Mary “Myra” Grant Costigan dies at 88

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2012| Updated: Tue May 1, 2012.

Mary “Myra” Grant Costigan, age 88 of Lawler, died surrounded by her family, Sunday April 29, 2012 at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. The placing of the pall will be by Myrna's godchildren, Joanie Lentz, Terry Costigan, Pat Martin, Connie D'Alby and JoEllen Madsen. Lector for the service will be Pat Martin. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Elaine and Lila Costigan. Joining the congregation in song will be Kathy Meyer, organist and Bob Martin, cantor.

Interment will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Lawler, with Myra's nephews, Mike Costigan, Terry Costigan, Tim Costigan, Phil Costigan, Chuck Costigan, and Con Doherty serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Leo Smith, P.J. Rosenbaum, David Burns, and Larry Bergman.

Friends may greet the family 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, where there will be a 4 p.m. Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary, followed by the Lawler Legion Auxiliary Prayer. A 7 p.m. scripture service will also be held. Visitation continues an hour prior to the mass at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences for Myra’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com. Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Myra Costigan was born June 6, 1923, in Ayr, Scotland, the only daughter of Campbell and Mary (Muir) Stevenson. When she was one year old her mother and father moved the family from Scotland to Australia looking for work because of the tough times that had fallen upon Europe. The family later moved back to Scotland to be closer to relatives. During World War II Myra served in the Women’s Land Army in Scotland. She primarily worked at the airport that was a British and American base. She took over the many duties that had been previously held by men prior to the war. During this time she met the love of her life Merle.

Myra married Merle J. Costigan, a Lawler native serving in the Army Air Force, on June 21, 1945 at The Cathedral of St. Margaret’s in Ayr, Scotland. After marriage the couple moved to Lawler, making the United States her new home. Myra was the first war bride to apply for United States Citizenship in Chickasaw County, and in 1949 she became a United States Citizen. In the early 1950's, Myra’s mother and father moved from Scotland to Lawler, making it their new home. The couple owned and operated Stevie’s Tavern in Lawler for many years. Myra went on to work as a nursing assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital in New Hampton.
In their spare time Myra and Merle enjoyed camping and traveling. Myra was involved in many activities including the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Rosary Society, and the Lawler Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include three sister in laws; Elaine Costigan of Lawler, Lila Costigan of Ossian, Kitty Labathe of St. Paul, Minn.,- cousins, Nancy and Don Chilson of Forest Lake, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband Merle J. Costigan 1988; her parents Campbell and Mary (Muir) Stevenson of Lawler.

Alfred O. Swenson dies at 91

Posted: Thursday, May 3, 2012 | Updated: Fri May 4, 2012.

Alfred “Al” Swenson, age 91, of Osage, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at the Faith Home in Osage.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage with Father Jack McClure, CPPS, officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with military honors at the grave by Osage American Legion Post 278. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Sacred Heart Gymnasium in Osage with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue in the gymnasium one hour prior to the funeral mass on Monday. Those attending the visitation are asked to enter the gymnasium using the south entrance.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or the Osage Education Foundation for scholarships.

Alfred Oliver Swenson was born January 3, 1921, in Calmar, to Adolph and Molla (Njus) Swenson. He attended country school near Lawler and graduated in 1942 from New Hampton High School. Al enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served his country during World War II as a B-26 bomber pilot. He married Virginia Farrell on August 19, 1946, in Iowa City. Al graduated from the University of Iowa in 1949 with a master’s degree. He then taught social studies at Brooklyn, Iowa, until 1955 when they moved to Osage. He was the principal at Osage High School until his retirement in 1983. Al also was principal at Sacred Heart School from 1990 until 1994. He was active in school, church and community activities. Al enjoyed golf, playing cards, reading, gardening, visiting, music and dancing. He dearly loved his grandchildren.

Al is survived by his wife, Virginia Swenson of Osage; his children, Kris (Ron) Markham of New Hampton, Molly (Patrick) Gould of Middleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Jared (Mindy) Markham of New Hampton, Liz Markham of New Hampton, Anna Gould of Washington, DC, Pat (Jenny) Gould, Valencia, California; great–grandchildren, Sidney, Madison and Griffin; brothers, Carl Swenson of St. Francis, Kansas, Don (Lorraine) Swenson of Alta Vista, Joe (Barbara) Swenson of Pecos, Texas; sister-in-law, Bernice Swenson of Columbia, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Harold.

Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com
Champion - Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, 641-732-3706

Valery E. “Val” Gebel dies at 90

Posted: Thursday, May 3, 2012
 
Valery E. “Val” Gebel, age 90, died on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. Visitation was held from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012, with a Scripture Service to follow, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home 404 North Elm St. in Cresco. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Valery E. Gebel was born on February 15, 1922 in New Hampton, to Nick and Dora (Papenheim) Schwickerath. She graduated from high school at North Washington. On April 22, 1941, she married Jerome Gebel. He preceded her in death in 1966. To this union five children were born, Joan, Jane, Ronald, Roger, and Janel. She and Jerome farmed until January 1, 1959 when they purchased the pool hall and tavern in Lime Springs. After the death of her husband, she continued the operation until retirement in 1986. She loved to make quilts and was a busy and willing worker at the Lidtke Mill. She served as office manager and treasurer of the mill for a number of years and also served on the Spring Apt. board.

Val is survived by her children, Joan (Richard) Bessingpas of Preston, Minn., Jane (Tom) Koudelka of Osage, Ronald (Linda) Gebel of North Branch, Minn., Roger (Donna) Gebel of Andover, Minn., and Janel (Dave) Turvold of Cresco, her 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and her brothers, Paul, Richard, and Wilbert Schwickerath all of New Hampton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and sister Mildred who died in infancy, a granddaughter and grandson, and a brother.

Vincent A. "Timmy" Burgart dies at 91

Posted: Monday, May 14, 2012 | Updated: Wed May 16, 2012.
 
Vincent A. "Timmy" Burgart age 91 of New Hampton died surrounded by his family Monday evening, May 14, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2012, at Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed on the casket by his six children and the offertory gifts will be presented by granddaughters, Sarah Burgart, Amber Kleiner, Katherine Nelson, Jennifer Burgart, Maggie Burgart. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton with Matthew Burgart, Justin Burgart, Aaron Burgart, Craig Nelson, Timothy Burgart, Ronald Burgart and Andrew Burgart serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Zachary Burgart, Jonathan Burgart, Jason Burgart, Phillip Burgart and Michael Burgart.

Friends may greet the family 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4 p.m. Catholic Order of Forester Rosary and a 6 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Online condolences for Vincent's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.  

Vincent A. “Timmy” Burgart was born on the Burgart family farm in rural Ionia, on January 6, 1921. He was the youngest child of Michael J. and Theresa M. (Peske) Burgart. He received his education at St. Mary’s Grade School and High School in North Washington. On September 22, 1949, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia, he married Francella C. Schmitz. To this union six children were born. Timmy farmed the Burgart family farm, a Heritage Farm settled by his family in 1855. He and Francella retired and moved into New Hampton in 1997. During his farming years he raised purebred Herefords, and raised, broke and sold American Cream Draft Horses. Timmy enjoyed playing cards, reading, traveling but most loved the time he spent with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Francella; six children, Sandra Burgart of West Des Moines, James (Becky) Burgart of Council Bluffs, David (Jeanne) Burgart of Clear Lake, Carolyn Nelson of Ionia, Lawrence (Julie) Burgart of Rochester, Minn., Joseph (Karla) Burgart of Urbandale; seventeen grandchildren; Mathew Burgart, Zachary Burgart, Jonathan Burgart, Jason Burgart, Justin Burgart, Phillip Burgart, Michael Burgart, Sarah Burgart, Aaron Burgart, Amber Kleiner, Craig Nelson, Katherine Nelson, Jennifer Burgart, Timothy Burgart, Maggie Burgart, Ronald Burgart, Andrew Burgart; six great-grandchildren; Aubrey, Annabelle, Matilda, Samuel, Wesson and Emma; two sisters-in-law, Elma Burgart, Mavis Burgart, both of New Hampton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Reggie Nelson; four brothers, Clarence Burgart, Ray Burgart, Marvin Burgart, Clayton Burgart; three sisters, Adeline Ries, Sarah Heit and Loraine Kolbet.

Lavern W. Graeser dies at 81

Posted: Monday, May 14, 2012

Lavern W. Graeser age 81 of Plainfield died Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Clarkesville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Plainfield Baptist Church, Plainfield with interment in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City.

