Violet V. Buns, 1922-2004
August 11, 2004
Violet
V. Buns, 82, of Woden, died on
Monday, August 2, 2004, at the
Westview Care Center, Britt.
Memorial services were held on
Friday, August 6, at the St.
John's Lutheran Church in Woden,
with the Rev. Arlen Lloyd
officiating. Music was provided
by organist, Emogene Kurtzleben
who accompanied soloist, Bruce
Wubben, and congregational
hymns. Ushers were Tony Buns and
Maurice Buns.
Honorary bearers were Carmen
Fjetland, Vi Korte, Marjory
Squier, Alvina Brandt, Thresa
Baade and Nodia Jumpp. Interment
was in the Bingham Township
Cemetery, south of Woden. The
Cataldo Funeral Home was in
charge of the arrangements.
Violet Virginia Buns, the
daughter of Olaf and Anna
(Paulsen) Wieth, was born on
April 26, 1922, at Omaha,
Nebraska. At an early age she
moved with her family to Crystal
Lake where she attended school.
Following her schooling she
moved to Iowa City where she
worked as a nurses aide.
On June 30, 1943, she was
married to Henry Buns. They
lived in Woden where she was
employed for almost 30 years as
a store clerk at the Woden
Grocery Store. Violet enjoyed
her family, reading and
gardening. She was a member of
the St. John's Lutheran Church
and the Ladies Aid.
She is survived by her four
children, Diane Fortner and
husband, Bill of Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma, Jackie Fredrickson and
husband, Larry of Forest City,
Betty Hanna and husband, Steve
of Crystal Lake and Lannie Buns
of Woden; ten grandchildren;
nine great-grandchildren; a
great-great-grandson; two
sisters-in-law, Martha Thieben
of Woden and Caroline Cordes and
husband, Albert of Britt; and
many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Henry in November of
1967; parents; three
grandchildren; and two sisters,
Vivian Fischer and Carmen Nall.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Jean M. Smidt, 1939-2004
August
11, 1004
Jean M. Smidt, of
Woden, died on Friday, August 6,
2004, at the Westview Care
Center, Britt. She was 65 years
old.
Her funeral will be held at 1:30
p.m., on Wednesday, at the Woden
Christian Reformed Church, with
the Rev. Kevin Jordan
officiating. Burial will be in
the church cemetery.
Jean Marie Smidt, the daughter
of Edwin and Gertie (McNeil)
Hillenga and Erna (Iverson)
Hillenga, was born on January
26, 1939 at Algona. She made her
profession of faith at the Woden
Christian Reformed Church. She
attended the rural schools of
Orthel Township in Hancock
County and graduated from the
Britt High School in 1956. She
continued her education at Dordt
College.
On August 8, 1958, she was
married to John Smidt at the
Woden Christian Reformed Church.
They lived on a farm north of
Woden until 1964 when they moved
to a farm near Burt. In 1988,
they moved into Woden and
continued farming.
Due to ill health she became a
resident of the Westview Care
Center in Britt in 2000. Jean
enjoyed her family, designing
and making cakes, reading and
doing crossword puzzles. She was
a member of the Woden Christian
Reformed Church where she taught
Bible School.
Jean is survived by her husband,
John of Woden; her mother, Erna
Hillenga of Woden; two children,
Deanna (Mike) Taylor of Cherokee
and Alan (Teresa) Smidt of
Forest City; eleven
grandchildren, Mandy, Trish and
Jordan Taylor and Ryan, Sandi,
Julianne, Tyler, Kyle, Emily,
Allison and Nathan Smidt; five
brothers and sisters, Kay Hunter
of Cedar, Minnesota, Doris
(Dean) Haugland of Forest City,
Edwin (Vicki) Hillenga of
Wesley, Carol Clendenen of Auto,
West Virginia and Dean (Suzanne)
Hillenga of Hobbs, New Mexico; a
sister-in-law, Grace Barnes of
Iowa City; a brother-in-law,
Warren (Bev) Smidt of Clayton,
Wisconsin; and many nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death by a
stillborn son; her father; and
her mother, Gertie.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
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Ernest Lee Miller, 1947-2004
August 18, 2004
Ernest
Lee Miller, of Hayfield, died on
Monday, August 9, 2004, in rural
Crystal Lake. He was 56 years
old.
Funeral services were held on
Friday, August 13, at the United
Methodist Church in Garner, with
the Rev. David Waddingham and
the Rev. Todd Jones officiating.
Interment followed in the
Belmond Cemetery, with military
honors conducted by the Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 5515 of
Garner.
Ernie was born on September 10,
1947 in Fletcher, Oklahoma, the
son of Ernest and Vernice
(Cummins) Miller. Ernie
graduated from the Belmond High
School.
On October 25, 1966, he entered
the United States Navy. At the
end of his tour, Ernie held the
rank of ADJ3. During his tour he
achieved the following
decorations and commendations,
National Defense Service Medal
(1st Award), Presidential Unit
Citation, Vietnam Service Medal
with one bronze star, Vietnam
Campaign Medal with device
(1960) and Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (Korea).
Ernie was honorably discharged
from the United States Naval
Reserves on June 6, 1972.
