Funeral services for Cora Lenth of Riceville were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10 at Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville. The Rev. Edythe Hill officiated. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Cora, 90, died Tuesday, October 5, 1999 at the Riceville Community Rest Home in Riceville.

Cora Evelyn Lenth was born June 25, 1909 at Little Cedar, the daughter of Lynn and Elsie (Leemon) Doane. She attended and graduated from Little Cedar schools.

On October 20, 1931 she married Lee Lou Lenth at the Presbyterian Church in Cresco. To this union one child was born, Virginia. Cora was a homemaker and worked with her husband in farming. She was active in her church and the United Methodist Women. She served as president and held many other positions, and was known for her angel food cakes. At the time of her daughter Virginia’s death in 1964, Cora and Lee raised their grandchildren.

Survivors include two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Cora was preceded in death by her husband, Lee in August of 1992, her daughter, one grandson, and two brothers and two sisters.

Carl Cassidy

Funeral services for Carl Cassidy of Lime Springs were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 8 at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs. The Rev. Robert Holdorf officiated. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carl, 87, died Tuesday, October 5 1999 of cancer.

Carl Cassidy was born June 13, 1912 in Fort Yates, ND the son of Andrew and Cressa (Speece) Cassidy. He graduated from Lake Andes High School in South Dakota in 1930.

Carl was a 50 year member of both the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. He was secretary of the Lime Springs Commercial Club, played with the town band, was on Boy Scout and Cub Scout troop committees, and held office in the Lime Springs Independent Telephone Assn. He was secretary and helped with the building of the Lime Springs swimming pool. Carl was a member of the Lime Springs school board at the time of the disastrous fire of the school.

He purchased the Lime Springs Herald at the age of 19 and purchased the LeRoy, MN Independent in 1968. Carl retired in 1992 after 61 years as a newspaper editor. He was given the Iowa Master Editor-Publisher award in 1985 from the Iowa Press Association. At that time he was honored by the Lime Springs Community.

Carl was a captain in the 463rd Bomber Group, 775th Squardron based in Foggia, Italy during World War II. In 1946 he compiled and published a book of its war history entitled “Ally’s Irish Orphans” and also collaborated in writing and publishing a complete history of Lime Springs entitled “Lime Springs Then and Now”.

On January 1, 1949 he married LaVon Raecker at the First Evangelical Church in Waterloo. Both Carl and LaVon were honorary graduates of Lime Springs High School.

Survivors include his wife, LaVon; two daughters: Carla Cassidy of Lime Springs, and Maureen of West Des Moines; four sons: Ronald of Lime Springs, Gregory of Liberal, KS, Andrew of Rolla, MO, and Kent of Eden Prairie, MN; five grandsons; and one sister, Agnes Harris of Spring Valley, CA.

Carl was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Cassidy in 1995, his parents, and a brother, James Edward Cassidy.

Savanna Horns

Funeral services for Savanna Horns, one day old infant daughter of Sarah (Brincks) and Dwight Horns of Waukon, were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9 at the Calmar Lutheran Church. The Rev. Paul Gunderson officiated. Interment was in Calmar Lutheran Church Cemetery. French & Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Savanna died Thursday, October 7, 1999 at the LaCrosse Lutheran Hospital.

Savanna Marie Rose Horns was born October 6, 1999 at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah.

Survivors include her parents, grandparents, Jerry Brincks and Janet Brincks of Calmar, and Irving and Barbara Horns of Decorah.

Arnold Soukup

Funeral services for Arnold Soukup of Protivin were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 11 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. The Rev. Allen M. Schmitt officiated. Interment was in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Protivin. Conway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Arnold, 87, died Friday, October 8, 1999 at his home.

Arnold Joseph Soukup was born October 24, 1911 in Winneshiek County near Ridgeway, the first child of William “Bill” and Caroline “Carrie” (Ptacek) Soukup. He was baptized and confirmed in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. He attended school in Ridgeway and helped on the family farm until he was able to start farming on his own.

On April 27, 1936 he married Grace Hruska at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. Arnie farmed his entire life near Ridgeway until he retired in 1981 and moved to Protivin. He was a Lincoln Township Trustee for 26 years. He liked to hunt and fish, and enjoyed playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Grace; one daughter: Patricia Bouska of Ridgeway; three grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Carolan of Ridgeway.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Herman.

Merrille Volker

Funeral services for Merrille E. Volker of New Hampton were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 16 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Hampton. The Rev. Harvey Abrahamson officiated. Interment was in the New Hampton City Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Alvie Gilbert, Dale Straw, Jr., Merlin Straw, Roger Volker, Curt Volker and Tom Straw. Honorary pall bearers were: Floyd Russell, Don Russell, Hank Eischeid, Dave Fredricks, Charlie Baker, Francis Klobassa, Rick Huber and Richie Schwickerath. Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Merrille, 77, died Wednesday, October 13, 1999 at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center in Mason City of natural causes.