Friends may greet the family 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
If so desired, memorials may be given to Cedar Valley Hospice. 641-435-4134

Donald B. "Donny" Hackman dies at 71

Posted: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 | Updated: Wed May 16, 2012.

Donald B. "Donny" Hackman age 71 of New Hampton died Sunday morning, May 13, 2012, at the Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Holy Family Parish-St. Mary Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, New Hampton with Scott Hackman, Paul Hackman, Rich Barr, Steve Pitz, Roger Gerleman and Joe Klobassa serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren, Cortney Anderson, Nick Anderson, Brent Anderson, Zach Hackman, Dalton Hackman and Connor Hackman.

Friends may greet the family 4 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home, New Hampton. Visitation continues 10 to 11a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences for Donny's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Donald Bernard “Donny” Hackman was born November 19, 1940, in New Hampton, the oldest child of Raymond and Matilda (Brincks) Hackman. He received his education in New Hampton graduating from the New Hampton High School in 1958. On November 26, 1960, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma, he married Kathleen Marie Jacoby. To this union two children were born, Connie and Bob. Donny began his long carpentry career working for the former contractor, Al Bach. He then went to work for the Austin Construction Company which built the Sara Lee Plant in New Hampton. After completing the plant, Donny went to work for Sara Lee in the maintenance department for two years. Donny then went out on his own and started Don’s Cabinet Shop. During his long career, he built and remodeled many homes and business in the area. In 1979, his brother, Kenny Hackman joined him in the business forming D & K Cabinet Shop. Donny’s son Bob joined the business in 1981 and continues today with his uncle, Kenny.

Don and Kathy loved traveling. They took many trips to Las Vegas and to Branson, Mo., as well as other destinations. Often on his trips he looked up old acquaintances and relatives as family and relationships were important to Don and Kathy. They also bought a cabin at Clear Lake and enjoyed time there. He loved to take part in the lives of his grandchildren and took them on many trips as well. Don owned a 1959 Ford Retractable which he took great pride in driving around. He had been a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts, involved in the beginnings of Ducks Unlimited, was involved with the New Hampton Lion’s Club for over 30 years, a volunteer with the New Hampton Fire Department for over 30 years as well. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and remembered for his friendly smile and willingness to lend a helping hand.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; one daughter, Connie (Steve) Anderson of Dalton, Wisc; one son, Bob (Kim) Hackman of New Hampton; six grandchildren, Cortney Anderson, Nick Anderson, Brent (Michelle) Anderson, Zach Hackman, Dalton Hackman, Connor Hackman; two brothers, Roger (Glenda) Hackman of Marshalltown, and Kenny (Janet) Hackman of New Hampton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jane Mack dies at 85

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2012 | Updated: Tue May 29, 2012.

Jane Mack age 85 of New Hampton, formerly of Lexington, Massachusetts, died Friday, May 11, 2012, at her home.

Friends may greet the family 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Private family inurnment will take place in France. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Odyssey of the Mind c/o New Hampton Community School. Online condolences for Jane's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Jane Cridland Mack was born November 23, 1926, In Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of George and Estelle (Heyland) Cridland. She was the youngest of three children and took on the role of jokester and gofer. She grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated in a class of 520 from Upper Darby High School in 1944. She attended the University of Minnesota then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania where she obtained a BSN (Nursing) in 1949. She worked at the University Of Pennsylvania Hospital where she taught nursing and met Charles L. Mack, a graduate student in physics. They married on June 10, 1950. On April 25, 1951, they had twin girls. Charles obtained employment as a physicist at Lincoln Lab for Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston in 1953. Another daughter was born August 2, 1954 followed by a son on September 6, 1956. In 1957, she and her family moved to Paris, France because Chuck was working on an MIT project for NATO there. She returned to the Boston area in 1959 and worked at area hospitals as an RN.

She became interested in early childhood devcelopment and took further training at Dickenson College in Pennsylvania in early childhood education. In 1963, she founded the Lexington Montessori School with a few interested parents and served as its headmistress through 1991. Under her leadership the school expanded to 200 students from age 1 ½ through sixth grade. The school built a lower elementary building in 1990 and named it in her honor. On the 25th anniversary of the school she was recognized by then Governor Michael Dukakis for her “outstanding contribution to the field of child development”. She was published in a number of professional journals and served as national chairperson of the teachers in the American Montessori Society from 1972-1976.

