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

Obituary Archive

Hancock County

Garner Leader
Garner IA
50438-1236

Britt News Tribune
Box 28,
42 Center Street West
Britt, IA
50423-1655
Kanawha Reporter

P.O. Box 190
Kanawha, IA
50447


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The NCIGS Hancock County Archive



Elsie (Nuehring) Peterson, 1911-2002

November 5, 2002

Elsie (Nuehring) Peterson, of Mason City, died on Friday November 1, 2002, at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City. She was 91.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, November 4, at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Mason City, with Rev. Rich Murray officiating. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation was held prior to the service time on Monday at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Hospice of North Iowa or the First Covenant Church.

Elsie was born on October 13, 1911 in Klemme, the daughter of William and Ida (Schwichtenberg) Nuehring. Elsie was baptized at the age of seven months at the Klemme Germantown Methodist Church of Klemme. She attended rural school in Hancock County, Klemme, and rural school in Cerro Gordo County, Rockwell. She took confirmation at the Methodist Church in Rockwell and became a member of that church.

She was united into marriage on April 6, 1937, to Joseph Peterson at the home of her parents, William and Ida Nuehring, in Rockwell. They made their home in Mason City, where she continued to live after her husband's death in 1983. She was a resident of Mason City for over 60 years.

On December 15, 1997, for health reasons she entered the Heritage Care Center and remained there until her death.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Gary J. Meehlhause, 1940-2002

November 12, 2002

Gary J. Meehlhause, died on Tuesday, November 5, 2002, at his home in Clear Lake at the age of 62.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 8, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, with Rev. Dean Hess and Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating. Visitation was held on Thursday, November 7, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, with a Masonic Service that evening. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Gary was born on January 16, 1940 in Cherokee, the son of Louis and Adelia (Kracht) Meehlhause.

He was united in marriage to Vivian Groe on April 19, 1969. Of this union came what he considered his greatest contribution, his son, Mark.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Byron Dean Smeby, 1940-2002

November 12, 2002

Byron Dean Smeby, of Rockwell, died on Friday, November 8, 2002, after a long courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. He was 62.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning, November 12, at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell, with Reverend Bruce Wittern officiating. Burial was in the afternoon of Tuesday at the Brush Point Cemetery in rural Hanlontown. Visitation was on Monday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, and one hour prior to the service time on Tuesday at the church.   

Byron Dean Smeby, was born on June 25, 1940 on the Smeby family farm, north of Hanlontown. He was the son of John O. and Olga (Sorensen) Smeby. He attended rural country schools near Hanlontown, graduating from the Hanlontown High School in 1959. 

He was united in marriage to Linda Davis on June 9, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, and was blessed with three loving sons. 
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



John E. Bettin, 1921-2002

November 19, 2002

John E. Betten, of Kanawha, died on Friday, November 8, 2002, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 81.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 11, 2002, at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha, with the Rev. Chuck Walton officiating. Burial was in the Amsterdam Cemetery, rural Kanawha, with military honors being performed by the Severson Post #77 American Legion. The Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, Kanawha, was in charge of the arrangements

John Edward Betten, was born on August 29, 1921, the son of Henry and Allie (Blank) Betten, in rural Britt. He received his education in country schools near Kanawha.

On October 31, 1942, he was inducted into the United States Army. He served in the Army in the European Theater during WW II and on March 7, 1946, he was honorably discharged.

John was united in marriage with Mavis Smith on July 17, 1945, at her parents home near Britt.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Edward "Eddie" F. Engels, 1912-2002

November 12, 2002

Edward "Eddie" F. Engels, died on Saturday November 9, 2002, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. He was 90.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday morning, November 13, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, with the Rev. Craig Steimel officiating. Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. A gathering was held on Tuesday evening, November 12, at the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockwell, with a scripture wake service.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Eddie was born on July 17, 1912, the son of Charles and Mathilda Engels in Annawan, Illinois. The family soon set roots in the Rockwell area where Eddie has been ever since.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Bernita L. Patrick, 1916-2002

November 12, 2002

Former Garner resident, Bernita L. Patrick, 86, of Springfield, Missouri, died on Saturday November 9, 2002, at the Vista Care Hospice Unit in St. Joseph's Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 16, at the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner officiating. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Bernita Lorraine Patrick, the daughter of Charles R. and Emma Johanna (Hoeft) Conway, was born on September 27, 1916 at Garner. She attended school in Garner graduating from high school in 1934. She attended Cedar Rapids Business College and worked in Cedar Rapids, Dallas, Texas, Garner and then to Des Moines to work in the State Legislature and Auditor's office.

In 1953, she married Russell Patrick, the State Representative from Sioux County. They lived in Hawarden where they farmed.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Margaret Lois Reimers, 1922-2002

November 12, 2002

Margaret Lois Reimers, of Rockwell, died on Sunday, November 10, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. She was 80.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Rockwell, with the Rev. Bruce Wittern officiating. Interment followed in the Rockwell Cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday evening at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Rockwell.

Margaret was born on April 21, 1922, the daughter of Warren and Margaret NeVille on the farm in rural Rockwell.

