April 2010


	North Central Iowa Genealogical Society Box 237 Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Butler
County
Iowa
including
Allison & Clarksville

Butler County
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Allison, IA 50602

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Clarksville, IA 50619

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The NCIGS Butler County Archive

M. Reid Rhoads

M. Reid Rhoads, 94, of Davenport, Iowa, died peacefully on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Community United Methodist Church in Clarksville. Burial was in Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville. Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Reid was born in 1915 in Clarksville, Iowa, the oldest child of M. Clair and Alice L. Rhoads. He was a 1932 graduate of Clarksville High School, attended the University of Iowa, graduated from the Hamilton School of Commerce and became a Certified Public Accountant.

Reid married M. LaVonne Pulis on November 12, 1940 in Washington D.C. In the next two years, they moved 13 times following the work during the war years. He began a career as an agent with the IRS, eventually settling in Waterloo, Iowa for 18 years. In 1960, he began a new career as a partner and tax specialist with McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn and Company (McGladrey & Pullen). Reid retired in 1980.

Reid always put his family first and was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He had an inquisitive mind and was widely read, was a very active (as long as he was able) member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, a member of Rotary Club, the University of Iowa I Club, several professional organizations and enjoyed helping various charities.

He leaves behind his wife, LaVonne; his two daughters, V. Jan Jorgenson (Bill) Ibsen of Windsor Heights, IA, and Peggy (Gilbert) Lilly of Westfield, IA; step-grandchildren, Christine (Scott) Laube of Indianola, IA and Stewart Ibsen of Des Moines, IA; step-great-grandson, Elijah; sister, Dell Poland of Clarksville, IA; brother, Richard Rhoads of San Rafael, CA; several nephews, nieces and a cousin, Yosonda Broughton of Sun City West, AZ.

He also leaves his good neighbors, John, Jack and especially Mike who have been so kind, helpful and generous these last few years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond, a sister, Jeri French, sisters-in-law, Eleanor Rhoads and Mary Lou Pulis, brothers-in-law, Richard Poland, Joseph French and Harold Pulis, three nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Online condolences may be expressed to Reid’s family by visiting his obituary at www.WeertsFH.com.

Elvin G. Wiese

Elvin G. Wiese, age 82, of Parkersburg, died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, from natural causes.

Funeral Services were held Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Reformed Church of Stout, Stout, Iowa, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family. On-line condolences may be left at www.redman-schwartz.com.

Pearl Marie Fisher

Pearl Marie Fisher, 84, went home to be with her Lord Friday, March 26, 2010. Pearl was born on January 5, 1926, to Reuben and Elsie Corderman Lore.

She graduated from Clarksville High School in 1944. She then attended Open Bible Institute in Des Moines. She was married September 6, 1947, to Robert Fisher. They raised two children in Ankeny, Iowa.

Pearl is survived by her son Robert (Diane) Fisher of Urbandale, and daughter Marie (Gary) Robbins of Finleyville, Pennsylvania; sisters Irene (Jack) Fisher, Des Moines; Lelia (Jim) Norton, Clarksville, and Viola Kearbey, Ankeny; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a stillborn son, Eddy Ray, two brothers Floyd and Evan Lore, and a sister, Betty Irish.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 29, in Des Moines.

Eugene Schilling

Eugene Schilling, age 80, of Webster, Wisconsin, died Friday, April 9, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Spooner, Wisconsin on April 6, 2010.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville, (319) 278-4245 is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for Eugene at www.redman-schwartz.com.

Mark V. Miller

Mark V. Miller, 50, of Allison, Iowa, passed away April 4, 2010, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

He was born on May 30, 1959, in Charles City, Iowa, to LeRoy and Janis (Allan) Miller. Mark graduated from Allison-Bristow High School. He was united in marriage to Tammy VanHeiden on August 28, 1992, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Mark worked as a tractor technician for the Sumner Implement.

He was a member of the NWTF and the St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. Mark was a past member of the archery club in Waverly, the Allison Jaycee’s, was a past president of the St. James Lutheran Church council and was a previous EMT for Allison. Mark was an AVID bow hunter of deer and turkey. He enjoyed carpentry, drawing, mowing lawns and riding his motorcycle.

Mark is survived by his wife: Tammy Miller of Allison; daughters: Mandi (Andy) Cornstuble of Norfolk, Virginia and Kali (Shawn) DeBoer of St. Paul, Minnesota; step-daughter: Allie Fecht of Cedar Falls; son: Ty Miller of Allison; grandchildren: Payton, Ainsley, Natalie and Quinn Cornstuble; siblings Randy (Di) Miller, Rick (Marlene) Miller, Russ (Glenda) Miller, Brenda (John) Miller, Ted (Tina) Miller and Tod (Sandi) Miller; mother: Janis Miller of Allison; five special dogs: Rocky, Norman, Felix, Sally and Keeley and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father LeRoy Miller.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, April 7, at the St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. Rev. Jeffrey A. Blank officiated the service.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Allison was in charge of arrangements.