Jane had time for sports after her children left home and developed into a competitive tennis player. She ran and completed the Boston Marathon at the age of 58.

In the summer of 1995, she assisted with the Belamerica Day Camp held in New Hampton. She appeared in the ‘Who’s Who’ of American Education in 1996 and 1997. She retired as a teacher of the toddler class of Lexington Montessori School in 2000.

Jane loved to travel and took extensive trips with Overseas Adventures to Russia, China, Tibet and India. She became the volunteer director of admissions for a small nursing home, tutored elementary students and substitute taught in before moving to Iowa in the summer of 2006. She initially lived in Iowa City before settling in New Hampton. In the 2007-2008 school year she informally volunteered with Mrs. Nobisch’s kindergarten class where she became known as ‘Grandma Jane’. She was a foster grandparent volunteer at New Hampton Elementary School for 4th grade in 2009-2010 and kindergarten in 2010-2011. In this time span, she visited her daughters safari camp north of Nairobi, and traveled to France, Ukraine, Italy and a number of U.S. states including Alaska. She loved spending time with her family with a special focus of course on the great-grandbabies and toddlers.

Jane is survived by one son, David (Amy) Mack of San Francisco; three daughters, Judy (Kit) O’Donohoe of New Hampton, Jacqueline (J.F.) Damon of Nairobi, Kenya; Nancy (Paul) Millice of Iowa City; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Eyal) O’Donohoe of Salt Lake City, UT, Lisa Damon of Paris, France; Val (Stephane) Damon-Perrier of Nairobi, Kenya, Emily (Russ) O’Donohoe of San Francisco, B.J. McDuffie of Washington, D.C. Warren (Adriane) McDuffie of Iowa City, Brian Mack, Daniel Mack, both of San Francisco, Masha (Leo) Simmons of Minneapolis; eight great-grandchildren, Niko Simmons, Hugo Perrier, Alex McDuffie, Kaden McDuffie, Lillian Bainer, Ethan Shafran, Lea Perrier and Chloe Perrier.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lawrence Mack; one brother, Charles Cridland; one sister, Ruth Tuppeny.

May M. Rogers dies at 94

Posted: Monday, May 21, 2012 | Updated: Mon May 21, 2012.

May M. Rogers, age 94, of New Hampton, died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at her residence in Denver.

According to May's wishes, she was cremated. There will be a memorial service held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at United Methodist Church in New Hampton with Pastor Todd Holman officiating. Burial will be in the New Hampton Cemetery at New Hampton.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24, 2012, at United Methodist Church in New Hampton. Online condolences may be left for May's family at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

May Rogers, daughter of W.F.A. and Emma (Albers) Rabe, was born May 24, 1917, near New Hampton.

She graduated from New Hampton High School in 1934 and, while in high school, was a member of the Thrifty Tulips 4-H Club.

She attended Iowa State Normal College in Cedar Falls, receiving a teaching certificate; and worked at Woolworth's in Cedar Falls, where she met Kenneth F. Rogers; they were married in 1939 at Nashua's Little Brown Church in the Vale; Kenneth preceded her in death, Nov. 11, 1974.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Louise Beck, Alma Pietan, Bertha Rabe, Edna Schmidt, Emma Hagedorn, Will Rabe, Henry Rabe, Ella Fredricksen, and Minnie Zwanziger, her identical twin.
May and Kenneth were the parents of four children: Carolyn Davis, Bertha Rogers (Ernest M. Fishman), Susan Zimmerman (Kent, deceased), and James Rogers (Evelyn); she was grandmother of ten: Scot (Lillian) and Charles (Chris), and April Davis Campbell (Bob); Jade Roth and Rachel Roth Silberman; Matthew (Christy) and Roderick (Sherry) Zimmerman and Elizabeth Heath (Rick); and Jay (Keri) and Eric (Kandy) Rogers. Her great-grandchildren are Sage and Leith Davis, Maddison and Darr Davis, Emmett and Solomon Campbell; Bronwyn Edwards and Delilah and Violet Silberman; Devin, Lucas, Megan, and Cassidy Zimmerman; Nile, Kendra, Amanda, and Aimee Zimmerman, and Dillon Heath; Beau and Jackie Rogers, and Alyssa and James Rogers; and one great-great grandchild, Illiana Rogers. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Ramona and Bonnie Rogers and by nieces and nephews from the Rabe and Rogers families.

