Rose Kane

Rose, Mrs. Virgil Kane, 82, a former resident of 506 8th Ave., Charles City, died Thursday morning, Dec. 27, at the Riverside Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

A Funeral Mass for Rose Kane will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. The Rev. Msgr. Stanley J. Hayek, pastor, will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the Sunnyside Memory Gardens south of Charles City.

Visitation will continue Monday morning at the church an hour prior to the Mass.

Rose Margaret Pickar Kane was born Jan. 11, 1919, at Mayhew Lake, Minn., the daughter of John and Lena (Haus) Pickar. She received her education in the North Washington schools and on May 18, 1943, she and Virgil J. Kane were married in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. She worked at the Waller Printing Co., helped her husband in the Coast to Coast Store until 1971, and then worked for Don Blonigen at the Cedar OK Hardware for 10 years.

She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Rosary Society, the V.F.W. Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved to cook and took pride in a neat home as well as in her flowers.

Living family members include two sons, Dan and Jan Kane of Knox, Ind., and John Kane of Fort Worth, Texas; there are seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Beverly Pickar of Dysart, and Patrick and Virginia Pickar of Waterloo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Virgil in 1986, and a brother.

Lewis "Stub' Hatzky

CEDAR FALLS - Lewis "Stub' C. Hatzky, 85, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 28, 2001, at the Medical Center of Plano in Plano, Texas, of natural causes.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at the Little Brown Church, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, both located in Nashua. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Chenoweth & Son Funeral Home in Nashua. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Lewis "Stub' C. Hatzky was born Feb. 23, 1916, in Floyd County to parents Albert and Margaret (Osterman) Hatzky. He married Florence Dietz on Jan. 20, 1946, at the Little Brown Church.

Lewis Hatzky served in the military with the United States Army, and retired from Rath Packing Company in 1978.

Living family members include his wife Florence Hatzky of Cedar Falls; two children, Ronald Hatzky of Garnavillo and Linda Hartzell of McKinney, Texas; one brother, Merle Hatzky of Nashua; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Julie Hatzky, one step-great-grandson, Douglas Hartzell; his parents and a brother, Stuart Hatzky.

James R. Rex

MARBLE ROCK - Funeral services for James R. Rex, 68, of 1657 270th Street, Marble Rock, were Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at the United Methodist Church in Marble Rock. Pastor Marjorie Bradshaw officiated. Burial was at the Westside Cemetery in Marble Rock.

James Roger Rex was born July 29, 1933 in Union Township, Floyd County, a son of Gordon Roderick and Jennie Leota (Bailey) Rex and died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, at his home in Marble Rock.

He received his education in the Marble Rock Public Schools, graduating in 1951. He became employed for Philip Parcher until he entered the United States Army on Nov. 18, 1953. He served as Combat Construction Specialist Co. A 194th Engineer Battalion. Following his discharge on Sept. 23, 1955, he returned to Marble Rock where he began farming on his own.

He was united in marriage to Betty Lou Lane on March 27, 1954, at the Methodist Church West St. Charles. To this union were born two children: Ricky and Vicky.

Jim's life encompassed his life-long endeavor in being a successful farmer, his family - more especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren - and his community. He was actively involved in farming for over 45 years. His greatest love was operating the combine during the fall harvest.

He will be sadly missed by his four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who will fondly remember those special fishing trips, helping Grandpa on the farm, using fishing poles to fly kites at Easter time and wrestling with Grandpa. He rarely missed a sporting activity in which the grandchildren participated and often times purchased pop for the whole team regardless of whether they won or lost. Jim's other interests included playing card games, traveling and reading the gossip magazines.