M. LaVonne Rhoads

M. LaVonne Rhoads, 92, of Davenport, Iowa, died peacefully on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

LaVonne was born in 1917 in Clarksville, Iowa, the daughter of Harley S. and Cora Pulis. She was a 1934 graduate of Clarksville High School. LaVonne worked for the telephone company in Clarksville following graduation. She married M. Reid Rhoads on November 12, 1940 in Washington D.C. She established many homes for them as they moved 13 times in the next two years. While they lived in Iowa Falls, LaVonne worked for a veterinarian until the birth of their first child, Jane. They eventually settled in Waterloo, Iowa for 12 years, then in 1960 moved to Davenport, Iowa.

She was a loving wife and mother and a hardworking homemaker in the best sense of the word. LaVonne was a good cook, an excellent baker and a talented seamstress. Home was always a happy, loving, and welcoming place for her family and their friends.

LaVonne gave generously of her time and talents to her children’s schools and activities, to the church and community through the St. John’s United Methodist Church Women, was a 25 year volunteer working thousands of hours with St. Luke’s (Genesis East) Auxiliary, a member of TTT, Chapter DZ, and King’s Daughters. She and Reid also belonged to the Davenport Dance Club and enjoyed playing 500 with a group of friends that met for over 40 years.

She leaves behind her two daughters, V. Jane Jorgenson (Bill) Ibsen of Windsor Heights, IA, and Peggy (Gilbert) Lilly of Westfield, IA; step-grandchildren, Christine (Scott) Laube of Indianola, IA and Stewart Ibsen of Des Moines, IA; step-great-grandson, Elijah; sister-in-law, Dell Poland, Clarksville, IA; brother-in-law, Richard Rhoads, San Rafael, CA; nephews, nieces, great and great-great- nephews and nieces, and a cousin Mark Pulis, Cedar Falls, IA.

LaVonne also leaves her good neighbors, John, Jack and especially Mike who have been so kind, supportive, helpful and generous these last few years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reid, on March 13, 2010; her parents; a brother, Harold Pulis; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Pulis, Eleanor Rhoads, and Jeri French; brothers-in-law, Raymond Rhoads, Richard Poland, and Joseph French; three nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins, including a special cousin Gordon Graham who was raised with her family as a brother after the death of his parents.

Funeral services were held Sunday, April 11, 2010, at the Community United Methodist Church in Clarksville. Burial was in Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed to LaVonne’s family by visiting her obituary at www.WeertsFH.com.

Elden Allen Reisetter

Elden Allen Reisetter, 79, of Des Moines, passed peacefully at the Veteran’s Administration Living Center on Thursday, April 1st, 2010.

Elden was born in Hampton, IA on March 31, 1931, baptized and confirmed in Allison’s St. James Lutheran Church. He graduated from Allison High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Wartburg College and a Master’s Degree in music from the University of Iowa.

Following his service with the United States Army Band, he taught instrumental music in Iowa’s Dumont, Garner, and Johnston schools.

As an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for 26 years, Elden sang baritone in the choir, participated in Bible study and read scriptures at Sunday services. He also donated time with the Gideons of Iowa.

An enthusiastic performer, he was recognized for more than 50 years of entertaining audiences with the River City and Pride of Iowa Barbershop Choruses. He also kept the rhythm alive playing string bass in numerous bands, most recently the Johnston Station Jazz Band.

Constantly in motion, he ran the Iowa Classic Dam to Dam 20k 15 times, finished the Des Moines marathon in 4:19:00 (in pouring rain), achieved a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 72, and followed that with an international pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

James Randall Reed

Funeral services for James Randall Reed, 64, formerly of Greene, were held Monday, April 19, 2010, at Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. in Greene, with Pastor Ben Hartwick officiating. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene, with Military Honors conducted by Tack-Barnett Post 268 American Legion of Greene.

James Randall Reed was born August 15, 1946, in Greene, Butler Co., Iowa, a son of Donald Garfield and Eleanor Elaine (Flora) Reed and died Friday, April 16, 2010, at his residence in Walcott, Iowa.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the James Randall Reed Memorial Fund 1003 N. Kentucky, Mason City, IA 50401.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene. www.reidsfuneralchapel.com.

