Orville Fred Wood Jr. was born on July 30, 1949, in Indianola, Iowa, and passed away on May 19, 2026, at the Central Iowa VA Hospital in Des Moines. He was known as “Junior,” by many local family and friends as he grew up on the family farm in New Virginia. He was an Iowa farm boy who lived a humble life defined by hard work, a love of family, faith, and country, and perseverance in times of adversity. He had a distinct sense of humor and cleverness, and loved being outdoors, oftentimes fishing and hunting.

In 1967, Junior completed his high school education at Interstate-35. He then attended DMACC, earning a degree in electronics. He met his loving wife of 41 years, Sandy Sautter, of Carlisle. Sandy loved to call him by his middle name, “Fred.” They became engaged in December 1969. During their engagement, Orville Fred Wood Jr. served his country overseas during the Vietnam war in the United States Army. Fred and Sandy were married on August 21, 1971 and together they raised two little blonde-haired and much-loved girls; Marcy and Jackie.

Fred retired from ESCO Automation in 2015. During his retirement, he could be found spending time at the farm. He also liked reading books, watching old Westerns, and volunteering for the Helping Hand of Indianola. He enjoyed special trips to Minnesota, spending time with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Randy and Kathy Sautter. Fred travelled with both of his daughters on Eastern Iowa Honor Flight 39 to Washington DC in 2021. His granddaughter Valerie’s elementary class had written letters for every veteran on the flight, the first one following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Orville Fred Wood Jr. will be greatly missed by his daughters, Marcy Wood and Jackie Kollasch; granddaughter, Valerie Kollasch; son-in-law, Tony Kollasch; brother, Steve Wood; sister, Patricia Niebes; brother-in-law, Randy Sautter; and many much-loved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Fred will also be missed by his fiancé Becky Hall and her family, who he spent time with during the last year while he resided at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny

Preceding him in death were his wife, Sandy Sautter Wood; granddaughter, Emma Jacqueline Wood; parents, Orville and Ruth Wood; parents-in-law, Neil and Norma Sautter; sister, Karen Wood; sisters-in-law, Connie Wood and Kathy Sautter; and brother-in-law, Bill Niebes.

Family will receive friends at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola on Friday, May 29, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Fred’s memory to Kiya Koda Humane Society.