Walter Thies, 88

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

ELMA - Funeral services for Walter H. Thies of Elma, Iowa, were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elma with Pastor Ryan McDermott officiating. Interment was held in Howard Cemetery at Elma.

Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elma.

Conway-Markham Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Walter, 88, died Sunday, March 31, 2013 surrounded by his family at Colonial Manor in Elma.

Walter Henry Thies was born June 28, 1924 in Elma, the son of John and Martha (Stueber) Thies. He attended school at Afton #7 and graduated from eighth grade. He stayed home and helped on the farm until he got polio in 1944. After improving over the years he was able to help on the farm again. He never married. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed and held several offices and taught Sunday school.

Walter enjoyed fishing and watching the Minnesota Twins play ball and playing cards. Later in life he enjoyed going for car rides and fishing with his nephews and watching them play football and basketball. He spent his spare time reading, putting puzzles together and visiting with relatives and friends. His boxer dogs were his companions.

Walter is survived by his sister: Lila Brummond of Chatfield, Minnesota; a sister-in-law: Mary Thies of Elma; eight nieces and nephews: Beryl (Jim) Stevens, Ron (Deb) Brummond, Carolyn (Duane) Bicknese, Vicki ( Mike) Campion, Greg (Dawn) Thies, Sheryl (Randy) Ferrie, Tim (Lori) Thies and Bill Thies; great-nieces and nephews: Cheri (Eric) Irish, Lori Janet, Dan Krosch, Ben Stevens, Adam (Victoria) Brummond, Jeff Brummond, Mitch Brummond, Eric (Briana ) Bicknese, Brian (Angie) Bicknese, Andrea ( Adam) Eickhoff, Joey Danielson, Brittany Danielson, Jenna Danielson, Will Campion, Valerie (Stacy) Wilberding, Naomi (Jason) Bye, Brandon (Amber) Thies, Christopher Thies, Roland Ferrie, Ramsey Ferrie, Tiffany (Jeff) Nonnweiler, Tabitha Thies and Tyler Thies; and several great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Martha Thies; two brothers: Victor and Roland; and great-niece: Stephanie.

Robert Layton, 94

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA - Robert Willis Layton, 94, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away April 29, 2013. Graveside services will be held in Cresco, Iowa at a later date.

Beach Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. is handling the arrangements.

Robert was a member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 63 years.

He is survived by a daughter: Jane (Gerald) Seifert; grandchildren: Catherine (Christopher) Toeniskoetter and Kristin (Timothy) Durkin; great-grandchildren: Aidan, Jake, Kellen, Logan, and Madison; and a brother: Jack (Bette) Layton.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Dora (Wildman) Layton; an infant son and daughter; and his parents, Willis Layton and Grace Layton Hanson.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Satellite Beach Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 450 Lee Avenue, Satellite Beach, FL 32937.

Mary Klimesh, 96

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

PROTIVIN - A Memorial Mass for Mary A. Klimesh of Protivin, Iowa will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. Nick March officiating.

Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Protivin is handling the arrangements.

Mary, 96, died Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Eastern Star Home in Decorah.

Jane Gilb, 59

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

LAKEVILLE, MN - A memorial service for Jane "Janie" Gilb of Lakeville, Minnesota, formerly of Waucoma, Iowa was held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Lakeville. Private interment will be held at a later date in Lucan, Minnesota

Jane, 59, lost her struggle with cancer on Friday, March 29, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota

Jane Gilb was born June 9, 1953, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Jim and Barbara (Riha) Jirak. She attended grade school at St. Mary's, Waucoma, and Turkey Valley High School in Jackson Junction, Iowa. She attended Minnesota School of Business in Mankota, Minnesota and later in the years she received her masters.

On July 2, 1977, she married Roger Gilb in Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church in Little Turkey, Iowa.

Jane was employed all of her life as an accountant and most recently for the city of Prior Lake, Minnesota as an Accounting Supervisor.

She enjoyed collecting candy dishes, milk glassware, Currier and Ives dishware, going to garage and estate sales, traveling, (highlight was the Czech Republic and Germany), enjoying time with friends and their outings.