Beatrice Rosella Schuknecht

Funeral services for Beatrice Rosella Schuknecht, 90, of Greene, were held Wednesday, April 21, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene with Rev. Msgr. Walter Brunkan officiating. Burial was in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Greene.
Beatrice Rosella Albrecht was born February 11, 1920, daughter of Joseph Paul and Ethel Irene (Crosby) Albrecht and died Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Liebe Care Center in Greene.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Beatrice R. Schuknecht Memorial Fund, 12059 Camp Comfort Road, Greene, IA 50636.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene, Iowa. 641-823-4457 www.reidsfuneralchapel.com.

Richard Allen “Rik” Ebner

Richard Allen “Rik” Ebner, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri and formerly of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, died at his home on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Rik was born on November 28, 1970, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard Dale and Anne Elizabeth (Sunday) Ebner. He was baptized on January 3, 1971 and confirmed in May of 1986 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Rik attended McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He then attended Job Corps Center in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and Empire Beauty School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he received his certificate in cosmetology. Rik then attended the Belleville Community College where he received his A.A. in Philosophy. In 1999 he graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, with a B.A. in Philosophy. Rik then taught at the Community College in Carbondale while also working on his Masters in Philosophy.
Rik most recently worked as a Security Guard for entertainment venues and music festivals with B. and D. Security in St. Louis.

He was stage manager for the band “Vitamen A” and was their biggest supporter. He volunteered at TOCO (Tapestry of Community Offerings), where he assisted the band in raising funds and awareness for children and families in need in the St. Louis area, and was currently the manager of TNT Design in St. Louis.
In his spare time Rik enjoyed listening to Grateful Dead music and spending time with his dogs Boo and Sassafras. He was a motorcycle enthusiast; loved to cook; and enjoyed nature and the outdoors. His two favorite spots were his father’s cabin in Northern Pennsylvania and the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

Rik is survived by his mother; Rev. Anne Sunday of Clarksville, Iowa; his father, Richard (Kate) Ebner of Myerstown, Pennsylvania; his loving partner of six years, Ashley Gumz of Waterloo, Illinois; one brother, Dale (Jodi) Ebner of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; his maternal grandparents, James and Mary Sunday of Grinnell, Iowa; and many many friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; Wes and Jenny Ebner.

Service of Remembrance and Celebration will be held on May 2, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Church of Christ – Pleasant Valley, rural Clarksville, Iowa, with Pastor Charles L. Dorsey officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. There will be no public visitation as Rik’s body has been cremated. The family will greet friends on May 2nd from 2:00 p.m. until services at 3:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First United Church of Christ, 31015 150th Street, Clarksville, Iowa, 50619. Online condolences for Rik may be left at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is assisting the family.

Eugene Richard Schilling

Eugene Richard Schilling, age 80, of Webster, Wisconsin and formerly of Clarksville, Iowa, was born May 9, 1929, the son of William Gottleib and Meta Schott Schilling in Clarksville, Iowa. He received his education in a school near his home.

Eugene enlisted in the United States Army on September 5, 1946, and served overseas in Japan during World War II as an Infantry Rifleman. He was honorably discharged on December 20, 1947. He later worked as a foreman for the John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo, Iowa, retiring on August 31, 1983 after 30 years.

Eugene loved feeding his hummingbirds every year and waited with anticipation for their arrival in the spring around the time of his birthday. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing in his younger years and more recently watching movies on TV. Perhaps one of his greatest joys was time spent with family and friends. Gene also enjoyed spending time on the computer and was most noted for his keen sense of humor.
Eugene died Friday, April 9, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Spooner, Wisconsin on April 6, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, a sister, a brother-in-law, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Eugene is survived by five children: Merle Schilling, Dunkerton, Iowa; Linda (Jim) Brown, Chester, South Carolina; Michael (Alla) Schilling, Waterloo, Iowa; Patti (Danny) Short, Richmond, Kentucky; Kim Gade, Blue Mound, Kansas; his former spouse, Margaret (Richard) Miller, Waverly, Iowa; 20 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and many, many friends.

Graveside Services were held at Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville. Full Military Honors were conducted by the Clarksville AMVET’s Post #30.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Eugene Schilling.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville was in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.redman-schwartz.com.

Wanda M. Bates

Wanda Izetta (Molsberry) Bates, age 95, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.
She was born in Clarksville, Iowa, on January 11, 1915, the daughter of Malon Bion Molsberry and Rosetta (Davis) Molsberry. She attended Clarksville schools and graduated from Iowa State University in Ames in 1938 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics Education.

Mrs. Bates taught Home Economics in Iowa schools for seven years at Superior Township Consolidated School at Superior and at Spirit Lake and Jefferson High Schools.

In 1942, she married Dr. Herbert T. Bates, a Professor of Chemical Engineering. They lived in Cleveland, OH, and Lincoln, NE, before moving to Manhattan, KS, in 1958.

