Obituaries on this page:

Earl Russell King
John Joseph Eschweiler
Loren E. Stapher
Regina M. Leichtman
John R. Philo
Anna Mae Roethler
Barbara B. Marker
Clara L. Wright
Lynn B. Stevenson
Kenneth Liddle
Elizabeth C. Welton
Bob Webster
Betty L. Jenn
Minnie S. Kuehner

Earl Russell King 84, died Friday, Nov. 27, at his home in Nashua. Funeral services were Tuesday Dec. 1 at United Methodist Church, West Union.

Earl Russell King, son of Jess W. and Lettie Blanch (Heldt) King, was born July 7, 1925 at Fayette.  He graduated from Fayette High School in 1943.

On June 3, 1944, Earl was united in marriage with Evelyn Pearl Strosahl at the Methodist Church in Fayette.  Five children were born to this union.   On July 24, 1944 Earl enlisted in the military and served with the 25 Infantry – Tropical Lightning Division in the South Pacific, returning home in June of 1946.  He was the recipient of many medals, one of which was the Bronze Star.  He then worked for Rath Packing for a short time before moving to Eldora to work on a farm. Their first child, Linda was born in Eldora.  They later moved to Grundy Center to work for a farmer and it was here that Roy and Judy were born.  A few years later, they moved to Elma and farmed, where Pamela was born.  In 1955, the family purchased a farm between Fayette and West Union where they farmed for 43 years.  Their youngest child, Kim was born there.  Earl retired in 1995 at the age of 70 and he and Evelyn moved to Fredericksburg to be close to family.  Earl enjoyed flying his own airplane, horseback riding, cars and being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert; his sister, Violet (Brown) Schaa; his son-in-law, Alan Franzen and his great-grandson, Robert Earl Nass.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; his five children and their spouses, Linda (Steve) Staker of Marion, Roy (Tami) King of Raymondville, MO, Judy (Curt) Dumermuth of Ellsworth, Wisc; Pamela (Stan) Shrock of New Hampton and Kim Franzen and fiancé, Dwight Vandersee of Waverly; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; several other relatives and friends.

John Joseph Eschweiler, 85 of New Hampton, died Monday November 30, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday December 3, at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. John Harpel celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by his children. Lector will be Diane Dietzenbach. Chris Carrier will be the organist accompanying Shawnessy Lau as cantor and the Holy Family Resurrection Choir. Offertory gifts will be presented by Steve Eschweiler and Sheryll Harambasic.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton with Kevin Eschweiler, Tim Eschweiler, Taylor Eschweiler, Logan Eschweiler, Nathan Eschweiler, and Victoria Eschweiler serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are John's "Coffee Group".

Visitation will be 3 - 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, New Hampton where there will be a 6 p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation continues one hour prior to service at the church. 

John was born November 7, 1924, in New Hampton, the son of John Conrad and Rose Margaret TeKippe. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and was a graduate of New Hampton High School. John continued his education at Coyne Electrical School of Chicago, Illinois.

John was married to Violet Schmadeke on November 19th of 1946 and to this union two children were born. After Violets death, John was later married to Alice Huffman at St. Joseph’s Parish in New Hampton on October 9th of 1965 and to this union four children were born.

John lived in New Hampton almost his entire life and loved being a part of the community. John loved to fix things, especially electronics. A love that led him to a career in radio and television sales and repair. He was a successful businessman and owner of Eschweiler T.V. from 1971 until his retirement in 1986. John was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In retirement, John enjoyed going for coffee with his friends, and made a habit of “going for a ride” around town to make sure he knew what was going on. John took great pride in his family. He supported and cared for them right up until his death.

Survivors include his wife Alice; five sons, Steven (Deb) Eschweiler of Cedar Falls, David (Marlena) Eschweiler of Fort Wayne, Ind., Kevin (Anita) Eschweiler of New Hampton, Tim (Emily) Eschweiler of St. Paul, Minn., Todd (Amy) Eschweiler of Johnston; two daughters, Sheryll (Jerry) Harambasic of Lynchburg, Va., and Jean (Scott) Roers of Eau Claire, Wisc.; 11 grandchildren and one great grandson; one brother Merle Eschweiler of Portland, Ore; two sisters Mila Mae Meyer of New Hampton, and Bernadette “Sissie” Unterberger of Waukon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Violet; two brothers, Robert Eschweiler at age 13 and Francis Eschweiler in infancy; and one sister Geraldine in infancy.

Online condolences for John may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Loren E. Stapher, 93, of New Hampton, died on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Hospice of North Iowa Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Chapel, New Hampton with Pastor Rod Ankrom officiating. Burial will be in New Hampton Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 9:30  to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home, New Hampton.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com.