She is survived by her husband Roger of Lakeville; her parents: Jim and Barbara Jirak of Fort Atkinson; sons: Anton and granddaughter Kali Ann Gilb of Burnsville, Minnesota and Ben (Amy) and granddaughter Elizabeth Shirley Gilb of Lakeville; sisters: Joan (Alvin) Bakley of Tuthill, S.D. and Janet (Melvin) Bodensteiner of West Union, Iowa; brother: Jerry Jirak (Gale) of Waucoma; a brother-in-law: Richard and Colleen Uhlenhake of Ossian, Iowa; father-in-law: Clarence Gilb of Marshall, Minnesota; two brothers-in-law: Ardel Gilb and Dennis Gilb of Florida; nieces and nephews and their children and other relatives.

Jane was preceded in death by a sister: Joyce Uhlenhake; mother-in-law: Shirley Gilb; and her sister-in-law: Dorothy Gilb.

Robert Soukup, 69
U.S. Marine Corps  Vietnam

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

NEW HAMPTON - A memorial service for Robert "Bob" Soukup of New Hampton, Iowa will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph Center in New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus officiating. In honor of his wishes, his remains were cremated in Arizona. Private family inurnment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in New Hampton. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Rosonke, John Miller, Dave Nagle, Kit O'Donohoe, Tammy Robinson, Mike Leonard, Bill Straw, Dennis Olson and Keith Weigel. The Celebration of Bob's life will continue at the Pinicon Restaurant following the Mass.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Bob, 69, lost his 12-year battle with cancer on Dec. 27, 2012 at his Arizona home with his wife at his side.

Robert Soukup was born Sept. 15, 1943 in New Hampton, the son of Harry and Clara (Busta) Soukup. He attended New Hampton Schools, graduating in 1961. He was a well-respected athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball. In 1964, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Viet Nam. It was determined by military doctors that his Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during that service. He was first diagnosed in 2000 and fought hard for 12 years with the help of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Robert Soukup and Betty Leuenberger were married in 1968 by Father Carpenter in Fairbank, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Hans Peter, Zachary Jon and Sybil Brooke. He worked various jobs in the New Hampton area until 1987 when he joined the staff of Congressman Dave Nagle. He then worked in Des Moines for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and this led to his appointment by President Clinton to be the Midwest Regional Director for the United States Department of Agriculture. Following Al Gore's defeat in 2000, Bob became the Economic Development Director for his beloved City of New Hampton. His devotion to his hometown is reflected through numerous city parks, the ice skating rink, baseball field and many successful businesses and industries. Two of his proudest accomplishments were securing federal dollars for the Highway 63 South expansion and seeing his tireless efforts lead to Progress Casting locating in New Hampton and employing 150 of his fellow citizens.

Bob is survived by his wife Betty; daughter: Sybil Soukup of Clear Lake; sons: Hans (Peggy) Soukup of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Zachary Soukup of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren: Carson Soukup, Taylor Soukup, Brooke Soukup; a brother-in-law: Bill Straw; and nieces: Christine Straw and Stephanie Maske.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Ruth Straw and Margaret Hoge; and numerous aunts and uncles.

All memorial gifts will be directed to the New Hampton Baseball Complex; New Hampton Wrestling Team; and St. Joseph Community School.

Eunice Champlin, 99

Published:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

BELLA VISTA, ARKANSAS - A short memorial graveside service for Eunice "Till" Walker Champlin of Bella Vista, Arkansas will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa.

Eunice, 99, died on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Highland Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Eunice Champlin was born Jan. 31, 1914, in Enderlin, N.D., the daughter of Charles and Cora Walker. She graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism.

On Christmas day, December 25, 1934, she married George Lyman Champlin.

She was a devoted wife and mother. She and George raised four children and lived in several locations around the country. She enjoyed playing bridge and watching sporting events and writing poems. She was a Girl Scout leader, taught Sunday school and many Bible studies. Her home was always open to whoever needed a place to stay.

She was a member of Bella Vista Community Church, a past member of the Cresco, Iowa Baptist Church, a long time member of the Edina, Minnesota, Colonial Congregational Church.

She is survived by four children: George Charles Champlin (Barbara)of Ft. Myers, Fla., Jill Meredith Newby (Harry Jr.) of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Gay Lizbeth Anderson (Bill) of Frederick, Md. and Jan Ellen Lowell (Mark) of Franklin, Mass.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Eunice was preceded in death by her husband George; her parents; and her sister: Elinor Walker.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to your local Hospice.

