Funeral services for Erwin Hovey were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 6 at Orleans Lutheran Church in Ridgeway. The Rev. Phillip Olson and Rev. Ginny Olson officiated. Interment was in the Orleans Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Ronnie Hovey, Duane Gunhus, Darrel Foster, Gary Hovey, Will Hageman and Harlan Peters. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Erwin, 62, died Wednesday, November 3, 1999 at the Cresco Care Center in Cresco.

Erwin Hovey was born December 7, 1936 in Cresco, the son of Rudolph and Gladys Benson Hovey. He was baptized on January 3, 1937 at Orleans Lutheran Church and on May 20, 1951 confirmed his faith also at Orleans Lutheran where he was a life long member. Erwin attended the Hovey Schoolhouse and Cresco schools. He enjoyed farming, horses, and playing cards.

Survivors include two brothers: Norbert of Ridgeway and Raymond of Cresco; two sisters: Geraldine Foster of Denver, CO, and Norma Jean Peters of New Hampton.

Erwin was preceded in death by his parents.

Viola Shea

Funeral services for Viola Shea were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 9 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Tipton, IN. Services will also be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, November 11 at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco with burial in Calvary Cemetery. The Rev. Michael L. Tauke will officiate.

Viola, 94, died Friday, November 5, 1999 at the Autumnwood Extended Care, Tipton County Memorial Hospital in Tipton, IN.

Viola Shea was born September 7, 1905 in Clinton County, the daughter of Jens and Anna (Atzen) Schmidt. As a young girl, the family moved to the Lime Springs area where Viola attended and graduated from the Howard Center No. 3 school.

On June 7, 1926 she married William C. Shea. They moved on the family farm southeast of Lime Springs until 1991, when they moved to Cresco. Viola moved to Tipton, IN in 1994.

She was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Assumption Altar and Rosary Society, the Farm Bureau, Howard Center Stop-and-Go Club, the Parent Teacher Association at Assumption and Notre Dame Schools.

Survivors include two sons: Paul J. of Long Prairie, MN and Thomas J. of Mt. Pocono, PA; two daughters: Helen M. Hoffbeck of Tipton, IN, and Elizabeth Anne Salter of Amherstview, Ontario, Canada; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Marvel Hughes of Bellingham, WA and Pearl Krueger of Waterloo; one brother: James of Waterloo.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, William C. on November 14, 1993; her parents; three brothers: Henry, Harry, and Roy; and four sisters: Mae Schmidt, Leone Buttolph, Annabelle Monthy and Vera Billman.

Lillian O’Sullivan

A funeral mass was held at St. Patrick’s Church by Rev. John Denniston in Huntington, Long Island, NY. Interment was in St. Louis, MO on November 8.

Lillian, 92, died Friday, November 5, 1999 at a nuring home in Huntington.

Lillian O’Sullivan was born August 29, 1907 at Protivin, the daughter of Frank J. and Marie (Pecinovsky) Fencl.

She married James O’Sullivan.

Survivors include three grandchildren; one sister: Adela Larsen of Huntington, NY; and one brother: Henry of Lawler.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband James on November 7, 1980; two sons: Alfred on March 7, 1983, and David as a small child; one grandchild; four brothers; and five sisters.

Aletha Shomber

Funeral services for Aletha Shomber will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, today, at the United Methodist Church in Chester. The Rev. Robert Holdorf will officiate. Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery in rural Chester.

Aletha, 88, died Saturday, November 6, 1999 at the Howard County Regional Health Center in Cresco.

Aletha Grace Shomber was born March 29, 1911 in Portal, ND, the daughter of William and Ethel (Potter) Barenz. At the age of one year old she moved with her parents to a homestead near Whitetail, MT. She attended Whitetail Public School, graduating in 1932. She was a member of the First Baptist Church at Whitetail.

In 1935 she and her grandmother, Mary E. Potter, went to Oroville, WA. Aletha worked at the Tacoma General Hospital as a nurse’s aide. She moved to Osage in 1973 where she resided until 1978 when she moved to Chester. On October 16, 1997 she entered the Cresco Care Center in Cresco.

