Mrs. Bernice J. Firestone, 92, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998 at the Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City, Iowa.

She was cremated. Inurnment will take place at a later time in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of services.

Bernice was born Dec. 16, 1904 in Lake Township, rural Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Ole and Signe (Clausen) Swanson. She graduated from Clear Lake High School, Clear Lake in 1924 and the continued her education at Iowa State Teacher College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she obtained her degree in education.

Bernice moved to Chicago where she was a governess. She moved to Tarzana, Calif., where she owned and operated Melendy Pre School in North Hollywood. She married Dr. William Firestone Feb. 22, 1957 in Las Vegas. Bernice moved back to Clear Lake in 1992.

She was a member of Historical Society in Los Angeles, Calif. She enjoyed traveling, telling stories, music, gardening, raising flowers and writing poems.

She is survived by her nephew Lawrence Copley, Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1988; three sisters, Julia Copley, Martha Copley and Serena Hurst.

Caroline K. McLennan

Mrs. Caroline K. McLennan, 94, Mason City, Iowa, died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998 at her granddaughter’s house who has been her caregiver.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday), March 4, at 10 a.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Pastor Shane Philpott officiating. Interment will be in the Vilmar Lutheran Cemetery, Vilmar, Iowa. The family suggests memorials to the Caroline K. McLennan memorial fund.

Caroline was born Feb. 19, 1904 in rural Butler County, Iowa, the daughter of August and Augusta (Kramer) Schrage. She was confirmed and baptized at the Vilmar Luther Church, Vilmar, Iowa. She obtained her nursing degree in Mason City.

Caroline was known as Grandma Mac to generations of friends and relatives. In her passing she was not one to boast about herself, but was one to want people to know about Jesus.

She is survived by four sons, Donald McLennan and his wife, Jane, Marsellies, Ill., Charles McLennan and his wife, LaVerne, Emory, Texas, Robert McLennan and Paul McLennan, both of Fairfield, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Marsha McLennan, David McLennan, John McLennan, Laurie Behrends, Kathleen McLennan, Joe McLennan, Brad McLennan, Eric McLennan, Laurie Behrends, Kathleen McLennan, Joe McLennan, Brad McLennan, Eric McLennan, Karen McLennan, Debbie McLennan and Lucky McLennan; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, LaVonne Schultz, and her husband, Al, Nora Springs, Iowa, and a brother, Norbert Schrage and his wife, Mary Jane, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; nine brothers, Ernest, Cy, Chris, Paul, August, Eldo, Ferdinand, Sylvan Schrage and one infant brother; two sisters, Augusta Smedley and Frieda Hildebrand.

Larry Joe Grummer

Larry Joe Grummer, 57, of Ventura, Iowa, died Friday, Feb. 27, 1998 at his home.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 2, 1998 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.

The family suggests memorials in his name.

Larry was born June 18, 1940 in Hampton, Iowa, the son of Lewis and Mildred (Imerman) Grummer. He graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School and Franklin Consolidated High School in Latimer, Iowa, in 1958.

On May 4, 1960 he began working for Ozark Airlines in Clinton, Iowa. He transferred to Dubuque, Iowa and continued with the company until joining the United States Army. After the service, he returned to work for Ozark in Dubuque. He transferred to Mason City in December 1965.

When Ozark left the Mason City Municipal Airport in 1982, Larry transferred to Des Moines, Iowa. Ozark was eventually purchased by Trans World Airlines.

On Aug. 19, 1967 he was united in marriage to Janice Marie Hinders at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton, Iowa. The couple made their home in Clear Lake for one year before moving to Ventura.

Larry’s hobbies included hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, of Ventura; two children, Ronda Prescott and her husband, Steve, Fertile, Iowa, and Scott Grummer of Iowa City, Iowa; a grandson, Tyler Prescott, Fertile; a brother, Roger “Butch” Grummer and his wife, Joyce, of Latimer, Iowa; two sisters, Karen Buelow and her husband, the Rev. Albert Buelow, of Odebolt, Iowa, and Kay Sheppard and her husband, Gary, of Hampton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Honorary pallbearers were Don Ransom, Gordon Quintus, Dick Kaster, Ben Hall, Jim Bruhn, Jack Weigel, and Mike Rodman.

Pallbearers were Ed Snopek, Harlan Muhlenbruck, Chuck Olk, Dennis Casey, Bill Moore, and Tom McMahon.

