James A. Honken

September 15, 2010

James A. Honken, 73, of Steamboat Rock and formerly of Titonka, passed away on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the care center in Grundy Center.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 18, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ewing Funeral Home in Britt, with Pastor Lee Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt, after the memorial service.

James Allen Honken, the son of Alvin and Lillian (Moe) Honken, was born on December 16, 1936 in Titonka, Iowa.  He attended the Titonka Public School.  He served in the United States Army from January 13, 1955 to December 13, 1957. Jim married Marvea Hamilton on January 30, 1969 and from this union four children were born, Jeffrey, Matthew, Dustin and Alyssa.

He was also married to Carol Peters and from this union, one child was born, Ann.

Jim was an active boilermaker throughout his life and belonged to the Boilermakers Union. Jim loved his home in Steamboat Rock. He was very good at carpentry and fixing up his house. Jim loved gardening and watching his favorite television show, JAG. Grandchildren were a very important part of his life.

Left to cherish Jim’s memory are sons, Jeffrey and Dustin and daughters, Alyssa and Ann; 11 grandchildren; and one brother, David Honken and wife, Nancy; and two nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and infant son, Matthew.

Wilma Grifhorst

September 15, 2010

Wilma Grifhorst, 90, of Britt, passed away of cancer on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 3, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation was held on Thursday, September 2, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and continued one hour prior to the services at the church.

Wilma was born on October 7, 1919 in Kanawha, to William and Sophia (Kothenbeutel) Brand and graduated from the Kanawha High School. On December 26, 1941, she was united in marriage to Richard M. Grifhorst. Wilma and Dick worked at the Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Chicago during World War II. In 1946, they moved to Wesley and operated the Grifhorst Drug Store. In 1950, they built a new home in Britt and shared ownership of the Lee and Grifhorst Drug Store in Britt. In 1973, it became Grifthorst Drug, which Dick and Wilma operated until 1991.

Wilma was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt. She enjoyed many trips with her family, in addition to reading, golfing and bridge.

Left to honor her memory are her children, Lois (Wendell) Harms of Ankeny and Paul of Aurora, Illinois; five precious grandchildren, B.J. Grifhorst of Tempe, Arizona, Kevin (Heather) and great-grandson, Carver of Iowa City, David Grifhorst of Madison, Wisconsin, Major Christopher Kopacek of Enid, Oklahoma and Kimberly (Steve) Peute of Tucson, Arizona; brother, Alvin of Spring Hill, Florida; sister, Erma of Gig Harbor, Washington; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Melvin; husband, Richard in 2002; and her son, Jim in 2008.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Britt United Methodist Church, Hospice of North Iowa or the Britt Family Aquatic Center.

Rudolph Charles Johnson

September 8, 2010

Rudolph Charles Johnson, 89, of International Falls, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Green-Larsen Funeral Chapel in International Falls, Minnesota, on Monday, September 13, from 1-3:00 p.m.

Rudy was born on August 15, 1921 in Britt, to Edward and Hedvig Johnson. He attended high school there, graduating in 1939. He married Evelyn Bieber of Clear Lake in September 1941. They raised two sons, David (Judith) of Grand Rapids, Minnesota and Michael (Carolyn) of Chanhassen, Minnesota. He had four grandchildren, Douglas of Roanoke, Virginia, Stephanie (Tom) Beaudry of Cook, Minnesota, Sharon (Steve) Pennock of Golden Valley, Minnesota and Gary (Jennifer) of Hamburg, Minnesota; eight great-grandchildren, Grace and Murphy Johnson, Kate and Claire Beaudry, Anna and Zach Pennock and Hunter and Cody Johnson.

During World War II, Rudy served with the Navy’s Seabees 18th Special Battalion in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he returned home and learned the plumbing and heating trade. He and his brother, William, were partners in Johnson’s Plumbing and Heating in Britt for 10 years. In 1957, he and Evelyn bought the Sha Sha Resort in International Falls, Minnesota, which they operated for 19 seasons. In the off-season toward the end of their ownership, Rudy renewed his plumbing/pipefitting career, working many area jobs as foreman.  After selling the resort he worked for Shannon’s Plumbing and Heating of International Falls. He retired in 1986.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who will be greatly missed by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Evelyn; sons; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Genevieve) of Britt;  and sister, Ruth (Keith) Palmer of Sac City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Hedvig; and brother, William. 

Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com. Arrangements are with the Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.