Aletha was a good seamstress and made many clothes for her family.

Survivors include one sister: Lillian McKenna of Osage and two brothers: Lenard of Iowa City and Ralph of Eagle River, AK.

Aletha was preceded in death by two husbands; her parents; one sister Wilda; six brothers: Frederick, Wilbur, Robert, Virgil, Harold and Wilmer.

Matthew Oyloe

Funeral services for Matthew Oyloe were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 9 at Springfield Lutheran Church. The Rev. Paul Gunderson officiated. Interment was in Springfield Lutheran Cemetery rural Decorah. Pall bearers were: Emily Oyloe, Peter Oyloe, Sam Oyloe, Yori Oyloe, Brandi Zidlicky, Chris Zidlicky, Dean Zidlicky, Donald Zidlicky, Jaclyn Zidlicky, John Zidlicky, Kari Zidlicky, Lisa Zidlicky, Michelle Zidlicky, Mike Zidlicky, Sara Zidlicky, Sondra Zidlicky and Travis Zidlicky. Honoray pall bearers were: Chad Backes, Lloyd Bjergum, Buck Boice, Mark Bouska, Joe Costigan, David Elsbernd, Terry Goza, Wes Hageman, Will Hageman, Dan Hartl, Charles Halverson Dan Houdek, Chad Humpal, Jeremy Humpal, Lee Huinker, Glen Jevne, Travis Lennon, Kent Lensch, Jeremy Leplant, Wade Thuente, Cory Tieskotter, Nevin Vries and Terry Wolford. French & Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Matthew, 20, died Saturday, November 6, 1999 at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital after sustaining injuries in a farming accident.

Matthew Ronald Oyloe was born February 8, 1979 in Decorah, the son of Ronald and Mary Oyloe. He was baptized on March 25, 1979 and confirmed May 2, 1993 both at Springfield Lutheran Church rural Decorah.

Matt graduated in 1997 from South Winneshiek High School in Calmar. Matt loved farming and was an avid outdoorsman.

Matt was a member of the Springfield Lutheran Church and a member of the Northeast Iowa Coon Hunting Association.

Survivors include his parents, Ronald and Mary; two brothers: Derek of Chanhassen, MN and Jason of Decorah; his grandparents: Carl and Gilma Oyloe of Decorah and Art and Gay Zidlicky of Spillville.

Merritt Messersmith

Funeral services for Merritt (Smitty) Messersmith were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 15 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville. The Rev. John Mosher officiated. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Riceville. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Merritt, 75, died Tuesday, November 9, 1999 following a massive heart attack.

Merritt Eugene Messersmith was born May 25, 1924 at Red Oak, the son of Wilmeth and Walter Messersmith. He graduated in 1941 from Missouri Valley High School. He served in the United States Navy Air Force from 1941 to 1945 and was a member of the VPB 118 Squadron.

On February 25, 1944 he married Bea Floriano at San Diego, CA. He was a newspaper editor by trade and was employed at the Shenandoah Sentinel, and newspapers in Alliance, NE, Maquoketa, Monticello and Independence. They purchased the Riceville Recorder in 1957, and he was the editor there for 39 years, retiring in June of 1996.

In 1983 he received the “Master Editor-Publisher” award from the Iowa Newspaper Association. He is past president of the association and the Iowa Newspaper Foundation.

“Smitty” was a member of the Riceville Rest Home board for 25 years, was a member of the Roy Gue Post #244 of the American Legion and the Father F. Stirn chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife Bea; two daughters: Karen Zahasky of Tucson, AZ, and Gail Morris of Riceville; five grandchildren; one sister: Carla Pulley of Shenandoah, and one brother: Merlin of Edwards, CA.

Merritt was preceded in death by his parents.

