Funeral services for Helen Pechota of Protivin were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 2 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Little Turkey. Rev. Allen M. Schmitt officiated. Pall bearers were: Ron Lukes, John Lukes, Gary Lukes, Victor Lukes, Steven Lukes and James Kovarik. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Helen, 87, died Sunday, May 28, 2000 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Helen Therese Pechota was born January 29, 1913 at Protivin, the daughter of Godlove G. and Cecelia T. (Novak) Lukes. She attended the area country schools and Holy Trinity Catholic School.

On September 1, 1931 she married Gene A. Pechota at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin.

Helen lived in Britt and worked for Selby’s Produce Processors prior to her retirement and moving back to Protivin in 1985. In April of 1999 she moved into the Residential Care Facility.

Helen had many hobbies and pastimes: cake baking and decorating, making hobo dolls, jewelry trees, and sequin decorated pictures. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Holy Trinity Rosary Society, and the Catholic Workmen.

Helen is survived by two daughters: Helen Lundell of Ft. Dodge and Betty Lou Minton of Huntington, NY; and one son: David of Huntington, NY; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and four brothers: Robert of Mason City, Daniel, Joseph, and Wilmer all of Protivin.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 1982, her parents; one grandson; and one brother: Arthur in 1987.

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Bruce Vote

Funeral services for Bruce Vote of Riceville were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 6 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. The Rev. John Moser officiated. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Bruce, 53, died Saturday, June 3, 2000 at his home of natural causes.

Bruce M. Vote was born February 20, 1947 in Fort Dodge, the son of Clarence and Evelyn (Erickson) Vote. He attended local schools and graduated from Riceville High School in the class of 1966. After graduation Bruce served his country in the Army and was stationed in Vietnam.

On April 11, 1970 he married Margaret I. Vacko in Dodge Center, MN.

He enjoyed many activities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching, being outdoors, gardening, and playing golf.

Bruce is survived by his wife Margaret of Riceville; two daughters: Holly Boggess of Runnells, and Heather Johnson of Eden Prairie, MN; one son: James of Story City; three brothers: Bernard, Merlyn and Roger all of Riceville; and one sister: Anna Marie Padget of Waterloo.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother: Clarence.

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Merle Wacha

Funeral services for Merle Wacha of Elma were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes. Interment was in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery. The Rev. Roger R. Rethamel and Rev. Peter Bodensteiner officiated. Placing the pall was Elaine and the children. Pall bearers were: Roger and Marilee Nibaur, Bill and Cathy Chihak, Ed and Eileen Chihak, Francis and Peggy Nibaur, Dennis and Mary Ptacek and Jim and Sharon Gansen. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Merle, 64, died Tuesday, June 6 2000 at his home of cancer.

Merle Joseph Wacha was born May 18, 1936 in New Hampton, the son of William J. and Mildred (Merrick) Wacha. He was a 1954 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Elma and entered the US Army in 1956.

On October 7, 1961 he married Elaine Smith at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. They farmed west of Lourdes.

He enjoyed golfing, the “Hawkeyes”, and visiting.

Merle is survived by his wife Elaine; three sons: Thomas of Texarkana, TX, Daniel of Cedar Rapids, and Kenneth of Salina, KS; four daughters: Peggy Rogers of Cedar Rapids, Karen Karsjens also of Cedar Rapids, Nancy Mariner of Mason City, and Kathy Wacha of Cedar Rapids; 16 grandchildren; and two sisters: Marian Gebel of New Hampton, and Marge Haugen of Clear Lake.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents.

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Rev. John McTarsney

Funeral services for Rev. John F. McTarsney of Decorah were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 10 at St. Patrick-Garryowen Catholic Church in Bernard. The Most Rev. Jerome Hanus, O.S.B., S.T.L. Archbishop of Dubuque and Archdiocesan Priests officiated. Interment was in St. Patrick-Garryowen Church Cemetery in Bernard. French and Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Rev. John F. McTarsney, 62, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000 in Decorah following a short illness.

