James L. Ahrens, 57, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 1, 1998 at his home.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 4 at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials will be used to establish a scholarship fund in his name.

Jim was born Aug. 23, 1940 in Sutherland, Iowa, the son of Edmond F. and Nellie Mae (Stanton) Ahrens. He graduated from Sutherland High School in 1958. As a high school student, Jim was named to the Iowa Daily Press Association Class B 1958 First Team All-State Basketball Team. He was also selected All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball.

After graduation, he attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and history in 1962. He lettered four years in basketball and still holds the following records at Buena Vista: career points (1,975); single game points (51); points in a single year (701); field goals in a single game (17); free throws in a year (319); free throws (26-28); free throws in an Iowa Conference year (185); free throws in an Iowa Conference game (21-22); career rebounds (1,972); rebounds in a year (682); and rebounds in a single game (33). He started 94 straight games out of 95. Following the completion of his collegiate career, he was named to NAIA Second Team and Associated Press Third Team Little All-American Basketball Teams. He led Buena Vista to an NAIA Tournament finals berth. His Iowa Conference season free throw (185) and rebound (389) records still remain intact. He was selected as a charter member of Buena Vista College’s Hall of Fame in 1968.

His teaching and coaching career began at Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he taught American Heritage and social studies. He also was the head basketball coach and assistant football coach. He moved on to U High in Iowa City, where he was a physical education teacher and head boys basketball coach. He then taught social studies and coached basketball, baseball and was the assistant football coach at Postville, Iowa.

In 1970, Jim came to Clear Lake High School. For 11 years, he taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and was assistant football coach. His 1972-73 (22-3) and 1978-79 (12-11) basketball teams qualified for the state tournament. His baseball team defeated both Mason City and Newman in the 1972 Sectional Tournament.

In 1981 Jim was named administrator’s assistant at CLHS in addition to his teaching position. In 1984 he was forced to give up coaching basketball when he was diagnosed with diabetes. He finished 21 years of coaching basketball with an overall record of 238-194. For 25 years, he was active as an official for basketball, baseball and softball contests, including district and state games.

Jim furthered his education by earning a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Drake University in 1991. Earlier this year, Jim retired as vice principal and athletic director at Clear Lake High School.

Athletics was also a fun part of the Ahrens family at home, last the Thanksgiving holiday always included a family basketball game. He also enjoyed golfing with his children and friends. His grandchildren were also a very special part of his life.

He enjoyed membership in the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, the Iowa High School Athletic Director’s Association and Iowa high school boys and girls athletic associations.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, Clear Lake; three sons, Mike Ahrens and his wife, Lisa, Clear Lake, Mark Ahrens and his wife, Teresa, of Simpsonville, S.C., and Matthew Ahrens and his wife, Pamala, Des Moines, Iowa; three grandchildren, Adam, Alyssa and Jonah Ahrens; two brothers, Duane Ahrens and his wife, Mary Ann, of Waverly, Iowa, and Roger Ahrens and his wife, Louise, Tripoli, Iowa; a sister, Marilyn Kjergaard, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Jon L. Hanson, 52, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 1, 1998 at his home.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 5, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Jon L. Hanson memorial fund.

Jon was born March 4, 1946 in Garner, Iowa, the son of Erwin and Dorothy (Carter) Hanson. He attended Clear Lake High School, where he participated in varsity football each of his four years and earned All-State honors. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1964 and then attended Mason City Junior College and Hamilton Business College in Mason City.

He married Carol Hensley on Sept. 19, 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa. The couple lived their entire married life in Clear Lake.

After finishing college he came back to the family business, Hanson’s Marine in Clear Lake, where he worked and later owned and operated the business until his retirement. He was regarded as a smart business man.

He would try to wrangle a deal and he usually succeeded.

Jon enjoyed all aspects of nature and wildlife. He could spend hours watching a campfire. He took numerous, memorable fishing trips to Northern Minnesota and Canada. He loved the birch trees, the lakes, and the peace he found in the untouched beauty of nature. Jon was a lifetime supporter of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting and trapping. In more recent years, he preferred a more peaceful relationship with animals. He loved to feed and watch the geese fly in and out of the pond. Jon was always bringing a menagerie of animals home to his own "On Golden Pond."

