Larry D. Wessels, 1938-2002 

December 3, 2002   

Larry D. Wessels, of Rockwell, died on Sunday, December 1, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, due to complications of cancer. He was 64 years old. 

Funeral services were held at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell, on Wednesday morning, December 4, with Rev. Ronald Bolinger officiating. Interment was in the Rockwell Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were made by the Fullerton Funeral Home in Rockwell. 

Larry Dale Wessels, was born on May 10, 1938 near Meservey, the son of Fred and Amanda (Meints) Wessels. He has lived in the Rockwell area for approximately 29 years, and was employed with Land O Lakes as a mill employee.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Marie C. Jackson, 1916-2002  

December 10, 2002  

Marie C. Jackson, of LuVerne, died on Monday, December 2, 2002, at the Kossuth County Regional Health Center in Algona. She was 86. 

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 5, at the United Methodist Church of LuVerne. The Rev. Dale Reisner officiated. Music was provided by organist, Dennis Holmes who accompanied soloist, Dan Smith. 

Burial was in the LuVerne Cemetery, LuVerne. Casket bearers were Brian Hunt, Ted Koch, Andrew Hunt, Scott Hunt, Aaron Hunt and Lucas Gunderson. Honorary bearers were Terri Koch, Jolene Hunt, Sabrina Hunt, Deb Hunt, Amber Hunt and Heather Hunt. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaff Funeral Home of LuVerne was in charge of the arrangements. 

Marie Caroline (Nielson) Jackson, was born on October 1, 1916, to Aksel and Christians (Christoferson) Nielson in Nebraska. The family later moved to Canada and eventually settled in the Corwith/LuVerne, Iowa areas. She attended country school. 

On December 31, 1956, Marie Nielson married Edward Jackson. The couple made their home in LuVerne.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Velma L. Pope, 1914-2002  

December 10, 2002  

Velma L. Pope, died at her home in Sheffield, on Monday, December 2, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, December 5, at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf-Grarup Funeral Home in Sheffield. Burial was in the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.  

Velma L. Fuller, was born on July 22, 1914 at home in Thornton, the daughter of Charles and Anna (Kennedy) Fuller. She attended Mason City schools. After school she worked to support her family at the Ideal American Laundry in Mason City. 

On November 4, 1931, Velma was united in marriage with Elmer William Pope in Eldora. They made their home in Sheffield, where they lived most of their married lives.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Ralph Leonard Grimm, 1950-2002  

December 10, 2002  

Ralph Leonard Grimm, of Osage, died on Tuesday, December 3, 2002, at the age of 52.

Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon, December 6, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, in Osage, with the Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery with Military Honors by the Osage V.F.W. Post 7920 and Osage American Legion Post 278. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Ralph Grimm, was born in Charles City on January 25, 1950, the son of Jim and Annabelle (Koebrick) Grimm and was baptized at the St. Johns Lutheran Church in Charles City in 1952. He was a 1969 graduate of the Osage High School.

Ralph served in the US Army in Vietnam, and was united in marriage to Carol Jeanne Schoenborn in June of 1970 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Following his service in the Army the couple returned to Osage where they farmed.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Rose Hughes, 1933-2002  

December 10, 2002  

Rose R. Hughes, of Britt, died on Tuesday, December 3, 2002, at the family home in Britt. She was 69. 

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 6, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Britt. The Rev. Michael Schueller officiated. Bill Pritchard was the lector, Kate Smith and Millie Horstman were eucharistic ministers. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied soloist, Joleen Leerar. Allan Doughan and Marvin Holck ushered. 

Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. Casket bearers were Leo Wellik, Jerry Christensen, Jim Wellik, Tom Holck, John Loebig, Gary Hejlik and Melvin Wellik. Honorary bearers were her granddaughters, Bailey, Lucy and Ella Hughes. The Ewing Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of  the arrangements. 

Rose Hughes, the daughter of Frank G. and Lillian Hejlik Wellik, was born on September 7, 1933 near Duncan. Rose attended country school and graduated from the Britt High School. 

She was united in marriage with Thomas G. Hughes on November 8, 1954 at Duncan. The couple has since made their home in Britt.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

William E. Lapitz, 1918-2002  

December 10, 2002  

William E. Lapitz, 84, of Garner, died on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at the Prairie View Apartments, Garner. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 7, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. The Rev. Michael Schueller officiated. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir. Robert Kral ushered. 

Casket bearers were Michael Zrostlik, Frank Martin, Ted Hovda, Marvin Rayhons, Randy Hadacek and Bill Paulus. Military rites were conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.  Interment was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

William Edward Lapitz, the son of Francis Thomas and Stella C. (Rayhons) Lapitz, was born on November 23, 1918 at Duncan. He attended the Garfield Township School #9, Britt High School and Garner High School graduating in 1936. Following high school, he worked as a painter and carpenter. 