Joanne E. (Azbill) Huzjak

Joanne E. (Azbill) Huzjak, 66, of Dayton, Ohio, died Sunday, March 1, 1998 at her residence after an extended illness.

MOCA service will be held today (Wednesday), March 4, at 7 p.m. at Tobias Funeral Home, Belmont Chapel, Dayton. A memorial service will follow immediately. A gathering of friends will be held at the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.

Joanne graduated from Clear Lake High School. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary #9936, Amvets Post #9 and was a lifetime member of the MOCA (Cooties) Auxiliary #69.

She is survived by three sons, Donald R. (Theresa) Welz, Jr. of Kettering, Lon D. Welz of Beavercreek, and Jeffrey L. Welz of Xenia; two daughters, Diane E. Johnson and Connie S. Seeley, both of Dayton; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanne (Jack Waite of Coralville, Iowa, and Marcia (Bob) Bunn of Clear Lake; a brother, Larry Watson of Minneapolis, Minn.; special aunt and uncle, Bud and Eileen Watson of Janesville, Iowa; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Azbill; mother, Mary Watson; a brother, Richard Azbill; husband, Joseph Huzjak.

Betty I. Pinneke

Betty I. Pinneke, 73, Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, March 2, 1998 in Monahans Hospital, Monahans, Texas.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 6 at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The family suggests memorials to the Betty I. Pinneke memorial fund.

Betty was born Dec. 2, 1924 in Sheffield, Iowa the daughter of Elmer and Martha (Hartman) Smith. She attended school in Sheffield.

Betty lived in Mason City, Iowa, and Clear Lake most of her life. She lovingly raised seven children. She enjoyed reading, sewing, doing crafts, driving the back country roads and traveling to be with her family and friends. Betty was known for going out of the way to help her family and friends. She will be sadly missed.

She is survived by seven children, Verna Michl and her husband, Ken, Monahans, Texas, Lillie Keith and her husband, Dennis, Clear Lake, Elmer Pinneke and his wife, Minerva, Haysville, Kans., Betty Hanes and her husband, Robert, Waterloo, Iowa, Roger Pinneke, Omaha, Neb., Robin Robinson, Burlington, Iowa, and Martha Walgreen and her husband, Stewart, Cedar Falls, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Sid Bishop, Dawn Bishop, Carlos Pinneke, Dianna Pinneke, William Pinneke, Rahjee Pinneke, Terrance Pinneke, Nikkia Pinneke, Leola I. Hanes and Robert I. Hanes; one great-granddaughter, Jessica Bishop; and several cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Honorary pallbearers were Robert Hanes, Roger Carlson, Art Niles, Dick Meyer.

Pallbearers were Elmer Pinneke, Robin Robinson, Dennis Keith, Roger Pinneke, Sid Bishop, Ken Michl.

Mildred Clarice Pforr

Mildred Clarice Pforr, 83, of Clear Lake, Iowa, formerly of the Manly, Iowa, area, died Monday, March 2, 1998, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 5, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz of the Church of Christ in Fertile, Iowa, officiating. Burial was in the Manly Cemetery.

Mildred Clarice Pforr was born on Sept. 26, 1914, near Devils Lake, N.D., the daughter of Cornelius and Freda (Soder) Sagen. Her mother died when she was two years old and she lived with her aunt and uncle Annie and Gus Sagen at Fertile. She attended and received her education in the Fertile School System, graduating from Fertile High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Freddie Pforr on Feb. 21, 1934 in Manly. He preceded her in death on March 6, 1982. After their marriage together they farmed in the Manly area for many years and also lived in the Rockwell, Iowa, and Sheffield, Iowa, area. Mildred also worked as a nurse’s aid for 20 years at Mercy Hospital in Mason City. She attended and was a member of the Wheelerwood Church near Manly for 30 years, and also attended the United Church of Christ in Fertile.

She is survived by a sister Arlene Schoepf of Minnesota; brother-in-law, Sigr Sigrid Hasfjord of Manly; sister-in-law, Florence

Oredsen of Clear Lake; many dear nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie Pforr; her parents; and a sister.