On May 31, 1939, Margaret was united in marriage to Russell L. Reimers in Sheffield. To this union two children were born.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Rose Mary Eden Fox, 1926-2002

November 19, 2002

Rose Mary (Rosie) Eden Fox, of Britt, died on Sunday, November 10, 2002, at her home in Britt. She was 76.  

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 13, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt. The Rev. Jerry Blake, officiated. Burial was in the Bingham Township Cemetery near Woden. The Ewing Funeral Home in Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Mary (Rosie) Eden Fox, was born on May 4, 1926 at Ogden, Iowa. She was the daughter of Wallace and Mary (Porter) Nylander. She received her education in the Ogden and Britt Schools, graduating from the Britt High School in 1944.

She married Earl Eden on November 10, 1945.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Donald E. Boehlje, 1921-2002

November 19, 2002

Donald E. Boehlje, died on Monday, November 11, 2002, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home, at the age of 80.

Graveside funeral services were held on Friday morning, November 15, at the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield. Visitation was at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf-Grarup Funeral Home in Sheffield, on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Don's memory.

Donald E. Boehlje, was born on December 11, 1921 in rural Sheffield, a son of Carl and Hanna (Mehlberg) Boehlje. He was baptized at the Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield, attended Chapin Public School and graduated from the Sheffield High School.

On February 12, 1945 Donald was united in marriage with Helen Irene Mahn in the Parsonage of Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield. They farmed in the Sheffield and Rockwell areas for many years.

In 1965 he stopped farming and became an insurance salesman for Farm Bureau Insurance. He moved into Rockwell in 1966 and retired in 1985.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Harry S. Wenig, 1902-2002

November 19, 2002

Former Klemme resident, Harry S. Wenig, of Belmond, died on Tuesday, November 12, 2002, at the Belmond Health Care Center in Belmond. He was 100.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 15, at the United Church of Christ in Belmond. The Rev. Lynne Spencer-Smith officiated. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Belmond was in charge of the arrangements.

Harry Stanley Wenig, was born on February 28, 1902, on his parents farm in rural Klemme in Hancock County. He was the son of John J. and Emma (Schoper) Wenig. He attended country school in rural Klemme.

He later began his life long career as a farmer. Mr. Wenig farmed and lived on the family farm until 1972, when he moved to Belmond.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Lamfers on February 11, 1972, at the Evangelical Free Church in Belmond.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Delila A. Nygard, 1919-2002

November 19, 2002

Delila A. Nygard, 83, of Garner, died on Tuesday, November 12, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Care Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 15, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo who accompanied congregational hymns. Alvin "Pete" Hansen ushered.

Casket bearers were Eric Hansen, Rich Brugman, Neil Haugland, Rich Anderson, Mike Zrostlik and Davin Norstrud. Interment will be at a later date in New Richland, Minnesota. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Delila Auguste Nygard, the daughter of Charles and Erma (Jannusch) Strom, was born on July 18, 1919 at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She graduated from high school at Detroit Lakes.

On August 29, 1952, she was married to Carl Ole Nygard at Minneapolis, Minnesota. They lived in Minneapolis until 1958 when they moved to Iowa. In 1962, they moved to Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Sanford Rogeness, 1916-2002

November 19, 2002

Sanford R. Rogeness, of Britt, died on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 85.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 17, at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Mrs. Perry Kirschbaum, organists accompanied soloist, Bruce Wubben and congregational hymns. Merlyn Helm and Larry Kunkel ushered.

Burial was in the Crystal Lake Cemetery, Crystal Lake. Casket bearers were Brent Halverson, Jody Halverson, Steve Rogeness, David DeWaard, Paul Peterson and James Nelson. Honorary casket bearers were Galen Wooge, Donald Cottington, Dr. A. R. Cullen, Jerry Tlach, Armin DeWaard, Harold Nielsen, Charles McLaughlin and Emmanuel Peterson. The Ewing Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Sanford R. Rogeness, the son of Swen and Rachel (Orvick) Rogeness, was born on November 26, 1916, on the home farm near Crystal Lake. He attended school at Crystal Lake, graduating in 1934. He attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, graduating in 1938.

He returned to Crystal Lake and took up farming with his father, establishing one of the premier Polled Hereford herds in the country. In 1992, he was recognized as the Hancock-Winnebago County Cattleman Producer of The Year and in 1995, was inducted into the Polled Hereford Hall of Fame.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Winfred Marie Knutson, 1916-2002

November 19, 2002

Winfred "Winnie" Knutson, of Red Oak, formerly of the Thornton area, died on Thursday, November 14, 2002. She was 86.

Funeral services were held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, on Tuesday morning, November 19, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Graveside services were in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale, that afternoon. Arrangements were handled by the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel of Clear Lake.

Winfred Marie Knutson, the daughter of Hans and Anna (Anderson) Pahus, was born on March 21, 1916 in Humboldt. Winnie was raised and graduated from High School in Cerro Gordo County. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, and then attended the Northwest University in Missouri, graduating with a Degree in Elementary Education.

