Albert Milton Fellows

Albert Milton Fellows, 91, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on November 19, 2024, from congestive heart failure and end-stage kidney disease.

Bert was born on September 15, 1933, to John R. Fellows and Dorothy M. Minteer in Chicago, Illinois. He was the oldest of four children who cared deeply for each other through the years. His siblings included Nancy (Don) Larson of Kirkland, Washington; Linda (Jerry) Siegrist of Waukon, Iowa; and John Robert “Johnny” Fellows. Johnny tragically died in a bonfire when he was only four years old and 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 became a member of the Acacia fraternity and 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 ROTC. Bert and Jan married on February 4, 1956, and "honeymooned" in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where they were stationed. Jan lived with Bert's aunt and uncle during his field training and then together with Bert in a small rental during his subsequent officer training. 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 in Spokane, Washington. At Boise Cascade, he applied what he had learned working for his father at the family lumber yard in Waterville. Bert loved the trade so much he made it a career. He worked for the American Plywood Association and Hercules Adhesives before returning to and retiring from Boise Cascade. He loved the fresh smell of plywood and timber products being made and was instrumental in the development of new glue processes for bonding thin strips of veneer into plywood. Because of his expertise, he was asked to represent the industry in Germany promoting plywood to European markets. He moved to Puyallup, Washington, and later to Boise, Idaho, where his family settled in 1973. As a representative of the timber products industry, he traveled to many amazing places making lifelong friends along the way.

Jens Kruse, a Danish man, was one such friend. Others included Inge, Jorun, Sten, Bitte, and Ulrike, a former Finnish exchange student. Bert had an uncanny ability and desire to keep in touch with family and friends. He had a list of relatives, high school and college friends, teachers, and work connections, which he regularly checked. He would start at the top of his list and attempt to connect with each person before resuming once again at the beginning.

Bert's consulting travels through the years took him to Vietnam, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Australia, and across Europe. Bert spent eight months in Singapore, where he led Boise Cascade’s venture into exotic wood veneers and plywood. After four months on the job, he told his company that he would not stay another month unless his family was able to join him. Shortly thereafter, Janet hopped on a new B-747 with Becky, John, and Cheryl to join her husband. The trip was a treat for the entire family. They saw Singapore shortly after it gained independence and enjoyed the country's gardens, temples, beaches, bartering, and incredible food. A personal favorite was Indian food that was lovingly called “Shamiana” food in honor of his niece and nephew’s Seattle area restaurant. They also visited Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, and Hawaii during that wonderful family adventure.

Bert loved both Waterville and his new “hometown”, Boise, Idaho, where he made the most of the abundant outdoor opportunities. He taught each of his children to ski, float rivers and fish.

In 1976, the family adopted five-year-old Tim. They decided they had more love to give and wanted to help a child that needed an opportunity to succeed in life. Tim quickly became an integral part of his new family and learned new skills like swimming, hunting, and skiing.

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, by Robin Ouren, Bert described the life and times of people he knew growing up in Northeast Iowa. Bert and Jan's children learned much by reading the book, attending family reunions, visiting Iowa, and hearing stories retold. Bert was at the center of many such stories. In his early teens, Bert, unwisely, raised rabbits in a back cabin. Linda recalls having to chase the rabbits all over Waterville after they escaped through a hole in the fence. Another time, Bert dumped a load of lumber while trying to drive up a steep hill in Waterville with his friend Willard Leiran.

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, Arizona, Bert loved to drive through the mountains and go “Jeeping” in the desert. He also enjoyed selling cacti with his friend, Brian, at Mesa's flea market. As a result, Bert became an expert on desert plants.

Bert and Jan picked up tennis in their golden years. They joined various groups and played 3.0 to 3.5-level tennis for decades. Bert quit the game in his mid-eighties after macular degeneration affected his depth perception. The condition also limited his ability to drive and read his favorite W.E.B. Griffin books.

Bert believed in Jesus Christ, His life, and ministry. Though not affiliated with any one denomination, he appreciated all faiths. He found comfort in his small congregation at Fellowship Square, where he loved to sing hymns. He attended a service the Sunday before his death, always encouraging family to attend church even in the hardest of times.

Bert lost his wedding ring (which he rarely removed) a few months before his passing and fretted over its disappearance. Oldest granddaughter Laura finally found it. As she sat with Bert the night before he died, she looked at a nail hook on the wall and noticed a shiny object. She cried as she put the ring on Bert's ring finger. Laura was one of many family members and friends who comforted Bert in his last week. She did much as the only close family member living in the Mesa area by attending to Bert and Jan's needs as they aged.

Bert is survived by his wife and sisters; daughter Rebekah Sue (David) Skelton of Boise, Idaho; son John Robert (Julia) Fellows of Bremen, Alabama; daughter Cheryl Ann (John) Heldt of Henderson, Nevada; and Timothy Alan Fellows of Elko, Nevada. Bert was blessed with ten grandchildren, including Laura Skelton (Jeremy) Opp, Michelle Skelton, Katie Fellows (Zach) Ashcroft, Aly Fellows (Bryant) Giles, Kent (Allie) Fellows, Heidi (Jess) Stott-Heldt, Amy Heldt, Matt (Mikayla) Heldt, Ted (Kayla) Peck, and Jillian Fellows. He is also survived by fifteen great- grandchildren, including Alexis, Hunter, Logan, Henry, Paisley, Eli, Brooks, Hayes, Oliver, Mason, Lucy, Carter, Stella, Ryan, and Eathan. A sixteenth, baby girl Heldt, is due November 29. 

Bert was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and a great-grandson, Douglas Kyle Heldt. He will be greatly missed, but the stories and the love he shared with all of us will continue to be shared with others.

Services will be held in conjunction with Jan’s (upon her passing) in Boise, Idaho at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.