Rev. John F. McTarsney was born October 30, 1937 in Staten Island NY, the son of Harold and Agnes (Pigott) McTarsney. John attended St. Peters High School and Curtis High School, graduating in 1956. He then joined St. Pius the 10th in DeSoto, WI for several years until the group bisbanded. He then worked as a free lance graphic artist in Staten Island and New York for over 25 years. John then felt the call to enter the religious life and entered Loras College in Dubuque and then attended Seminary at St. Mary’s in Baltimore, MD. He was ordained on May 28, 1988 in Dubuque and his first church to serve was St. Matthews in Cedar Rapids, then Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Fairbank and for the last several years, while his health has been declining he as been living at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah.

Survivors are one brother: Leroy of Orange County, Upstate New York, NY; and one sister: Agnes Bouma of Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: Harold and Lester.

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Verona Frank

Funeral services for Verona Frank of Elma were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9 at the United Methodist Church in Elma. Interment was in Howard Cemetery in Elma. The Rev. Catherine Luck officiated. Pall bearers were her nephews: Roger, Bill, Dick, Larry and Norman Frank and Harold, Chester, Elmer, Clarence and Frank Mitchell. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Verona, 90, died Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at the Colonial Manor Home in Elma after a short illness.

Verona Katherine Frank was born September 1, 1909 at Elma, the daughter of William G. and Bertha Alice May (Hutton) Frank. She was baptized August 11, 1912. She graduated from Elma High School in 1929. She was a lifelong Elma resident working at various clerk jobs within the city of Elma in her early years. Her last employment was at Peoples Savings Bank in Elma where she worked for 20 years retiring in 1975.

Verona belonged to various women’s clubs and organizations. She enjoyed working with flowers and yard work.

Verona was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Euphemie Mitchell and Regina Frank; and four brothers: Orville, Alvin, Valden and William.

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Clarence Darrah

Funeral services for Clarence Darrah were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9 at the United Methodist Church in Cresco. Rev. Lewis Flanigan officiated. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. Pall bearers were: Andy and Amy Ott, Andy and Mandy Barber, Crystal Dralle and Steve Darrah Jr. Honorary pall bearers were: Lauren and Kiersten Darrah, Danielle and Erica Forsythe, and Nicole Dralle. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Clarence Edward Darrah was born April 3, 1903, the son of John W. and Nettie (Walters) Darrah. He attended school through the eighth grade.

On August 31, 1927 he married Aletta Bronner at the Methodist parsonage in Preston, MN. He started his career in Granger, MN as a buttermaker. This took him to Eyota and Rochester, MN, and to Maple Leaf, where he was manager of these plants. In 1943, Clarence and Aletta purchased a cafe in Elma which they sold in 1952. In that year, they were appointed Steward and Matron of the Howard County Care Facility. Clarence retired in 1978, after 19 years as administrator and seven years as part-time, totaling 26 years.

Clarence was an active member of the Masonic Lodge and belonged to the Lodge in Preston, MN for 75 years. He also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, and the United Methodist Church.

Clarence is survived by his two children: Marilyn Ott of Cresco and James of Waverly; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Aletta on November 14, 1985, one great-grandson; his parents; one brother: Murl; and three sisters: Erma St. George, Josie Darrah and Marietta Darrah in infancy.

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William Lange

Funeral services for William Lange of Bluffon were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15 at Burr Oak United Methodist Church in Burr Oak. Rev. Byron Perrine officiated. Interment was in Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak. Pall bearers were: Dan Lange, Jeff Lange, Chris Stoops, Tim Lange, Katie Lange, Collin Stoops, Laurie Peterson, Ben Lange, Jennifer Lange and Seth Weiss. Honorary pall bearers were: Ken Fry, Bill Crandall, Ralph Greenslade, Ronald Webb, Tom Crandall and Don Schnitzler. French & Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

William, 84, died Monday, June 12, 2000 at his home in rural Decorah following a lengthy illness.

