Donald H. Dethlefs, 69, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1998 at the North Iowa Mercy Health Center East Campus, Mason City, Iowa.

Memorial services were held Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating.

Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The family suggests memorials to the Donald H. Dethlefs memorial fund.

Donald was born July 1, 1928 in Wheaton, Minn., the son of Henry and Clara (Back) Dethlefs. He attended and graduated from Morris High School, Morris, Minn. He moved to Clear Lake in 1946. Don served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge, he came back to Clear Lake. Don married Glenyce Whitehurst Aug. 15, 1953 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, Iowa.

Donald was a route salesman for the Clear Lake Bakery for over 23 years. He enjoyed golfing. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, and a member of the Clear Lake VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Glenyce Dethlefs, Clear Lake; one son, Steven Dethlefs and his fiance, Dana Greinert, Mason City; one daughter, Linda Robertson, Clear Lake; two grandchildren, Angela Jahnke, Clear Lake, and Andrew Jahnke, who is a marine security guard in Lima, Peru; one sister, Flora Braaks, Haywarden, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Jim Whitehurst and his wife, Joan, Ventura, and Lee Whitehurst and his wife, Mick, Clear Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Stanley A. Brue

Stanley A. Brue, 84, of Aurora, Colo., formerly of Fertile, Iowa, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998 in Aurora, at his daughter and son-in-law’s home.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Fertile Lutheran Church, Fertile, Iowa, with the Rev. Roger C. Kampstra officiating.

Interment was in Grant Township Cemetery, rural Fertile, Iowa. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorials to the Stanley A. Brue Memorial Fund.

Stanley Arden Brue was born Oct. 22, 1913 in Fertile Township, Worth County, Iowa to Oscar A. and Nettie (Sheimo) Brue. He attended Fertile school, graduating from Fertile High School in 1931. He received his Christian education in the Fertile Lutheran Church. He accepted Christ as his personal savior in August 1933.

On Nov. 29, 1934, he married Erma Arlene Hennis at Fertile Lutheran Church. The Brues farmed in Grant Township, Cerro Gordo County, until 1963. They then owned and operated Brue’s Processing Plant in Fertile for five years. For 15 years afterward, he was a meat-cutter at Bowen’s

Food Center in Forest City, Iowa, until he retired. The Brues moved to Fertile in 1979. Erma Brue died in Feb. 1997, and Stanley Brue moved to Colorado the following June to live with his daughter and son-in-law.

He bred, raised and showed Arabian horses with his wife during the 1960s and 1970s, including a part-Arabian mare, Zatarra, that won the National Championship in Albuquerque, N.M. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and woodworking with his wife. He was a member of the Clear

Lake Evangelical Free Church for many years, holding various offices. He also was active in Fertile community affairs and later attended Fertile Lutheran Church where his wife was the organist.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Annette Baca and her husband, Gary, Aurora, Colo.; six grandchildren, Michael Brue, Alvarado, Minn., and his special friend, Carol Graham, Grand Forks, N.D., David Brue, South St. Paul, Minn., Steve Lovik and his wife, Tarh, Virginia Beach, Va., Scott Lovik and his wife, Laura, Clear Lake, Iowa, Angela Healy and her husband, John, Corinth, Texas, and Bridget Glenn and her husband, Gary, Gilbert, Ariz.; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Norman Brue and his wife, Marty, Forest City; one sister, Phyllis  Jones, Davenport, Iowa; and numerous relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Erma; one son, David; and one sister, Marcella Purcell.

Honorary pallbearers were Max Charlie Nye, Sherwood Pitkin, Ted Rinden, John Schissel, Frank Sheimo, Dick Hill, Orval Butenhoff, Don Gaskill.

Pallbearers were Mike Brue, Dave Brue, Randy Brue, Steve Lovik, Scott Lovik, Rich Purcell.

John Robert Graves

John Robert Graves, 76, of Richmond, Ky., died Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998 at the Pattie A. Clay Hospital in Richmond.

Graveside services were held Friday, Jan. 30, at the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, Iowa, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, officiating.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

John was born Sept. 19, 1921 in Missouri. He was a geologist for Phillips Petroleum.

He is survived by two step-sons, Scott Bellamy, San Jose, Calif., and James Bellamy, Mt. Vernon, Iowa; three step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marifrances Peterson Bellamy.

Norman Schober

Norman Schober, 71, of Cape Coral, Fla., formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 2, 1998 at his home. Funeral services are pending.

Norman was the owner of Billy’s Casino in Clear Lake.