Eugene Carolan

Funeral services for Eugene Carolan of Decorah formerly of Lawler were held at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. Interment was in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery. Fjelstul Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Eugene, 70, died Tuesday, November 9, 1999 at Green Lea Manor at Mabel, MN of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Survivors include seven sons: Tom and Jerry both of Waucoma, Steven of Decorah, Daniel of Lawler, Ron of Fredericksburg, Terry of Omaha, NE, and Mark of West Des Moines; 17 grandchildren; three brothers: James of Lawler and Francis of Charles City and Paul of Tucson, AZ; two sisters: Ann Ellingson and Bernadette Nosbisch, both of Cresco; and his stepmother, Lucile Carolan of Waterloo.

Rosetta Henderson

Funeral services for Rosetta “Rose” Henderson of Albert Lea, MN were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 15 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Don Rose officiated. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Bonnerup Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Rose, 83, died Thursday, November 11, 1999 at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Rosetta L. Henderson was born August 22, 1916 in Ridgeway, the daughter of Iver T. and Inger M. (Johnson) Benson. She went to country school in Ridgeway and graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1934. Rose attended Cedar Falls Teachers College, and taught in rural Iowa grade schools and Ridgeway Elementary for six years.

On June 18, 1941 she married Harold E. Henderson. They lived in Hollandale, MN from 1941 until moving to Albert Lea in 1988. She had taught Sunday School in Iowa and Minnesota.

Rose was a member of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where she sang in the choir, was a member of Circle #26 and served as program chairman for the First Lutheran Church Women. She also was a leader for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H Club. She loved music and hymns and was a piano teacher for many years.

Survivors include her husband, Harold of Albert Lea, MN; two daughters: Janice Schwartz of Rochester, MN, Faye Hovde of Coon Rapids, MN; one son: Hubert “Bert” of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one sister: Lilly Hove of Cresco.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Blanche Iverson, Pearl Cooke; and two brothers: Victor and Truman.

Anna Schmitt

Funeral services for Anna Schmitt of New Hampton and St. Lucas were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 15 at St. Lukes Catholic Church in St. Lucas. The Rev. Carl Schmitt officiated. Interment was in St. Lukes Catholic Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Lee Meyer, Jeffrey Schmitt, Ken Schmitt, Jim Massman, Galen Heying and Allan Kleve. Honorary pall bearers were members of the Waucoma Catholic Daughters of America, and her daughters placed the pall on the casket. Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Anna, 91, died Thursday, November 11, 1999 at the New Hampton Care Center after an extended illness.

Anna Johanna Schmitt was born December 12, 1907 near St. Lucas, the daughter of Matthew and Philomena (Bodensteiner) Blong. She attended St. Lukes School.

On February 9, 1926 she married Joseph J. Schmitt at St. Lukes Catholic Church. They and their family farmed, did carpentry work and contract building. Anna made her home for the last seven years at the New Hampton Care Center.

Memberships include St. Lukes Catholic Church, the Waucoma Catholic Daughters of America and a 45 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, fishing, working in the garden with her flowers, rock polishing and crafts.

Survivors include four daughters: Agnes Meyer of St. Lucas, Verna Massman of Lansing, Emily Heying of Postville, and Elaine Kleve of Cresco; six sons: Tony of Dickeyville, WI, Henry of Hawkeye, Rev. Carl Schmitt of St. Joseph Parish in New Hampton, Clem of Hawkeye, Floyd of Castalia, and Raymond of N. Las Vegas, NV; 56 grandchildren; 99 great-grandchildren; one sister: Loretta Blong of St. Lucas; and one brother: Alexian Brother Wendelin Blong of Chicago.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on June 15, 1961; her daughter Marie on June 21, 1994; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and her parents.

Darrell Armstrong

Funeral services for Darrell Armstrong of Austin, MN were held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 16 at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. The Rev. James C. Peck Jr. officiated. Interment was in Chester Hill Cemetery in Chester. Pall bearers were: Jeff Mjerus, Charley Johnson, Darren Armstrong, Kenny Gilbert, Steve Jennings, and Al Greenman. Honorary pall bearers were: John Halvorson, Chuck Golden, Ray Yerhot, Alden Ikeda and George Johnson.

Darrell, 85, died Saturday, November 13, 1999 at Austin Medical Center.