Regina M. Leichtman, 76 of New Hampton, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, at her home, in New Hampton, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, with Reverend Kevin Frey officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date at New Hampton Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers will be Regina’s six children, Claude, Steve, Rosemary, Mike, Philip and Kathryn. The morning coffee group will serve as honorary casket bearers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home, New Hampton. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday.

Regina Mary Martin was born on May 5, 1933 to James and Elizabeth (O’Neil) Martin in New Hampton. She attended St. Joseph’s School in New Hampton and attended New Hampton High School. Regina was united in marriage to Claude Babcock Jr. on July 1, 1950 at St. Joseph’s Parsonage in New Hampton. The couple lived in New Hampton and to this marriage six children were born. Later they were divorced. Regina was employed as a waitress and hostess at Rogers Famous Foods in New Hampton and was later employed at the New Hampton American Legion as a bartender. Regina was united in marriage to Duane Leichtman on June 17, 1972 in the Little Brown Church at Nashua. The couple made their home on a farm near New Hampton where they farmed together. In 1995 they moved to their present home in New Hampton.

Regina enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading, cats, bird watching, shopping, playing pool and cards. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary

Regina is survived by her husband Duane Leichtman of New Hampton; six children, Claude (Nancy) Babcock of Lawler, Steve (Shirley) Babcock of New Hampton, Rosemary (Dennis) Carpenter of North Washington, Mike (Kathy) Babcock of New Hampton, Philip Babcock of Colorado Springs, CO and Kate (Dick) Schmidtke of Cedar Falls; 19 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; two sisters Agnes O’Neill of New Hampton and Mary Patt Attelson of Nacogdoches, Texas; two brothers Paul Martin of Mason City; Francis (Eleanor) Martin of New Hampton.
Regina was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers JR, Patrick and John Martin; a great-granddaughter Magdaline Dietzenbach; three brothers-in-law, Vernon, Kenneth and Lloyd Leichtman.

Online condolences for Regina’s family may be left at  www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com.

John R. Philo, 84, of Wabasha, formerly of Rochester, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Monday, Nov. 30.

A Celebration of Life will be held for John R. Philo on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. at Rockenbach gymnasium on the campus of Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester, Minn.John was born July 20, 1925 in New Hartford, to John N. and Irene (Linn) Philo. He grew up near Glidden where he attended school and graduated in 1943. He was an accomplished three sport high school athlete.

He married Jean Curtis in October of 1943 before entering the US Navy. He proudly served as a Gunner’s mate assigned to the Armed Guard for the duration of WWII. After the war John enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, where he earned his Bachelors Degree. Later he earned a Masters Degree from Sacramento State College. John taught and coached at Humboldt,  Sacramento, Calif, New Hampton, and Rochester. He coached New Hampton High School to a State Wrestling Championship in 1957. He was on the original staff at Rochester John Marshall High School when it opened in the fall of 1958. In 1962 he moved on to the Junior College in Rochester where he brought a fledgling wrestling program to national prominence producing 7 individual national champions. He retired from teaching and coaching in 1982.

John was honored by his selection into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978, the Rochester Quarterback Club Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1980, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Iowa Chapter in 2002 and the New Hampton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named as the NJCAA Wrestling Coach of the year in 1966 and coached on the staff of the US Junior Pan Am team in 1983.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jean, four sons, John F (Vicki) of Rochester, Jim (Kathie) of Rochester and New Hampton,  Jerry (Lori Kollasch) of Rochester, Jack (Yvonne) of Rochester, a daughter Jeanette (Steve) Laugen of Rochester; two brothers Ken of Maidens, Va, Roger (Opal) of Houston, Texas and a sister JoAnn (Bob) Hall of Cleburne, Texas.; 14 grandchildren and 17 great grand children; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Linn, and three sisters, Mary, Ruth and Yvonne.

Memorials may be made to the family and they will distribute them as John had wished.

Barbara B. Marker,100 of Nashua died Sunday, December 6, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home, Charles City. Funeral arrangements are pending at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, Nashua. 641.435.4134.

Clara L. Wright, 87 of Nashua, died Saturday, December 5, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Hampton.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 11, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua.

Friends may call 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday December 10th at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, Nashua. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Kenneth Liddle 52 of Northwood, formerly of Plainfield died Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Mercy Medical Center, Mason City.
 
Funeral arrangements are pending at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home,  Nashua. 641-435-4134.

Elizabeth “Betty” Welton, 95, a long time resident of Charles City, died Monday, Dec. 21, at New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Hampton.