From 1942 to 1946, he served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II, spending six months in France and Germany. Bill attended the University of Minnesota from 1947 to 1951 receiving his bachelor of science degree in education.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Ethel M. Bacon, 1908-2002  

December 10, 2002  

Long time Klemme resident, Ethel M. (Wellemeyer) Bacon, 93, most recently of McHenry and Lake Zurich, Illinois, died on Tuesday, December 4, 2002, at the Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, Illinois.  

Mrs. Bacon was a resident at the McHenry Villa, McHenry, Illinois, and the Lexington Health Care Center, Lake Zurich, Illinois, since August 2001 to be near her daughter, Jo Ann.  

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, December 9, at the United Methodist Church in Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Tue who accompanied soloist, Lance Arnold and congregational hymns. Calvin Bruggeman and John Schwichtenberg were ushers.

Casket bearers were Cindy Bacon, Tom Jacobs, Glen Gustafson, Jason Bacon, Robert Gustafson and Barbara Gustafson. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.  

Ethel Marie Bacon, was born on December 7, 1908 in Klemme, the daughter of Arthur and Lydia (Griewe) Wellemeyer. She grew up in Klemme and graduated from high school in 1927. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and received a two year Primary Education Certificate. She taught two years in Ell Township Rural Schools and then at Titonka and Buffalo Center. After her marriage she taught school in Austin, Texas, and at Lake Mills and Klemme.  

On June 4, 1935, she was united in marriage to Donald Le Roy Bacon in Klemme at her parent's home. The couple farmed near Thompson and Lake Mills. They also lived in Lake Mills and Klemme where they owned and operated the Wellemeyer Furniture Store.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Linda Sue Schaefer, 1949-2002   

December 23, 2002  

Linda Sue Schaefer, died on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at the Williamsburg Care Center in Williamsburg, after an extended illness. She was 53 years old. 

A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, December 13, in the St. Mary Catholic Church in Williamsburg, with the Rev. Susen LeBlanc officiating. Burial was in the First Lutheran Cemetery north of Conroy. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg. Memorials are for a scholarship fund for a graduating senior entering college to study music. 

Linda Sue Schaefer, was born on June 12, 1949 in Rockwell, the daughter of Raymond Arthur and Marian Verna Petersen Campbell. Linda was raised in Rockwell from 1949-1971. She graduated from the Rockwell Community High School in 1967 and received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly in 1971. She taught at Lincoln Community School in Stanwood from 1971-1975.  

Linda married L. Eugene Schaefer on June 15, 1974 in Rockwell.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Lewis Anderson, 1919-2002   

December 23, 2002  

Lewis R. Anderson, 83, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, December 11, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. 

A prayer service was held on Thursday, December 12, at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt. Dr, John Meyer officiated. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. 

Lewis Anderson, the son of Layton and Ruby Anderson, was born on July 23, 1919 near Britt. He attended the Britt Community Schools and graduated from the Britt High School. He served with the United States Army during WW II. Following his discharge, he returned to the Crystal Lake area where he farmed with his parents and his brother, Kenneth. 

Lewis was united in marriage with Louise Freesemann on March 16, 1942, at the Lutheran Church in Britt. The couple made their home and farmed north of Crystal Lake.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Neva Gail Garman, 1915-2002   

December 23, 2002  

Neva Gail Garman, of Las Vegas, died on Thursday, December 12, 2002, in a Las Vegas care center. She was 86 years old. 

She was born on December 14, 1915 in Britt. She was the retired owner of a convenience store and a 40 year resident of Las Vegas. At one time Gail and her husband, Art operated the Quality Store in Corwith. Her husband, Art died in February of 1995.

Gail is survived by her daughter, Janice Doering; sons, John, Ron, and Richard; and sister, Sally Sonerholm, all of Las Vegas; brothers, Ike Weiland of Waterloo and Phillip Weiland of Las Vegas; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mass was celebrated at St. Anne's Catholic Church followed by burial at Palm Valley View Memorial Park, Las Vegas.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Mabel D. Oehlert, 1912-2002   

December 23, 2002  

Mabel D. Oehlert, 90, died on Sunday, December 15, 2002, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Rockwell, with Rev. Ronald Bolinger presiding. Burial will be in the Rockwell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield. 

Mabel D. Oehlert, was born on June 21, 1912 in Platte, South Dakota, the daughter of Jules and Emma (Portner) Nicolet. At a young age she moved with her parents to Iowa where they lived on a farm north of Thornton. 

In 1930, Mabel graduated from the Thornton High School. After graduation she attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She taught in country schools in Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties for five years. 

Mabel was confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake in 1937. She was united in marriage with Donald A. Oehlert on February 27, 1937, in the Lutheran Parsonage in Sheffield, by Rev. L.W. Reuther.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Dickie Lynn Thada, 1941-2002   

December 23, 2002  

Dickie "Dick" Lynn Thada, of the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, died on Sunday, December 15, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center, Mason City. He was 61.