Of course, Jon loved the lake. He grew up on the lake skiing, fishing, boating, swimming, snowmobiling and ice fishing. He always prided himself on having the first dock and boat on the lake in the early spring.

He loved to watch sports, especially football. Jon enjoyed playing cards, especially playing cribbage with his mother and shooting pool. Jon loved to travel, he especially enjoyed the trips he took with his family and friends to Orlando, Fla. Jon loved taking his grandchildren to Disney World, because it embodied child-like hope and happiness. One of Jon’s favorite sayings was ‘Dare to Be Happy, Don’t Be Afraid for this is the Day The Lord has Made’. He also enjoyed his peace and quite.

Jon Hanson embraced happiness. He was a fun loving spirit with a heart of gold. He gave to everyone ... he gave smiles, hugs, advice, optimism, friendship, hope, love and support. Jon loved to buy and give gifts. The greatest gift he ever gave was himself. Friends and family will cherish the memories of the time spent with a man like no other, a true, generous friend. Like a boat roaring across the lake into the sunset, Jon wanted to leave peace and quiet in his wake.

Jon dearly loved his family. His greatest joy was spending time with them.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Hanson, Clear Lake; his mother, Dorothy Rogers, Clear Lake; two daughters, Robin Garrington and her husband, Brad, Clear Lake, and Heather Hanson, Ankeny, Iowa; three grandchildren, Faith, Autumn and Carter Garrington; and several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.

Dr. Milton LeRoy Knutson, 85, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 1, 1998 at his home.

His body was cremated. Memorial services will be held the first week of June at First Congregational Church, Clear Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church or Hospice. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Milton LeRoy Knutson was born Sept. 20, 1912 in Leola, S. D., the son of Henry and Emma (Rogne) Knutson. His early years were spent in South Dakota where he also attended school until moving to Clear Lake in 1926. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1930, attended Mason City Junior College and graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. He established his first practice in Elkader, Iowa. On June 30, 1935, he married Jean Matthews at First Congregational Church. Two sons were born to this union.

In 1946, he joined his father’s practice in Mason City and moved his family to Clear Lake, where he was active in many community affairs. He considered himself very fortunate as his older son shared his interest in Scouting and Free Masonry and his younger son shared his interest in Optometry and Rotary. Both retained as adults the love for sailing the he instructed them in as boys.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; his sons, Gordon and his wife, Julia, Seabrook, Texas, and Eric and his wife, Patricia, Corvallis, Ore.; three grandsons, Brian Knutson and his wife, Angelina of Weirton, W.V., Christopher Knutson, of Seabrook, Texas, John Knutson and his wife, Shannon, Oakland, Calif.; one granddaughter, Anna Knutson, Houston, Texas; and one great-great-grandson, Nathaniel Knutson, of Weirton, W.V. He considered jay and Kelly Bergman special members of his family.

Margaret E. Reiter, 88, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, April 23, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home, Rockwell, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 1, at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jana Swenson officiating. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials in memory of Margaret E. Reiter to Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.

Margaret was born March 25, 1910 in Champaign County, Ill., the daughter of Henry and Minnie (Johnson) Ackerman. In 1917 the family moved to Iowa and settled three miles east of Palmer where Margaret grew up on a farm. Margaret was educated in the Palmer Schools.

On Feb. 27, 1929 she was united in marriage with Henry Reiter at her parent’s home. After their marriage, the couple lived in several Northwest and North Central Iowa communities where Mr. Reiter was active in the grain elevator business. In October 1944 the family moved to Clear Lake where Mr. Reiter managed the Clear Lake Grain Co. and Margaret was employed as the bookkeeper for the firm. Margaret was employed at the Federated Store, Oluf T. Hansen Department Store, and the Clear Lake Telephone Co.

Margaret was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church serving many years on the Altar Guild and the Visitation Committee. She was also active in her Circle in the church.

She is survived by one son, the Rev. Darwin G. Reiter and his wife, Judy, Clear Lake; two sisters, Emma Reiter and her husband, Donald, of Palmer, Iowa, and Evelyn Nielsen and her husband, Dallas, of West Des Moines, Iowa; three sisters-in-laws, May Ackerman, West Branch, Iowa, LaVerne Ackerman, Pocahontas, Iowa and Bernice Ackerman, Coral Gable, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

Lawrence A. Schmoll, 84, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, April 26, 1998, at the Keokuk Area Hospital.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 2, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery with Military honors by the Clear Lake VFW Memorial Post.