Darrell E. Armstrong was born May 21, 1914 in Chester, the son of W.J. and Hazel (Markham) Armstrong. He grew up on a farm outside of Chester. He worked with his father in the trucking business and helped with the farm.

On June 10, 1937 he married Margaret Cady in Sumner and they lived in Chester. Darrell began his own trucking business named Armstrong Truck Lines, Inc. In 1952 he moved his business to Austin and South St. Paul. In 1954 he and his family moved to Austin, and made it their home. In 1985 he sold his business and became more involved in real estate.

Survivors include one daughter: Jeannie Majerus of Austin, MN; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters: Nola Deguch of Mesa, AZ, and Kathleen Johnson of Chester.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 1994, a son: William in 1970; his parents; and a granddaughter.

Norman Chase

Memorial services for Norman Chase of Riceville and formerly of Mason City were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 17 at Lindstrom Funeral Home. A private interment will be at a later date.

Norman, 60, died Sunday, November 14, 1999 at his home following an extended illness.

Norman Joel Chase was born September 28, 1939 in Rochester, MN, the son of Edwin and Joyce (McIntosh) Chase. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1957.

On June 6, 1959 he married Leota Eastman at Wayne Baptist Church in McIntire.

Joel was a member of the Iowa National Guard from 1956 to 1964, and was a firefighter with the Mason City Fire Department for 30 years.

Survivors include his wife, Leota of Riceville; one son: Jeffrey of Glen Burnie, MD; two daughters: Mary Anderson and Diane Chase both of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren; and one sister, Pamela Loeckle of Mason City.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Eleanor Payton

Funeral services for Eleanor Payton were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 19 at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Lime Springs. Intern Rhea Evanson officiated. Eleanor’s body was cremated following the services.

Eleanor, 77, died Monday, November 15, 1999 at her home from an apparent heart attack.

Eleanor Payton was born July 10, 1922 in Lime Springs, the daughter of A. J. and Agnes (Applen) Dunlap. She graduated from Lime Springs High School and Young’s School of Beauty in Waterloo.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Victor Payton and they resided in Waterloo where she worked at the Waterloo Box Factory and as a waitress at Big Carl’s Place and the Steamboat. Victor died in 1971 and Eleanor moved back to Lime Springs in 1974 and lived with her brother until his death in 1991. Since that time she has lived with her son. She worked as a waitress and at the Peter Produce Egg Factory following her return to Lime Springs.

Survivors include one son: Thomas of Lime Springs; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Victor; her parents and a brother, Duane.

Georgene Foley

Funeral services for Georgene Foley were held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, November 17 at the St. Joseph’s Worship Center. The Rev. Michael L. Tauke officiated. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Pall bearers were: Roger Kleve, Clet Koshatka, Melvin Humpal, David Humpal, Zenas Meyer Jr., and Eugene Dotzler. Conway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Georgene, 88, died Monday, November 15, 1999 at the Patty Elwood Center/Howard Residential Care Facility.

Georgene A. Foley was born April 6, 1911 near Protivin, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Zahasky) Koshatka. She attended the rural school and returned home to work until she started working away from home. She worked at the Bakery and then was a receptionist for her son in the chiropractic office until she had cataract surgery. Following her recovery, she returned to work part-time until her retirement in 1995.

In 1953 she married William C. Foley and they made their home in Cresco.

Survivors include two daughters: Elvira Shaver of Cresco and Garnita Wencl of Minneapolis, MN; one son: Dr. Donald Foley of Cresco; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Georgene was preceded in death by her husband William on November 8, 1992, her parents; one brother: William C. Koshatka; and three sisters: Zephie Jirak, Wilma Meyer, and Clara Wagner.

Eugene Junko

Funeral services for Eugene “Gene” Junko were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18 at Assumption Catholic Church in Little Turkey. The Rev. Allen Schmitt officiated. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in New Hampton. His wife and four children placed the pall on the casket. Pall bearers were: Larry Jirak, Dean Fisher, Clarence Kreiner, Bob Cuvelier, Don Fisher and Norbert Busta. Honorary pall bearers were: Francis Reicks, Gene Reicks, Norb Shileny, Kurt Knoll, Neal Reicks, Vern Schmitt, Greg Kuennen, John Cuvelier, Gail Stammeyer and Carla Dreckman. Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Eugene, 67, died Monday, November 15, 1999 at his home of cancer.