Posted on 7 May 2013

Milton Steffen, 89
U.S. Navy   WWII

Published:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

RICEVILLE - Funeral services for Milton "Mike" Steffen of Riceville, Iowa were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Riceville with Rev. Michael Parris officiating. Interment was held in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in rural Riceville. Military honors were provided by Roy Gue Post 244.

Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville and one hour before services at the church.

Mike, 89, died Monday evening, May 6, 2013 at the Riceville Family Care & Therapy Center.

Milton Steffen was born May 21, 1923, on the family farm southwest of Riceville, the son of Albert and Caroline (Schrieber) Steffen. He attended local schools and graduated from Riceville High School in 1941. He served in WWII from 1942-1945 in the US Navy.

On Aug. 26, 1949, he married Doris Bertha Rieken at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. He worked 34 years at White Farm in Charles City.

He also was a lifelong dairy and crop farmer. He was an avid reader; fisherman, hunter and card player. He helped Doris make several quilts for World Relief. He enjoyed making homemade soups and frying steaks. He loved traveling and taking the family on vacations.

Something we all will remember is how his eyes lit up when he smiled. His wit and humor kept us laughing. He was our rock; he was always there for us. He was kind, honest, and hard working, reliable, and patriotic. He loved his country. He was proud to be an American.

He is survived by his wife Doris of Riceville; children: Norma (Robert) Gronwoldt of Waterloo, Iowa, Nancy (Mike) Palmersheim of Wabasha, Minnesota, Nadine (Tony) Goergen of Rochester, Minnesota, Russell (Tammy) Steffen of Sumner, Iowa, Carol Idso of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and her fiance Thomas Eling of Duluth, Minnesota, and Karen (Eric) Idso of Stewartville, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and expecting three more; and a brother: Raymond (Violet) Steffen of Orchard, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: William "Bill", Bernard "Bunk", Almond "Al", Fred "Skinner", Frank "Dutch", Arthur "Jack", Catherine, "Kate", and Joseph "Pete".

Carolyn Krambeer, 73

Published:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

CRESCO - Funeral services for Carolyn I. Krambeer of Cresco, Iowa were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the Orleans Lutheran Church in rural Cresco with Pastor Michael Massa officiating. Interment was held in Orleans Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 12 at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco.

Carolyn, 73, died Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.

Carolyn I. Krambeer was born Aug. 11, 1939, in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Southeast Minnesota.

On Dec. 15, 1956, she married Lawrence H. Krambeer Jr. in Wilmington Lutheran Church, Spring Grove, Minnesota They were long time Winneshiek County farmers. Carolyn also worked as a Nurse's Aide; first at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah and later at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco which she retired from.

Carolyn was a member of the Orleans Lutheran Church where she was a lector and active in its Ladies Circles, Altar Guild and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She also was active as a volunteer in the community. She had a green thumb when it came to caring for her house plants and her gardening. Carolyn also enjoyed playing cards, her pet dog, Benji and cat, Squeaker.

Carolyn is survived by four sons: Curtis (Phyllis) Krambeer of Cedar Rapids, Keith (Catherine) Krambeer of Littleton, Colorado, Steve Krambeer of Cresco and Daniel Krambeer of Cresco; seven grandchildren: Christopher Wade, Samantha Soenksen, Elizabeth Krambeer, Eli Krambeer, Jonathon Krambeer, Tiffany Krambeer and Neal Krambeer; one sister: Arlene (Vern) Schueler of Winona, Minnesota; three half-brothers: Lucio, Frank and Donny (Linda) La Forgia all of New York City; three sisters-in-law: Dolores Hughes of Frankville, Iowa, Shirley (Homer) Evert of Newmarket, N.H., and Nona (Wayne) Stone of Lansing, Iowa; five brothers-in-law: Cordon (Mary) Krambeer of Hiawatha, Iowa, Tom (Darla) Krambeer of Lawrence, Kan., Ned (Peg) Krambeer, Dennis (Peg) Krambeer, Jerry (Janice) Krambeer of Decorah; and many nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Larry Krambeer in 1988; a son: Brian in 1983; her parents; a brother: Alfred La Forgia; brother-in-law: Dick Hughes; and brother and sister-in-law: Ron and Carol Krambeer.