Merrille E. Volker was born December 23, 1921 in Sumner, the son of Emil and Carolyn (Schmadke) Volker. The family were members of the St. John Lutheran Church - Spring Fountain near Sumner where Merrille was baptized on January 15, 1922.

On May 17, 1942 he married Vivian Straw at St. John Lutheran Church - Spring Fountain, near Sumner. Later that year in October, Merrille was called to serve in the U.S. Army where he remained enlisted until November, 1945. During his time overseas their son Dennis was born. After coming home from WWII, he and Vivian lived a brief time at Vivian’s parents home in Waterloo where he worked for Hinson Manufacturing. The couple later moved and farmed near Traer and he became employed with John Deere. In 1948 they moved to Vivian’s fathers farm north of New Hampton. Merrille also worked at the former Oliver Tractor Co. in Charles City and in 1956 he became employed at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo where he retired in 1983.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian; one daughter: Pam Halverson of New Hampton; one son: Dennis also of New Hampton; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers: Orville of Washburn, Daniel and Edward both of Sumner.

Merrille was preceded in death by a son, Monty, his parents, two sisters: Marjorie Ward and Verla Volker in infancy, and a brother Joseph.

Gerald Sutton

Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” Sutton of Waterloo were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 16 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. Interment was in Garden of Memories. Oppold-Hagarty Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gerald, 71, died Tuesday, October 12, 1999 at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center of cancer.

Gerald A. Sutton was born April 9, 1928 in Cresco, the son of Joseph and Mabel (Ofstadal) Sutton.

On February 10, 1962 he married Florence Dozark in Waterloo. Gerald worked at Rath Packing Co. in the smoked meat department and on the scales for 36 years, retiring in 1984. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include six sons: Perry, George, Gerald and Patrick, all of Waterloo, Paul and Pete, both of Las Vegas; six grandchildren; two brothers: Clodus of Waterloo and Leo of Long Prairie, MN; and three sisters: Marlys Rucker of Sheridan, IL, Darlene Smith of Shell Rock and Kathy Dozark of Las Vegas.

Gerald was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth; and a brother, Tom.

Francis Kriener

Funeral services for Francis Kriener of Fort Atkinson were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 18 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Interment was in St. Lucas Catholic Cemetery in St. Lucas. Chekal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Francis, 73, died Friday, October 15, 1999 at his home near Fort Atkinson after a long illness.

Francis Peter Kriener was born January 2, 1926 near Fort Atkinson, the son of Peter and Mary (Kuennen) Kriener. He attended school in St. Lucas. Francis helped farm with his brothers. He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas and a member of St. Luke’s Court 2100 of the Foresters. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards.

Survivors include two sisters: Anita Busta of Fort Atkinson and Eleanor Mracek of Protivin; seven brothers: Ignatius, Linus and Peter all of Fort Atkinson, Herman of Spillville, Conrad, Jerome, and Leo also all of Fort Atkinson.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Cyril in 1998 and Lawrence in infancy.

Elsa Christofferson

Funeral services for Elsa Christofferson of Postville were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 18 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. The Rev. Robert Hupp officiated. Interment was in the Postville Cemetery. Pall bearers were her grandsons and great-grandchildren. Schutte Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Elsa, 93, died Friday, October 15, 1999 at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco.

Elsa Marie Christofferson was born March 1, 1906 in Fayette County near Hawkeye, the daughter of John and Karen Johanna (Jorgensen) Johansen. She was baptized April 18, 1906 into the Lutheran faith by the Rev. J. G. Rembold at Hawkeye and was confirmed March 28, 1928 by the Rev. E. T. Finck in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. Elsa graduated from Elkader High School in 1925 and attended the Normal Training for teachers and taught in the rural schools of Clayton County. She continued her education classes at Luther College in Decorah and Upper Iowa University in Fayette.

On October 18, 1929 she married Harvey Quentin Christofferson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She taught in the Ossian Elementary School for 29 years. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards.

Elsa was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and the Women of the ELCA. She was also a member of the Rebekkah Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include two daughters: Joan Mork of Postville and Janis Vokaty of Cresco; four grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Elsa was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, a grandson who died at birth, her parents, three brothers: Carl, Henry and John; and three sisters: Eleanor Johansen, Mary Ostlie and Emma Reinhardt.

