Funeral services for Arnold "Arnie" Skoda of Cresco were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2005 at Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center.

Rev. Richard J. Ament presided. Organists were Suzanne Ollendick and Darlene Shaw. Cantor was Joe Wacha. Soloist was Gary K. Lee. Eucharistic Minister was Marilyn Ott. Gifts were presented by Adam and Jessica Skoda, and Amanda and Amelia Skoda. Lector was Tammi Skoda. Honorary pallbearers were: Susan Hoffman, JoAnne Vaala, Carol Olson, Denise Skoda, Darcie Flattum, and Diana Morrow. Pallbearers were: Tony Skoda, Dale Skoda, Doug Christianson, Dennis Christianson, Cory Christianson, Mandius Christianson.

Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements.

Arnie, 82, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at the Regional Health Services Hospital Hospice Unit in Cresco, Iowa.

Arnold Martin Skoda was born on November 11, 1922 in Chickasaw County, near Little Turkey, Iowa, the son of Louis and Eleanor (Busta) Skoda. He attended the rural elementary school in the Little Turkey area. He attended high school and graduated from Cresco High School in 1941.

On January 22, 1943, he was inducted into the Army Air Force and served as an engine mechanic with the 593rd Army Air Forces Base Unit. He was sent to Miami Beach, Florida for basic training. He attended a training school for co-pilots and gunners for three months. Arnie had the opportunity to fly planes in the states before he was released from active duty on Feburay 9, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

After Arnie came home to Cresco, he was employed as a butter churner at the local creamery. Following employment at the creamery he worked at the REC as a lineman, for several years.

On May 9, 1951, he was united in marriage to Mary Benson at the Assumption Rectory by Reverend Father Carpenter. To this union one son was born, Arlyn. They made their home in Cresco their entire married life. Years following, Arnie and his brothers, Alvin and Adrian, purchased a milk hauling business. In 1955, Arnie and his two bothers built Cresco Bowling Center. Arnie was a bowling proprietor until 1969, when he sold his business. Arnie accumulated 27 years of service with the government and worked 15 years at the service window in the Cresco Post Office. He retired from the Postal Department in 1984.

Arnie was a member of the Assumption Church, Knights of Columbus where he was a member of the Davis Assembly Fourth Degree, American Legion, lifetime member of the Cresco Country Club and NARF.

Arnie had many hobbies in his lifetime. He was an avid bowler and golfer. He enjoyed outside activities such as camping and fishing with family and friends. During the summer months. Arnie's roses and gardening were important to him.

Arnie loved and cared for his family and three grandchildren. Many weekends were spent camping, fishing, working, and spending time with his family until his health forced him to slow down.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; one son: Arlyn (Tammi) of Cresco; and three grandchildren: Adam (Jessica), Amanda and Amelia Skoda, all of Cresco. He is also survived by two brothers: Adrian (Maxine) of New Hampton, IA and Alvin (Shirley) of Cresco, IA; one sister: Anna Mae (Mandius) Christianson of Cresco, IA.

His parents preceded him in death.

James Joseph Sill, 44, was laid to rest on July 8, 2005 high on a mountain on his land in Kennicott, Alaska.

James was born in Cresco, Iowa in 1961 and lived and traveled to many places. He chose to build his home and live in Kennicott, Alaska where he has resided for the past several years. At the time of his death he worked for the National Park Service in Kennicott on the multi-million dollar Copper Mine Restoration Project.

James was a man of many special skills. He started the volunteer fire department in McCarthy and was elected fire chief of this small community. He was an avid climber and knew the Wrangle Saint Ellias Range well. He was a professsional chef working for the Alaska Railroad, the Kennicott Glacier Lodge and other restaurants in the Virgin Islands, Palm Springs, White Sulfur Springs, and Anchorage and Estes Park, Colorado.

As a chef he became an avante garde manager, an accomplished cake decorator and an exquisite pastry artist. James was highlighted in an article of the New York Times demonstrating his ability to make a three-tier wedding cake in his workshop. He was a talented ice sculptor and won ice sculpture competitions in Fairbanks and Anchorage. He learned carpentry at the age of 16 from his sister's husband with whom he lived in Colorado at the time. He has used these skills in helping to resort the historic copper mine site at Kennicott.