Lawrence A. Schmoll was born on April 1, 1914, in Clear Lake, the son of William and Flora (Knack) Schmoll. He attended and received his education in the rural Clear Lake school system. After completing his schooling he worked on the family farm. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 12, 1942, at Ft. Des Moins and served in the infantry in the 8th Service Command 1865th unit during World War II until his honorable discharge on Oct. 6, 1942, a Camp Wallace, Texas. After his honorable discharge he returned to the family farm where he was born and was a lifetime farmer. He also worked for the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Clear Lake for eight years. After his retirement he continued to live on the family farm.

He enjoyed spending time visiting with his friends.

He was a 52-year member of the American Legion Post and the Am Vets all in Clear Lake.

He is survived by his niece, Janice (Schmoll) Noneman and her husband, Gary, of Keokuk, Iowa; two nephews, William T. Schmoll and his wife, Joyce, Evanston, Ill., and John Schmoll and his wife, Margaret of Bozeman, Mont.; 13 great-nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.

A graveside memorial service will be held for Richard J. Latham on May 23, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Vernon Township Cemetery near Swaledale. Richard requested that no funeral be held at the time of his death, but a memorial service be held at a later date and family and friends have honored that request.

Since Richard was in the U.S. Army for 21 years, a military tribute will be provided by the VFW; and his brother-in-law, Rev. Paul J. Enabnit, will officiate at the burial.

Richard is survived by seven siblings, Frances and Lewis Rutledge, Grand Rapids, Mich., Helen Latham, Wheaton, Ill., Rosemary and Kenneth DeWitt, Hanlontown, Iowa, Beverly Swan, St. Louis Park, Minn., Veronica and Paul Enabnit, Mesa, Ariz., Lucy Peevy, Tulsa, Okla., and John Latham, Blakesburg, Iowa.

The family extends an invitation to Richard’s friends in the area to attend the memorial service as well as a luncheon afterwards which is being served by the VFW Women’s Auxiliary at 211 Main Ave., Clear Lake.

A funeral service was held Saturday, May 16 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

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

Harris J. R. DeWall was born July 21, 1921, in rural Pocahontas, Iowa, the son of George and Hannah (Gerdes) DeWall. He married Iris Roath on Oct. 22, 1949 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joice, Iowa.

Harris served in the Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. He and his wife farmed north of Clear Lake for 40 years before moving to Mason City in 1993. He went into Heritage Nursing Home in 1997.

Harris enjoyed spending his winters in Arizona. He was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Iris DeWall, Mason City; three brothers, Richard DeWall, Grand Meadow, Minn., Marlyn DeWall, Lake City, Minn., and LeRoy DeWall, Calendonia, Minn.; one sister, Marie Baade, Humboldt, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Boyd Roath and Gary Roath, both of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews who he loved very much.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, May 24, at 3 p.m. at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating.

Sally was born July 26, 1903 in Bergen, Norway, the daughter of Lars and Anna Marie (Bertelson) Anderson. She came to America at the age of four.

Sally lived in Mason City, Iowa, until 1965 when she moved to Clear Lake. In 1980 she resided with her daughter Barbara Ransom and her husband, Jim.

Sally once owned a restaurant in Mason City, known as Sally’s Cafe. She was noted for great coconut cream pies.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Jim Ransom, Clear Lake; daughter, Bonnie Fazano, East Liverpool, Ohio; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; two sisters; her daughter, Barbara Ransom; and three husbands.

Mr. David E. Hansen, 52, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 13, 1998 at his home.

Private services were held at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. Inurnment will be in the Buffalo Township Cemetery, Titonka, Iowa. The family suggests memorials to the David E. Hansen memorial fund.

David was born Nov. 28, 1945 in Cedar Falls, Iowa the son of Beryl C. and Dorothy W. (Ervay) Hansen. He moved with his parents at an early age to Clear Lake, where he graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1964. He then attended Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, and graduated in 1975.

David served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. After the service he worked in the Insurance business.

David was Past Commander of D.A.V. of Iowa; Paralyzed Veterans of Iowa, American Legion and VFW Post 298.