A private graveside service was held at the Pleasantview Cemetery, Thornton. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Dick was born on February 15, 1941 in Thornton, the son of Merlyn J. and Helen (Harmon) Thada. He attended Thornton Schools. Dick worked for a construction company building  grain elevators. He was involved in a car accident at the age of seventeen, which left him handicapped. Since the accident he has lived at Kathleen's Care Center, Emmetsburg and just recently moved to the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. 

Dick is survived by his father, Merlyn Thada of Mason City; one sister, Barbara Card of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; and two nephews, Cameron Card and Kyle Card both of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

Dick was preceded in death by his Mother in 1998. 
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

George O. Brink, 1919-2002   

December 23, 2002  

George O. Brink, 83, of Wichita, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Mr. Brink is the father of Betty Jean Pringnitz of Klemme. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 21, at the Grace United Methodist Church of Spencer. The Rev. Paul Hansen officiated. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Spencer. Graveside military rites were provided by the Glen Pedersen American Legion Post #1. The Warner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

George "PaDad" Otis Brink, was born on March 26, 1919 in Gilead, Nebraska. He was the son of Otis and Mildred (Sipe) Brink. He received his education in Jansen, Nebraska and graduated from the Jansen High School. 

On July 21, 1937, he entered the military at Ft. Crook, Nebraska and was honorably discharged on July 23, 1940. He re-enlisted on August 16, 1940, at Ft. Omaha and served in the Central European Theater during WW II. He earned the Good Conduct Medal and the American Defense Service Ribbon. He was honorably discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. 

He married Beatrice Baker on August 19, 1940.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Frances E. Gray, 1918-2002  

December 23, 2002  

Frances E. Gray, 84, of Garner, died on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 21, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, Garner, with the Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Jass who accompanied congregational hymns. Ushers were Dave Stromer, Greg Greiman and Ed Greiman. Honorary bearers were the Garner VFW Auxiliary. 

Casket bearers were Mark Jass, Steve Jass, Steve Goll, Joel Goll, Layne Gray and Scott Gray. Interment was in the Peace Reformed Cemetery, rural Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements. 

Frances Elizabeth Gray, the daughter of William and Clara (Raithel) Wrede, was born on January 1, 1918 on a farm east of Garner. She graduated from the Garner High School in 1935.  

On March 12, 1941, she was married to Alfred Goll in Garner. They made their home on a farm east of Garner. Alfred passed away on December 7, 1955.  

Frances moved into Garner and worked for over 20 years at Modern Cleaners in Garner and the Garner VFW. She also was employed as a secretary for the Garner Chamber of Commerce. 

On January 22, 1976, she was married to Robert Gray.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Marietta J. Spurgeon, 1919-2002   

December 31, 2002  

Marietta J. Spurgeon, of Thornton, died on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake. She was 83.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 23, at 11:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Thornton, with the Rev. Dan Voss officiating. Interment followed in the Memorial Park Cemetery at Mason City. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Retz-Grarup Funeral Homes. 

Marietta J. Hemming, was born on August 14, 1919, on the family farm south of Thornton, to Ray and Carrie Belle (Nealis) Hemming. She attended the Thornton Public School and graduated with the class of 1936. She attended Mason City Junior College and provided nursing care for Mercy Hospital in Mason City for 35 years. 

In 1937, Marietta was united in marriage with Lawrence Gates. They made their home in Thornton. 

On July 14, 1977, Marietta married Dallas E. Spurgeon in Mason City. They made their home in Mason City. She worked for Hospice as an aide for four years.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Ruth M. Juel Kramer, 1915-2002   

December 31, 2002  

Ruth M. Juel Kramer, 87, of Garner, died on Sunday, December 22, 2002, at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City. 

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 27, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, with the Rev. Roger Kallem officiating. Music was provided by organist, Audrey Sonnenberg who accompanied vocalist, Renee Kramer and congregational hymns. Ushers were Norman Henschen and Harlan Carolus. 

Honorary bearers were Pete Back, Ron Knop, Wilford Anderson, Lowell Edminster, Warren Edminster, Ernest Juel, Kim Kramer, George Anderson and Jesse Reimer. Casket bearers were Craig Busch, Cecil Moorhead, Byron Stromer, Mark Ellis, Keith Wood and Ron Tjaden. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Ruth Marie Juel Kramer, the youngest of six children of James Peter and Clara Minnie (Johnson) Juel, was born on February 23, 1915 at Forest City. She graduated from the Forest City High School and continued her education at a cosmetology school in Mason City. 

