Kathryn S. Koch, 1913-2003
December 24, 2003
Kathryn
S. Koch, 90, of Clear Lake, died
on Monday, December 15, 2003, at
the Muse-Norris Hospice of North
Iowa, Mason City.
Funeral services
were held at the Ward-Van Slyke
Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, on
Friday, December 19. The Rev.
Dennis Ganz, officiated. Burial
was in the Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Kathryn Koch, was
born on December 29, 1913 in
Clarion. She was the daughter of
Samuel E. and Madge Hllda Mechem
Shannon (Johnson). Kathryn was
married to her first husband,
Galen Hauge, on September 13,
1933 in Webster City. Galen died
on March 21, 1965.
Kathryn was a
member of various groups and
organizations. She strongly
supported the Democratic Party
and in the early 1950s, she ran
for Hancock County Recorder. She
was a 4-H Leader, belonged to
the Garfield Township Community
Club and was active in the
Hancock County Farm Bureau.
After moving to
Ventura and Clear Lake, she
graduated from the Mason City
Junior College with an Associate
of Arts Degree. For a number of
years she taught school, was a
census enumerator, member of the
Key-Notes, member of the
Wa-Tan-Ye Club, was in the Clear
Lake Women's Club, and enjoyed
art and poetry clubs in Clear
Lake.
Kathryn had her poetry book,
entitled "Nuff Said", published
in January, 2003. She enjoyed
homemaking and interior design
and was an excellent cook and
baker. A talented musician, she
enjoyed playing the organ and
piano. She played the organ at
several Governor's Balls in
Clear Lake and played for
various functions throughout
North Iowa.
Kathryn was
married to Homer Hitchcock and
lastly to Dean Koch. For a
number of years she resided in
her home in Clear Lake and
enjoyed the companionship of her
youngest son, Tony.
Survivors include
her three surviving children and
their spouses, Gary Hauge and
his wife, Marieluise of Ocala,
Florida, Cynthia Wolfram and her
husband, Robert of Ventura and
Tony Hauge of Clear Lake; 12
grandchildren; and 15
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded
in death by her parents;
daughter, Susan Tyler; her
sister, Margaret Eileen Lauster;
and her three husbands.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2003
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Martin Anderson Jr., 1913-2003
December 24, 2003
Martin John
Anderson Jr., of Garner, died on
Tuesday, December 16, 2003, at
the Oakwood Care Center in Clear
Lake. He was 90.
A memorial
service will be held at 2:00
p.m., on Saturday, December 27,
2003, at the Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah's Witnesses, Mason City,
with Steven W. Quintus
officiating. Following the
services, those attending may
fellowship at the Clear Lake
City Hall Community Room.
Martin was born
on October 24, 1913, at the farm
home of his parent's, Martin Sr.
and Inga Anderson, located near
Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He
completed his education at the
high school in Dell Rapids.
He lived on the
farm with his parents, one
brother and three sisters, until
his marriage to Jane Fossum on
June 12, 1937. They moved to
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where
they lived until 1980 when they
moved to Garner, to live near
their only child, Lannie and his
family.
For most of his
working years, Martin was a
painting contractor in the Sioux
Falls area and was well known
for his quality workmanship. He
retired from his painting
business in 1980. Martin and
Jane were very active in the
evangelizing work of the
Christian Congregation of
Jehovah's Witnesses. Beginning
in the mid-1930's, they spent
their entire lifetime in the
work of teaching the message of
the Bible concerning God's
purpose for mankind on this
earth.
Martin was noted
for his organizational work for
Jehovah's Witnesses as he
covered the entire state of
South Dakota giving lectures,
extending oversight to large
conventions and giving personal
attention to the spiritual needs
of fellow worshippers.
At the time of
his death, he was still very
active in the Garner
congregation, serving as a
minister and elder. To the
surrounding communities, he was
a familiar figure going from
house to house and visiting care
centers for the elderly with his
message of hope from the Bible
concerning a better future and
living conditions under God's
Kingdom as outlined in the
Lord's prayer. He set a fine
example in Christian living and
will be very much missed by
young and old alike
He was preceded
in death by his parents; his
wife, Jane; one brother; and two
sisters.