He is survived by his daughter, Julie Pejsha and her husband, Shawn, Nevada, Iowa; one granddaughter, Logan Lee Ann Pejsha; his father, Beryl C. Hansen; two sisters, Pam Stewart, Clinton, Iowa, and Judy McCaslin, Mason City, Iowa; and one brother, Terry Hansen, Jenison, Mich.

Minnie A. Surface, 93, of Clear Lake, Iowa, Saturday, May 16, 1998, at Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City, Iowa.

A funeral service was held Monday, May 18 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Robert Towner of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mason City, officiating. A private family graveside service was held Tuesday at Clear Lake Cemetery.

Minnie A. Surface was born March 18, 1905 in Central City, Neb., the daughter of William E. and Sophia Jane (Yount) Gleason. She attended school in Central City, Neb., and on June 8, 1925, she married Merrill W. Surface at Grand Island, Neb. In 1945 they moved to Hastings, Neb. where they lived until 1977 when they moved to Clear Lake.

Minnie worked as a sales lady for J.M. McDonald Co., J.C. Penney and Eds Pharmacy for 30 years. She enjoyed working with the public.

She was a members of St. Marks Episcopal Church in Hastings, Neb., and also a member of Chapter 39 OES Eastern Star, Hastings, Neb.

She is survived by a grandson, Tom Lewis and his wife, Carol, Clear Lake; one granddaughter, Patty Lewis and her husband, Jeff Bertz, Decatur, Ill.; a son-in-law, Butch Lewis, Clear Lake; two great-grandchildren, Jeff and Abby Lewis, both of Clear Lake; and many friends at the Meadows in Clear Lake.

Mrs. Gladys Johnson, 83, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, May 17, 1998 at the Concord Care Center, Garner, Iowa.

Graveside services will be held today (Wednesday), May 20, at the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating.

Gladys was born April 20, 1915 in Whitlock, Tenn., the daughter of William Howell and Zenobia Ann (Doyle) Smith. She graduated from Grove High School in Paris, Tenn. and then continued her education at Tolers Business College.

She worked at the Service Club at Camp Tyson, Paris, Tenn. where she met her husband. Gladys married Glen Johnson July 25, 1943 in Oscelo, Ark. They moved to Clear Lake in 1954. She worked for Dr. Nettleton as a receptionist. Gladys enjoyed cooking and reading. She was a member of the Clear Lake Christian Church, Clear Lake.

She is survived by her husband, Glen, of Clear Lake; one son, Glenn Randy Johnson and his wife, Sue, Clear Lake; one sister, Edith Rea, Cape Coral, Fla.; and special friends Bette ?? and Ashley Scott, Clear Lake.

Mrs. Katherine Marie Jensen, 101, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, May 16, 1998 at the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 21, at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jonathan Swenson officiating. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and Thursday, May 21, from 9-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the

service at the church. The family suggests memorials to Opportunity Village, Hospice of North Iowa, Zion Lutheran Church or the I.O.O.F. Home.

Kathrine was born Sept. 14, 1896 in Aalborg, Denmark, the daughter of Soren Christian and Christine (Pedersen) Sorensen. She came to America at the age of five and became a citizen of the United States Sept. 3, 1942.

She was a skilled seamstress and dressmaker.

On Oct. 12, 1917 she was united in marriage to Jens P. Jensen in Leal, N. Dak. The couple moved to Clear Lake following their marriage.

Kathrine was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, its circles and Zion Lutheran Church Women. She also participated in the Quilter’s Club.

She is survived by four children, Doris I. McCann and her husband, Carroll, of Des Moines, Robert E. Jensen and his wife, Jeanne, of Mason City, Ruth Elaine Baker and her husband, Frank, of Clear Lake, and

Roger A. Jensen and his wife, Martha, of Mankato, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Marjorie Jensen, Clear Lake; three half-sisters, Christine, Olive and Fern; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Jane A. Bahnsen, 46, of Mason City, Iowa, died Saturday, May 23, 1998 at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East Campus.

A funeral mass was held Tuesday, May 26 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Dennis Cahill officiating. Burial was in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.

Jane A. Bahnsen was born Jan. 6, 1952, at Mason City, the daughter of Vernon "Boots" and Imogene (Cahalan) Larson. She graduated from Newman High School and later graduated from Hamilton Business College.

In 1972, she married Thomas Bahnsen at Mason City.

