North Central Iowa
Genealogical Society
Box 237
Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Howard County

Cresco Times-Plain Dealer
 
214 North Elm Street
Cresco Iowa
52136-1522

First Citizens National Bank
First Citizens National Bank, Mason City, is honored to participate as a corporate underwriter of this important north central Iowa community project.


Keystroke Ctrl F is a page search tool
Ideas to help you power search this obituary archive

The Times Plain Dealer archive


Harvey Koshatka, 76

 

    A Mass of Christian Burial for Harvey T. Koshatka of Cresco, IA was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.
    Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco with a scripture wake service at 6:15 p.m. 
    Conway Funeral Home in Cresco, IA handled the arrangements.
    Harvey, 76, died Saturday, February 14, 2009 after a brief illness.
    Harvey Thomas Koshatka was born February 2, 1933, the son of Frank and Josephine (Tlusty) Koshatka at his parent's rural farm home near Lourdes, IA. He attended elementary school in Lourdes and high school in Cresco. Due to his father's health, he farmed the family farm until he married Beverly LaVonne Albertson on April 12, 1955 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. They became the proud parents of Steven and Cheryl. They farmed in the Lourdes area for 12 years. He became employed at Donaldson Company in Cresco in the fall of 1965. The family relocated to Cresco in the spring of 1966 where he remained employed with Donaldson Co. for the next 32 years.
    After his retirement he was an EMT for Regional Health Services of Howard County and currently was Cresco airport manager until his death.
    Harvey was an avid outdoorsman. He had many special interests that included flying his airplane, fishing and hunting with friends and family, golfing, bowling, table pool, boating, and motorcycling. In earlier years he drove a stock car (#140) at the local races. Harvey and Beverly enjoyed bus trips after their retirement. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending quality time with them. He recently purchased a new John Deere riding lawn mower, which he thoroughly enjoyed and was proud of.
    He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Cresco; one son: Steven and wife Shirley (Wiemerslage) of Cresco; a daughter: Cheryl Riha of Cresco; grandchildren: Andrew Riha of Los Angeles; Brandon and Megan (Speer) Riha of Cresco; Bryan Riha, a student at Drake University in Des Moines who is currently studying abroad in Cape Town, Africa; Tyler, Tiffany, and Tara Koshatka of Cresco; as well as many cousins.
    He was preceded in death by his parents.


James Hurd, 54

 

    Funeral services for James "Jim" L. Hurd of Decorah, IA were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah with Rev. David H. Andreae officiating. Organist was Kathryn Anderson. Hymns sung were: "Borning Cry" and "On Eagle's Wings". Pallbearers were: Gary Stortz, Brian Niemeyer, Paul "Gus" Gustafsson, Jim Byerly, Loren Amundson, and Matt Amundson. Interment was in Big Canoe Cemetery in rural Decorah. 
    Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, IA handled the arrangements.
    Jim, 54, died Wednesday, February 25, 2009 in Flippin, AR of an apparent heart attack while visiting relatives.
    James "Jim" Laverne Hurd was born July 16, 1954, the son of Maurice Edgar and Irene Harriett (Buenneke) Hurd in Oelwein, IA. Jim graduated as class president from West Central High School of Maynard in 1972.
    On September 15, 1972, he married Rita Steinbronn at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Westgate, IA.  
    He worked for Seig Motor Company and Gulf States Plastics in Oelwein. In 1976, he moved with his family to Big Canoe Road, north of Decorah, to take up farming with his father-in-law. In 1983, he bought a smaller farm, two miles down the road. Jim went to work for Northern Engraving in 1984 and worked there until 1991, when he joined Camcar in Decorah where he worked in Quality Control, Heat-treat and Customer Complaints. His two children and five grandchildren loved to go to Highlandville with Jim when he went for coffee each evening with Loren and Gus. 
    Jim loved everything about hunting - but mostly spending time with his friends and family, teaching young people to hunt and to love the outdoors. Jim knew everyone in a four county area, due to his auctioneering with Steve Darrington at church bazaars. Jim was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church, the Highlandville Literary Society and the Three Dorks Club.  
     Jim is survived by his wife: Rita Hurd of Decorah; one daughter: Heather (Mark) Vilardo of Virginia Beach, VA; one son: Aaron (Shannon) Hurd of Ridgeway; five grandchildren: Faith, Gabriel and Noah Vilardo and Jason and Preston Hurd; two sisters: Maurene (Tom) Arlington of Casco, MI and Barbara (Curt) Orr of Maynard; one brother: George (Deb) Hurd of West Union; his father and mother-in-law: Wilbert and Marjorie Steinbronn of Westgate; one brother-in-law: Russell (Chris) Steinbronn of Westgate; three sisters-in-law: Deb Steinbronn of Westgate, Ruth (Dave) Garrigus of Oelwein and Ronda (Jim) Avenson of Westgate; two uncles: David Hurd of Oelwein and Lawrence Hurd of Westgate; two aunts: LaRyne (Raymond) Mills of Maynard and Brenda Earls of Broken Arrow, OK; along with many nieces and nephews.
     Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Maurice and Irene Hurd; one brother-in-law: Ron Steinbronn; and one niece: Jenny Earls.