He is survived by
his son, Lannie Anderson and his
wife, Claudia, and their two
children, Erik and Mariana
Anderson of Garner; and one
sister, Madeline Roberts of
Sacramento, California; together
with nephews and nieces in South
Dakota.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2003
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Arthur E. Boehnke, 1909-2003
December 24, 2003
Arthur
E. Boehnke, 94, of Garner, died
on Sunday, December 21, 2003, at
the Concord Care Center, Garner.
His funeral was
held on Tuesday, December 23, at
the St. John's Lutheran Church
northeast of Garner. The Rev.
Carl Hedberg officiated. Music
was provided by organist, Louise
Boehnke and soloist, Matilyn
Hayes. Ushers were Bill Boehnke
and Tom Boehnke.
Burial was in the
church cemetery. The Cataldo
Funeral Home of Garner was in
charge of the arrangements.
Casket bearers were Robert
Boehnke, Philip Boehnke, Carol
Chiko, Mark Boehnke, Dale
Boehnke and Carrol Boehnke.
Arthur Emil
Boehnke, the son of Carl August
and Mathilda (Dorow) Boehnke,
was born on November 2, 1909, on
a farm northeast of Garner. He
was baptized and confirmed at
the St. John's Lutheran Church
of rural Garner. He attended St
John's Parochial School and the
Garner High School.
On November 17,
1935, he married Lillian
Margaret Hollatz at the St.
John's Lutheran Church. They
farmed northeast of Garner until
1974, when they retired and
moved into Garner. On November
17, 1989, they celebrated their
54th wedding anniversary prior
to Lillian's death on January 2,
1990.
Arthur was an
active lifetime member of the
St. John's Lutheran Church and
was a deacon for six years. He
served as Lutheran Laymen's
League President for six years
and Treasurer for three years.
He was an AAL member and
president for ten years, was an
active member of the church
Board of Education and was a
committed Sunday School teacher
for more than 15 years. Arthur
was devoted to his family and
farming and remained active in
the community through the Garner
Lions Club.
He is survived by
his children, Robert A. Boehnke
and wife, Karen of Clear Lake,
Philip C. Boehnke and wife,
Sharon of Garner, Mark A.
Boehnke and wife, Roseann of
Garner, Dale W. Boehnke and
wife, Annette of Lewisville,
Texas and Ruth E. Chiko and
husband, Carl of Surrey, British
Columbia, Canada; 9
grandchildren; 11
great-grandchildren; and 2
great-great-grandchildren.
Also surviving
are two sisters-in-law, Alice
Boehnke of Colorado Springs,
Colorado and Laura Boehnke of
Ventura; a brother-in-law, LeRoy
Hollatz of Garner; many nieces
and nephews and other relatives
and friends.
He was preceded
in death by his wife, Lillian;
his parents; brothers, Albert,
Charles, William, Herman and
Rev. Arnold Boehnke; and a
sister, Tlllie Hinrichs.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2003
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Services Hold For
Hancock County
Supervisor John
Torkelson
December
31, 2003
Hancock
County Supervisor John
M. Torkelson, 74, died
at his rural Forest City
home on Saturday,
December 27, 2003.
Funeral services were
held on Tuesday,
December 30, at the
Evangelical Free Church
in Clear Lake.
A native
of Thompson, Mr.
Torkelson farmed
southeast of Forest
City. He was elected to
the Hancock County Board
of Supervisors in
November of 1989, where
he served for 13 years
(January of 1990 to
December of 2003).
As county
supervisor, Mr.
Torke1son represented
Hancock County on
various county and
regional committees and
boards including the
regional HAZMAT Board,
Duncan Heights, Juvenile
Detention Center Board,
North Iowa Area Council
of Governments, Hancock
County Economic
Development Group,
TEA-21 Board and the
regional FEMA Board.
He was an
alternate member on the
Hancock County Board of
Health Advisory Board
and the Resource
Enhancement and
Protection Board.
©The Garner Leader &
Signal 2003
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John M. Torkelson, 1929-2003
December 31, 2003
John
M. Torkelson, of Forest City,
died on Saturday, December 27,
2003, at his home in rural
Forest City. He was 74.