Lester Wenzel

Norman Eugene Schober

Norman Eugene Schober, 72, of Cape Coral, Fla., formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 2 at his home in Florida.

Memorials may be given to Hope Hospice, (south), 130 Del Peado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fla. 33904. Cards may be sent to Ardell Schober, 3935 Country Club Blvd. #11, Cape Coral, Fla. 33904.

Norman was born July 15, 1925, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Schober, Sr. When he was a young man he helped his father at Billy’s Casino, Clear Lake. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1943. He served in the Army from 1943-1945.

On Jan. 30, 1952 he married Ardelle De Spain. He is remembered for dancing, playing the piano and organ. Norman and his wife also gave dance lessons at Billy’s, while he managed the business after his father’s death.

After selling Billy’s, he moved to Cape Coral where eventually he became the harbor master of Cape Coral. Norman made several trips back to Clear Lake to visit friends and family. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Ardelle; his children, Dawn, and her husband, Craig Jacobson, Clearwater, Fla., Gene Schober and his wife, Sarah, Cape Coral, and Dwight Schober, Orlando, Fla; five grandchildren; one sister, Grace Marie and her husband, Merrill Parks, Cape Coral; and many nieces and nephews.

Alvin George Kroneman

Alvin George Kroneman, 87, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1998, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Feb. 6, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, with the Rev. Rose Marie Lewis officiating. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar.

Alvin George Kroneman was born Oct. 24, 1910 in Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, the son of Emil Car Kroneman and Mary Emma (Neumann) Kroneman. He was one of nine children. He lived his entire life in Mitchell County and farming was his passion and livelihood.

On April 14, 1940 he was married to Pauline Edith Thompson at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They led the life they both loved of farming, tending cattle and they carried on the Kroneman tradition of hard work and enjoyed every minute. Watching Alvin run  from one project on the farm to another was a common site. They farmed in Rock Township for almost 40 years. The love of farming and hard work passed on to their only son, Allan Dean Kroneman. Attending State Fair and showing cattle, was a highlight. Alvin and Pauline enjoyed ballroom dancing at the Terp to the Lawrence Welk Band. Alvin served as a member of the fair board for Mitchell County and was 4-H leader for many years. Upon retirement in 1976 they moved to St. Ansgar. Alvin continued to work hard spending much time with Allan and Joann in southern Iowa farming; still running from one project to another. In his time off and later years he took pride in his friendship at the Co-op in St. Ansgar.  Riding the country roads with friends, was a joyful pastime.

Alvin is survived by one son, Allan, and his wife, Joann (Baker) and one granddaughter, Jennie Joe Kroneman of rural Clear Lake; four brothers, Lloyd and Wilma Kroneman, Grafton, Iowa, George and Twila Kroneman of Osage, Iowa, Ruben and Betty Kroneman of St. Ansgar, Glen and Delores Kroneman of Carpenter, Iowa; two sisters, Myrtle Miller of St. Ansgar and Clara and Justin Ones of Osage, Iowa; and 32 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 16, 1997. They were married for 57 years; two sisters, Laura Wilde and Grace Tabbert.

Randolph “Randy” K. Bergman

Randolph “Randy” K. Bergman, 56, of Thornton, Iowa, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 at the Veterans Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 9 at the First Baptist Church, Mason City, Iowa, with the Rev. Ronald Stein officiating. Military honors were held by the Clear Lake VFW. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

The family suggests memorials to the Randy K. Bergman memorial fund.

Randy was born Dec. 23, 1941 in Britt, Iowa, the son of Bennie and Helen A. (Broome) Bergman.

Randy served in the United States Navy. He worked at Unisys in Clear Lake and the Clear Lake Bakery. He later moved to Thornton, where he was self employed doing construction work.

He is survived by his two children, Jeremiah Bergman and Kelli Bergman, both of Clear Lake; his father, Bennie Bergman, Des Moines, Iowa; four brothers and sisters, Billy Bergman and his wife, Barb, Clear Lake, Betty Rutan and her husband, Ron, Clear Lake, Arnold Bergman and his wife, Julie, Des Moines, Iowa, and Virginia Parker, Des Moines; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister, Joann Burke.

Forrest L. Hansen

Mr. Forrest L. Hansen, 84, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Memorial services were held Monday, Feb. 9 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jerry Gernander of the Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton, Iowa, officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later time in the Fairview Cemetery, Lincoln, Neb.

The family suggests memorials to the Forrest L. Hansen memorial fund.

Forrest was born June 21, 1913, the son of John and Florence (Hanson) Hansen on the family farm, rural Ventura, Iowa. He attended school in Ventura.