Jim's community service included being a member since 1966 and past-president of the Marble Rock Lions Club, board member and past officer of the Marble Rock Community Improvement Association which was started under Jim's leadership on Feb. 14, 1986.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Betty, of Marble Rock, his children and their spouses: Ricky and Darlene of Marble Rock and Vicky and Mike Katcher of Marble Rock; four grandchildren: Laurie and her husband Tom Lensing of Lawler, Joe Rex, Katie Katcher and Matt Katcher, all of Marble Rock; three great-grandchildren; Derick, Darci and Traci Lensing of Lawler; four sisters and their spouses; Kathleen and Mel Schilling of Charles City, Francys and Don Ritter of Mason City, Donna Kolbet of Osage, Connie and Jerome Pitz of Walworth, Wisc., and his mother-in-law; Henrietta Lane of Charles City.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the James R. Rex Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Bonnie Agnitsch

Bonnie Agnitsch, 79, passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2001, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Center in Osage of natural causes.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the Chenoweth & Son Funeral Home, with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery, both located in Nashua. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Bonnie Agnitsch was born July 14, 1922, to Carl and Gladys (Buss) White. She graduated from Luverne High School in Luverne, Minn., in 1940 and was married to Cleatus Agnitsch in Pipestone, Minn., on Nov. 22, 1941.

Living family members include seven children; David of Reno, Nev., Margaret Berens of Charles City, George of Nashua, Mary Licht of Green Island, Thomas of Urbandale, Nancy Agnitsch of Charles City and Brian of Ames; one sister, Betty Pederson of Wilmer, Minn.; 23 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleatus Agnitsch on Feb. 13, 1970; two grandsons, Anthony Berens and Carl Agnitsch, and her parents.

Michael Bullock

GREENE - A Funeral Mass for Michael H. Bullock, 59, of 19647 110th St., Greene, will be held at at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, 2001, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Greene. Military rites will be conducted by the Tack Barnett Post 268 American Legion of Greene.

Michael Bullock died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at Floyd County Memorial Hospital of injuries sustained from a fall while deer hunting.

Reid's Funeral Chapel in Greene was in charge of the arrangements.

Clara "Ma' Parker

EAST OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Clara A. "Ma" Parker, 89, of East Olympia, Wash., died Jan. 1, 2002, at her home of congestive heart failure under Hospice care.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. at Olympic Memorial Funeral Home in Tumwater, Wash. Mr. Carl Hanson, minister, will officiate. The Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash., is in charge of the arrangements.

Clara Bill was born April 17, 1912, in Roanoke, Ill., to Fred and Rosa (Davis) Bill. When she was eight years old her family, which eventually consisted of 16 children, moved to a farm in Iowa. On Oct. 8, 1932, she married Bob G. Parker. They moved to Olympia, Wash., in 1944 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1982. Bob preceded her in death.

Clara was a homemaker and also worked at Briggs Nursery until her retirement. Clara's hobbies were quilting and gardening. She enjoyed traveling and being surrounded by her family and friends. Her greatest joy in her most recent years was playing cards and eating out every Friday night with her family. Clara deeply loved her family and friends and opened her home to anyone in need. She was known by many as "Ma," and filled this role for those who weren't even related to her. In her final days she shared her loving memories of all those who touched her life in so many ways. Ma, we will all miss you and treasure the loving memories we have of you.

She is survived by seven children: Ray Parker, Tom Parker and Dorothy Palmer, all of East Olympia, Wash., Carl Parker of Adna, Wash., Larry Parker of Afton, Wyo., Wes Parker of Kenai, Ark., and Doris Williams of Kasilof, Ark.; 33 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; eight sisters: Elsie Conway, Myrtle Albrecht and Dorothy Logan, all of Greene; Arlene Carr, Freida Hart and Grace Waddell, all of Charles City; Edith Weidner of Houston, Texas, and Violet Klassen of Cherry Valley, Ill.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers: Ernie, Less, Elmer and Harvey Bill; and three sisters: Mae Mackamul, Florence Wells and Lois Bill.

The family requests that any memorial donations be sent to Children's Hospital in Seattle, Wash., or the charity of one's choice. For anyone wishing to send flowers to her services please direct them to: Olympic Memorial Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, WA; phone 360-357-4404.

