Funeral services for Raymond Brincks of Fort Atkinson were held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 27 at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson with Rev. John Moser officiating.

Interment was in St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. Pallbearers were his grandchildren. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Raymond, 83, died Sunday, December 23, 2001 at the Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton after a short illness.

Raymond Joseph Brincks was born January 29, 1918 in Ossian, the son of Herman and Pauline (Weber) Brincks. He attended rural schools in the Ossian area.

On June 25, 1940 he married Hildegard Dietzenbach at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Ray farmed near Fort Atkinson, retiring in 1992.

Ray enjoyed reading and watching television.

He is survived by his wife Hildegard of Fort Atkinson; one son: Parnell of Waucoma; five daughters: Patricia Vsetecka of Lawler, Geraldine Tlusty of Cresco, Verneal Koudelka of Elma, Mardell Sobolik of Cresco, and Ilene Stika of Nashua; 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother: Clarence of Ossian; and one sister: Anna Hageman of Calmar.

Ray was preceded in death by one granddaughter; his parents; and four sisters: Rose Nagel Meyer, Mary Bullerman, Theresa Bullerman and Olivia Holthaus.

Ernest Larkin

Funeral services for Ernest Larkin "Bob" of New Hampton were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton with Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in in New Hampton. His son and daughter placed the pall. Pallbearers were his grandchildren: Christopher Hartsock, Susan Hartsock Dean, Lynnettee Larkin McNully, Lance Larkin, Lisa Larkin Melton, and Ward Hartsock, with the members of the New Hampton Volunteer Fire Department as honorary pallbearers. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Ernest, 91, died Monday, December 17, 2001 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton of natural causes.

Ernest Leo Larkin was born July 13, 1910 in Pleasant Hill, MO, the son of Wlliam H. and Delilah (Fantz) Larkin. His parents moved to the New Hampton area in 1911 where Bob grew up on farms and attended New Hampton Public School. Following high school he worked for Mielke Mfg. Co. and Dunkle Construction. He was grade foreman before going into the tire and battery business with his brother, Harry in 1931. Later Bob managed a Standard Oil Service Station.

On November 27, 1934 he married Otilda Moravetzof near Protivin. Bob moved his family to Long Beach, CA in 1941 where he worked as a welder in the shipyards. Following WWII, Bob and his brother Harry operated a service station in Cathedral City, CA until returning to New Hampton in 1946. Bob sold welding equipment and supplies for Louis Sudhop and worked as a mechanic for Tim and Dan Donovan in their Dodge and Plymouth garage. He also worked as a mechanic for Frank Kraft in his Pontiac garage. In 1950 he took over the management of New Hampton Pyrofax Gas. In 1951 he sold the gas business and went to work as a welder for Oliver Tractor Co. in Charles City util 1954 when he joined Alexander Construction Co. and spent two years building airstrips in the Azorcs off the coast of Portugal.On his return he worked for Mark Eischeid on the Coralville dam project and the Missiouri River levy project at Atchinson, KS. Bob went to work for Glen Wilkins in 1961 in the LP gas business. In 1966 he taught night classes in welding at the New Hampton Public School and in 1967 was hired to teach welding at Northeast Iowa Technical Institute at Calmar where he retired in July 1975. Following his retirement, Bob and Tillie bought and sold antiques for many years.

Bob was the oldest living member of the New Hampton Volunteer Fire Department, having joined the force in 1931.

He is survived by his wife Otilda; two children: Ernest F. of Norman, OK and Norma Hartsock of Green Valley, AZ; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Irene Larkins; and one brother: Harry.

Dorothy Hurlbut

Funeral services for Dorothy Hurlbut formerly of Calmar, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29 at the Calmar Lutheran Church with Rev. Norman Bauer officiating.

Inurnment was in Calmar Lutheran Cemetery. Schluter Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Dorothy, 76, died Tuesday, December 25, 2001 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Postville following a lengthy illness.

She is survived by one daughter: Lori Ottney of Decorah; one son: David of Burnsville, MN; and two grandchildren.

Doris Kurash

Funeral services for Doris Kurash of Decorah were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27 at Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. James Glesne and Rev. Bryan Robertson officiating.

Interment was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Honorary pallbearers were the Quilter's of Decorah Lutheran Church. Pallbearers were: Don Backes, Allan Kurash, George Backes, Alert Folkedahl, Nathan Thorson, and Forrest Folkedahl. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Doris, 78, died Saturday, December 22, 2001 at the Floyd County Hospital in Charles City after a short illness.

Doris Florence Kurash was born February 27, 1923 in Eskine, MN, the daughter of Ole and Ida (Folkedahl) Drievold. She was baptized in Eskine, MN and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran on June 13, 1937 by Pastor Glesne. She attended Sacquitne Highland #5 and Decorah Eastside Schools.

