Funeral services for Charlotte E. Boice of Harmony, Minn. were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony. Interment was in Greenfield Lutheran Cemetery.
    Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony handled the arrangements.
    Charlotte, 94, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at her home.

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    A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary C. Ries of Elma, IA was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma with Rev. Ray Atwood officiating. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery in North Washington.
    Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on  Thursday, Sept. 24 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Scriptural Wake Service at 6 p.m. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 
    Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma handled the arrangements.
    Mary, 91, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at Colonial Manor in Elma.
    Mary Catherine Ries was born Nov. 15, 1917 to Lambert and Barbara (Pierre) Schwickerath in North Washington, IA. Mary attended St. Mary's School in North Washington.
    On Nov. 26, 1940 she married Ralph M. Ries at Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington. Mary and Ralph rented farms for seven years in Chickasaw County and in 1947 they purchased their farm in Howard County, a mile west of Elma. In 1975 they retired and built a new home on the west side of Elma where Mary resided until moving into the Colonial Manor in January of 2007. She was an active farm girl growing up and farmed side by side with Ralph and their children. In 1978 she became a kitchen employee at Colonial Manor. The residents, staff and visitors fell in love with Mary's cookies and all the many baked goods she made. In 1993 Mary retired again to continue with other hobbies.
    Mary enjoyed crocheting, quilting, playing cards, baking and cooking, spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grand children and even a great-great-grandchild. She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a member of a women's club called Friends and Neighbors.
    Mary is survived by four sons: John L. (Cathy) Ries of Elma, Ed R. (Jean) Ries of Spring Valley, Minn., Mike L. (Janice) Ries of Cresco and Gary L. (Mary Jo) Ries of Elma; two daughters: Elaine (Chuck) Laures of Osage and Marilyn (Gary) Schaudenecker of Alta Vista; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother: Reynold (Corrine) Schwickerath of New Hampton; and one sister-in-law: Margaret Schwickerath of Ionia.
    She was preceded in death by her husband: Ralph on December 3, 2001; two daughters: Janice and Mary Ann in infancy; her parents; two sisters: Josephine Schwickerath and Martha (Vernon) Sinnwell; four brothers: Walter Schwickerath, Ed Schwickerath, Louis (Orella) Schwickerath and Vincent (Marie) Schwickerath.

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    Memorial services for Mark A. Tuchek were held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco. Family greeted friends from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Private inurnment will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery.    
    Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
    Mark, 56, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 at Wellington Place in Decorah after a lengthy illness.
    Mark A. Tuchek was born February 5, 1953 in Howard County the son of David and Laverne (Halweg) Tuchek. He attended Howard-Winneshiek Schools and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1971. He then pursued a career for a short time in law enforcement with the Cresco Police Department while also working part-time for his dad at Sun Oil Company in Cresco.
    In September of 1976 Mark married Debra Hovey. To this union a daughter Kelsey was born. Mark and Debra purchased the Oil Company in November of 1979. They operated this business as Cresco Oil Company for a number of years and later divorced. Mark then bought a Victorian home in Cresco and named it The Corner Inn. He ran it for many years as a bed and breakfast. Mark was very proud of his home and business. He had many distinguished guests who stayed at the home, such as Past Governor Terry Branstad, also Chet Culver, and the King and Queen of Norway. Mark loved to visit with the guests and listen to their stories.
    Mark then got a job at Mississippi Welders in Decorah and worked there for a few years until his health started to decline. He loved his job very much and the people he worked for.
    Mark was a very versatile man and could figure just about anything out, especially if it was mechanical. He loved old cars, especially his 1970 GTO Judge he had in high school. He went on numerous road rallies and even drag raced at NEITA Raceway in Waterloo. His other love was animals, especially dogs. He had a special dog named Winnie that always rode in the gas truck. He then had Susie and up until his death, his newest pal, Sophie. Mark will always be remembered as a prankster and practical joker. He loved to play harmless jokes on friends and family members, some of which will never be forgotten. He was also an amazing cook.
    He is survived by one daughter: Kelsey Tuchek of Cresco; his father: David Tuchek of Cresco; a sister: Teri (Larry) Wyant of Cresco; two nieces: Carissa (Bill) Kocian of Cresco and Cassie Wyant of Dubuque; an aunt: Ruth Tuchek of Cresco; and numerous cousins.
    Mark was preceded in death by his mother; maternal grandparents; paternal grandparents; and aunts and uncles.