A graveside service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery at Charles City.

Elizabeth C. Welton was born on June 26, 1914 to Paul and Lizzie (Schreiber) Martens at her parent’s home in Charles City. She attended Charles City High School, graduating in 1932. On June 20, 1939 Betty was united in marriage to Glenn R. Welton. To this union three sons were born; Jon, Richard, and Douglass. Jon lived for a short time from February 1944 – April 1945.
Betty and her husband enjoyed raising their sons and working in Real Estate together. Betty also owned and operated the Gift House for several years in the late 1960’s. Glenn passed away on August 8, 1984. Betty enjoyed playing cards and her family.

Betty is survived by her two sons Richard (Diane) Welton of Mora, Minn. and Douglass (Malinda) Welton of New Hampton; four grandchildren, Eric (Aoy) Welton of Pai, Thailand, Jennifer Welton of Ames; Meredith (Nathan) Voight of Cedar Rapids, and Nate Welton of Rochester, Minn; two great grandchildren Jackson Voight of Cedar Rapids, and Eve Welton of Pai, Thailand; and a nephew Charles Martens of Sydney, Australia

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Glenn R. Welton in 1984; a infant son Jon in 1945; a grandson James Welton; two brothers George and Marvin Martens and their wives; a nephew Donald Martens and a niece Karin Martens.

Online condolences may be sent to Elizabeth’s family at www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com.

Bob Webster, 74 of Lawler, died Saturday Dec. 19, peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 22, at Saude Lutheran Church, rural Lawler with Pastor Daniel Larson officiating. Organist for the service will be Maria Smith.

Interment will be in Saude Lutheran Church Cemetery with Aaron Anderson, Adam Anderson, Tyler Underwood, Nathan Underwood, Michael Holdren, Michael Eischen, Nolan Webster and Tim Knutson as casketbearers. Military Honors will be conducted by the Lawler, American Legion Harold Redman Post 279.

Friends may call 4 - 8 p.m. Monday Dec. 21, at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, New Hampton. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. 

Bob was born December 3, 1935, in Cresco, the son of Donald K. and Grace H. (Lindsay) Webster. He received his education in Cresco and was a 1954 graduate of Cresco High School.

On September 29, 1954, Bob enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 5th Infantry in Germany. He was honorably discharged as SP3 on September 28, 1956, in Portland, Oregon.

On July 5, 1958, at the Saude Lutheran Church in rural Lawler, Bob was united in marriage to Anna Steensland.

Bob did both crop and livestock farming for over 50 years. He also worked 25 years for the Oliver and White Tractor Company in Charles City and 10 years for Tri-Mark in New Hampton. Bob loved farming, especially livestock production. He and his wife Ann enjoyed more than fifty years on the family farm near Saude. He spent many happy hours working with his children and grandchildren in his farm shop, woodworking and restoring tractors. He rarely missed a local auction, collected Oliver memorabilia, raised collie dogs and grew the best sweet corn in the county.

He was a member of Saude Lutheran Church, holding many offices and the Harold Redman American Legion Post 279 of Lawler. Bob was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humor. Most of all he loved and adored his wife and was very proud of his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 51 years, Ann; three sons, James (Joy) Webster of Cedar Falls, Michael (Denise) Webster of New Hampton and Brian Webster of Ames; two daughters, Susan (Gene) Anderson of Lawler and Debra (Ron) Underwood of New Hampton; eight grandchildren, Aaron (Kristin) Anderson, Adam Anderson and fiancé Jill Kirby, Rachel (Michael) Holdren, Nathan (Tara) Underwood, Tyler Underwood, Laura Underwood, Raelyn Webster and Nolan Webster; two great-grandchildren, Trice Anderson and Aiden Underwood; one brother, Donald (Kathryn) Webster of Ames; two sisters-in-law, Sara (Larry) Knutson of Cedar Rapids and June Webster Stephen of Charles City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sister, Betty Gooder; two brothers, Charles H. Webster and William Webster; nephew, Lee Knutson.

Online condolences for Bob may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com

Betty L. Jenn, 77 of North Washington, died Wednesday December 23, at the Hiawatha Care Center, Hiawatha.

A Memorial Mass celebrating her life will be 10:30 a.m. Monday December 28, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, North Washington with Monsignor Carl Schmitt officiating. Jane Karels will be the organist accompanied by the Immaculate Conception Men’s Choir. Lector for the service will be Tim Wilson. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Gary & Mary Lou Ries.