William A. Lange was born on May 16, 1916 in Gilby, Alberta, Canada the son of Fred and Nora (Withers) Lange. He attended school in Bluffon and graduated from Burr Oak High School. He attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and returned to Bluffon, teaching school and farming.

On December 5, 1936 he married Pauline Manning in Lansing. In 1954 they moved to Marquette and he taught school at MarMac until 1960. He then taught junior high science for the Elkader school system for 18 years, until retiring in 1978. He returned to Bluffton where he enjoyed his retirement years on his farm.

William is survived by his wife Pauline of Bluffon; two sons: Lowell of Hampton, and B. Davis of Deerwood, MN; and three daughters: Ardell Stoops of Bella Vista, AR, Jane Lange of Decorah, and Sally Wangen of Decorah; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one sister: Ruth Wallace of Independence.

William was preceded in death by his parents.

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Melvin Unruh

Funeral services for Melvin Unruh of McIntire were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17 at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church in McIntire. Interment was in Wayne Cemetery in rural McIntire. Minister Leon Koehn officiated. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Melvin, 69, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000 at his residence.

Melvin Unruh was born July 21, 1930 in McPherson, KS, the son of Alpha and Seima Carrie Unruh. He attended local schools.

On March 4, 1972 he married Catherine Sommers in Hartville, OH. He was engaged in farming.

Melvin is survived by his wife Catherine of McIntire; three sons: Frank of McIntire, John of Atwater, CA, and Richard of St. Ansgar; two daughters: Karen Boeckner of Hesston, KS, and Marilyn Koehn of McIntire; 16 grandchildren; one brother: Alpha Jr. of Burns, KS; and three sisters: Julia Ensz of Scotia, NE, Darlene Esau of Atwater, CA, and Clara Loewen also of Atwater, CA.

Melvin was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys on January 30, 1971; one granddaughter; and his parents.

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Francis Lowe

Funeral services for Francis Lowe of New Hampton were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Rev. Marvin Salz officiated. His sons placed the pall. Pall bearers were: Steve Lowe, Doug and Gregg Eschweiler, Roger Simons, Robert Reicks and Tony Tentis. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Francis, 74, died Friday, June 9, 2000 at home of natural causes.

Francis Joseph Lowe was born July 23, 1925 near Elma, the son of Milo Charles and Verona (Conry) Lowe. He attended the Lourdes School.

On June 5, 1945 he married Jean Eschweiler at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Following their marriage they farmed in the Maple Leaf area. In 1964, they moved to New Hampton where he was employed as a truck driver. Francis established the Lowe trucking business in 1969. He was owner/operator until his retirement in 1990 at which time two sons became owners of the business.

He enjoyed fishing, and playing cards.

Francis is survived by his wife Jean; four sons: Jim of Stacyville, Bob of Lansing, Bill and Mike both of New Hampton; three daughters: Sharon Rowe of Shakopee, MN, Marilee Mishak, and Jan Dockendorf both of New Hampton; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and one sister: Monica Reicks of Cresco; and one brother: John of Ionia.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: James and Joseph in infancy.

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Rosie Krutsinger

Funeral services for Rosie Krutsinger formerly of Riceville, were held at 2:00 a.m. Monday, June 19 at the Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville. Rev. Deborah Stowers officiated. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Rosie, 87, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000 at the Rockwell Nursing Home in Rockwell.

Rosie Clara Krutsinger was born August 18, 1912 in Grant County, Milbank, SD, to Herman H. and Lulu F. (Otto) Linderkamp. She lived and attended school in South Dakota until 1923 when her parents moved the family to a farm south of Rockford where she continued her schooling. She worked out in many private homes and at Marshall and Swift in Mason City, Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Memorial Hospital in Osage, and the Riceville Hospital in Riceville. Rosie also had roomers in her home since 1936.