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    A Mass of Christian Burial for Mayme R. Wendl of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Nashua, Elkader and Cresco will be held at 10:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Nashua with Msgr. Stanley Hayek officiating. The pall will be placed on the casket by her children. Her sons Ron and Steve Wendl will serve as lectors. The offertory gifts will be presented by Gina Cernohous and Bailey Cernohous. Pallbearers are: Matt Bruening, Joe Wendl, Dean Swenson, Nicole Wendl, Susan Petersen, Kathi Cernohous. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.
    Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua where there was a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. scripture service. Visitation continues 9-10 a.m. today, Wednesday at the funeral home.
    Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua is handling the arrangements.
    Mayme, 92, died Sunday morning, Sept. 27, 2009 at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester.
    Mayme Rosalyn Wendl was born June 12, 1917 in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of Louis and Anna (Novak) Houdek. She graduated from Rudophinum High School in Protivin in 1934 and attended Iowa Teachers College (now U.N.I.) for one year. She taught country school in Winneshiek County for two years before marrying Clarence Wendl on October 4, 1940 at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque. Six children were born to their union, five surviving to adulthood.
    Mayme was an outstanding homemaker and mother. After raising her children, she held several jobs in the Elkader area, including eight years as the first Activity Coordinator at the Elkader Care Center. Her energy, creativity, and deep compassion made her a natural for this type of work. She was a magnificent cook, excellent writer, and voracious reader. She loved music and dancing, especially her favorite polkas.
    After retiring, she and Clarence moved to Nashua until Clarence's death in 2004. She then moved to Sunrise Cottages in Rochester.
    Mayme is survived by three sons: Gil (Connie) Wendl of Charles City, Ron Wendl of Rochester, and Steve (Cindy) Wendl of Anamosa; two daughters: Diane Foley of Rochester and Judy (John) Bengfort of Winona, MN; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a brother: Lester (Jean) Houdek of Lakeville, MN.
    She was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, Nancy Wendl 1941; her parents, Louis in 1966 and Anna in 1972; three brothers: Joseph, Louis, and Benjamin Houdek; and two sisters: Augusta Klimesh and Emma Kratz.

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    Funeral services for James "Jim" J. Fisher of Cresco will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in rural Elma. Interment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
    Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Conway funeral Home in Cresco and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday morning at the funeral home.   
    Conway Funeral Home in Cresco is handling the arrangements.
    Jim, 71, died Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 at the Cresco Care Center after a long and courageous battle of diabetes and kidney disease.
    James Joseph Fisher was born January 31, 1938 in Elma, Iowa, the son of Louis F. and Josephine C. (Ludwig) Fisher. Jim grew up in the Lourdes area, attending a country school until eighth grade, graduating from Elma Public High School, Class of 1956. He immediately joined the USAF, training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, specializing in data processing.
    Stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, he returned to Elma, and married Patricia Louise Conway on June 28, 1958, in Elma. After his service, they briefly moved to Rochester, Minn., making a career move to the Chicago area, remaining there for 30 years.
    Jim was a noted and sought after computer operator and Director of Data Processing with various companies and school districts.
    Due to illness, he retired early and always yearned for his familiar home, Iowa. Returning in 1997, he took pleasure in joining his comrades during morning coffee gatherings, socializing with friends at the meal site, and a member of the local vision group. While still healthy, he was fond of camping always with his cherished Taco by his side. For years, Jim was a popular Santa Claus for local children's establishments and events, and senior centers. As the enthusiastic cook in the family, he was renowned for his menu specialties. Jim was an avid fan of Polka music and dance. He appreciated his circle of family and friends. Jim's day was complete with joke, prank and/or heartfelt laughter. Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia; two children: Jeffrey James (Janette) Fisher of Lindenhurst, Ill. and Laurie Ann Jermaczonak of Redmond, Ore.; three granddaughters: Nicole and Krystina Jermaczonak and Steffanie Fisher; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Louis, Joseph, Raymond, Francis (Leone), and sister: Alice (Charles) Miller.

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