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January 7 - 13, 2002 

George Wright

George William Wright, 91, formerly of Charles City, died Jan. 1, 2002, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Services were held on Jan. 5th at 9 a.m. at Greenwood Memory Lawn Chapel in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born in Little Cedar on Sept. 19, 1910, and was raised on a farm with his three brothers and four sisters. He put together the first band-radio in the county so he and his brother Harold could listen to the big band music coming from Chicago. The two boys taught themselves to play instruments with George on the sax. They formed their own band in their early years and traveled the Midwest. In 1933, George married Selma Marie Miller and they settled in Charles City. During WWII, George was a test pilot for Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, Minn. They moved to Arizona in 1960 where George was employed by Honeywell/General Electric as an electrical engineer.

He had a love for flying, dancing, ham radio, and was gifted with a musical talent. He was a member of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was a great giver of his time, love and possessions and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was deeply loved by all and those who knew him remember an intelligent, honest and practical man.

He is survived by his wife Selma; one daughter, Donna O'Donnell-Mills, two sisters: Zella Meyer and Verla Young; one brother, Kenneth Wright; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley, Eckstein Center, Scottsdale, AZ.

Hattie Baumgart

MESA, Ariz. -- Hattie B. (Jass) Baumgart, 89, of Mesa, Ariz., died Jan. 5, 2002, at Mesa Lutheran Hospital.

Funeral services were held today, Jan. 8, at Mountain View Chapel, Mesa, Ariz.

Hattie was born on a farm northeast of Garner the daughter of Albert and Helena (Bohn) Jass. On Sept. 20, 1963, she married Fred Baumgart. They travelled Iowa and Minnesota selling for Michael Todd, Inc.

She is survived by a son, Gary and wife Linda Baumgart; three grandchildren of Dallas, Texas; one niece, Violette (Eisberg) Thompson-Rickerl of Charles City; Godchild Jeanne Carls of Coon Rapids, Minn.; a great-niece; a great-nephew; and a special friend, Howard Reko

W. Keith "Ole' Stiles

NORA SPRINGS - W. Keith (Ole) Stiles, 88, of 111 N. Sullivan, Nora Springs, Iowa died Sunday Jan. 6, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at the Shell Rock Valley United Methodist Church, Nora Springs, Iowa with Rev. Richard Pippert and Rev. Terra Amundson officiating.

Graveside services will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City, Iowa, with Military honors by H.D.S. American Legion Post #449, Nora Springs. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, Nora Springs, and then one hour before the service on Thursday at the church. The family suggests memorials to the W. Keith Stiles memorial fund.

Ole was born Sept. 10, 1913 on the family farm rural Rudd, Iowa, the son of William S. and Ruth Anna (Wagner) Stiles. He graduated from Rudd High School in 1931. Following high school he worked for farmers in the area until going to work for the Rudd CO-OP.

Ole married Earla Mae Fletcher on March 15, 1942, in Rockford, Iowa. On August of 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served in the 308 and 374 bomb group stationed in China and India during WW II.

Following the service he came back to Rudd and continued to work for the CO-OP and later as assistant manager until his retirement in 1978, working for a total of 37 years.

Ole married Marjorie Kuhlmeier on Aug. 18, 1984, at the Methodist Church, Nora Springs. They enjoyed spending their winters in Dade City, Fla.

He enjoyed woodworking, playing golf, bowling, gardening, helping his children do repairs on their homes and most of all being with his family.

He was a member of the Shell Rock Valley United Methodist Church, Nora Springs, Iowa, and H.D.S. American Legion Post #449, Nora Springs.

Ole is survived by his wife Marjorie Stiles, Nora Springs.; two daughters Carol Albaugh, Stratford, Conn., and Linda Buchanan and her husband Duane, Rudd; three step daughters Colleen Shanks and her husband Michael, Nora Springs, Diane Conley and her husband John, Supply, N.C., and Connie Kelley and her husband Jerry, Nora Springs.