Ruth Prideaux

Funeral services for Ruth Roberson Prideaux of Strawberry Point were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 22 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point. The Rev. Steven Rye officiated. Interment was in Jerico Lutheran Cemetery in Jerico. Roberson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth, 83, died Tuesday, October 19, 1999 at Strawberry Point Lutheran Home of cancer.

Ruth Lorraine Roberson Prideaux was born June 9, 1916 in Chickasaw County, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Robinson) Munson.

On June 2, 1937 she married Lloyd Roberson; he died in 1964. She married Jim Prideaux on August 20, 1966, and he died in 1975.

She was a graduate of Upper Iowa University in 1966 and taught in the rural schools in Chickasaw and Howard Counties and at Oelwein High School.

Survivors include two sons: Dr. Dale Roberson of Cedar Rapids, and Tom Roberson of Strawberry Point; one daughter: Julie Scott of Denver, CO; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Paul Munson of Milwaukee, WI.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband Lloyd; her second husband Jim; her parents; three sisters: Anna Amble Tufte, Alice Natvig and Sigrid Miller; and two brothers: Harold and Henry.

Ruth Prideaux

Funeral services for Ruth Roberson Prideaux of Strawberry Point were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 22 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point. The Rev. Steven Rye officiated. Interment was in Jerico Lutheran Cemetery in Jerico. Roberson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth, 83, died Tuesday, October 19, 1999 at Strawberry Point Lutheran Home of cancer.

Ruth Lorraine Roberson Prideaux was born June 9, 1916 in Chickasaw County, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Robinson) Munson.

On June 2, 1937 she married Lloyd Roberson; he died in 1964. She married Jim Prideaux on August 20, 1966, and he died in 1975.

She was a graduate of Upper Iowa University in 1966 and taught in the rural schools in Chickasaw and Howard Counties and at Oelwein High School.

Survivors include two sons: Dr. Dale Roberson of Cedar Rapids, and Tom Roberson of Strawberry Point; one daughter: Julie Scott of Denver, CO; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Paul Munson of Milwaukee, WI.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband Lloyd; her second husband Jim; her parents; three sisters: Anna Amble Tufte, Alice Natvig and Sigrid Miller; and two brothers: Harold and Henry.

Thelma Swanson

Graveside services for Thelma Swanson were held at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco on Tuesday, November 2 at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Lewis Flanigan officiated. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Thelma passed away on Sunday, October 24, 1999.

Thelma Emogene Swanson was born October 21, 1909 on the Ashley farm in Howard County, the daughter of William R. and Eunice (Rutherford) Ashley. She graduated from Cresco High School and the University of Iowa. She returned to Cresco and worked as a legal secretary for a local law firm for many years, before moving to Cedar Rapids.

In 1952, Thelma married C.A. “Bud” Swanson and they moved to Victoria, TX. In 1959 Thelma’s husband died. In April 1990, she went to live with her cousin Don and Eunice McFadden in Fontana, CA.

In December 1998, Thelma suffered a stroke and was transferred to Heritage Gardens in Loma Linda, CA.

Survivors include her daughter, Jean, who lives in a foster home for the handicapped in Corpus Christi, TX.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one step-sister, Hazel Stevens Peckham.

Virgilius Lansing

Funeral services for Virgilius Lansing of West Union were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 28 at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union. The Rev. Lloyd Ouderkirk officiated. Interment was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Jennifer Lansing, Jessica Lansing, Nathan Lansing, Scott Holthaus, Andrew Dibble, Brett Meyers, Brent Meyers and Tim Lansing. Burnham-Wood Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Virgil, 68, died Monday, October 25, 1999 at his home after a long illness.

Virgilius Herman Lansing was born February 8, 1931 at Ossian, the son of Henry and Ida (Blong) Lansing. He graduated from DeSales Catholic High School.

On June 8, 1954 he married Rose Elsbernd at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. They moved to West Union in 1956 where he farmed. He also was a Renk seed salesman for 20 years. Virgil was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed deer hunting and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Rose; five sons: Denis of Cresco, Neil, Alan and James all of West Union, Brian of Overland Park, KS; three daughters: Kathleen Meyers of West Union, Elaine Holthaus of Ossian and Ann Dibble of Postville; 29 grandchildren; his mother; two brothers: Clarence of New Hampton and Richard of Ossian; and two sisters: Rita Baumler of West Union and Theresa Baumler of Calmar.

Virgil was preceded in death by his father.

Mildred Drew 

Funeral services for Mildred Drew of Elma were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 1 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma. The Rev. Roger R. Rethamel officiated. Interment was in St. Benedicts Cemetery in Decorah with Rev. Gary Krapfl officiating. Pall bearers were: Daniel Drew, Eugene Knox, Karl Gilbertson, John Boege and Leonard and John Freidhof. Conway Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mildred, 87, died Friday, October 29, 1999 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Elma of natural causes.

Mildred Clare Drew was born December 25, 1911 in Burr Oak Township, the daughter of Thomas E. and Marie (Cashman) Knox. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1930 and taught in the rural schools of Winneshiek County.

On June 1, 1933 she married Emmett J. Drew at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Plymouth Rock. They farmed near Decorah for many years.

She baked cakes, her specialties were wedding cakes and replicas of buildings and churches.

After their retirement they moved to Eustis, FL. After the death of her husband, Mildred continued to live in Eustis until 1993 when she moved to Elma.

Survivors include a foster son, Donald Schwartzhoff of Clarinda; two sisters: Regina Broghammer of Decorah and Genevieve Palmersheim of Des Moines.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Emmett in 1979; her parents; five sisters: Grace Knox, Vera Gilbertson, Geraldine Bell, Marcella Knox and Mary Knox in infancy; and one brother, Thomas J.

Michael Baker

Funeral services for Michael “Mike” Baker of Fort Atkinson were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. The Rev. Allen Schmitt officiated. Interment was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Pall bearers were his seven grandchildren: William, David, Jewell Ann Baker, Dennis and Julia Bakula, Rebecca Walker and Mary Kay Baker. Chekal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Michael, 87, died Friday, October 29, 1999 at Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah following a lengthy illness.

Michael F. Baker was born October 7, 1912 in LaBelle, Mo, the son of Frank and Julia (Smith) Baker. He attended school in Missouri and moved to Iowa in 1931 as a farmhand.

On November 22, 1975 he married Mary Rosenbaum in St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. Mike farmed near Calmar and Fort Atkinson. He enjoyed milking cows and milked for over 61 years, retiring when he was 83 years old.

Mike was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Fort Atkinson; one daughter: Betty Lou Walker-Cowan of Ottumwa; three sons: Dennis of Calmar, Don of Festina and Michael Jr. of Decorah; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers: Jesse, John, Albert, Dick, David and Emer; five sisters: Dorothy, Lillian, Josephine, Jewell and Lula.

Virginia Cutsforth

 Funeral services for Virginia Cutsforth of Lawler were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. The Rev. Marvin Salz officiated. Interment was in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Her two children placed the pall on the casket. Pall bearers were: Dana Cutsforth, Clayton Throndson, Jenny Adams, Travis Adams, Kelly Fish and Dirk Fish. Honorary pall bearers were: Lenny Cutsforth, Ben Cutsforth John Cutsforth, Bruce Throndson, Gary Calhoun and Paul Barta. Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Virginia, 72, died Saturday, October 30, 1999 at her home of natural causes.

Virginia M. Cutsforth was born March 3, 1927 north of Lawler, the daughter of Clarence and Eva (Galthney) Throndson. She attended rural country school and later attended the public school in Lawler.

On March 5, 1946 she married Herbert Cutsforth in Lawler. During the 1960’s Virginia was a cook in the Turkey Valley Schools followed by work at the Buchheit Egg Plant in Calmar for several years. She was also a waitress for several cafes in Lawler until she retired in 1989.

Virginia was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Catholic Daughters of America. In her spare time she enjoyed working outdoors with her flowers and working on word search problems.

Survivors include one son: LeRoy of Cresco; one daughter: Linda Alexander of Lawler; three grandchildren; three sisters: Caroline Ohm of New Hampton, Mary Markee of Lawler, and Bonnie Kestel of New Hampton; two brothers: Bob Lampman of Nashua, and Edward Throndson of Lawler.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Herbert on April 30, 1998; her parents; four brothers: Thomas, Ralph, Ole and Paul; and one sister: Myrtle Wolfe.

Michael Elenz

Funeral services for Michael Elenz were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 3 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. The Rev. Francis Perry officiated. Interment was in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Bill Nehl, Don Elenz, Bob Weigel, Ken Nehl, Tom Elenz and Nick Fischbach. Honary pall bearers were The Catholic Order of Foresters: Ed Tenge, Louis Zeien, Margaret Joebjen, Virgil and Mary Hilsman and Vincent Burgart. Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Michael, 89, died Sunday, October 31, 1999.

Michael Leo Elenz was born December 18, 1909 in Holy Cross, the son of Mathias and Anna (Ruden) Elenz. In 1911, the family moved to the North Washington area where Mike attended St. Mary’s School.

On September 2, 1935 he married Henrietta Schueller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. They farmed north of North Washington until 1965 when they moved into North Washington. From 1965 until 1985 Mike sold real estate for Wandersheid Realty.

Mike was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Henrietta.