Funeral services
were held on Tuesday, December
30, at the Evangelical Free
Church in Clear Lake. The Rev.
David Wiersbe officiatied.
Burial was in the
Ellington Township Cemetery in
rural Forest City. The Petersen
Lund Funeral Home of Forest City
was in charge of the
arrangements.
John M.
Torkelson, was born in Thompson
on August 13, 1929. He was the
son of Osmund and Bessie (Olson)
Torkelson. He received his
education in rural schools near
his home. John served in the
U.S. Army during the Korean
Conflict. Following his
discharge from the service he
returned home and began farming
and worked at the Torkelson
Gravel and Excavating business.
He married Bonnie
Olson on June 5, 1965, in
Hinkley, Minnesota. The couple
made their home on a farm
southeast of Forest City. John
enjoyed reading, singing,
playing musical instruments,
helping friends and neighbors.
He enjoyed talking about Jesus.
Many times he told his children,
"For me to live is Christ but to
die is gain." He was concerned
about the needs of others. He
was a loving and caring husband
and father. He had just served
his 13th year as Hancock County
Supervisor.
He is survived by
his wife, Bonnie of Forest City;
his children, John Jr. and
Bradley, both of Forest City,
Andrea Welch and husband, Kevin
of Yucaipa, California and
Rachel Torkelson of Ames.
Also surviving
are his siblings, Lavina
Askeland of Buffalo Center,
Othelia Torkelson and Thelma
Sunde both of Forest City, Orrin
Torkelson and wife, Marian of
Miller, Louise Jermeland of
Forest City, Julaine Albertson
and husband, Charles of Leland,
Darlene Hanna and husband,
Marvin of Forest City; and many
nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded
in death by his parents;
brothers, Joseph, Clifford and
Arthur Torkelson; sister, Myrtle
Olson and a brother who died in
infancy, John Torkelson.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2003
|
Richard Saeugling, 1937-2003
January 7, 2004
Richard
"Dick" Saeugling, 66, of Garner,
died on Monday, December 29,
2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice
Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
His funeral was
held on Wednesday, December 31,
at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic
Church in Duncan, with Fr.
Michael Schueller officiating.
Music was provided by organist,
Mary Kopacek who accompanied
soloist, Kerry Brown and the St.
Boniface Choir. Ushers were
George Tusha, Ben Muff, Robert
Young and Elmer Young.
Honorary bearers
were Nile Brown, Robert Wassom,
Larry Slota, Jim Lehan, Daniel
Gibson, Larry Bartleson, Dick
Eagan, Leland Musser and Dan
Hrubes. Casket bearers were Brad
Brown, Brent Brown, Tony Miller,
Robert Wassom Jr., John
Sternitzke, John Musser, Michael
Musser, Pat Eagan, Tim Eagan and
Paul Eagan. Burial was in the
St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery,
Garner, with military rites by
the Garner Veterans Ceremonial
Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home
was in charge of the
arrangements.
Richard L.
Saeugling, the son of Raymond R.
and Florence (Berns) Saeugling,
was born on October 6, 1937 at
Garnavillo. In 1939, he moved
with his family to Ruthven. He
attended school at Ruthven where
he graduated from high school in
1955. After high school, he
worked for the Milwaukee
Railroad in Spencer until he
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force
in 1958. While in the Air Force,
he took classes in electronic
maintenance repair. Dick was
stationed in Biloxi,
Mississippi, Libya, Turkey and
Virginia where he was honorably
discharged in 1962.
On November 28,
1964, he married Karen Rae
Gibson at Spencer. They lived in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where
Dick worked as a traveling car
agent. They made several moves
over the years including
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and
Streamwood, Illinois. In 1979,
they moved to Garner. Dick
retired from the CP Rail System
in 1997. After retiring, he was
a substitute bus driver for the
Garner-Hayfield School District
and also drove the Head Start
bus until August of 2003.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting,
camping and spending time with
his five grandchildren, He was a
member of the St. Boniface
Catholic Church and the Garner
American Legion.