Glora Earl, 95

 
 Funeral services for Glora V. Earl were held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen officiating. Interment will be held in the spring in Phelps Cemetery.
    Visitation was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. 
    Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, IA handled the arrangements.
    Glora, 95, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
    Glora Viola Earl was born February 24, 1914 the daughter of Olai and Minnie (Hanson Engen) Kjarland in Pleasant Township on the family farm. She was baptized and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. She was educated in Pleasant Township, district no. 8 country school. She grew up in a traditional rural Norwegian family. She had one sister: Julia Kjarland and seven brothers: Claude Hanson, Henry Hanson, Selmer Kjarland, Ingvold Kjarland, Laurance Kjarland, Lloyd Kjarland and Stanley Kjarland. Glora's fondest childhood memory was cross country skiing.
    Glora married Lester Foss when she was 19. They had four children - Galen, Donna, Naomi and Roy. Lester died in 1970. They had been married for 37 years. Glora married Emmett Earl in 1971 and they were married for 15 years until his death in 1986.
    Glora was a homemaker and a gardener. She was a master lefse maker, learning from her grandmother. She loved nature and was an avid bird watcher.
    Glora's grandchildren were lucky indeed. In the winter, she came up with games like "string the buttons" and "hide the thimble". She read them stories at night and tucked them in under a quilt so heavy they could not move. In summer, it was the sand box, dress up, tag and red rover. On occasion, she would get out her coin purse and dispense the precious few coins she had to her grandchildren who were huddled around her like chicks with hands. She somehow always managed to have just enough for everyone for a dime cone or a nickel root beer or spending an hour at Rooney's store searching for just the right piece of candy. When her grandkids took time out from playing, there was always a white sugar sandwich for easy consumption.
    For the past 22 years Glora lived alone with her dog Tiny. Glora never owned or operated an automobile and enjoyed walking in the fresh outdoors. In September of last year she could walk no more and moved to the Cresco Care Center.
    Glora is survived by her daughter: Donna Harding; her sons: Galen (Betty) Foss and Roy (Beverly) Foss; her stepson: Arnold (Rita) Earl; 31 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
    Glora was preceded in death by two husbands; her daughter: Naomi Foss Berg; two grandsons: Robert Harding and Steven Berg; her parents; and eight siblings.

Alvin Frana, 76

 

