Fred Short

Fred Short, 86, of Audubon, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Audubon County Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014.

Fred was born in Spencer, Iowa, on Feb. 23, 1928, to Leland and Winifred (Gay) Short. He had two brothers, Larry Miller and Robert Short, and a sister, Margaret (Short) Stacy. On December 17, 1950, he was united in marriage to Jonquil “Joni” (Mitcheltree) Short at First Congregational Church in Spencer.

Fred graduated high school in 1946 and served in the US Army until he was honorably discharged in 1948. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1950. During his career as a county engineer, Fred worked in Palo Alto County, Emmet County and Audubon County. Fred also worked as a new car dealer in Estherville, Iowa, and Shenandoah, Iowa. He was awarded the Iowa Outstanding County Engineering Achievement Award in 1990. Fred retired from Audubon County in 1992 and served as a coordinator and instructor for the Iowa Motor Grader Operator Training Program until 2005.

Fred enjoyed playing golf, watching Iowa State athletics, vacationing in Green Valley, Arizona, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of several civic and community service organizations, including the Jaycees, the Elks, Rotary International, Kiwanis and the Lions. He also served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Estherville and as an elder deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Fred’s “claim to fame” was being voted as the first runner-up in a Lute Olson look-a-like contest in 2002.

Fred is survived by his wife Joni, his six children – Jill (Short) Olson, Debra (Short) Schmidt, Robert Short, Rebecca (Short) Fahey, Thomas Short and Christopher Short – 14 grandchildren and great-grandchild. He is also survived by his nieces, cousins, and sister Margaret.