Eugene Junko was born July 2, 1932 in Lawler, the son of Frank and Mary Stasia (Britt) Junko. He attended school in Lawler and graduated from the Lawler High School in 1951.

On May 26, 1953 he married Dorothy Cutsforth at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. They lived in New Hampton and Waterloo. Dorothy died October 25, 1970. Gene was a meat inspector for the USDA for many years.

On July 3, 1982 he maried Luella (Burgart) Rosenbaum at Assumption Parish in Little Turkey.

For many years Gene was a self employed electrician and owned the Fats Steak House in Lawler from 1971-1975. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and trapping; playing cards; his coffee club; and attending auctions.

Memberships included the Knights of Columbus, The Catholic Order of Foresters and Assumption Church of Little Turkey.

Survivors include his wife, Luella; five sons: Tom Junko of Lawler, Joe Rosenbaum of Waucoma, Paul Rosenbaum of Lawler, Don Rosenbaum of Lawler and Gene Rosenbaum of Newton; seven daughters: Shril Stone of New Hampton, Michele Fenneman of Cambridge, Diane Bruess of Protivin, Robin Lyman of Iowa Falls, Linda Rosenbaum of Richfield, MN, Angie Junko of Mason City and Norma Meirick of Idaho Falls, ID; 31 grandchildren; three brothers: Francis and Paul, both of Waterloo, and Dan of Des Moines; four sisters: Joann Keister of Minneapolis, MN, Susan Navine of Connecticut, Mary Heinz of Spencer and Helen Kuennen of Waterloo.

Eugene was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy and his parents.

Arnold Thompson

Funeral services for Arnold Thompson of Decorah were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 20 at Glenwood Church in rural Decorah. Interment was in Decorah Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. The pall bearers were: Dave, Doug and Darryl Hanson, John Loven, Gary Smorstad and Vernon Olson. French & Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Arnold, 87 died Thursday, November 18, 1999 at the Cresco Care Center in Cresco following a short illness.

Arnold Thompson was born November 16, 1913 in Winneshiek County, the son of John and Amelia (Blum) Thompson. Arnold attended country school and was confirmed at the Stavanger Lutheran Church.

On June 26, 1937 he married Esther Kraby in Cresco. He worked in Milwaukee for a short time and moved to Decorah in 1949. They later moved to Marion and he worked as a cement contractor. They returned to Decorah in 1970 and worked for Patz Sales doing concrete work. In later years, he enjoyed helping out at Smorstad’s Garage.

Arnold enjoyed playing cards and was a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Esther of Decorah; one daughter: Betty Hanson of Decorah; three grandsons; ten great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Marie Peterson of Decorah and Helen Rilling of Hillsboro, OR.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers: Leonard, Nathan, Bill, Raymond and Lester “Bud”.

Dolores Johnson

Funeral services for Dolores Johnson of Rockwell, formerly of Cresco were held at 12:00 noon Tuesday, November 23 at the Assumption Worship Center. The Rev. Michael L. Tauke officiated. Pall bearers were Patricia Sheldon, Bill Sheldon, Tara, Todd and Thad Sheldon, Tom Hensley and David Garrison. Conway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dolores, 82, died Friday, November 19, 1999 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Dolores Marie Johnson was born April 17, 1917 at New Hampton, the daughter of Alfred and Julia (Lensing) Fulcher. She grew up in Charles City, and graduated from Charles City I. C. and went to nursing school at Mercy in Mason City.

On April 21, 1944 she married James E. Johnson in Mason City. They moved to Waterloo and then to Cresco where she was employed as a nurse at Mercy Hospital and then the Howard County Hospital. After her retirement, she did some nursing for Public Health.

Dolores was a member of the Assumption Church, the Assumption Altar Society, and served on the Calvary Cemetery Board. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Cresco. She enjoyed reading.