On November 5, 1941 she married John Kurash at St. John's Parsonage in Ft. Atkinson. Doris worked at a Navy base in California where John was stationed.She was a housewife and worked at DECO Products in Decorah for 17 and one half years, retiring in 1993.

She loved music from the 40's, country and western and Lawrence Welk. She loved to work with flowers, and take care of the lawn.

Doris was a member of Dorcas Circle, the 50+ Club and worked as a volunteer at Decorah Lutheran Church. She also helped out with the Depot Outlet, Northeast Community Action and Vesterhiem Museum.

She is survived by one daughter: Diann Riha of Charles City; one son: Doug also of Charles City; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother: Emmett of Decorah; and one sister: Agnes Bjergum of Spring Grove, MN.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband John in 1976; her parents; three brothers: Bennie, Kenneth, and Ronald; and three sisters: Minnie Bjergum, Helen Tieskoetter, and Luella Drievold.

Margaret Lease

Funeral services for Margaret Lease were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 22 at the United Methodist Church in Cresco with Rev. Lewis Flanigan, Rev. Wayne Wasta, and Rev. Tim Sir officiating.

Interment was in Saratoga Cemetery in Saratoga. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Margaret, 86, died Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at the Howard County Regional Hospital.

Margaret Eloise Lease was born October 26, 1915 in Sanborn, the daughter of Rev. W.H. and Lucy (Wells) Lease. She attended schools in Laurens, Cherokee, Algona, and graduated from Spirit Lake High School. In 1938 she graduated from the Morningside Conservatory and in the fall began her teaching career in Milford, teaching vocal music K-12 and Language Arts in Junior High. She came to Cresco in 1944 and taught vocal music until her retirement in 1977. Directing singing groups gave her the most joy.

Margaret directed the Adult choir in the Cresco United Methodist church for 27 years. She was involved in United Methodist Women and in mission opportunities. She was a 55-year member of Wa tan ye Service Club, Twentieth Century Club, and the Cedar Valley Retired School Personnel organization.

She enjoyed traveling, sports, her life-long cottage at Okoboji's Methodist Camp, music and drama, and playing cards and games.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; one sister: Ione; and one brother: Howard.

Odelia Wernke

Funeral services for Odelia Wernke of Holy Cross were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 24 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross.

Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery. Kramer Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Odelia, 98, died Thursday, December 20, 2001 at Oakcrest Manor in Dyersville.

Odelia S. Wernke was born July 21, 1903 in Luxemburg, the daughter of Peter and Barbara (Schieltz) Zewen.

On October 18, 1927 she married John Wernke in Luxemburg. They farmed in the Holy Cross area for 41 years until they retired and moved to the town of Holy Cross. She lived in her home until May 2001, then resided at the Oakcrest Nursing Home in Dyersville.

She enjoyed crocheting, making quilts, embroidery work, and playing cards.

She is survived by three sons: Roger of Holy Cross, David of Worthington, and Robert of Dyersville; three daughters: Marian Noblit of Loretto, TN, Joan Klein of Richardsville, and Ruth Ruden of Cresco; 26 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

Odelia was preceded in death by her husband John in 1988; two sisters: Kate Bries and Amanda Friedman; and one brother: Gregor.

Dorothy Reilly

Inurnment services for Dorothy Reilly will be held at Calvary Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday July 13.

There will be a Remembrance Mass at 4:00 p.m. at the Assumption Worship Center in Cresco. Conway Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Dorothy, 86, died January 12, 2002 at her home in Cleveland Park of cancer.

Dorothy Reilly was born July 29, 1915 the oldest child of Clara and Lawrence Owens. She graduated from Assumption High School in Cresco and came to Washington in 1941 following a five year position with the Prudential Insurance Company. She worked at the Department of Justice in what was then designated as the War Division. She was selected to serve on the secretarial staff for Francis Biddle, Prinicipal U.S. Judge at the Nuremburg Trials in 1945 and 1946. She was administrative assistant to Gerard D. Reilly during his years as a practicing attorney and later when he was appointed to the D.C. Court of Appeals in 1970. In 1982, she and Judge Reilly married. He predeceased her in 1995.

She is survived by two step children: John Reilly and Margaret Heffern; and four step grandchildren; and two brothers: James of Roseville, MN and Robert of Minneapolis, MN.

Anna Rink

Memorial services and inurnment for Anna M. Rink will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 at Calvary Cemetery with Rev. Henry Charipar officiating.

Anna died January 28, 2002.

                     Posted by Gene Manning on 03/01/03