Winnie was united in marriage to H. Everette Knutson on August 4, 1945 in Des Moines. 
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Barbara L. Morris, 1915-2002

November 19, 2002

Barbara L. Morris, a life long Meservey resident, died on Thursday, November 14, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. She was 87.

Funeral services were held on Monday morning, November 18, at the Salem United Methodist Church in Meservey, with Rev. Dan Voss presiding. Interment was in the Meservey Cemetery. Visitation was at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf-Grarup Funeral Home in Meservey.

Barbara Lucille Braga, was born on January 31, 1915 in rural Meservey, the daughter of Walter W. and Anna (Wenzel) Braga. She attended the Meservey School and graduated in 1932.

On February 10, 1934, Barbara was united in marriage with Mervin Ray Morris in Meservey. When they were first married they worked on a farm near Meservey.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Edward C. Goll, 1956-2002

November 19, 2002

Edward C. Goll, 46, of Garner, died on Thursday, November 14, 2002, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 16, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Music was provided by organist, Barb Mrosko who accompanied congregational hymns. Alvin "Pete" Hansen ushered.

Casket bearers were Kenny Engstler, Steve East, Ray Ricke, Dave Rayhons, Ben Goll and Jason Goll. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Edward Charles Goll, the son of Charles Allan and Betty Ann (Arnold) Goll, was born on January 15, 1956 at Belmond. He graduated from the Garner-Hayfield High School in 1975. After high school Ed worked for VanOort Construction.

On July 1, 1978, he married Pauline Drabek, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They made their home in Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Dr. Harley Arnold Janson, 1912-2002 

December 3, 2002

Dr. Harley Arnold Janson, of Clear Lake, died on Saturday, November 23, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. He was 90. 

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 27, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, with Reverend Kermit Roisen officiating. Burial will be in the Norway Township Cemetery near Belmond. Visitation was on Tuesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake. 

Dr. Harley Arnold Janson, was born on January 28, 1912, on a farm near Goldfield, Iowa, the fourth of 10 children, to Hjalmar and Anna (Enge) Janson and was proud of his Norwegian heritage. He attended and received his elementary education at a rural country school near Goldfield, and  graduated from the Clarion High School in Clarion. Harley also graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1938.

He was united in marriage to Helen Henrickson, on September 12, 1940, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Myra L. Paulsen, 1945-2002

December 3, 2002

Myra L. Paulsen, of Garner, died on Sunday, November 24, 2002, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. She was 56. 

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 27, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner. The Rev. Darrell Weber officiated. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Jass who accompanied a vocal duet of Lynell Kohlmeyer and Karen Zenor and a congregational hymn. Willis Davison, Rusty Schmidt and Shawn Zenor were ushers. 

Casket bearers were Robert Kral, Greg Showalter, Michael Barkema, Travis State, Adam State and Lowell Wiele. Burial will be at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements. 

Memorials may be directed to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 850 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. 

Myra Lea Paulsen, the daughter of Myron and Wava (Cooper) State, was born on October 9, 1946 at Clarion. She attended rural school near Clarion and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1964. She continued her education at the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines, where she received her RN Degree. Myra later received her BSN through the University of Iowa, graduating with honors. Following her schooling in Des Moines, she worked as a nurse in Kansas City, Missouri for 13 years. 

On March 1, 1980, she was united in marriage to Roger Paulsen at her parents home in Clarion. They lived in Garner where they raised their family and Myra continued her career in nursing.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



George O. Legge, 1912-2002 

December 3, 2002

A former resident of the Garner and Clarion areas, George O. Legge, of Belmond, died on Monday, November 25, 2002, at his home. He was 90. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 30, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. The Rev. Mike Druhl officiated. A private family burial service will be held at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements. 

George Oliver Legge, was born on May 5, 1912, on his parents farm southwest of Clarion in Wright County. He was the son of William Abner and Mary Margaret (Spencer) Legge. He attended Clarion area rural schools.  

On December 23, 1933, George Legge and Edna Mae Mason were married at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Clarion. George was a farmer. He was actively engaged in farming full time until his retirement in 1972. He continued to assist his grandson, Mike Legge, with various farming duties including driving the tractor up to the age of 87.

He resided with his wife, Edna, on their farm in Liberty Township, rural Garner, from 1941 to 1991 when they moved to Belmond.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002



Della C. Josten, 1913-2002 

December 3, 2002

Della C. Josten, of Garner, died on Thursday, November 28, 2002, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. She was 88. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 30, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with the Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Jass who accompanied vocalist, Karen Faktor and congregational hymns. Ushers were Roger Schmidt, Greg Greiman and Alan Jass. 

Casket bearers were James Josten, Dean Josten, Eric Josten, Kyle Josten, Jim Bull, Doug Faktor and Brian Bovenmyer. Interment was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements. 

Della Caroline Josten, the daughter of Frank and Louise (Kropp) Rosendahl, was born on December 15, 1913 on a farm near Garner. She was baptized at the Peace Reformed Church, south of Garner and confirmed at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, where she was active in the church choir and bible class. She attended rural school south of Garner. 

On February 17, 1932, she was married to Ewald V. Josten in Klemme. The couple farmed and raised their family northeast of Klemme until retiring from farming in 1972.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

 

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