Verna E. Ouverson

Mrs. Verna E. Ouverson, 97, of Naples, Fla., died Sunday, March 8, 1998, 10 days before her 98th birthday. A long time resident of Clear Lake, Verna had moved to Naples permanently in 1992.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will begin today (Wednesday), March 11, from 5-7:30 p.m., and then continue after noon Thursday until the time of service. Memorials may be given in her name for a Clear Lake project to be designated by the family.

Verna was born on March 18, 1900 in Warrensburg, Ill., to Tom and Alice (Corn) Richey, the oldest of five children. The family soon moved to Iowa, first to the Webster City, Iowa, area and then settled north of Clear Lake.

Verna attended Fertile, Iowa, and Hanlontown, Iowa, schools, graduating from Hanlontown High School. She attended Iowa State

Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and taught school in Worth County. On May 21, 1922, she married Emery L. Ouverson in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. She and her husband then farmed near Fertile, Iowa until 1939 when the family moved to Clear Lake.

Verna opened “Verna’s Fashion Shop” in 1951 and operated it for many years, eventually selling to her sister. She was very active in community affairs and belonged to many ladies’ groups during her business career. Verna loved playing cards and fishing, and was deeply devoted to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Tom Ouverson and his wife, Diane; three grandchildren, Tim Ouverson and Dan Ouverson, both of Naples, Tommie Christensen, Mt. Vernon, Iowa; and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Harding, Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emery L. Ouverson; two sisters; one brother; and her long time friend, Alvin “Ike” Dahle.

Cecil LeRoy (Kid) Cox

Cecil LeRoy (Kid) Cox, 79, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, March 5, 1998, at the Columbia Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas.

Memorial services will be held Friday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hwy. 18, Mason City, Iowa.

The family of Cecil LeRoy (Kid) Cox has requested that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory.

Cecil LeRoy (Kid) Cox was born on May 5, 1918, in Meltonville, Iowa, the son of Marion Frances and Bertha (Shepley) Cox. He attended and received his education in the Otranto School System. After completing his schooling he helped his family on the farm near Otranto moving with his parents on a farm south of Clear Lake in 1932 continuing to farm. He was united in marriage to Emma Hoots on March 22, 1939, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. After their marriage they continued to farm and raise cattle south of Clear Lake for 23 years, moving to Algona, Iowa, where he managed the Algona Sale Barn. He also worked for Iowa Beef Industry for several years and working for Iowa

Beef Industry in Ulysses, Kan. until his retirement in May 1977 moving to Mountain Home, Ark., before moving to Clear Lake in 1981.

He enjoyed wintering in Alamo, Texas, woodworking, cards and fishing, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Emma Cox of Clear Lake; two sons, James Cox and his wife, Linda, Littleton, Colo., Glenn Cox and his wife, Marian, Kingston, Wash.; one daughter, Jo Dickes and her husband, Bill, of Newport, Minn.; seven grandchildren, James B. Cox, Chrissy Cox, Debbie Cox, Laurie Cox, David Cox, Paul Poppell, and Kathryn Fangman; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Loyal (Babe) Cox and his wife, Jean, of Knoxville, Iowa; one sister, Lois Humphrey of Clear Lake; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Christine Humphrey; and one brother, Marion (Bud) Cox.

Martha (Marty) Baylor Champlin

Mrs. Martha (Marty) Baylor Champlin, 85, of 1328 1st St. NW, Mason City, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday, March 9, 1998 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Mr. Steve Myers officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will be held today (Wednesday), from 4:30-7:30 p.m. funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Marty Baylor Champlin memorial fund.

Marty was born Aug. 28, 1912 in rural Montezuma, Iowa the daughter of J.K. and Myrtle (Wright) Myers. She attended country school and then moved with her family at an early age to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she graduated from high school. Following high school she attended beauty school. She was a beautician in Cedar Rapids.

Marty married Robert C. Baylor Sept. 17, 1938 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. They moved to Mason City and later Clear Lake.

She was a beauty operator at the Palais Wave Salon in Mason City and then at Nesbit's Beauty Shop in Clear Lake. Marty later worked at the Chappell Clinic in Clear Lake. After Robert's death on Jan. 19, 1973, she married James (Al) Champlin Dec. 29, 1973. They lived in Benson, Ariz. and later moved to Mesa, Ariz. Al preceded her in death in December 1989. Marty moved back to Clear Lake and in 1996 moved to Mason City.

She enjoyed cooking, knitting, fabric stenciling and fishing on Clear Lake. She was a member of Friendship Club.