On June 20, 1937, Forrest married Geneva Robison in Garner, Iowa. He farmed the family farm until 1964. They moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he operated heavy equipment for Dobson Brothers Construction until his retirement. They moved to Clear Lake in 1992.

Forrest enjoyed fishing, hunting and especially their many trips to Minnesota to fish. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge while living in Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, Geneva Hansen, Clear Lake; a son, Gayland Hansen and his wife, Phyllis, North Platte, Neb.; two daughters, Shirley Spellman and her husband, Calvin, Phillips, Neb., and Genelle Whitehurst and her husband, Gary, Clear Lake; 15 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Florence Kock; and one son, James Hansen.

Roma Jane (Mrs. Orvis) Sedars

Roma Jane (Mrs. Orvis) Sedars, 83, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 19, 1998 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 23 at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or the American Cancer Society in her memory.

Roma J. Sedars was born Oct. 2, 1914, in Britt, Iowa, the daughter of Pearl and Ruth (Conger) Routh. Roma graduated from Guthrie Center High School.

She married Orvis R. Sedars on Feb. 14, 1940 in Perry, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Sedars moved to Mason City in 1945, where Mr. Sedars continued his career in the automobile profession.

Roma was always interested in the automobile profession and lived to see her dream come true with the opening of Sedars Auto Park, between Mason City and Clear Lake.

In the mid 1950s, the Sedars lived between Mason City and Clear Lake on farms they owned and in 1961 moved to Clear Lake.

Roma was currently served as vice president of Sedars Motor Company Inc.

She taught herself to play the piano and was a past member of the Tri-T Chapter AQ and 20th Century Club. Roma was a member of Today’s Club, the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Roma was an avid student of the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies.

She is survived by a daughter, Jo Ann Sedars, Clear Lake; a son, Jerry W. Sedars and his wife, Debra, Clear Lake; grandsons, Joseph Andrew “Andy” Alexander and his wife, Stephanie, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Jason Sedars Alexander, Plymouth, Minn., Jayme Wayne Sedars, of Clear Lake,

Travis Westly Sedars, Clear Lake, and Dustin Dale Sedars, Clear Llake; two great-granddaughters, Madison Emily and Victoria Anne Alexander, of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; and one sister, Martha Lou Miller and husband, Richard, Kalona, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orvis in 1988; three brothers; and one sister.

Honorary pallbearers Todd E. Meyer, Morris E. Laird, Gordon Pennington, Bill Maginnis, C. Burr Heitland, C. Bradley Price.

Pallbearers were Travis Westly Sedars, Jason Sedars Alexander, Randall Lee Pennington, Dustin Dale Sedars, Jayme Wayne Sedars, Joseph Andrew “Andy” Alexander.

Miriam “Sis” McKone

Miriam “Sis” McKone, 97, a resident of Ames, Iowa, and formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, in Northcrest Retirement Community after a short illness.

Memorial services will be held at Northcrest later in the spring. Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Northcrest Retirement Community, 1801-20th St., Ames, Iowa 50010, or to the Iowa Beta Sigma Phi Epsilon Foundation, 228 Gray, Ames, Iowa 50010.

Miriam McKone was born on May 9, 1900, in Ackley, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Lulu Beach Healey. She grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and lived there until her marriage to Carl L. McKone in 1922. They eventually settled in Clear Lake where she was hostess at the Lake Shore Hotel. Following her husband’s death in 1948, she was housemaker at the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Iowa State University from 1949-1970.

She was known affectionately as “Mom McKone” by several generations of Sig Ep’s, and many of those friendships endured over the years. In 1979, the Des Moines Register called her the “Cyclones No. Fan.” For over 30 years she never missed an Iowa State home football game and missed only two home basketball games and two home wrestling meets.

She was a gifted pianist and enjoyed entertaining as recently as this past holiday season.

She is survived by a niece, Marian Ten Hagen and husband, Dirck, of Pittsford, N.Y.; and a nephew, Edward Healey and wife, Tish, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandnieces; two grandnephews; and 10 great-grandnieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, and a brother, George Healey.

James Roderick Darnell

James Roderick Darnell, 87, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998, at his home in Clear Lake.

Graveside services were held Monday, Feb. 9, at the Union Mound Cemetery, Sumner, Iowa, with the Rev. Charlotte Mallott, officiating.

Military honors were conducted by Thomas E. Woods, American Legion Post #223. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

James Roderick Darnell was born on March 30, 1910, in Sumner, Iowa, the son of Dr. George W. and Ada Mullican Darnell. He graduated from Ringsted High School in Ringsted, Iowa in 1928 and went on to attend Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he received his bachelor of science degree in 1932.

James Roderick worked for the State of Iowa in Des Moines, Iowa, for several years before joining the United States Department of the Treasury, where he worked for 30 years.

During World War II he served as a technical sergeant with the 104th Reconnaissance Troop in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

He was wounded in action in Germany and awarded the Purple Heart.

In June of 1997, he was awarded the Liberty Medal and “Diploma de Reconnaissance” from the French Government for his service in France during the Allied Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.

After World War II ended, he returned to Iowa where he married Doris May Lindsey, of Colorado, on Christmas Day of 1945, at the Methodist Church in Clear Lake.

James Roderick enjoyed bicycling, walking, following current events, listening to big band music, and repairing bicycles and radios.

He is survived by his wife, Doris May Lindsey Darnell, of Clear Lake; one son, Dr. George W. Darnell and his wife, Gerianne, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; one daughter, Paula Darnell, of Reno, Nev.; two granddaughters, Sara Manley, and Andrea Roberts and her husband, Keith, all of Reno, Nev.; a sister, Neva Mason, of Mason City, Iowa; nephews, James Earl Mason Jr. and his wife, Helen, of Mason City, and Robert Mason and his wife, Ann, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nieces, Suellen Estey of New York, and Gretchen Evans and her husband, Billy, of Collins,  Miss.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Russell; sisters, Pauline Gross and her husband, Elton, and Mary Estey and her husband, Robert; and brother-in-law, James Earl Mason, Sr.

Richard Latham
5/23/19?? - 2/12/1998

Florence H. Dodd
2/19/1912 - 2/12/1998

Michael J. Asada
12/4/1948 - 2/5/1998

Mae J. Nichols
3/30/1907 - 2/13/1998

Edna Krull Fishel
3/27/1922 - 2/13/1998

Phyllis Watros
9/23/1922 - 2/11/1998

Mrs. Florence Julia Millard, 83, Mason City, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1998 at the Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 20 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The family suggests memorials to the Florence Julia Millard Memorial Fund.

Florence was born July 30, 1914 in Hanlontown, Iowa the daughter of John and Ida Belle (Skellenger) Hodenfield. She attended school in Clear Lake.

On April 23, 1933 Florence married Cecil Millard in Mason City. They lived in the Mason City and Clear Lake areas. She and her husband owned and operated the first Maid Rite Cafe in Clear Lake. They then operated the truck stop cafe in Clear Lake. In the early ‘60s she cooked at Ritter’s Nursing Home in Clear Lake.

Florence loved her family and friends and always had a smile for everyone. She enjoyed traveling and wintering in Florida for many years. Her hobbies included collecting bells, doing crafts and writing poems and sharing them with other people. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, where she was very active.

She is survived by two sons, Roger Millard and his wife, Charlene, Bangor, Maine, and Jerry Millard and his wife, Patricia, Clear Lake; one daughter, Janice Millard, Clear Lake; nine grandchildren, Scott S. Millard and his wife, Susan, Levant, Main, Jeffrey L. Millard, Bangor, Maine, Terry L. Millard and his wife, Tracy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Todd M. Millard and his wife, Denise, Cedar Rapids, Teresa K. Millard, Mason City, David M. Neuberger II and his wife, Kerry, Klemme, Iowa, Julia H. Anderson and her husband, Lance, Clear Lake, Nicole K.  Neuberger, Ames, Iowa, and Johan C. Neuberger, Garner, Iowa; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Wilma Trebil, Manly, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Floyd and Roy Hodenfield; and one sister, Hazel Loth.

Honorary pallbearers were Scott S. Millard and Jeffrey L. Millard.

Pallbearers were Jerry L. Millard, Terry L. Millard, Todd M. Millard, Johan C. Neuberger, David M. Neuberger, David M. Neuberger II, Orville H. Muth.

Richard James Latham

Richard James Latham, 75, Clear Lake, Iowa died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 at the North Iowa Mercy Health Center East Campus, Mason City, Iowa.

Inurnment will be in Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery and family services will be held at a later date. The remains were cremated. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Richard was born in Mt. Vernon Township, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa on May 23, 1922, the son of Francis H. and Edna M. (Buffington) Latham. He attended rural schools and Mason City schools.

