Funeral services for Elmer R. Slifka of Decorah were held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah with Deacon Nick Francois officiating. Fisherman's prayer was read by Dan Collett. Mary Beth Bouska was the organist and Susan Pikula was the flutist. Songs were "How Great Thou Art" and "Ave Maria". Interment was in St. Benedict's Cemetery in Decorah with military rites by American Legion Post #299 and VFW Post #5769 of Mabel, Minn.
    Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah handled the arrangements.
    Elmer, 85, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco.
    Elmer Raymond Slifka was born March 17, 1924, the son of John J. and Ann (Schneider) Slifka in Cresco. Elmer attended rural country schools between Cresco and Protivin and then Notre Dame Catholic School. Elmer enlisted in the US Army where he had glider training and was a paratrooper. He served in Germany during World War II, as a roving guard at the Palace of Justice.
    He returned to Cresco and married Eleanor Tieskotter on April 22, 1956 in Cresco. They moved to Mabel, Minn. in June of 1947, and Elmer was self-employed as a carpenter mason. He also worked for K.V. Hagen Lumber Co., until he retired.
    After retirement, he repaired lawn mowers, bicycles and enjoyed "tinkering" in his garage. His favorite pastime of all was fishing and traveling and loved taking his grandchildren, Shannon and Trevor, along with him. In Elmer's earlier years, he enjoyed being a clown and riding his tall bicycle with the Mabel Grenadier's and driving his "00" stock car.     Elmer was a founding member of St. Olaf's Catholic Church in Mabel and was a current member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah. Elmer was a member of the Joseph B. Lund American Legion Post #299 and a lifetime member of the Kittelson - Onsgard VFW Post #5769 in Mabel, Minn.
    Elmer is survived by his daughter: Sandra (Chad) Evans of Decorah; two grandchildren: Trevor Gossman and Shannon Duncan, both of Decorah; two great-granddaughters: Sierra and Aria; one brother: Daniel (Irene) Slifka of Cresco; one sister-in-law: Dorothy Slifka of Waukon; along with many nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by his wife: Eleanor Slifka on Oct. 9, 2006; a son-in-law: Charles Gossman on Jan. 7, 1977; his parents; one sister: Mildred (Frank) Kudrna; two brothers: Gerald (Lil) Slifka and Clarence Slifka; two brothers-in-law: Arnold (Mildred) Tieskotter and Gordon Tieskotter; one sister-in-law: Gertrude Schissel; one niece: Marilyn Drozd; and three nephews: Gerald Slifka, Bill and James Tieskotter.

    A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael "Mike" J. Brophy of Lourdes was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes with Father Ray Atwood officiating. Barb Boyle was the organist accompanying the North Washington Men's Choir singing, "Here I Am Lord", "I Am the Bread of Life", "It's Not the First Mile", "On Eagles Wings", and "Danny Boy". Pallbearers were: Franny Smith, Dan McGrane, Pat Fogarty, Merle Havlik, John Chihak and Jack Hastings. Honorary pallbearers were: Clem Havlik, Irv Friedhoff, Leo Fair and Jim Fangman. Military rites were provided by Elma American Legion John Frahm Post #597. At the graveside service, bagpiper John Morris played "Amazing Grace" and "Scotland the Brave" and everyone attending sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling". Interment was in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Lourdes.
    Visitation was from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma with a scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continued at the funeral home one hour prior to services on Monday.   
    Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma handled the arrangements.
    Michael, 63, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at his home.
    Michael Jerome Brophy was born February 22, 1946 the son of Bernard "Jerry" and Mary (Fogarty) Brophy in Elma. Mike graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Elma in 1964. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 30, 1964 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam and received his honorable discharge on August 30, 1968. He then worked for Wilson Meat Packing Plant in Cedar Rapids until his father was injured, returning home to operate Brophy Livestock. Mike was later employed at White Tractor Manufacturing in Charles City. In 1985 he built Lourdes Service Station in Lourdes which he owned and operated for three years. Mike was a rural mail carrier for the Elma Post Office for 33 years, retiring in 2006.
    Mike enjoyed his family and friends, workshop "museum", history and spending time outdoors. He was especially proud of his Irish heritage. Mike was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Elma American Legion - John Frahm Post #597, Alta Vista VFW - Paul Johann Post #4069 and Elma Sportsman's Club.
    He is survived by his companion Patty Korsmo of Lourdes; three children: Amber Hummel of LeRoy, Minn, Danielle (Patrick) Cowley of Syracuse, N.Y.; Sean (Sarah) Brophy of Alta Vista and his children's mother Kaye Brophy of Elma; three grandchildren: Corey, Tyler and Trey Hummel; two sisters: Alice Vick of Cedar Rapids and Jean (Tom) Huegel of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother: Johnny Brophy.