She was employed by Aco Durafarm and was a realtor for the Busch Agency.

Jane loved to be outdoors, and loved boating. She also enjoyed shopping and decorating.

She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, the Clear Lake Yacht Club and the Mason City and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.

She is survived by her children, Katie (Bahnsen) Grant, Michael Bahnsen, Bridget Bahnsen and Shannon Bahnsen, all of Mason City; two grandchildren, Samantha and Jayme Grant; her parents, Vernon "Boots" and Imogene Larson, Mason City; six siblings, Jeanne Lessor, Mason City, Tom Larson and his wife, Laura, Westminster, Colo., Tim Larson, Dublin, Calif., Mary Beth Nelson and her husband, Don, Mason City, Dr. Sue Sumners and her husband, Tom, Lakewood, Colo., and Janice Barnes and her husband, Jeff, Lakewood, Colo.; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a special friend, John Busch, Clear Lake.

Dr. Milton LeRoy Knutson, 85, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Friday, May 1, 1998 at his home.

His body was cremated. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Clear Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church or Hospice. Inurnment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Ward-Van Slyke

Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Milton LeRoy Knutson was born Sept. 20, 1912 in Leola, S.D., the son of Henry and Emma (Rogne) Knutson. His early years were spent in South Dakota where he also attended school until moving to Clear Lake in 1926. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1930, attended Mason City Junior College and graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Ill. He established his first practice in Elkader, Iowa. On June 29, 1935, he married Jean Matthew at First Congregational Church. Two sons were born to this union.

In 1946, he joined his father in practice in Mason City and moved his family to Clear Lake, where he was active in many community affairs. He considered himself very fortunate that his older son shared his interest in Scouting and Free Masonry and his younger son shared his interest in Optometry and Rotary. Both retained as adults the love for sailing that he instructed them in as boys.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; his sons, Gordon and his wife, Julia, Seabrook, Texas, and Eric and his wife, Patricia, Corvallis,Ore.; three grandsons, Brian Knutson and his wife, Angelique of Weirton, W.V., Christopher Knutson, of Seabrook, Texas, John Knutson and his wife, Shannon, Oakland, Calif.; one granddaughter, Anna Knutson, Houston, Texas, and one great-grandson, Nathaniel Knutson, Weirton, W.V. He considered Jay and Kelly Bergman special members of his family.

Mr. Paul E. Prestholt, 68, of Hanlontown, Iowa, died Tuesday, May 19, 1998 in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 22 at Grace Lutheran Church, Hanlontown, Iowa, with the Rev. Linda Johnson officiating. Interment was in Elim Cemetery, rural Fertile, Iowa. Military honors will be by the Clear Lake VFW. The family suggests memorials to the Paul E. Prestholt memorial fund.

Paul was born April 17, 1930, rural Clear Lake, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Wilmie E. (Long) Prestholt. He graduated from Hanlontown High School in 1949. A year after graduation he served in the United States Navy on the US Oriskany Air Craft Carrier in the Mediterranean as tradesman 3rd class. He later took advanced training in electronics at Jacksonville, Fla., and spent the remaining time of his service in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following the service he moved back to Hanlontown, Iowa.

Paul married Marilyn Kisner on July 25, 1954 in Mason City, Iowa.

Paul farmed in the Hanlontown area for one year then went to work for Lehigh Portland Cement in Mason City where he worked for 30 years retiring in 1985. He also owned and operate Prestholt Repair in Hanlontown until his retirement in 1991.

Paul enjoyed helping farmers with their field work, fishing and snowmobiling in the Chippewa area, Hayward, Wis., where he was a summer resident at the Dagget's Resort. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Paul was noted for making short stories long and long stories shorter.

He is survived by his mother, Wilmie Prestholt, Clear Lake; two daughters, Debra Meyerhofer and her special friend, Marv Adams, Mason City, and Beth Lawson, Hanlontown; three grandchildren, Bonnie Meyerhofer and her fiance, Jesse Ward, Mason City, Bill Pate and his wife, Kari, Mason City, and Kathie Lawson and her fiance, Thomas Gayther, Mason City; two great-grandchildren, Aric and Dylin Pate; one brother, Donald A. Prestholt and his wife, Sue, Hanlontown; one aunt, Rachel Hawkins, Albert Lea, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.