In 1940, Richard enlisted in the 2nd Bn, 133rd Inf. Regt., a Mason City unit of the 34th Inf. Div. and served with that unit in World War II in the British Isles, North Africa and Italy. He was discharged in 1945. He enlisted in the Regular Army in 1946 and served with the Military Police in the U.S., Europe and the Far East until 1962 when he retired with 21 years service.

In 1963 Richard began employment with the Clear Lake Police Department serving as chief of police, during which time he was also employed part-time by the Ruan Transport in Mason City terminal. In 1973 he was employed full time by Ruan Transport until his retirement in 1986.

Richard was a member of the Clear Lake VFW, I.O.O.F. Lodge in Clear Lake and the Teamster Union.

He is survived by six sisters, Frances Rutledge and her husband, Lewis, Grand Rapids, Mich., Helen A. Latham, Wheaton, Ill., Rosemary DeWitt and her husband, Kenneth, Hanlontown, Iowa, Veronica Enabnit and her husband, Paul, Mesa, Ariz., Beverly Swan, St. Louis Park, Minn., Lucy Peevy, Tulsa, Okla.; one brother, John D. Latham, Blakesburg, Iowa; a special friend, Georgia Hackleman; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Betty Bowers.

Mary O’Leary

Mary O’Leary, 97, of Mason City, Iowa, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, Iowa.

A funeral Mass was held Saturday, Feb. 21, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial was in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church in memory of Mary O’Leary.

Mary O’Leary was born June 26, 1900 at Mason City, the daughter of William and Mary (Boyle) Colby. She attended schools in Mason City and Dougherty, Iowa.

In February 1922, she married Howard O’Leary at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City.

Mary enjoyed working for the Red Cross and actively participated in their water safety and swimming programs. She was involved with the Red Cross Auxiliary during World War II.

She actively volunteered at the MacNider Museum and at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Mary enjoyed playing golf and bridge, and also enjoyed many outdoor activities. From 1940-1960, she participated in many golf tournaments in both Mason City and Clear Lake, winning several championships.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City, the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Joan of Arc, #152, and the Athenian Study Club.

She is survived by one son, Howard O’Leary and his wife, Audrey, Clear Lake; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Neal Colby and his wife, Mary Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Okla. and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard O’Leary Sr.; one son, John Hanford; one daughter, Mario Kelly; five brothers; and one sister.

Clair Richard Heifner

Clair Richard Heifner, 87, of 1308 Main Ave., Clear Lake, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 1998 at home following a four-year battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Pastor Larry Yeoman officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Clair Heifner Memorial Fund.

Clair was born Jan. 10, 1911 in Titonka, Iowa, the eldest son of Lewis Castor and Ina Elizabeth (Stockwell) Heifner. He attended school at Titonka Consolidated School, graduating in 1928. He attended one semester at Britt Junior College.

On April 16, 1934 he was united in marriage to Florence Mae Bacon in Des Moines, Iowa. They returned to Titonka in the fall of 1934, began farming and remained there for seven years. In 1941 they moved to a farm northwest of Clear Lake. They moved to Clear Lake in 1945. Clair then began a 25 year career in the Clear Lake Bakery where he served in many capacities, including foreman, until his retirement on June 1, 1974.

Clair was a member of the Methodist Church, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Clear Lake Fishing Club. He volunteered for Northern Trails Agency and Retired Senior Citizen Program.

He was an avid bowler, fisherman, and card players. He loved to camp and had the privilege of traveling over the United States after retirement. He had a special way of telling stories from his past, rarely forgetting a date or detail. He loved to sing, remembering songs from his childhood, school days, and even operettas in which he once performed. In later years, after the death of Florence, he took great pride in remembering birthdays, anniversaries and special events in the lives of his loved ones and friends with greeting cards.

He is survived by three daughters, Ina Lee (Alan) Abel of Madison, Wis., Judith Ann Heifner of Morris, Ill., Beth Janine (Donald) Fink of Hampton; seven grandchildren, Pamela (Pastor Michael) Plagenz, Jeffrey Abel, Lynell Gile, Bradley (Susan) Abel, Kristy (Matt) Abbas, Jolie (Lee) Crawford, Jason (Becky) Fink; nine great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Andrew, Elizabeth and Peter Plagenz, Jordan and Nicholas Abel, Timothy and Amanda Gile, Drew Abbas; one half brother, Lewis Heifner and sister-in-law, Jo Ann Heifner; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; step-mother, Edyth; two brothers, Raymond and Robert; step-brother, Theodore; two sisters, Viola and Elois; step-sister, Gracie; and one great-granddaughter, Jessica.

Lloyd McKinnon

Rev. August Geske