James had many dear friends he considered his family in Kennicott and Girdwood, Alaska communities. Besides his extended family in Kennicott, James is survived by his father: Severance A Sill; sisters: Mary Lou Pullen, Barbara Stagg and Judi Morack; six brothers: Robert Sill, Tom Sill, Jon Sill, David Sill, Dan Sill, Joe Sill; his nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles in Alaska, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, California, Oregon, Iowa, and Minnesota.

His mother, Claire C Sill, preceded James in death.

Funeral services for John Rasmusson of Cresco were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco with Rev. Michael Massa officiating.

Interment was in the Greenleafton Cemetery at Greenleafton, MN.

Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements.

John, 65, died Thursday, July 28, 2005 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN after a sudden illness.

John Jerry Rasmusson was born in Cresco, Iowa, on March 25, 1940, the son of Lee and Della (Farnsworth) Rasmusson. As a young boy, John and his parents moved a lot and John received his education in many of the area schools, graduating from Harmony High School. Following his education, John worked as a farm hand for Wallace and Phyllis Grooters.

On Octoher 27, 1962, he was united in marriage to Martha Lloyd at the Methodist Church in Lime Springs, Iowa. They made their home near Greenleafton, MN until after John's return from the service.

On January 27, 1966, John entered the U.S. Army, serving with the 81st Armored Division out of Ft. Hood, TX during the Viet Nam Conflict until he was discharged on January 26, 1968. Following his discharge, John and Martha moved into Cresco, where his two children were born, and he started trucking for Johnsrud Transport, then worked for a time in a gas station, then started hauling fuel for United Shippers, then the Co-op and in his later years, drove truck for Fred Carlson Co.

John had a great love for his family and the outdoors. His family was the most important thing in his life. He was a Boy Scout Leader for many years while his son was growing up. During this time he befriended many of the young men in the Cresco community. He was a member of the American Legion Post #135, the Wildlife Club, the Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Racine Minnesota Tractor Club. His hobby was antique tractors and farm equipment.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; one son: Dean and his wife Holly of Cresco; one daughter: Jane and her husband, Gary Ryant of Ridgeway, IA; six grandchildren: Andrew, Dakota and Dawson Rasmusson, Ashten and Zachariah Frana and Chezney Ryant; his mother: Della Rasmusson of Rochester, MN; seven brothers and sisters: Joyce (Marv) Clark of Portland, OR, Lyla (John) Hagemeister, Linda Rasmusson, Gail Rasmusson and Mary (Wes) Clark, all of Rochester, MN, Glenn (Sharon) Rasmusson of Spring Valley, MN and Steve (Jackie) Rasmusson of Rochester, MN.

John was preceded in death by his father: Lee; and one brother: Roger Rasmusson.

Funeral services for Ricky Ring of McIntire will be held at 2:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 3 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Riceville with the Rev. Michael Parris officiating.

Interment will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in rural Riceville.

Ricky, 46, died Sunday, July 31, 2005 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville is handling the arrangements.

Funeral services for Dorothy Randak of Cresco were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 1 at Notre Dame Parish-St. Joseph's Worship Center in Cresco with Reverend Richard J. Ament officiating.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. The family placed the pall on the casket at the beginning of worship. Ruth Shimek and Dan Williams were lectors, Donna Kelly and Patty Kohles carried the gifts, Georgine Berka was Eucharist Minister, Suzanne Ollendick was organist and Pam Daley was the song leader. Pallbearers were: Roger Craft, Harold Craft Jr., Robert Halweg, James and Scott Kramer, and Robert Randak.

Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements.

Dorothy, 73, died Thursday, July 28, 2005 at the Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco, Iowa.

Dorothy Mae Randak was born on April 4, 1932 in Howard County, Iowa, near Protivin, the daughter of Anton and Ludmilla (Landa) Randak. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. Dorothy attended the rural school and also St. Joseph's School through the eighth grade. In about 1941, the family moved to Cresco and Dorothy helped with housekeeping. She started working at the local hospital, cooking and eventually moved over to laundry, which she really liked. She worked at the hospital for 40 years, retiring in 1990.

Dorothy loved cooking and entertaining so that she would not let one leave her house without feeding them. She also enjoyed reading, playing cards, and traveling. Dorothy was a great animal lover, and treated the dogs, cats, and squirrels as though they we her own. Her greatest love was her nieces and nephews and enjoyed visiting whenever they came over.

Dorothy was a member of St. Joseph's Church, the Circles of Faith and the Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by three sisters: Helen (Harold) Craft of Cresco, Iowa, Marcella (William) Halweg of San Diego, CA and Irene Kramer of La Mesa, CA and Cresco, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents and three nieces preceded her in death.