    A Mass of Christian Burial for Alvin F. Frana of Calmar, IA was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar with Rev. Donald Hawes and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Organist was Alan Sensor, soloist was Dan Silhacek and the St. Wenceslaus Choir. Lector was Deacon Butch Stone. Offertory giftbearers were: Joanne Frana, Doretta Frana and Susie Durham. Eucharistic ministers were: Nancy and Deacon Butch Stone. Music was "Amazing Grace", "Here I am Lord", "Eagles Wings", "Knebesum", "Be Not Afraid", "Prayer of St. Francis", "Ave Maria", "Going Home', and "How Great Thou Art". Pallbearers were: Thomas L. Lockhart, Lonnie Frana, Kevin Whalen, Michael Haddy, Jack Brazier, Jr., and Jason Durham. Interment was in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville. 
    Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
    Alvin, 76, died suddenly Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at his home.
    Alvin Francis Frana was born December 3, 1932, the son of James R. and Adella (Shindelar) Frana on the family farm near Decorah, IA. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville and Madison Country School near Decorah. Alvin farmed near Decorah until he retired and moved to Calmar. 
    He  enjoyed walking on the bike trail, mowing the lawn, watching sports on TV and listening to polka music. He was fluent in the Czech language. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (formerly Catholic Workman).
    Alvin's survivors include his eight sisters:  Lorraine (Tom) Lockhart of Adel, Leona Whalen of Cresco, Marian Nobles of Bloomfield, NM, Joanne Frana of Cedar Rapids, Madonna Haddy of Cedar Rapids, Arlene (Jack) Brazier of Cedar Rapids, Doretta Frana of Madison, WI and Susan (John) Durham of Calmar; one brother: Wesley Frana, Decorah; 30 nieces and nephews; 58 great-nieces and nephews; and 24 great-great-nieces and nephews.
    Alvin was preceded in death by his parents: James R. Frana on July 29, 1971 and Adella Frana January 10, 2008; two brothers-in-law: William Nobles and Bobbie Haddy; six nephews: Michael Nobles in infancy, James Lockhart, Mark Lockhart, Ricky, Andrew and Michael Lockhart in infancy; and  one great nephew: Mark Whalen.
 


Jerry Hale, 66

    Funeral services for Jerry W. Hale of Rochester, MN were held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester. Interment was in Grandview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. 
    Jerry, 66, died Friday, February 20, 2009 at his home in Rochester.
    Jerry Wayne Hale was born March 14, 1942 the son of F. Stuart and Lillian (Kesten) Hale in Austin, MN. Jerry grew up on a farm near LeRoy, MN and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1960. He served in the Iowa National Guard and farmed near LeRoy until 1970.
    On October 22, 1966, he married Linda Penning in LeRoy, MN. In 1970, they moved their family to Rochester. Jerry drove a city bus before starting his career as a semi-truck driver. After a 35-year career as a truck driver, he retired and had worked as a school bus driver for one year.
    He enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, hunting, and four wheeling. Jerry enjoyed farming and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, Austin Minnesota Moose Lodge, and Teamsters Local Union 160.
    Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda of Rochester, MN; two daughters: Michelle (Marvin) Martinek of Cresco and Mari Jane (Todd) Speer of Rochester; two sons: Frederick (Kim) Hale of Byron, MN and Christopher (Rebecca) Hale of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Taylor and Tracy, Zack and Carter, Emily and Haley and Ashton; and one brother: John (Margaret) Hale of Winona, MN.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother: James.

Goldie Leferink, 75

    Goldie J. Leferink, 75, died Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at her home following a long illness. At Goldie's request, no service was held.
    Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, IA handled the arrangements.
    Goldie J. Leferink was born August 12, 1933 in Cresco, IA, the daughter of Ward and Cora Craft. 
    She married William Leferink on August 19, 1952 in Cresco. Goldie most recently served as a crossing guard for the Albuquerque Police Department.
    Survivors include a daughter: Deb (Nick) Palen; son: Bill (Lolly) Leferink; and daughter: Lisa (Brett) Villeneuve, all of Cedar Rapids; a sister: Marie (LeRoy) Baethke of Cresco, IA; and two brothers: Harold (Helen) Craft of Cresco, IA and Ray (Aurilla) Craft of Waterloo, IA. She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson. 
    She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on May 31, 2007; her parents; two brothers: Urban and Kenneth Craft; and a sister: Dorothy Van de Weerd. 