Survivors include one daughter: Patricia Sheldon of Rockwell; three grandchildren; and one brother, Donald Fulcher of Rock Island.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband James in March of 1979; her parents, one grandson, and two brothers: Al Fulcher and Raymond Fulcher.

Linus Bohr

Funeral services for Linus Bohr were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 27 at St. Joseph’s Worship Center. The Rev. Michael L. Tauke officiated. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Pall bearers were: Brian Bohr, David Engelhardt, Dennis Bohr, Craig Bohr, George Smith and David Lechtenberg. Honorary pall bearers were Roger Kleve and Bill Kruse. Conway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Linus, 67, died Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco.

Linus William Bohr was born February 26, 1932 in Winneshiek County near Ossian, the son of Anton and Mathilda (Hageman) Bohr. After he received his education at the St. Francis DeSales School in Ossian, he returned home to help the family on the farm. On January 29, 1952, Linus entered the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was discharged on January 13, 1954 and returned home to work on the farm.

On September 28, 1954 he married Evelyn Gossman at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton. After farming for several years, he worked as a brick layer and then started the business of L & S Masonry in 1974, retiring in 1994.

Linus liked to play cards, scrabble, watch college football, and garden.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; three sons: Stephen and Dan both of Cresco, and Leon of Decorah; four daughters: Marjorie Kidd of Rochester, MN, Carol Fiegel of Apple Valley, MN, Norma Engelhardt of Cresco, and Colleen Shannon of Marion; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters: Viola Bohr of Waterloo, Arlene Bohr of Darien, IL, and Jeanne Hageman of Ossian; three brothers: Wilfred of Ridgeway, Gerald of Cedar Rapids, and Duane of Sylvania, GA.

Linus was preceded in death by a son Kevin, and his parents.

Elsie Bartelma

Elsie Bartelma passed away in Colorado Springs, CO on Sunday, November 21, 1999 at the age of 94.

Elsie M. Bartelma was born August 17, 1905 on a farm in Clayton County, the daughter of Andrew and Alice (Klingman) Yearous. She attended schools in Elgin, graduating from Elgin High School in 1922. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls graduating in 1928. She later attended graduate school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and the University of Colorado at Boulder, CO.

On July 11, 1928 she married David C. Bartelma at her family home in Highland Township, by the minister from the Illyria Community Church.

Elsie and her husband, David, lived in Cresco in the 1930s with David (Bart) acting as Wrestling Coach and Principal of the Cresco High School.

Survivors include one daughter: Joanne Little of Boulder, CO and one son: Robert of Colorado Springs, CO; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother Arthur; and a sister Mildred Woodworth.

 Elsie Bartelma

Elsie Bartelma passed away in Colorado Springs, CO on Sunday, November 21, 1999 at the age of 94. Elsie M. Bartelma was born August 17, 1905 on a farm in Clayton County, the daughter of Andrew and Alice (Klingman) Yearous. She attended schools in Elgin, graduating from Elgin High School in 1922. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls graduating in 1928. She later attended graduate school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and the University of Colorado at Boulder, CO.

On July 11, 1928 she married David C. Bartelma at her family home in Highland Township, by the minister from the Illyria Community Church.

Elsie and her husband, David, lived in Cresco in the 1930s with David (Bart) acting as Wrestling Coach and Principal of the Cresco High School.

Survivors include one daughter: Joanne Little of Boulder, CO and one son: Robert of Colorado Springs, CO; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother Arthur; and a sister Mildred Woodworth.

Lawrence Richter

Funeral services for Lawrence Richter were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 27 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Linda Johnson officiated. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Walter Harwood, Kenneth Mensink, Arnold Bakken Edward Mundfrom, Tom Bonderman and Keith Johnson of American Legion Post Lloyd L. Horton #545. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lawrence, 81, died Tuesday, November 23, 1999.

Lawrence Ahles Richter was born January 2, 1918 by Granville, the son of Paul and Mary (Ahles) Richter. He attended school (Parochial) at Germantown. He was confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Germantown on March 20, 1932. He worked for farmers in the area.