On July 9, 1958 she married Charles Howard Krutsinger. No children were born to this union. They moved to a farm south of Riceville on February 14, 1961 which Rosie bought. Howard passed away on September 20, 1967 with cancer. Rosie then sold her farm and bought a home in Riceville.

Rosie is survived by one brother: Earl of Lisbon, ND; and one sister: Ella Dawson of Hamden, CT.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard; her parents; two sisters: Emma and Edna; and one brother: Albert.

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Ruth Melver

Funeral services for Ruth Melver of Union, formerly of Cresco were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 23 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Ruth, 35, died Monday, June 19, 2000 as a result of a gunshot wound.

Ruth Elaine Melver was born June 5, 1965 at Cresco, the daughter of Carl and Carol (Moore) Melver. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended Crestwood High School.

Ruth nursed animals found injured or homeless back to health and turned them loose.

Ruth like to read, roller skate, sew and crochet. When in her teens, she won first place at the Fair on a baby afghan.

Ruth is survived by her parents.

She was preceded in death by one brother Carl James, Jr. and her grandparents.

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Binnie Lou Brush

A Memorial Service for Binnie Lou Brush, formerly of Cresco and Ainsworth, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 at Oakwood United Methodist Church, in Pleasant Hill.

Binnie died June 19, 2000 in a hiking accident in the San Pedro Mountains near the Christ in the Desert Monastery of Abiquiu, NM.

She was a 1968 graduate of Highland Community High School of Riverside. She attended Simpson College and graduated cum laude with a BA in Art Education from Iowa State University. She was employed as an educator, graphic artist and free lancer.

Survivors include her parents Jeane and George Brush of Pleasant Hill; three brothers: George of Elkhorn, NE, Iven and Carl both of Des Moines; and one sister: Brooksie Miller of Essex.

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Esther Buhr

Funeral services for Esther Buhr were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Rev. Bruce Hobert officiated. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lime Springs. Pall bearers were: Brent Bronner, Melroy Buhr, Kelvin Bronner, Tom Buhr, Wayne Warnke and Roger Buhr. Honorary pall bearers were: Gareth Vagts, Art Aegler, Alvin Sommer and Vernal Meyer. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Esther, 89, died Monday, June 19, 2000 at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.

Esther Loreen Pauline Buhr was born January 8, 1911 in rural Lime Springs, the third of four daughters born to Charles and Pauline (Baumgartner) Hoppie. Esther was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Davis Corners.

Esther married John Buhr in 1931 and began farming near Lourdes, later moving to a farm south of Lime Springs. They farmed until retirement in 1973, when they moved to Cresco.

Esther enjoyed participating in various organizations including: Stop & Go Club, Cresco Garden Club, and volunteering as a pink lady with the Hospital Auxiliary.

Esther is survived by two sons: Charles of Stewartville, MN and Kenneth of Gainesville, FL; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister: Ione Bronner of Lime Springs.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John in 1997; and two sisters: Berdena and Gladys.

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Donald Gates

Funeral services for Donald Gates were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 23 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Rev. Bruce Hobert officiated. Interment was in Fremont Lutheran Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Mark Gates, Steve Foote, Matt Gates, Corey Gates, Greg Gates and Dan Bolton. Honorary pall bearers were: Nancy McClain, Ericka Rice, Heather Gates, Shelley Bolton and Jenny Schriever. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Don, 80, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000 at the Regional Health Center of Howard County following a six month illness with cancer.

Donald Oliver Gates was born September 8, 1919 at Kendallville, the son of George and Vera (Reid) Gates.

On November 10, 1937 he married Jeanette Anderson at Decorah. Donald and Jeanette farmed in Winneshiek County for 32 years. Following his retirement Don worked for the Upper Iowa Ranch for two years. He drove school bus for nine and one half years and he and Jeanette were the custodians at Immanuel for eight years.

Donald is survived by his wife, Jeanette; three sons: Richard of Cresco, David of Lafayette, CO, and Larry of Lime Springs; one daughter: Donna of Lime Springs; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one brother: George Jr. of Elkader.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Frank.

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Hugh Kuhn

Funeral services for Hugh Kuhn were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 26 at the United Methodist Church in Cresco. Rev. Lewis Flanigan officiated. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Hugh, 88, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000 in Cresco.

Hugh Edward Kuhn lived a long and productive life, 43 years of it in Howard County. He was born on a farm on November 23, 1911 in Palo Alto County. He worked hard to send himself through Iowa State University during the great depression.

He took a trip across the US with two other young men in 1935. Fitting out his Ford coupe for camping, the three spent seven months driving to California, then to Washington state to work on farms and orchards.

On Memorial Day in 1941 he married Ruth Murray. Army service in World War II called. In 1945 son Jim currently of Arlington, MA was born, and daughter Frances of Fredericksburg three years later.

Hugh applied his degree in Dairy Husbandry to farming, buying a farm in Howard County in 1957. He saw a need for Dairy Herd Improvement testing in the county, and founded the first association here, eventually serving as president of the State DHIA Supervisors Association.

Hugh was ivolved in many organizations: The Kiwanis, American Legion, Farm Bureau, Extension council, Iowa Association for the Blind, Howard County Historical Society, and the Care Review committee for the Cresco Care Center. Most significant was his long participation in the Cresco Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School, lay speaking, men’s group participation and being financial secretary.

Hugh’s interests included amateur radio, antique radio collecting, travel, Elderhostel, writing family history and politics.

Hugh is survived by his brother Russ of Emmetsburg and Lyle of Rodman.

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Leota Michel

Funeral services for Leota Michel were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Granger, MN. Rev. Keith Parker officiated. Interment was in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Manley Bigalk, Charles Nast, Mark Serfling, Robert Biel, Robert Vagts Sr., Donald Wilken and William Bellingham. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Leota, 84, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN of respiratory failure.

Leota Michel was born July 26, 1915 in Preston, MN, the daughter of Austin and Gina (Knutson) Austenson. After graduation from Preston High School and Normal Training, she taught rural schools in Fillmore County. She also worked in Baltimore, MD and at the Mayo Clinic.

On Aprl 27, 1946 she married Clifford Michel. They farmed in the Granger, MN area until 1981, when she moved to Harmony. She was a lifelong active member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Granger.

Leota especially enjoyed crossword puzzles, travel and playing cards.

Leota was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford in 1981; two sisters: Leona, her twin in 1993 and Mayme Biel; one brother: Alfred and two brothers in infancy.

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Dale Morris

Funeral services for Dale Morris of Ardmore, OK were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. Rev. Marvin Salz officiated. Interment was in Howard Cemetery at Elma. Pall bearers were his nephews: Jason and Ben Morris, Chris Mihm, Adam Block, D.J. Morris and Justin Kleinschmidt. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Dale, 49, died Thursday, June 22, 2000 at Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita, KS of natural causes.

Dale L. Morris was born February 2, 1951 at Cresco, the son of Robert and Ann (Reicherts) Morris. After his schooling, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for 12 years.

He married Barbara Brincks at St. Joseph Church in New Hampton. They were later divorced. He was a graduate of Mid America Mortuary College in Jeffersonvile, IN where he recieved his degree in funeral science. He served as a funeral director in South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and later Oklahoma. He was presently a funeral director in Ardmore, OK.

Dale is survived by two sons: Robert and Christopher both of Belleville, KS; two daughters: Dawn Fuhrman of Wichita, KS and Wendy Morris of Belleville; two grandchildren; his mother Ann Whitnable of New Hampton; three brothers: Duane of Bennett, Dean and Alan both of New Hampton; and four sisters: Marilyn Mihm of Waucoma, Patricia Wilharm of LeRoy, MN, Debra Block of Orchard and Cathy Kleinschmidt of Austin, MN.