Funeral services for Edith Hockspeier of Alta Vista were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 1 at the Elma United Methodist Church in Elma with Reverend Pamela Kranzler officiating.

Interment was in Union Cemetery in Alta Vista. Pallbearers were: Jack Brandmill, Gary Tolliver, John Hunter, Melvin Masemann, Fern Hammond, and Delbert Carmer.

Friends were to call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma and an hour prior to services at the church.

Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma handled the arrangements.

Edith, 91, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Edith Mary Hunter was born May 29, 1914, at Greeley, IA, the daughter of George and Clara (Luense) Hunter. She was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and went on to graduate from Cornell College with a Bachelors Degree and teaching certificate. Edith moved to Alta Vista to teach. In her teaching career, she taught junior and senior high school and children with learning disabilities in Alta Vista, Elma, and Cresco.

On August 2, 1941, Edith was united in marriage to Lloyd W. Hockspeier in Mt. Vernon. Following their marriage the couple resided on a farm south of Alta Vista where she has resided ever since.

She was a member of the Elma United Methodist Church, the Order of Eastern Star and Past Matron's Club. In earlier years, she had been active in the Chickasaw County Historical Society and in the Chickasaw County Chorus.

After her retirement in 1975, she and Lloyd spent time traveling by RV to Texas and other southern states.

Edith is survived by four children: John Hockspeier of Alta Vista, Eunice Graham of Barnesville, GA, Edie Hockspeier of Savannah, GA, and Becky Bell of Meansville, GA; four grandchildren: Randy Schmoldt of Helena, MT, Sheri Bell of Easley, SC, Angie Harris of Clermont, FL, and Julie Bell of Birmingham, AL; a great grandson: Jonathan Harris; sister and brother-in-law: Eunice (Leonard) Braun of Glenview, IL; and a sister-in-law: Emily Hunter of Sioux City, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd on February 1, 1991; sister: Ruth; and three brothers: Robert, Wayne and Lawrence.

Funeral services for Velma Kruger of Riceville will be held today, Wednesday, August 10 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Riceville.

Interment will be in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Riceville.

Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville is handling the arrangements.

Velma, 72, died Friday, August 5, 2005 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Mary Thomson Solie Johnson, 87, died Monday, August 1, 2005 at her home.

A memorial service in celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date.

Mary was a person of remarkable grace and good humor whose warmth and courtesy touched many lives.

Mary was born on October 3, 1917, in Cresco, Iowa, to Perce and Myrl Thomson. Her Scottish forebearers had chosen Iowa for their home. Perce was the local banker and Myrl taught high school music. Mary attended Lawrence College in Appleton and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1939.

In 1942 Mary bought a two-seater car for $500 and drove west to marry her college sweetheart, Ed Solie, who was in pilot training with the United States Air Force. They began their married life in Las Vegas. Following the war, Mary and Ed returned to Madison, where he completed a law degree at the UW and entered the practice of law. Mary and Ed were the parents of two children, Guy and Susan.

Many of Mary's pursuits revolved around her children's activities. She was a member of Blackhawk Country Club for over 50 years and still kept her golf clubs ready for play. She was a lifelong member of PEO with affiliation to Chapter AX in Madison and fond association with Chapter CQ of Phoenix, AZ. Mary was a member of Attic Angels and Grace Episcopal Church.

Following Ed Solie's death in 1983, Mary found the joy of a second marriage with yet another Ed. She married longtime friend Ed Johnson in 1989. They treasured many years together, years that were filled with dear friends, Badger football, golf at Blackhawk and at the Biltmore Country Club in Phoenix, and national and international travel.

At this stage in her life, Mary found special pleasure in her five grandchildren. John, Laura, and Sam Solie of Durham, NC, and Katy and Kristen Boyd of Phoenix were the lights of her life.

In addition to her five grandchildren, Mary is survived by her husband Ed; her son: Guy (Mindy) Solie of Durham; her brother: Jack (Fran) Thomson of Cresco; and her nephew: Scott (Stephanie) Thomson of Cresco.

Mary faced a difficult loss when her daughter Susan Boyd died in 1992 following a long and courageous fight with breast cancer. The opportunity to winter in Phoenix each year offered Mary the chance to spend precious time with Susan's husband Jim (Liz) Boyd and their family.

Mary's family requests that those who wish to remember her with a memorial give to a charity of their choice in Mary's name.