May Rogers was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Hampton for more than 65 years; in recent years she was awarded a life membership in the Methodist Women's Society of Christian Service. She directed the funeral dinner program at the church for many years and also cooked for the church's annual chicken suppers and Advent lunches.
She also led the D & R Cloverleafs 4-H club and participated in 4-H and Farm Bureau activities. In 1960 she and her husband and children were named Iowa State 4-H family.

May belonged to the Las Amigas Club, the Two-to-Four Club, and the Bassett Royal Neighbors Camp No. 1493 organization.
She was a member and delegate of the Chickasaw and Iowa Democratic committees, attending local and state conventions and participating in the Iowa Caucuses. She served on the board of review for Health Care Manor/Kensington Place and was a member of the New Hampton School Facilities Committee; in earlier years she was a band parent. She also volunteered at the Carnegie Cultural Center and was a tireless promoter and worker for the Little House of Bargains (sponsored by the Methodist Church) in New Hampton.

She served on the board of the Chickasaw Centre and was an enthusiastic fund-raiser for the organization and was a member of the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging.

In 1990 she received the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award; and in 1996 she received the first “That's the Spirit of Community Pride” award, sponsored by the First National Bank in New Hampton.
In 2002 she was named the Volunteer of the Year by the Chickasaw Centre, recognizing her commitment of more than 26 years to the work of the Centre.
In 2007 she was nominated by the Chickasaw Centre for her many years of helping fellow seniors across the county; that nomination led to the 2007 MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Silver Award, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Points of Light Foundation and President George W. Bush, presented by Sen. Charles Grassley. The awards included a trip to Washington, D. C., where she also met Senator Tom Harkin.

May M. Rogers, born, raised, and living her life on farms, had a long and rich life. She loved and was well loved by her husband and family, an inspiration to us. Rest in peace, Mother.

Elaine L. Johnson dies at 89

Posted: Monday, May 21, 2012

Elaine L. Johnson age 89 of Fredericksburg died Saturday evening, May 19, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Mason City.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Waucoma.

Friends may greet the family from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at the Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. Online condolences may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Elaine L. Johnson was born on the Kilcher family farm in rural Waucoma, on October 8, 1922. She was the daughter of William and Lillian (Block) Kilcher. Elaine graduated from the New Hampton High School in 1940. On November 10, 1941, at the Richfield Church in rural Sumner, she was united in marriage to Vern A. Johnson. To this union eight children were born. For a brief period after being married, she taught grade school in a one room schoolhouse in rural Chickasaw County. During World War II, Vern and Elaine moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and lived there for approximately a year while Vern was going through basic training. When he was deployed overseas, Elaine returned back to Iowa. She was a devoted mother and wife with family being very important to her. Elaine hobbies included painting, photography, gardening, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include seven children, Vernice A. Luck of New Hartford, Larry R. Johnson of Fredericksburg, Jan E. (Gary) Rieck of Waverly, Jamie (Penny) Johnson of Sumner, Joan Hollar of Cresco, Linda Jordan of Charles City, Renee (Steve) Mayer of Green Bay, Wisc; daughter in-law, Miriam Johnson of Sumner; one sister, Doris Gifford of Waucoma; eighteen grandchildren; Monte Luck, Dana Luck, Todd Johnson, Troy Johnson, Trent Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Eric Schmudlach, Evan Johnson, Lindsay Rieck, Nichole Griese, Cori Fedeler, Keri Johnson, Laura Nielsen, Terry Jordan, Tyler Jordan, Robby Larson, Brandon Larson, Erin Larson; nineteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and five step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vern (1992); son, Jerry Johnson, two brothers, Bill Kilcher and one in infancy.

Marie Elizabeth 'Tuts' Heying dies at 87

Posted: Monday, May 28, 2012
 
Marie Elizabeth “Tuts” Heying, age 87, of Alta Vista, Iowa died on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Thursday, May 31, 2012 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes, with Father Ray Atwood celebrating mass. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Alta Vista with LaVerne Cerwinske, Richard Friedhof, Larry Heying, Raymond Kobliska, Leo Deutsch and Tom Deutsch serving as casket bearers.

Visitation will be 3:00-7:00pm, Wednesday May 30, 2012 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa with a rosary at 4:00pm and scriptural wake service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Howard County and Chickasaw County Food Shelves.

