at Bethany Manor, in Story City, Iowa. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Wed. Jan. 9, 2019 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, with a 11:00 a.m. Thur. Jan. 10, funeral service at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave Ames. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Fred Melvin Bunce, Jr. was born on March 3, 1924 in Valley Junction, Iowa (currently West Des Moines) to Helen Irene (Webster) Bunce and Fred Melvin Bunce, Sr. Fred's parents divorced when he was 8 years old and he and his sister Phyllis Jean lived with their maternal grandparents, Nellie and Dennis Webster while their mother worked. Fred graduated from Valley High School in 1941 and was involved in chorus, band (tenor sax) and basketball. After graduation, Fred worked as an errand boy for Riggs Optical in Des Moines, Iowa and was promoted to on-the-job training to make eyeglasses and become an optician. On January 23, 1943, Fred received his notice for induction into the Army and proudly served his country for 3 years, 18 months of which he served as Supply Sergeant in a "MASH" Hospital Unit in the Philippines. Returning home in January 1946, he met the love of his life, Virginia Ripley, at a church potluck by setting his plate down next to hers and asked to walk her home. Fred and Virginia were married on July 24, 1946, in West Des Moines, Iowa where they lived and started their family. Fred was hired by the House of Vision in March of 1950 and in 1954 was promoted to be manager of the newly opened House of Vision in Ames, located in the Sheldon Munn Hotel. In 1967, Fred received a call from Des Moines Savings and Loan asking him if he would consider changing careers. On July 1, 1967, Fred became the manager and loan officer for the Ames Branch of Des Moines Savings and Loan (Midland Financial and now currently Bank of the West). Fred retired in February of 1986. Fred's retirement only lasted one year and in 1987 he became the Iowa/Nebraska District Secretary for Kiwanis. Fred and Virginia were successful managers and organizers for this organization with record numbers attending regional conventions, international trips and just overall good times. They had the good fortune to visit many countries through their association with Kiwanis International. Fred and Virginia retired from their Kiwanis duties in 2000. Kiwanis was a very important aspect of Fred's life. Fred was always the first flipper at Kiwanis Pancake days! He was honored at a Kiwanis meeting for his 60 years of perfect attendance in 2016. Fred also sang in the Golden K Singers.
Kiwanis was not the only thing close to Fred's heart - he was an ISU Cyclone through and through. Upon moving to Ames, he held season football and men's basketball tickets. He supported the Cyclones through thick and thin. He was one of the founders of the Ames Chamber of Commerce Cyclone Club. The Cyclone Club found an old fire truck which they painted Cardinal and Gold for the VEISHEA Parades.
Fred not only supported the Iowa State Cyclones, he also supported Ames High athletics. He and Virginia were known for hauling a carload of high school girls to out of town games. Fred also served for 20 years as the "voice of the Little Cyclones" as the PA announcer for all of the Ames High School football and basketball games from 1967-1987. For this service, Fred received an Honorary Alumnus Award from Ames High School in 1993.
Fred was very involved in the Ames Community, serving as the President of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, Noon Kiwanis and Golden K Kiwanis Clubs, Kiwanis District Governor, Cyclone Club.
Fred lovingly nursed Virginia through her 13 year battle with breast cancer and she passed away in March 2002. Six months after her death, Fred was at a dinner in Alleman and "ran into a gal" (from Sheldahl), that he had dated prior to going into the Army in the 1940s. After dating, he and Dorothy Trumbull Perrier decided to "elope" on May 5, 2005 (a date easy for Fred to remember).
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; second wife, Dorothy, his sister, Phyllis Rodine; his parents and grandparents.
Fred is survived by his three daughters, Sharon Boen, Susan Fraser and Sandy Popelka (David). He is also survived by grandchildren Timothy Hanway (Cheryl), Michelle Hanway Thurman (Walter), Nichol Fraser Lyftogt (Jason), Tyler Fraser (Jennifer), Kristofer Popelka (Dawn), and Kraig Popelka, 13 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be forwarded to the First United Methodist Church or Kiwanis International.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com