Dick is survived
by his wife, Karen of Garner;
daughter, Angela Stadtlander and
husband, Ross of Mason City and
their children, Drake and
Payton; son, R. Aaron Saeugling
and wife, Danna of Atlantic and
their children, Wyatt, Clayton
and Emily; sisters, Shirley
Eagan and husband, Richard of
Emmetsburg, Janice Musser and
husband, Leland of Ottawa,
Illinois; and other relatives
and friends.
He was preceded
in death by his parents; and a
sister, Joan Whittenton.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Merle H. Brown, 1919-2003
January 7, 2004
Merle H. Brown,
84, of Garner, died on Sunday,
December 28, 2003, at the
Concord Care Center, Garner.
Funeral services
were held on Wednesday, December
31, at the United Methodist
Church in Garner, with the Rev.
David Wagner officiating. Music
was provided by organist, Mary
Kopacek who accompanied
vocalists, Bernie and Tyler
Urich and congregational hymns.
Ushers were Maynard and Marvin
Schoneman.
Honorary bearers
were the Garner Lions Club and
the North Garner Community Club.
Casket bearers were Garry Brown,
Don Brown, John Monson, Daryl
Upmeyer, Dale Upmeyer and Larry
Nelson. Burial was in the
Concord Township Cemetery, with
military rites by the Garner
Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The
Cataldo Funeral Home was in
charge of the arrangements.
Merle Hay Brown,
the son of Iver and Fern
(Williams) Brown, was born on
August 29, 1919 at West Bend. He
grew up in West Bend, Rolfe,
Britt, Corwith and the Woden
areas and received his education
in the Des Moines Township
School.
He served his country during WW
II in the Army Air Force as an
airplane maintenance technician
in the 49th fighter squadron.
Merle served in the European,
North African and Middle Eastern
Theatre campaigns. He was
awarded 12 bronze stars, a good
conduct medal and the European,
African, Middle Eastern Service
Ribbon. Following his honorable
discharge in 1945, he attended
air conditioning and
refrigeration school in Chicago.
On February 12,
1947, he married LaVon Hauptly
at the Methodist Church in
Woden. The couple lived and
farmed in the Wesley and Woden
areas and in 1959 purchased a
farm north of Garner. They lived
there until 1980 when they
retired and built a home in
Garner. In the mid-1960s
he attended the Reisch
World Wide Auction School in
Mason City. He and his partner,
Harold Bryan, worked auctions
for 20 years. Merle was also a
county dealer for Archer Oil for
many years. He drove a school
bus for the Garner-Hayfield
School District for 12 years.
Merle and LaVon
loved to travel and visited
Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, Nova
Scotia, Australia, Mexico and
Canada. They wintered in Texas
for 12 years. Merle took up
golfing in his retirement and
enjoyed coffeeing with the
"Breakfast Bunch" as well as
fishing trips and family
gatherings.
Merle was very
active in the United Methodist
Church where he served on the
administrative board, was head
usher and belonged to the Men's
group. He was active in Pork
Producers, serving as president
for four years. He served on the
Extension Council for six years,
was on the Farm Bureau Board,
served as an Assessor in Hancock
County and was a Hancock County
Supervisors for four years. He
was an active member of the
Garner VFW and American Legion
and participated in the Garner
Veterans Ceremonial Unit for
many years. He was involved as a
director of North Iowa Community
Action, director of Elderbridge
and was a Senior Citizens
Advocate. Merle and LaVon were
members of the Rainbow Swingers
Square Dance Club and the North
Garner Community Club.
He is survived by
his wife, LaVon of Garner;
daughter, Linda Webner and
husband, Earl of Garner and
their two children, Alex Webner
of Garner and Heather Gorder and
husband, Bryan and daughters,
Mandy and Callie all of Garner;
daughter, Patsy Bell and
husband, Douglas and their
children, Kevin and Emily all of
Nora Springs; a brother, Myron
Brown and friend, Jeanette of
Mount Pleasant, Texas;
sisters-in-law, Verna Brown of
Britt and Velma Culbertson and
husband, Frances of Titonka; and
many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded
in death by an infant daughter,
Ranae Brown; his parents; and
brothers, Milton and wife,
Donabelle, Robert and wife,
Rosetta, Richard and wife, Viola
and Newell and Harold Brown.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
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