Mrs. Bates was a secretary and word processing typist in the Department of Biochemistry at Kansas State University for eighteen years. She was a published writer and a member of Kansas Authors Club, Manhattan Writers, Manhattan Literature Club, KSU Social Club and the First United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and an active member of United Methodist Women.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers: Chester, Mahlon, and Gordon Molsberry, and three sisters: Hazel Molsberry, Bess Wissink, and Iris Marple.

Mrs. Bates is survived by a son, Rodney Bates and his wife Candace Sherman of Strong City, KS, daughter Wanda “Beth” (Bates) Lowe and husband Thomas Lowe, of Lawrence, KS, grandson David Bates and wife Amber of the Marshall Islands, granddaughter Ellen (Lowe) McNellis and husband Michael McNellis of Mesa, AZ, grandsons: Russell Lowe of Dallas, TX and Brian Lowe and wife October Strange of Lawrence, KS, and 2 great-grandchildren, Allison McNellis and Connor McNellis of Mesa, AZ.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, with Reverend Nancy J Kollhoff officiating. Interment followed in the Sunrise Cemetery.

On-line condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website located at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorial gifts may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, KS or to the KSU Foundation for scholarships in the Department of Biochemistry, or to the Clarksville, IA Public Library. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Wayne M. Vossberg

Wayne M. Vossberg, 78, of Plainfield, died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

Wayne was born December 26, 1931, the son of Henry and Clara (Gergens) Vossberg. He graduated from Finchford High School in 1950. On June 1, 1952, he was united in marriage to Olive Laughery in Waverly. The couple farmed together their entire working lives.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 57 years; two daughters, Marilyn (Terry) Norton of Clarksville, Deb (Ed) Willert of Shell Rock; five sons, Steve (Sue) of Storm Lake, Doug (Patti) of Kasson, Minnesota, Keith (Angie) of Shell Rock, Ken (Jodi) of Waverly, Richard (Mary) Lake View; 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren with three more on the way; one brother, Bob (Faye) of Shell Rock; and his beloved dog, Cole. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother Clarence in 1960, and one grandchild Jamie.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 26, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church-Western Douglas with burial in the Horton Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family or donor’s choice and on-line condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements.

Marveleen Fae Eiklenborg

Marveleen Fae Eiklenborg, age 80, of Aplington, Iowa, died on April 15, 2010, from complications of cancer.

Funeral Services were held Monday, April 19, 2010 at the First Reformed Church in Aplington with Pastor Harlan De Jong officiating. Burial was held in the Pleasant View Cemetery in rural Aplington.

Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Jack L. Richard

Jack L. Richard, 77, of Stewartville, Minnesota, passed away April 19, 2010, at his home in Stewartville, Minnesota. He was born on December 10, 1932, in Aredale, Iowa, to Walter C. and Margaret (Ritter) Richard. Jack graduated from Dumont High School. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Jack was united in marriage to Beverly White on May 10, 1953, at the Evangelical Church in Aredale, Iowa. He worked for Richard Brother’s Tiling in Aredale for three years and then he worked as a cabinet maker for several establishments including, OC Huston & Son in Hampton for four years, Artley Cabinets in Hampton for twenty three years, Toca Woodcraft in Rochester, Minnesota for five years and Alexander Cabinets which later became L&L Cabinets in Rochester for five years.
Jack was a member of the American Legion and a previous member of the United Methodist Church in Hampton. He enjoyed playing municipal baseball in Aredale and High School baseball in Dumont. Jack also enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, sports and woodworking. His greatest joy was spending time with those he loved at family gatherings.

Jack is survived by his wife Beverly Richard of Stewartville, Minnesota, brother Leon (Verlane) Richard of Theodosia, Missouri, uncle Jeane Richard, aunt Kathryn Richard and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Margaret Richard, maternal grandparents John and Letha Ritter and paternal grandparents Ed and Bessie Richard.

Funeral services were held Friday, April 23, at the New Hope Parish of the United Methodist Church in Aredale. Burial took place in the Harlan Cemetery in rural Dumont. Pastors Rick Scott and Peter Skogerbo officiated the service. Organist was Jeanette Collins. Pallbearers were Phil Richard, Rich Von Krog, Al Buseman, Tom Aronhalt, Lowell Jones, and Larry Laures. Honorary Pallbearers Beryl Richard, Don Jones, Lew Huff, Melvin Ayers, Don Dolash, and Jerry Christensen. Military services were provided by the Dumont American Legion.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Homes were in charge of arrangements.

Herman A. Schneiderman

Herman Antone Schneiderman, age 88, of Parkersburg, Iowa, died Friday, April 23, 2010, at his home in Parkersburg of natural causes.

Funeral Services were held Monday, April 26, 2010, at the First Congregational Church, Parkersburg, Iowa. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Iowa with Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home, Parkersburg, in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be left at www.redman-schwartz.com.