    Funeral services for Mildred Meier of Lime Springs will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lime Springs. Interment will be in Saratoga Cemetery following services at 2:30 p.m.
    Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church.   
    Lindstrom Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
    Mildred, 89, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 in Cedar Rapids.
    Mildred Meier was born October 25, 1919, one of nine children, the daughter of Henry and Mildred Aebly of Spencer. Mildred helped her mother with laundry and housework and especially enjoyed working with her dad in the garden. Her dad always referred to her as "Pet". Mildred, along with her siblings walked every day to school where she completed the eighth grade.
    Mildred was married to George W. Peters on July 2, 1933 at her sister's home in Kansas City. They had four children, George Jr., Marian, Larry and Kenneth. George and Mildred farmed around Saratoga most of their married years, later moving to Lime Springs. Mildred enjoyed doing volunteer work for Howard County Extension Service, and spent many years as a Sunday School Superintendent at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lime Springs. Mildred and George enjoyed spending their free time with family and friends, playing cards, and board games. George passed away in 1990.
    On February 26, 1994 she married Walter A. Meier. They resided on his farm near Elma. Mildred always had a big strawberry patch, and enjoyed making jam and pies. One of Mildreds favorite activities was dancing. Mildred did a great Charleston Step, and loved waltzing and fox trots. When she had spare time she enjoyed writing poetry and reading. Mildred loved family time and hosted many birthday parties and holiday dinners.
    She is survived by her three children: Marian Marvin of Cedar Rapids, Larry (Marilynn) Peters of Indianola, and Kenneth (Mary) Peters of Rochester, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Meier; her husband, George Peters; a son: George Jr.; a grandson: Dean Peters; her parents; and eight siblings.

    A Mass of Christian Burial for Ann A. Scharnweber of Cresco will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.
    Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, where there will be a 4:15 p.m. rosary, followed by a Legion Auxiliary Service and a 7:30 p.m. scripture service.   
    Lindstrom Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
    Ann, 80, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.
    Ann Anna Mae Scharnweber was born on Sept. 26, 1929 in Ossian, the third child of Hugo and Mary (Wenthold) Kleve. She moved to Cresco with her family in 1930, where her parents had purchased a farm. She attended Cresco Schools.
    On June 23, 1948, she married Donald D. Scharnweber in St. Joseph's Church in Cresco. They farmed north of Cresco for 41 years, retiring to Cresco in 1995.
    Ann was involved in many activities. She was past president and past secretary of the St. Joseph's Altar Society; served as co-chairlady of St. Joseph's monthly luncheons; taught CCD Classes for six years; was Cantor for 15 years, retiring at age 65; a member of the choir and The Good News Singers. She and her husband were funeral ushers for many years; and Ann participated in quilting for the Ag-Fest quilt. She and her husband were charter members of the Cresco Squares, Square Dance Club, and held the office of president several times. Ann also served as president of the American Legion Auxiliary for seven years and also served as Chaplain. Ann enjoyed her family, music, dancing, cooking, quilting, gardening and cleaning. Ann was a member and secretary of the 20th Century Club.
    She is survived by her husband, Don of Cresco; son: Mark (Gloria) of West Branch, two daughters: Jane (Lloyd) Johnson of Ostrander, Minn., and Joyce (fiance Lyle Halverson) of Cresco; six grandchildren: Aaron Scharnweber of Des Moines, Edward Scharnweber of Wanamingo, Minn., Leah (Justin) Loomer of Cedar Rapids, Jessica and Mitchell Anderson of Stewartville, Minn., David Johnson of Woodbury, Minn., and Allan Johnson of Fargo, N.D.; two brothers; and four sisters.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister: Dolores Davis.

    Funeral services for Leland L. Tonn of Britt were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt with Rev. Brian M. Dellaert officiating. Interment was in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Britt.
    Visitation was held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 at Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday. A scriptural wake service was held at 4 p.m. on Sunday.   
    Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt handled the arrangements.
    Leland, 54, died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.
    Leland Lavern Tonn was born June 25, 1955, the son of Marvin and Gloria (Shimek) Tonn in Cresco. He grew up in Elma and graduated from Creswood High School in 1974.
    On April 16, 1977 he married Kathy Walker of Riceville.
    Leland enjoyed family holidays and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Leland enjoyed fishing, ice fishing, hunting, racing, garage sales and his new favorite, attending auctions. He collected pewter and eagle statues and figurines. Leland loved to tinker and do woodworking.
    Leland is survived by his wife Kathy; a daughter: Angela (Chris) Robinson of Janesville; a son: Jesse Tonn of Britt; two grandchildren: Tyler and Gayle of Janesville; his mother: Gloria Tonn of Elma; brothers and sisters: Sandy (Dennis) Stevensen of Elma, JoAnn (David) Marshall of Hayfield, Minn., Marvin (Sarah) Tonn of Oakdale, Minn., Peggy (Khris) Huhe of Stewartville, Minn., Michael (Michele) Tonn of Stewartville, Minn.; and several nieces, nephews, and family.
    He was preceded in death by his father: Marvin; daughter: Christina Marie; and sister: Lorilee Tonn.

Posted on 27 October 2009 by Marie Thompson