Dale was preceded in death by a son Tony in infancy, and his father Robert Morris.

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Eugene Davis

Funeral services for Eugene Davis of New Hampton were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. Rev. David Bergstrom officiated. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery in New Hampton. Pall bearers were: Lester Shatek, Roger Nosbisch, Bob Jurgensen, Kenneth Showers, Carol Mahoney and Jim Stapleton. Honorary pall bearers were: Bill Rusk, Bob Dee, Paul Hoffman, Arnold Kowalsky, Harlan Pose, Bill Praska, John Schnurr, Gary Snyder, Rev. Edward Fritschel and Matt Andersen. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Eugene, 75, died Sunday, June 25, 2000 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton following an illness.

Eugene Francis Davis was born December 11, 1924 at Springfield, MO the youngest child of Andrew Jackson Davis and Bridgie A. (Jackson) Davis Honts. He moved with his mother and step-father to New Hampton when he was a young child and lived there until his death. He attended New Hampton High School; was one of the starting forwards on the NHHS basketball team who brought home New Hampton’s first State Basketball Championship in 1942. He graduated on May 20, 1943. A World War II Veteran, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy October 21, 1943 and served in the Pacific theater during the war. He was discharged at USN Personnel Separation Center, Minneapolis, MN on April 20, 1946.

On June 2, 1947 he married Lucile M. Hartmann at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Hampton. He was communicant member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and was confirmed in Christ at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Hampton in 1947. Gene was a New Hampton city letter cartrier and retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 33 years on May 30, 1980. He then served as Chickasaw County Veteran’s Affairs Officer for 12 years, retiring from that position June 30, 1996.

Gene’s activities in the communtiy is the annual Davis Motorcycle Rally which he and his wife Luci established on September 8, 1979.

Gene is survived by his wife, Lucile; one daughter: Jannette Hendricks of Aurora, CO; one son: Gordon of Sumner; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister: Lola Mae Hooper of Mira Loma, CA.

Gene was preceded in death by his youngest child, LaVonne Kobliska on Dec. 20, 1991; his parents; his step-father; and a brother, William Davis on December 19, 1991.

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Lillian Tupy

Funeral services for Lillian M. Tupy, 80, of New Hampton will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton with the Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at New Hampton. Conway Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lillian died Monday, June 26, 2000 of natural causes at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.

Lillian M. Tupy was born July 14, 1919 at Garner, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Shilney) Formanek.

On February 14, 1939 she married Jerome Tupy. They farmed in the Lawler area until moving to New Hampton in 1975. She was then employed as a seamstress by Sara Lee until her retirement.

Lillian was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

She is survived by her husband Jerome; two daughters, Marjorie Harris and Paulette Foreman, both of Waterloo; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mary Nedved; and six brothers, Louis, Joseph, Frank, James, George and Edward Formanek.

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Dale Fox

Funeral services for Dale Fox of New Haven were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Haven. Rev. John A. Moser officiated. Interment was in St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery. The children placed the pall over the casket. Pall bearers were: Ted, Don, and Karl Fox, Keith and Dick Wright, Marshall Kote, Rick Brockney and Herb Johanns, Jr. Honorary pall bearers were: Bob Miller, Dean Byrnes, Dean Michaels, Donald Clapp, Stan Setka, John Hartogh and Jim Fox. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Dale, 70, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000 at his home after a short illness.

Dale William Fox was born on a farm southeast of New Haven on July 1, 1929, the son of Henry V. and Eva (Dynes) Fox. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Haven. Dale attended the rural school and graduated from the Osage High School. Following graduation, he helped his father with farming. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 31, 1951 serving a tour of duty in Korea. Dale received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was discharged on August 30, 1954 and returned home to farm. He also spent many years as a seed corn dealer.