On August 16, 1942 he married Elsbeth Fiddelke. He entered the United States Army on September 3, 1942, and served in the 558th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion in the Pacific and was discharged on January 22, 1946. Lawrence farmed at Granville until 1959 when he bought a farm by Lime Springs and moved his family there.

He was a member of the American Legion in Lime Springs.

Survivors include his wife, Elsbeth of Lime Springs; three sons: Larry of San Antonio, TX, Randy and Tim of Lime Springs; seven grandchildren; two brothers: Melvin of Primghar and Leonard of Germantown; two sisters: Helen Hansen of Waterloo and Delores Benner of Las Vegas, NV.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother Luvern.

Ami Schmelzer 

Funeral services for Ami Schmelzer of rural Spring Grove, MN will be held today at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 1 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Interment will be in Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. French & Balik Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Ami, 30, died Sunday, November 28, 1999 from injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident north of Decorah.

Ami L. Schmelzer was born December 7, 1968 in Decorah, the daughter of David and Mary (Janzer) Engan. She graduated from North Winneshiek High School in 1987, and attended Hamilton Business College in Cedar Rapids. Ami worked at IBM and at Corporate Travel in Rochester, MN. She also worked in Decorah at Rockweiler Appliance, Sundance Travel and most recently at Minowa Travel as a travel agent, and helped out on weekends at the Elks Lodge.

On September 23, 1989 she married Doug Schmelzer at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church.

Ami was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church and the Rebecca Circle.

Survivors include her husband, Doug of rural Spring Grove; two children: McKenzie and Zachary; her parents, Dave and Mary Engan of rural Spring Grove, MN; one sister, Cindy Smith of Bartlett, IL; and her grandmother, Lorraine Zabojnik of Menominee Falls, WI.

Ami was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Barbara Novak

Funeral services for Barbara Jean Novak were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 27 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. The Rev. Donald Hawes officiated. Interment was in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Spillville. Pall bearers were: Jim Balik, Bob Novak, Lester Lechtenberg, Mark Novak, Jack Zoulek, and Gerry Weiand. Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Barbara, 92, died Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.

Barbara Jean Novak was born January 17, 1907 near Spillville, the daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Kortan) Klimesh. Barbara attended school in Spillville, Calmar High School and Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Barbara taught in the rural county schools for a short time.

On September 14, 1935 she married Roy V. Novak at the log chapel on the Notre Dame Campus at South Bend, IN.

Barbara lived in Spillville until moving to the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.

Survivors include one son: Tim of Spillville; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Hattie Jirak of Decorah.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: George, Joseph and Frank; eight sisters: Josephine, Cecelia, Viola, Helen and Mary Klimesh, Celia Humpal, and Agnes Jarosh

Lester Milbrath

Funeral services for Lester Milbrath of Phoenix, AZ were held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 3 at Christ The Redeemer Lutheran Church in Phoenix. The Rev. Loel G. Haak officiated. Interment was in Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Lester, 75, died Monday, November 29, 1999 in Phoenix, AZ.

Lester G. Milbrath was born January 2, 1924 in Cresco the son of Herbert and Mabel (Gunderson) Milbrath. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Cresco that same year, and confirmed at First Lutheran in 1938. In addition to Cresco, Les lived in Ridgeway and Phoenix.

On January 18, 1944 he married Jeanette LaVonne Magnus. Prior to that he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He served as church usher, made evangelism visitations, served on the church council as vice-president of the congregation. He had a great love for children and sponsored young people. He enjoyed the outdoors - camping, fishing, gardening, and several sports.

He was employed by Wards, and retired from there as a manager.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; four daughters: Sharen Strandridge of Oklahoma City, OK, Diane Adams of Orange County, CA, Susan Orlich, and Marcia Lee, both of Phoenix; one son: Todd of Phoenix; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchil-dren; and four sisters: Hazel Amundson of Decorah, Geneva Vagts of Cresco, Ethel Moen of Elkader, Audrey Ott of Cresco; and one brother: George of Cresco.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents.