Iva Marie Fann

Iva Marie Britton Fann was born on March 10th, 1929 in Loup County, NE, the youngest daughter of Charles Lemuel “Lem” and Eva Elizabeth (Dye) Britton. She joined a big sister Ila and big brother, Marlin on the family ranch in Taylor, NE. She often told stories of growing up in the sandhills of Nebraska, and especially how much fun it was to come home from Sunday School, put on her old overalls, and go spear fishing with her Dad. She adored her folks and liked spending the evening reading book that were delivered to the ranch monthly by the library system. This love of reading stayed with her all of her adult life, and she was never without a Louis Lamour or a John Grisham novel. Upon graduating from Taylor High School, she began her college studies in Lincoln, NE. it was here she met the father of her children, William “Wild Bill” Fann. They married in 1949, and together they would raise three sons, William, Rex, and Scott . The family traveled around, from Nebraska to Ohio and back again. The family settled in Broken Bow, NE. It was here that Iva worked at Becton Dickinson. She also worked at the Country Club as a waitress and the local diner as a hostess. Where ever she worked, she was the friendliest face in town. She always took the time to talk, asking you about your family and the news of the town. Her signature smile and laughter were welcome where ever she worked. Iva and Bill divorced, and Iva left Nebraska and began her next phase of life as a cook on the gulf and ocean going vessels. This entailed taking helicopters inland to purchase groceries, and the hours were long. That never stopped Iva from enjoying where she was and what was available to her. She was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained injuries that made it necessary for her to start her career yet again. This time, she worked for over 20 years for Sheraton, as the lovely voice that asked you where you were headed and what you needed to make our trip complete. Iva discovered her adventurous side and began to travel and explore. She was so good at this she traveled to the United Kingdom several time, Ireland, Scotland, the European Continent, and South America, always making friends in every location. She loved people and never met a stranger. She could talk to a total stranger like she had known them her entire life. When she wasn’t working, she was round dancing. Over the years she belonged to many dancing clubs and danced at least once every month if not more. She was interested in family genealogy and loved to study up on who did what! Family gatherings were always anticipated, and so were any chance to go out to eat with a group of family or friends. She was always her own person, and remained true to herself. What you had before you was the real deal. She was genuine, spoke her mind freely, loved a good cup of tea, and most of all thought the world of all her family and friends. A Methodist by faith, she devoted countless hours to crocheting for a cause, cooking for a church gathering, and loved to go to services on Sunday morning. Her health began to fade, and in true Iva fashion, she kept that sweet smile and cheerful hello to the very last. The loved ones she longed for came to take her home on Saturday, March 20th, 2021 in Tahlequah, OK. She had just celebrated her 92nd birthday. She will never be forgotten by those of us who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles N and Sarah (Cross) Britton, Perry and Eva Della (Arnold) Dye and her mother and father, Lem and Eva Britton. She also joins her sister, Ila Dunne and her brother, Marlin Arlo Britton, her sister-in-law, Erline Britton and her brother-in-law, John Dunne, as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins and loved ones.

She lives on in her children, Rex Fann and wife Melodye of Park Hill, OK, Bill Fann and wife Maggie of Omaha, NE, and Scott Fann and wife Lynn of La Grange, KY. She leaves four grandsons, two granddaughters, as well as many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones far too numerous to mention here.

Her family would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful, caring personnel of Cherokee County Nursing Center, Good Shepherd, Hospice, and the staff at Dr. Mark Seratt’s office for all the wonderful love and care afforded her when she needed them. As per her wishes, Iva has been cremated and her family will return her to Taylor, Nebraska, to Taylor Cemetery to rest with her family there. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 17th, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Taylor Cemetery in Taylor, NE. In lieu of flowers, the family request you consider a donation to Loup County Public Schools, 608 Williams Street, Taylor, NE, 68879.