Burial will be in St. Mary‘s Cemetery, North Washington at a later date. Honorary pallbearers are Beau Lester, Blaine Lester, Raegan Lester, Will Frantzen, Andrew Frantzen, Ashley Jenn, Austin Jenn, Allison Jenn, Michael Wilson, Vaughn Wilson, Ries Wilson, Karsen Blackman, Marrisa Kienast, Bella Blocklinger, Benny Blocklinger, Gabriel Jenn and Capri Lester.

Friends called 4-7 p.m. Sunday December 27, at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, New Hampton where there was a 5:30 p.m. Scripture Service. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church Monday. 

Betty was born June 4, 1932, in Luxemberg,  the daughter of George and Mathilda (Gassmann) Ries. Although Betty recounted falling in love with Norbert Jenn at the age of five, they waited until 1958 to be united in marriage in New Hampton. Betty proudly served as a waitress at the Main Diner in New Hampton before starting a family. Norbert and Betty lived on their farm for many years, while they raised their eight loving children. She was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington. Betty and Norbert moved to New Hampton in 2006 and then to a nursing home in Hiawatha in July 2009. She enjoyed spending time with her beloved family and friends, reading, playing cards and relentlessly teasing everyone.

Survivors include her husband, Norbert; eight children, Peggy (Scott) Lester of New Hampton, Laura (Ron) Frantzen of Ames, Kevin (Chris) Jenn of Amherst, NE, Tracey (Tim) Wilson of Colfax, Kerry (Todd) Kienast of Marion, Torri Jenn of Marion, Krista (Ronnie) Blocklinger of Cedar Rapids, Kyle Jenn of Cedar Rapids; 16 grandchildren, Beau (Ashley), Blaine, and Raegan Lester, Will and Andrew Frantzen, Ashley, Austin and Allison Jenn, Michael, Vaughn, and Ries Wilson, Karsen Blackman and Marissa Kienast, Isabella and Benjamin Blocklinger, and Gabriel Jenn; one great-grandaughter, Capri Lester; one brother, Gary (Mary Lou) Ries of North Washington; one sister, Joyce (Jerry) Lang of West Virgina.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Sylvis; three sisters, Anita Ries, Mary Katherine Golly and Lenora Dockendorf; and infant grandson, Samuel Blocklinger.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Special Olympics or the Sammy Project, in Betty’s memory.

Online condolences for Betty may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Minnie S. Kuehner, 97 of St. Lucas, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, at New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday January 4, at St. Lukes Catholic Church in St. Lucas with Rev. David Beckman officiating. Placing the pall and presenting the offertory gifts will be by Minnie’s children. Lector for the service will be Amy Hoover and Kim Hardeman. Kathy Meyer will be the organist accompanied by Lynette Wheeler as cantor.

Burial will be in St. Lukes Cemetery, St. Lucas with David Kuehner, Randy Kuehner, Tim Kuehner, Marty Kuehner, Ken Balk, Greg Balk and Angie Vasser as pallbearers.

Visitation will be 2 - 7 p.m. Sunday Jan. 3, at St. Lukes Chapel, St. Lucas where there will be a 4 p.m. Rosary and a 5 p.m. Scripture Service. Further visitation will be 8:30 - 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel before the service.  Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. 
Minnie Susan Kuehner was born October 27, 1912, on her parents farm near St. Lucas, Iowa. She was the daughter of John W. and Katherine (Croatt) Kuennen. She received her education from St. Lukes Catholic School in St. Lucas.

On October 24, 1933, in St. Lucas she was united in marriage to William Kuehner. To this union six children were born. The couple farmed South of St. Lucas for 50 years. Will died September 26, 1984. In 1985, Minnie moved from the farm into St. Lucas and has been a resident of New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation for the last six years.

Minnie loved going with Will on bus trips to baseball games and spending time dancing. She also enjoyed gardening and her flowers, baking chocolate chip cookies, quilting, playing cards and bingo.

Survivors include her four sons, Don (Adrienne) Kuehner of Lansing, Ill., Duane Kuehner of Decorah, Marv (Sandi) Kuehner of Marshalltown and Allan (Cathy) Kuehner of Bloomington, MN; two daughters, Wilma (Duane) Balk of Waucoma and Mary Ellen (Tom) Reisoner of Spencer; 23 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Rita Kuehner of St. Lucas and Sr. Rose Catherine Kuehner of LaCrosse.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; daughter in law, Katie Kuehner; granddaughter, Karla Neibes; grandson, Jonathan Kuehner; four brothers, Victor, Ray, Al and Jacob Kuennen (in infancy); four sisters, Clara Schmitt, Nettie Kittlesby, Eleanor Huber and Linda Martin.

Online condolences for Minnie may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com