Marty is survived by her son, Bill Baylor and his wife, Gayle, rural Nora Springs, Iowa; and one stepdaughter, Cheryl Monson, Mason City; four grandchildren, Scott Baylor and his wife, Carrie Marie, San Angelo, Texas, Dawn Familetti and her husband, Scott, Reedsburg, Wis., Martha Gilley and her husband, Brian, Shawnee, Kan. and Paul Baylor, Rockwell, Iowa; two step-grandchildren, Lori West, Forest City, Iowa and Dan Monson, Lake Mills, Iowa; two great-grandchildren, Zachary Baylor and C.J. "Bear" Baylor; three step great-grandchildren, Zack Crail, Ryan Pederson and Brandy Crail.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; two brothers, Glenn and Ralph Myers.

Helen Housh

J. Bruce Perkins

George Blomstrom

J. Bruce Perkins

J. Bruce Perkins, 50, of 101 Dogwood Drive, Clemson, S.C., died Monday, March 9, 1998, at his home.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 13 at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, where he was a member. The Rev.Thomas Healey was the officiant. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The family suggests memorials be made to the Bruce Perkins Memorial.

Bruce was born April 2, 1947, the son of John and Marlus (Lambert) Perkins. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1965, and from Mankato State University, Mankato, Minn. in 1969.

Bruce married Jane Chamberlain on Aug. 23, 1968 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, Iowa. He taught and coached at Clarion High School.

He was in the real estate business in Clear Lake, and worked for Winnebago Homes in Forest City, Iowa, Component Homes in Iowa City, Iowa, Boise Cascade in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Henkel Construction in Mason City, Iowa.

He enjoyed waterfowl hunting, and in recent years became an accomplished carver of waterfowl and figures. He was an avid sailor and supporter of youth and high school football and hockey.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Perkins, Clemson; three children, Jeff Perkins and his wife, B.J., and sons, Anthony and Nicholas,

Marion, Iowa; Elizabeth Perkins, Iowa City, Iowa; and Meredith Perkins, Clemson; his parents, John and Marlus Perkins, Clear Lake; one sister, Sandra K. Snider and her husband, Lloyd, Peck, Kan.; and in-laws, Tom and Denise Chamberlain, Brooksville, Fla., Mark Chamberlain and Teresa Bowen, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

Organist Pat Treloar accompanied soloist Larry Shaffer.

Pallbearers were Dick Minette, Dennis Henningsen, Tom Ebeling, Chris Murray, Mark Fisher, Mike Fredericks, and Dick Hayes.

Judith (Judy) Benson

Judith (Judy) Benson, 45, Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, March 15, 1998 at North Iowa Mercy Health Center’s east campus, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday), March 18, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jonathan Swenson officiating. Burial will be in Clear Lake Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the Judy Benson Memorial Fund.

Judy was born Jan. 20, 1953 in San Diego, Calif., the daughter of Jim R. and Colleen (Caldwell) Dyre. The family moved to Mason City, Iowa, and then to Clear Lake in 1958. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1971.

She was united in marriage to Larry Benson on Nov. 16, 1973 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, Iowa.

Judy was active in the community as a Girl Scout leader. She loved bowling and was involved in bowling leagues for more than 20 years. She was secretary for the adult Sunday Night league.

She was an Avon representative for 20 years, and had been employed at the Super 8 Motel in Clear Lake for the past eight years.

Her hobbies included collecting thimbles and other items with strawberries on them, and playing with her grandchild.

She was a member of the Clear Lake CB Club (Muddy Pond) until the group disbanded. Her handle was “Little Cricket.” She was a past member of the Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Judith was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Benson, Clear Lake; a son, Trinity Benson and his wife, Erica, and their son, Nathan, Clear Lake; a daughter, Terry, Clear Lake; her parents, Jim and Colleen Dyre, Clear Lake; a sister, Kathy Septer and her husband, David, Hills, Iowa; a brother, Jay Dyre and his wife, Kami, of Ventura; two nieces, Tanya Septer and Debbie Dyre; a nephew, Dustin Dyre; paternal grandparents, Viva and Beatrice Dyre, Mason City; and her mother-in-law, Agneta Syse, Ventura.

She was preceded in death by a nephew, Shaun Septer; and grandparents, George and Louise Caldwell.