Annie Smidt

June 20, 2012

Annie Smidt, 97, of Britt, died on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m., at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha, with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt at 1:30 p.m. Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 12, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and continued one hour prior to the services at the church in Kanawha.

Annie L. Smidt, the daughter of Ludwig and Lena (Heerkes) Smidt, was born on March 22, 1915, on the family farm Southeast of Britt. She attended country schools and began helping on the family farm when finished with her education. Annie stayed on the farm, caring for her parents, sister Alice, brothers Emmo and George and her uncle Ben Heerkes. When George passed away in 1986, Annie decided it was time to move to Britt. She built her home and stayed there for the next 25 years.

Annie was a member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church. She enjoyed having her pets on the farm, gardening, cooking, canning, word searches and bird watching. Annie especially loved visits from her family and was always interested in all of their activities.

Annie is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Emmo, Ole, George, Henry, Louie and Anton Smidt; sisters, Alice Smidt and Sena Sweers; and uncle, Ben Heerkes.

The Ewing Funeral Chapel of Britt, was in charge of the arrangements.

James A. Diehl

June 20, 2012

James A. Diehl, 77, of Forsyth, Missouri, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2012, suddenly at his home.

A celebration service honoring James A. Diehl, will be held on Saturday, June 23, at the Dayton Methodist Church, Dayton, Iowa. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., with services at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch. Burial service will be at 4:00 p.m., in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt.

James Arnold Diehl, was born on March 21, 1935 at Curlew, Iowa. He was the son of Henry Orville and Bonnie (Eklund) Diehl. James attended school at Britt and graduated with the class of 1953. Following graduation he attended the University of Iowa Henry Africa Linotype School. On November 20, 1953, James was united in marriage to Darlene Faye Knudson at the Britt United Methodist Church. James and Darlene purchased the Dayton Review Newspaper on July 1, 1961. The Diehls published the newspaper for 40 years and retired to Forsyth in 2001.

James served on the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department and the Dayton Rodeo and Celebration Committee for 20 years. James was also a member of the Dayton Community Club, Dayton Country Club, Dayton Development Group and for many years covered activities in the communities of Boxholm, Burnside, Dayton, Harcourt, Lehigh, Pilot Mound and Stratford.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene of Forsyth, Missouri; children, Kevin and Janis Diehl of Dayton, Brian and Lori Diehl of Mason City, Kathi Divine of Springfield, Missouri and Jon Diehl of Fort Dodge; daughter-in-law, Crystal (Tom) Hathaway of Britt; sister, Myrtle Strayer of Algona; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A son, Craig Diehl, preceded James in death.

The Forsyth Whelchel Funeral Chapel, Forsyth, Missouri, is in charge of the arrangements.