In October of 1953 he married Elizabeth Miller and they set up farming southeast of New Haven. They became the parents of nine children. He was later married to Marian Leff on their Mitchell County farm on June 26, 1998.

Dale was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, the Iowa Trappers Association, the National Trappers Association, Pheasants Forever, the Fur Takers of America, the Farm Bureau and the Riceville Country Club.

He was an outdoorsman who liked hunting, fishing and trapping. He also enjoyed playing bridge and attending swap meets.

Dale is survived by his wife, Marian; five sons: Christian of Black River Falls, WI, Bruce of Owatonna, MN, Neal of Fresno, CA, Frank of Mason City, and Travis of Osage; four daughters: Cheryl Jahnel of Orchard, Sheila Kobliska of Alta Vista, Cathy Fox of Owatonna, MN, Trudy O’Donnell of Elma and Sue Hermanson of Decorah; six step-children: Dean Thein of Fredericksburg, Cindy Sharp of Urbandale, April Wehling of Sumner, Randy Thein of Fredericksburg, Connie Thein of Urbandale, and Tony Thein of Fredericksburg; 18 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; four brothers: Victor and Curt of Osage, Larry of Riceville and Jerry of Elma; and one sister: Doris Kulage of Bridgeton, MO.

Dale was preceded in death by one grandson, Brian Jahnel; and his parents.

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Bessie Sheneberger

Graveside services for Bessie Sheneberger will be held Thursday, July 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Bessie, 73, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids of cancer.

Bessie Marie Sheneberger was born August 6, 1926 at Lime Springs, the daughter of Eli and Gladys (Boerschel) Foote.

On October 26, 1968 she married Harold Sheneberger at Cedar Rapids. She was employed at Cryovac in the cafeteria for many years.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs, and was a 35-year member of Women of the Moose and Friendship of the Moose.

Her favorite activities were playing euchre, camping, and watching sports, especially her cubbies.

Bessie is survived by one brother: Bob of Lime Springs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold in November 1999; her parents; and one brother: Clark.

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Joseph Thiele

Funeral services for Joseph Thiele of Austin, MN were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 1 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery. Rev. Louis Cook and Rev. Greg Leif officiated. Mayer Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Joseph, 87, died Monday, May 29, 2000 at St. Mark’s Nursing Home in Austin.

Joseph L. Thiele was born November 29, 1912 in Breda (Carroll County), the son of Leo and Anna (Leugeling) Thiele. He was the third oldest of eight children and the eldest son. He attended Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and school. In 1925, he and his family moved to Elma where they farmed.

In 1943, he married Evelyn C. Swenson. Evelyn passed away in 1964.

He married Georgia Olson in 1969. Joe has been retired for the last 20 years having been employed at Persinger “John Deere” Equipment, Inc since 1952. He always had a great love of farming and enjoyed being a salesman dealing with area farmers. In the years before Austin, Joe worked as manager of Ward’s Farm Stores in Austin, Worthington and Ames. He also was employed by Thill Implement of Rose Creek and Jim Lebens Fordtown and Alger Ace Hardware.

He was an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church all his years in Austin. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Counsel #1201. He was proud of his association with the Fourth Degree Knights and held the position as Faithful Navigator. For many years Joe was the manager of the K of C Fair Concession stand at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

He loved working in his yard, gardening, woodworking and good music.

Joseph is survived by his wife Georgia; one daughter: Yvonne Halverson of Austin; two sons: Jerome of Eau Claire and Galen of Bentonville, AR; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister: Clara Beyer of Elma; four brothers: Lawrence of Venture, Henry of Phoenix, AZ, Leo of Austin, and Harold of Elma.

Joseph was preceded in death by his first wife Evelyn; his parents; one sister: Leona; one brother: Carl at the Battle of the Bulge in WWII; and two grandsons.