On January 9, 1943, she was married to Omer C. Kramer at Wyonette, Illinois and became a loving mother to his son, Bob Barry Kramer. To this union they had two sons, Jerrald and Scott Kramer. They lived on farms in the Garner area for more than 40 years.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Caroline Ann Skow and Katherine Ann Skow

January 7, 2003  

Caroline Ann Skow and Katherine Ann Skow, twin daughters of Joel and Carla Skow, were born and entered eternal life on Sunday, December 22, 2002, at the Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa. 

They are survived by their parents, Joel and Carla Skow of Wesley. 

Graveside services were held on Monday, December 23, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Wesley, with the Rev. Steven Turner and Rev. Patrick O'Neal of Trinity Lutheran Church, Algona, officiating.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2003

John "Hans" Preuschl, 1899-2002    

January 7, 2003  

John "Hans" Preuschl, died on Saturday, December 28, 2002, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 102.

Funeral services for him were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 31, at the St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Algona, with the Rev. Paul Eisele the celebrant. Casket bearers were David Jakoubek, Mike Goodman, Jerry Preuschl, Doug Jakoubek, Danny Preuschl and Stephen Huber.

Honorary bearers were Scott Huber, Dean Preuschl, Dana Preuschl and Donald John Preuschl. Interment was in the St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, St. Benedict. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Algona, was in charge of the arrangements. 

John "Hans" Preuschl, was born on December 31, 1899 in Haag, Germany, the son of Michael and Theresa Preuschl. He grew up in Germany, where he attended school. He later joined the German Army and served for 18 months. John came to the United States when he was 23 years old and began to farm in the St. Benedict area. 

On May 7, 1935, John was united in marriage to Louise Arend at the St. Benedict Catholic Church. After their wedding, the couple lived on the farm, where they stayed until moving into Algona in 1979.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2003

Richard M. Grifhorst, 1915-2002   

January 7, 2003  

Richard "Dick" M. Grifhorst, of Britt, died on Saturday, December 28, 2002, at the Westview Care Center, in Britt. He was 87. 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 31, at the United Methodist Church of Britt. The Rev. Robert Dodge officiated. Music was provided by organist, Tammy Johnson who accompanied a duet by Russell and Cindy Schubert and congregational hymns. Lawrence Smidt and Harry Smith ushered. 

Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. Military honors were conducted by the Britt Ceremonial Unit. Casket bearers were Jon Swenson, William Eckels, Ronald Eisenman, Steven Hasty, Jim Artes and Bob Korneisel. Honorary casket bearers were Dr. John Camp, Dr. Richard Evans, Robert Artes, Donald Krause, James Jacobson, Don Ross and Wendell Harms. The Ewing Funeral Chapel of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.  

Dick Morris Grifhorst, the son of Dick and Minnie (Eliason) Grifhorst was born on May 25, 1915 in Kanawha. He grew up and received his education in the Kanawha area, graduated from the Kanawha High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.

On December 26, 1941, Dick was united in marriage with Wilma Brand in Princeton, Missouri. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II and saw overseas duty when he was stationed in the British Isles. Following his discharge, he spent three years in Chicago, Illinois with the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and then moved to Wesley where they owned and operated a sundries store. 

In 1950, the couple moved to Britt where they made their home and raised their three children. Dick and Norman Lee operated the Lee and Grifhorst Drug Co. from 1949 until 1973, at which time it became Grifhorst Drug, which Dick and Wilma operated until 1991.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2003

Rose S. Thompson, 1919-2002    

December 31, 2002  

Rose S. Thompson, 83, of Missouri Valley, died on Sunday, December 29, 2002, at the Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 31, at the Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home of Missouri Valley. The Rev. Ron Wymer officiated. Burial was in the Rose Hill Memorial Garden, Missouri Valley. Casket bearers were Chuck Davis, Harold Huff, Art Fountain, Dennis Huff, William Huff and Don Fountain. The Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Rose Sarah Thompson, was born in Missouri Valley on December 17, 1919. She was the daughter of Ruben and Sylvia Galland. She spent her entire life in Missouri Valley raising her family.  

On October 19, 1937, she was married to Robert G. Thompson. The couple had two children, Gerald and Sharon.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Mable McIlrath, 1916-2002    

December 31, 2002  

Mable McIlrath, of Rockwell, died on Sunday, December 29, 2002, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. She was 86. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2003, at the First Baptist Church, Rockwell, with the Pastor Lewis Bram officiating. Interment will follow in the Rockwell Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until time of the service on Thursday at the church. 

Mable was born on February 29, 1916, the daughter of William J. and Laura (Penton) Stewart in Mason City. On May 27, 1932, Mable was united in marriage to Gilbert E. McIlrath in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

The couple enjoyed farming and gardening near Rockwell. In 1970 the couple moved into town, making their home there until Gilbert's death in 1980. Mable and Gilbert helped in the raising and nurturing of many of their young cousins almost like foster parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002