Marie Elizabeth (Tuts) Heying was born to Bernard and Cecilia (Hess) Deutsch on January 25, 1925 at rural North Washington. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Church and received her education at St. Mary’s Parochial School in North Washington, Iowa. On October 9, 1946 she and Andrew (Dick) Heying were married by Rev. Louis Gereleman at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. The couple moved to the Jerico, Iowa area where they farmed and lived happily until 1993 when they retired and moved to Alta Vista. Marie was a homemaker and also loved to be in the great outdoors with her husband. Her hobbies included writing poetry, sewing, and playing cards with their friends. Gardening and flowers were also favorite interest. An avid photographer, she and her husband enjoyed traveling and meeting new people and finding out their way of life. She had a great sense of humor and one of her favorite expressions was “Think Positive”. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Rosary Society. She served for many years on the Howard County Election Board and various other committees in church and community.

Marie is survived by sisters-in-law: Marie Deutsch of New Hampton, Evelyn Deutsch of New Hampton, Gert Freidhof of Elma, Alice (Ray) Freidhof of Waterloo, and brother-in-law Mike (Arlene) Heying of Alta Vista; also many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Cecilia Deutsch, husband Andrew “Dick” Heying on January 27, 2003, one sister, Sister Mary Cecily O.S.F., Dubuque; brothers, Maurice, Victor, Carl, Henry, and Francis; in-laws, Elaine, Florence, and Evelyn Duetsch, Matt and Agnes Cerwinske, Ray and Eleanor Webb, Linus and Rita Heying, Norbet Heying, and Louis Heying.

Maurita Marpe dies at 82

Posted: Monday, May 28, 2012

Maurita Marpe, 82, of Charles City, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at Cedar Health in Charles City.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Charles City, with Reverend Carl Ries celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may greet the family Wednesday from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Hauser Funeral Home where there will be a 4:30 p.m. rosary and a 7:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Thursday.

Maurita Mary Marpe was born August 4, 1929, on a farm in rural Winneshiek County, the oldest child of eight to George and Catherine (Gilbert) Lensing. She graduated from Waucoma High School in 1947. She continued her education at Upper Iowa in Fayette and received her teaching certificate. Following graduation, Maurita taught in a one room schoolhouse near Lawler. On June 28, 1952, she was united in marriage to Elmer Marpe at St. Mary Catholic Church, Waucoma. To this union, two children were born. Her favorite job was working as a telephone operator in New Hampton. In 1956, the family began farming near Colwell. Maurita was a homemaker and enjoyed helping Elmer run the farm. During retirement, she worked at Brooks Restaurant in Charles City.

Maurita was a member of St. Theresa Circle, Happy Hour Club, Heritage Club, Senior Citizens, and was a 4-H leader for the Colwell Colleens for several years. She enjoyed sewing and painting, but quilting was her passion. Maurita was most proud of the quilts she made for her great-grandchildren. In retirement, she spent many enjoyable hours working in the craft room at the Senior Citizens Center. Maurita led her family by example in faith and hard work. Her family and friends will remember her most for her incredible kindness shown to all.

Those thankful for having shared in Maurita’s life include her children, Tom and his wife Brenda,
Anna May “Ann” and her husband Jerry Pyle, both of Charles City; five grandchildren, Rachelle (David) Kelm of Clarksville, Lucas (Breanne) Marpe of Gilbert, Jody (Ryan) Welter of Des Moines, Julie Pyle of Charles City, Victoria Pyle of Denver, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren, Gavin Kelm, Lauren Kelm, Marlee Kelm, Reanna Kelm, Paul Marpe, Cole Marpe, Christian Welter; three sisters, Margaret (Cyril) Bohr of Ossian, Grace Gerleman of St. Lucas, Therese (Bill) Orthaus of Ionia; two brothers, Vincent (Wilma) Lensing, and Gilbert (Kathy) Lensing, both of New Hampton; a brother-in-law, Bob Beckley of Bellevue; two sisters-in-law, Glenda Lensing of Charles City, Charlotte (Larry) Olson of Albert Lea, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer in 1994; her brother, Eugene Lensing; a sister, Mary Beckley; a brother-in-law, Virgil Gerleman; and a sister-in-law, Beatrice Rupp and her husband Bud.

The Hauser Funeral Home, in Charles City, 641-228-2323, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.