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January 21 - 27, 2002 

Wanda Schmidtke

Mrs. Wanda (Wilson) Schmidtke, wife of Harold Schmidtke, of Oscoda, Mich., former residents of Charles City, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday morning at her winter home in Zephyrhills, Fla. Funeral services will be held in Oscoda Hope Lutheran Church on Monday Jan. 28, 2002.

Grace Gnagy

Grace Gnagy, 93, a long time Charles City resident, died January 16, 2002, at the 9 th St. Chautauqua Guest Home. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 27, 2002, at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., and Charles City. Pastor Greg Lugn will be officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

Grace Ethel (Holmes) Gnagy was born on August 1, 1908, in Oskaloosa. She was the daughter of Charles and Flora (La Force) Holmes. Upon graduation in 1926 from Oskaloosa High School, she attended William Penn College (University) in Oskaloosa, graduating in 1930 with a major in home economics and physical education. She married Lloyd Gnagy on April 11, 1941.

Grace will be remembered as a delightful lady of many talents. She was among the first "Super Moms" balancing career and family. Grace was devoted to her family, friends, and students. Over her many years in education in the Iowa communities of Woodward, Crawfordsville, Clinton, and Charles City, she was a positive influence on the lives of countless young people. She has been blessed to have several of those former students as caregivers in her last years. In her home economics (family and consumer education) classes she taught countless young girls sewing, knitting, and food preparation. One of her fondest teaching memories was the participation of her 1935 Woodward girls' basketball team in the Iowa Girls' State Tournament. Her children and grandchildren will remember her gentle caring, her delicious meals (especially her blueberry pie, chocolate chip cookies, and potato salad) and her beautiful hand knitted sweaters. Grace loved flowers and each spring and summer her porch and yard were ablaze with geraniums, lilies of the valley, and tulips. She was a member of the Charles City Education Association, the Iowa State Education Association, and the First Christian Church.

Grace is survived by her children: Kay (Anthony) Briski of Janesville, Wis., Gary (Linda) Gnagy of Sunrise Beach, Mo., Linda Keller of Pasadena, Calif.; her grandchildren, Jay Briski of Chicago, Ill., Gretchen (Robert) Forrester of Appleton, Wis., Brad Gnagy of Omaha, Neb., and her great-granddaughter, Olivia Forrester. She is also survived by her sister, Mrs. Mildred Knox, and her niece, Mrs. Martha Knox of Oskaloosa.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, on December 28, 1999, her parents, two sisters, a brother, and a nephew.

Roland Barr

Roland R. Barr, 94, of 801 Blunt Parkway, Charles City, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Port Charles in Charles City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. The Rev. Dennis Niezwaag will officiate.

Living family members include his wife, Florence, of Charles City; four children: Roland Ernest Barr and his wife, Annette. of Texas, Dennis Barr and his wife Faye of Cresco, Merrilinn Onstine and her husband, Richard, of Maple Valley, Wash., and Richard Barr and his wife, Kathy, of Charles City; three sisters: Betty Haney and her husband, Bill, of Lyle, Minn., Roberta Stanton and her husband, Loren, of Austin, Minn., Sandra Raichle of Mesa, Ariz.; one brother, Dale Barr and his wife, Peggy, of St. Paul, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nettie Mae (Rowley) Barr; three brothers: Val, Bob and Gordan; two sisters: Velma and Beatha; and a grandson, David.

The Fullerton Hage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

                         Updated by Gene Manning on 26 April 2002

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January 28 - February 3, 2002 

Mildred Townsend

PORT ANGLES, Wash. -- Word has been received that Mildred Townsend of Port Angles, Wash., died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002.

She is the mother of Jim Witherspoon and the sister of Trudy Street, both of Charles City

                     Updated by Chuck Prickett on 01/31/2002