Bert J. Sankey, 77, of Britt passed away Friday, February 17, 2006, at Mercy
Medical Center - North Iowa in Mason City.
Bert Junior Sankey, the son of Bert and Clara (Warmbier) Sankey, was born on
August 14, 1928 in rural Kossuth County. He attended country schools and
graduated from Algona High School. After graduation, Bert went to Coe College
where he lettered in football.
In July of 1948, Bert enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and was stationed in
Memphis, Tennessee. On December 28, 1948, he married Violet Hassebrock at the
Kamrar Presbyterian Church. The couple was transferred to Alameda, California
until 1951 when Bert finished his hitch with the Navy. The lived in Algona,
Humboldt and Renwick while Bert worked at many implement dealerships. The
couple moved to Britt in 1961 where Bert continued working at the implement
dealership.
In the mid-1960's, Bert worked in Titonka with his brother-in-law at Schmidt
Plumbing where he learned the trade. He opened Sankey Plumbing and Heating in
the late 1960's in Britt later selling in to Chuck Conway. Bert opened Sankey
Oil in Britt in 1971, which he owned and operated until his retirement.
Bert took care of a lot of people throughout his life. Not only the customers
he served but also his children, grandchildren, his wife whom he loved very much
and his beloved dog Daisy. Bert enjoyed woodworking, fishing, reading and he
loved his pick-up.
He was a member of the Masons and Am Vets.
Bert is survived by his wife, Violet; two sons: Michael Sankey and his wife
Karen of Algona and William Sankey and his wife Vicky of Forest City; five
grandchildren: Robert Sankey, Joshua Sankey and his wife Diana, Jenna (Sankey)
Gaskill and her husband, Scott, William K. Sankey and Jacob Sankey; and his
sister, Lavon Lindhorst and her husband Ralph of Algona.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Doris Rasmussen and
Thelma Schmidt.