Woodrow Dvorak, 93

Published:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

RICEVILLE - A funeral mass for Woodrow "Woody" R. Dvorak of Riceville, Iowa will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery in Riceville with Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Roy Gue Post 244.

Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville on Friday during the hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and one hour before services at the church. Rosary will be at 5 p.m. and a scripture service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Woody, 93, died Sunday, May 12, 2013 at the Colonial Manor in Elma, Iowa.

DaRhonda Shatz, 56

Published:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

LIME SPRINGS - A Mass of Christian Burial for DaRhonda K. Schatz of Lime Springs, Iowa was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. Interment was held in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.

Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 13 at the Heritage Events Center in Cresco with a scripture service to follow. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the church.

Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements.

DaRhonda, 56, died Friday, May 10, 2013 at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco after a courageous battle with cancer.

DaRhonda K. Schatz was born Jan. 16, 1957, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Irven and Norma (Scheidel) Reicks. She graduated from Crestwood High School in 1975.

On Feb. 5, 1977, she married Thomas Schatz at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cresco. DaRhonda worked as a lab tech in the Cresco Hospital and the New Hampton Clinic. She enjoyed farming with her family, tending to her numerous flower gardens, mowing the lawn, and cooking for family and friends. Scrapbooking, traveling, and going out to eat were among her favorite activities. DaRhonda was a very giving person, and her infectious smile could cheer up anyone. DaRhonda especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, and taking them to the park for a picnic and to play.

She is survived by her husband, Tom of Lime Springs; her sons: Andrew (Krystal) Schatz of Calmar, Iowa and Aaron (Melissa) Schatz of Cresco; and their children: Nolan and Alanna; her parents: Irven and Norma Reicks of Cresco; sister: Brenda (Kevin) Valley of Rochester, Minnesota; brother: Randy (Karry) Reicks of Necedah, Wisconsin; her mother-in-law: Dolores Schatz of Cresco; sisters-in-law: Norma (Gary) Coleman of Carrollton, Texas, Mary (Jim) Brigham of West Farlee, Vermont., Josette (Duane Irwin) Wilcox of Rochester, Minnesota, Janet (Thom) Mahr of Lime Springs, Margaret (Robert) Ward of Ridgeway; brothers-in-law: Robert (Mary) Schatz of Lime Springs and Donald (Carol Arneson) Schatz of Cresco.

DaRhonda was preceded in death by her infant son: Timothy; father-in-law: Wilfred Schatz; maternal grandparents: Rudy and Angeline Scheidel; and paternal grandparents: Anton and Mary Reicks.

Eldie Peterson, 74

Published:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

CRESCO - A memorial service for Eldie J. Peterson of Cresco, Iowa will be held Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prairie's Edge Nature Center in Vernon Springs, Iowa, located 2 miles south of Cresco. Refreshments will be served.

Eldie, 74, died Saturday, March 9, 2013 at home in Cresco.

Eldie is survived by her husband, Alton of Cresco; sons: Kerry Peterson of Lexington, Ky., and Mark (Ronda) Peterson of Paso Robles, California; a daughter: Julie Ringer of Cresco; and five grandchildren.

Posted on 17 May 2013

Merry Rolland

Published:
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

CLEAR LAKE - A Celebration of Life for Merry Nell Farnsworth Rolland will be held from 2 p.m.-5 p.m on Friday, June 14, 2013 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Janet Menzel, 68

Published:
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

FORT DODGE - A Celebration of Life for Janet R. Menzel of Fort Dodge, Iowa was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Elma United Methodist Church in Elma with Rev. Paula Hemann and Rev. Richard Menzel officiating. Interment was held in Howard Cemetery in Elma, Iowa.

Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home in Fort Dodge handled the arrangements.

Janet, 68, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.

Janet is survived by her husband, Bob of Fort Dodge; a son: Bruce Menzel and his wife Michele of Maple Grove, Minnesota; a daughter: Jodi Spencer and her husband Tom of Raleigh, North Carolina; grandchildren: Jae and Ty of Maple Grove, Minnesota; Malia, Gray, and Hadley of Raleigh, North Carolina; her sister: June Judge of Iowa City, Iowa; and a sister-in-law: Janet Brandmill of Quincy, Illinois.

Posted on 29 May 2013