Donald Franzen, 68

    A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald A. Franzen of St. Lucas, IA was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas with Rev. David Beckman officiating. The pall was placed on the casket by Delbert Franzen, Anna Franzen, Linda De Sloover and Joyce Mahr. The offertory gifts were presented by Dean and Ellen Franzen. Pallbearers were: Dean Franzen, Joyce Mahr, Ricky Holthaus, Ronnie Holthaus, Eileen Eichenberger and Roger De Sloover. Interment was in St. Luke's Cemetery.
    Friends were to call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 2 at St. Luke's Chapel, St. Lucas where there was a 4 p.m. rosary. Visitation continued for one hour prior to services at St. Luke's Chapel.
    Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
    Donald, 68, died Friday, February 27, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
    Donald A. Franzen was born March 24, 1940, on the family farm southwest of St. Lucas, IA, the son of Edward J. and Rose (Smith) Franzen. He received his education at St. Luke's Catholic School in St. Lucas.
    Donald worked with his father and brothers on the family farm as well as helping out many neighbors. He had been a resident of Prairie View Nursing Home for a time and then a resident of the New Hampton Care Center.
    In Donald's later years he enjoyed fishing, playing Bingo at the nursing home, listening to music and going to parades.
    Survivors include one brother: Delbert (Peggy) Franzen of Waucoma; a sister-in-law: Anna Franzen of Waucoma; a brother-in-law: Francis Holthaus of Festina; and several nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Lenora Hackman, Emma Franzen, Agnes Pelikian, Luella Holthaus; five brothers: Linus Franzen, Norbert Franzen, Julius Franzen, Matthew and Mathias Franzen in infancy.

Curtis Schuchhardt, 45

 

    Funeral services for Curtis "Curt" C. Schuchhardt of Elma, IA will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma with Father Ray Atwood officiating. Pallbearers are: Derek O'Neill, Nathan O'Neill, Jeremie Bobst, Corey Flatjord, Joshua Schuchhardt and Megan O'Neill. Honorary pallbearer is Austin Erion  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at Elma.
    Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 4 at the Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma and will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.  
    Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, IA is handling the arrangements.
    Curtis, 45, died Saturday, February 28, 2009 at his home.
    Curtis Charles Schuchhardt was born December 26, 1963 the son of Charles and Valera (Warnke) Schuchhardt in Sumner, IA. As a youth Curt moved with his family to Alta Vista where he grew up. He attended school in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1982. He worked as a farm hand and drove truck for Schuchhardt Trucking. Later Curt was employed by TRI-MARK in New Hampton where he has worked for the last 16 years. 
    On December 5, 1992 he married Nancy Ptacek at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista, IA. To this marriage two children were born, Lacey and Lucas.
    Curt enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, horseback riding, farming, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Elma Sportsman's Club.
    He is survived by his wife Nancy of Elma; daughter: Lacey of Elma; son: Lucas of Elma; parents: Charles and Valera Schuchhardt of Unionville, MO; four sisters: Brenda (Floyd) Elsbernd of Savannah, MO, Wanda (Gene) Flatjord of New Hampton, IA, Lonna (Justin) Bobst of Alexander, IA and Kim (Pat) O'Neill of Fredericksburg, IA; one brother: Kevin (Christy) Schuchhardt of Nashua, IA; several aunts and uncles, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
    He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Leonard and Berdine Warnke; his paternal grandparents: Walter and Leanor Schuchhardt; and nephew: Austin Erion.


Lyle Seebach, 82

 