Memorial services for Valentin "Val" Egorenko of North Branch, formerly of Cresco, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 8, 2005 at the Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake, MN.

Inurnment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Forest Lake, MN handled the arrangements.

Valentin, 60, died Wednesday, August 3, 2005 after a long battle with diabetes.

Val was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam era. Val enjoyed fishing, collecting old records, and watching old movies.

Survivors include his wife Karen of North Branch, MN; stepchildren: Scott (Teri) Moger, Elaine (Mike) Sorensen; stepgrandsons: Layke Moger and Dustin Sorensen, all of Rochester, MN; brother: Alexander (Ardyce) Egorenko of Maple Grove, MN; sisters: Galina Caldemeyer of Marion, IA and Tamara (Frank) Hammond of Cresco; and two nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Gregory and Alexandra Egorenko; and brothers: Johnny and Gary.

Funeral services for Richard "Dick" Brackin of Rochester, MN, formerly of Harmony, MN were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2005 at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, MN.

Interment was in New Oregon Cemetery in rural Cresco, IA.

Friends called at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, MN from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, MN handled the arrangements.

Richard, 77, died Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at his home in Rochester, MN.

Dick was born on March 30, 1928 in Neilsville, WI, to John and Louise (Miller) Brackin. He was the second youngest of 13 children. His father was a farmer and the family moved to Fayette County Iowa a year later. They moved to the Cresco area in 1937. He met Marie Mohs prior to enlisting in the Army during World War II. He served as a truck driver in the 8th Armory 493rd MP Escort Guard Company.

He then married Marie in 1947 in Pecatonica, IL. After his discharge, the two lived in Cresco, where he worked for Puritan Ice Cream and Locker until 1963. They then moved to Harmony and purchased Harmony Cold Storage, which he operated until it sold in 1985. They then moved to Rochester, MN where he was employed at HyVee, Channel One Food Bank, and the U.S. Postal Service as a sub mail carrier. He retired in 1999.

Dick was a longtime member of Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, MN, and had previously served on the Church Council. He was a life member of VFW Post 4561 and Rochester Archery Club, past President of Cresco Wildlife Club, Harmony Conservation Club, and the Minnesota Meat Processors Association. He served on the city of Harmony Zoning Board, and received the 1983 Fillmore County 4-H Club Friend of the Year Award. He was a lifelong avid hunter and fisherman and as such, was a hunter safety instructor for 28 years.

Survivors include his wife Marie; daughter: Kathleen (Glenn) Roberts of Rochester, MN; sister: Bonnie (Don) Ford of Lake Forest, IL; three grandchildren: Michael (Monica), Heather, Megan; one great-grandchild: (Miranda), and an extraordinary number of close friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his eleven siblings.

Funeral services for Bertha A. Wesseling were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2005 at the Greenleafton Reformed Church in Greenleafton, MN.

Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs, IA.

Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Bertha, 95, died Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County Hospital.

Funeral services for Ferne C. Smid of Chester, Iowa were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at the Chester United Methodist Church in Chester, IA with the Rev. Candie Carey officiating.

Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell, IA with a graveside service at 3:00 p.m.

Friends were to call at the Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy, MN on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy, MN handled the arrangements.

Ferne, 81, died Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, IA where she had resided a short time.

Ferne Corinne Gabrielson was born May 8, 1924 in Jewell, IA to Oscar Gabrielson and Goldie Johnson Gabrielson. She attended and graduated from Jewell High School and was later united in marriage to Clarence Smid on March 29, 1945 at the Methodist Church in Webster City, IA.

Clarence and Ferne moved to the Chester area from Kamrar, IA in 1959. Ferne was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chester, IA and was a member of its UMW. She was a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother.

She is survived by her husband Clarence of Chester, IA, one daughter: Linda (Chip) Schmidt of Cedar Falls, IA; two sons: Gene (Sue) Smid of Merrill, IA and David (Lesley) Smid of Marshalltown, IA; four grandchildren, David Schmidt, Andy Schmidt, Erin Smid, Emily Smid; and two sisters: Donna (Harlan) Wilson of Jewell, IA and Bonnie (Paul) Roberts of Albany, OR.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister: Ruth; and three brothers: Udell, Arlen and Robert.

Funeral services for Harlan W. Throndson of rural Lawler were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at Assumption Parish, Little Turkey.

Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery-Reilly Ridge in rural Lawler.

Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Lawler handled the arrangements.

Harlan, 72, died Thursday, August 11, 2005 at his home.