    Funeral services for Lyle G. Seebach of Cresco, IA will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Cresco, IA.
    Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco from 4-7 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 4  and also one hour prior to services at the church.  
    Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, IA is handling the arrangements.
    Lyle, 82, died Monday, March 2, 2009 at Regional Health Services of Howard County Hospital in Cresco from complications associated with Huntington's Disease.
    Lyle George Seebach was born September 29, 1926 the son of Vernon and Gertrude Seebach. He was raised on the Early Dawn farm north of Dysart, IA along with his older brother Orion and his younger brother Dale. He graduated from Dysart High School in 1944 and entered the US Navy. He was a Radarman 3/c aboard the navy destroyer USS Everett F Larson from January of 1945 through August of 1946, serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
    Lyle returned to the family farm after his discharge from the Navy. He attended college at Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture Education in 1950. He taught Veterans' Classes in agriculture at Dysart in 1951, and continued farming with his brother Orion for several years.
    On June 7, 1953 he married Patricia Ann Zobel. The first of their three children, Ann, was born in 1956, followed by twin sons Bart and Brad, born in 1959.
    He began selling insurance with the Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Dysart, IA in 1960. The family moved to Cresco in 1962, where Lyle was the Farm Bureau Agency Manager. He later became an agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. He began teaching Agribusiness at Area One (now Northeast Iowa Community College) in 1968.He took summer classes at Iowa State University and earned an M.S. degree in Agriculture Education in 1973. He retired from teaching in 1992 after 24 years of service.
    He especially loved his rose garden, and was a Master Gardener. He sang in church choirs for his whole life, beginning when he was twelve. He sang tenor in a barbershop quartet called "The Articulators" in the Dysart/Waterloo area in the 1950's, and for many years with the Elm Street Singers in Cresco. He served on the local Boy Scout Council. He was involved in many local theater productions and served as President of the Cresco Community Theater. He was a long-time member of the Cresco Kiwanis Club and served as their President in 1995-1996. He was a member of SCORE and was the Treasurer of the NE Iowa Chapter.
    He was baptized in the Evangelical Church in Dysart. He and Pat joined the First Congregational Church in Cresco, where he served in many capacities. He has been a member of Cresco United Methodist Church for the past 15 years. He and Pat celebrated their Golden Anniversary in 2003. He was cared for by the staff at the Evans Home in Cresco from October of 2006.
    He is survived by his wife: Pat; his children: Ann (Larry) Petit of Eyota, MN, Bart (Pam) of Rochester, MN, and Brad (Beth) of Holmen, WI; four grandchildren: Cameron, Hayley, Ethan, and Rachel; his brother: Dale (Carol): and sister-in-law: Velda.
    Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother: Orion.


John Kostohryz, 92

 

    Funeral services for John E. Kostohryz of Cresco, IA were held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco with Rev. Richard J. Ament officiating. Suzane Ollendick accompanied while James Marik led the music. Honorary pallbearers were: Kyler Kostohryz, Shannon Walter, James Zahasky and Virgil Lukes. Pallbearers were: Shelley Flack, Kyler Kostohryz, Stacey Guertin, Matthew Guertin, Kyle Guertin, Darren Walter and Larry Kostohryz. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.
    Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, February 27 at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.
    Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements. 
    John, 92, died Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the Cresco Care Center where he has made his home since January 2005.
    John E. Kostohryz was born January 7, 1917 in Howard County, IA, the son of Frank and Mary (Sobolik) Kostohryz. He attended the rural school near his home and graduated from Cresco High School with the Class of 1936. John grew up on the farm and continued farming after his graduation.
    On June 12, 1946, he married Grace Christina Lukes in the Assumption Catholic Church at Cresco, IA. Following their marriage, John and Grace continued farming until their retirement and moving to Cresco in 1979.
    John liked to fish and hunt, dancing and listening to polka music. He also enjoyed playing cards and taking care of a garden. He was a member of Notre Dame Church, the Western Fraternal Association, the National Farmers Organization and the Farm Bureau.
    John is survived by his children: John (Darlene) of Cresco, Janelle (Gary) Guertin of Riceville and Julie (Fred) Walter of Cresco; seven grandchildren: Shelley (David) Flack, Kyler Kostohryz, Stacey Guertin, Matthew Guertin, Kyle Guertin; Darren Walter, and Shannon Walter; four step grandchildren: Chris (Sheila) Walter, Stacy Walter, Jamie Fisher and Derek Davis; one great-granddaughter: Mackenzie Flack; and nine step great-grandchildren: Bryce Wilson, Alayna, Jocelyn, and Dakota  Walter; Drew, Alex, and Nick Davis; Rachelle and Trevor Fisher.
    Preceding John in death were his wife: Grace; his parents; one brother: Frank Kostohryz; and one sister: Pauline Zahasky.


 

Community Project:

Volunteers maintain this archive by posting directly to the web from their home computers.