On June 5, 1971, Ernie was
united in marriage to Deborah E.
Garman in Estherville, and to
this union, four children were
born.
He was a giver at heart and
loved life and always offered a
helping hand. His contagious
belly laugh would fill a room. A
smile and small talk went hand
in hand and the word "stranger"
didn't exist in his vocabulary.
Those thankful for having shared
in Ernie's life include his
three children, Danielle (Scott)
Graham of Fort Dodge, Jeremiah
"Bud" Miller and special friend,
Rita Gross of Titonka and Tracy
Miller of Klemme; one special
nephew, Evan Miller of Fort
Dodge; six grandchildren,
Tristan and Sierra Miller, Jake,
Samantha and Tricia Hall, and
Kannon Ray E. Graham; two
brothers, Dwayne "Bo" Miller and
Mike Miller; three sisters,
Betty (Dale) Jones, Byrul
(Curtiss) Moore and Renee "Miss"
Aldrich; special aunts, Florence
M. Cummins and Peggy Ellis;
three sisters-in-law, Bobbi (Ed)
Miller, Jerlyn Miller and Dianne
Miller; many nieces, nephews,
cousins, and great friends.
Ernie was preceded in death by
his parents, infant son, Rusty
Miller; three brothers, Dwight
"Ole", Earl "Frank" and Virgil;
and one nephew, Jason Moore.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Ann A. Christensen, 1910-2004
August 18, 2004
Ann
Christensen, 94, of Woden, died
on Friday, August 13, 2004, at
the Muse Norris Hospice
Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
Funeral services were held on
Tuesday, August 17, at the First
Presbyterian Church in Woden
with Judy Junkermeier, lay
pastor, officiating. Music was
provided by organist, Doris
Leeck who accompanied soloist,
Bruce Wubben and congregational
hymns. Lamont Junkermeier
ushered.
Casket bearers were Don
Isebrand, Roger Wood, Bob
Lorenzen, Don Weiland, Marlin
Cromwell, Paul Gerdes, Ron Dahle
and Everett Brock. Burial was in
the Bingham Township Cemetery,
south of Woden. The Cataldo
Funeral Home in Woden was in
charge of the arrangements.
Ann Angeline Christensen, the
daughter of John and Johanna
(Meenk) Hoftiezer was born on
May 16, 1910 at Castlewood,
South Dakota. She was baptized
and confirmed, learning both the
German and English Catechism, at
the Bemis Presbyterian Church in
rural Castlewood. She started
country school near Castlewood
at the age of 4 to learn the
English language.
Ann came to Iowa in 1930 where
she met her future husband,
Charles Christensen. They were
married on November 14, 1934, at
the Little Brown Church in
Nashua. She worked at Schelfbein
Grocery for two years, Orthel
Grocery Store for ten years and
was clerk at the Woden Post
Office from 1950 to 1972. Ann
and Charlie lived their entire
married life in Woden.
She was known to many as Mother
Ann and Grandma Ann. Ann enjoyed
her grandson, his wife, her
great-grandchildren, her church
and community and most of all,
helping other people.
She was a member of the First
Presbyterian Church in Woden,
where she was the first woman
Elder in the church and was
active as a Sunday School
Teacher, Superintendent and was
past President and Secretary of
the Presbyterian Women. She was
also the Clerk of Session of the
Woden Presbyterian Church for 23
years and was honored as an
Outstanding Elder of the church.
She belonged to the Woden Ladies
Auxiliary serving as past
President, Woden Senior Citizens
being named Outstanding Senior
Citizen in 1984 and was a Gold
Star Mother. Ann was one of the
organizers of the first Woden
Public Library. She was voted
Woden's Centennial Queen in July
of 1999 and was nominated and
received the Giving Your Best
Award sponsored by the local TV
station and sponsors in the year
2000.
Survivors include her grandson,
Dallas Christensen and wife,
Deanna and their children,
Jessica, Michelle and Jacob all
of Britt; as well as many
nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Charlie on October 16,
1974; her parents; a son, Leon;
son and daughter-in-law, Curtis
and Barb Christiansen. Also
preceding her in death were her
brothers, Albert, Dick, Herman,
John, Harry and Arey Hofteizer;
and a sister, Jennie Lammers.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Donna Lou Kester, 1940-2004
August
18, 2004
Word has been
received of the death of former
area resident, Donna Lou Kester,
64, of Marshalltown. Mrs. Kester
died on Saturday, August 14,
2004, following a battle with
cancer.
A memorial service was held on
Tuesday, August 17, at the St.
Henry Catholic Church. Burial
was in the Rose Hill Memorial
Gardens.
Donna Lou Kester, the daughter
of Melvin and Myrtle Peterson,
was raised on a farm near
Leland. She attended elementary
school at Leland and graduated
from the Forest City High School
in 1957. She received an AA
degree from Eagle Grove
Community College; a BA degree
from UNI and a MA degree from
Drake University. Her teaching
career included positions at
Shell Rock, Stacyville, St.
Ansgar and in Marshalltown at
the Anson Elementary/Middle
School and Headstart. She spent
the last six years partnering
with her husband to develop the
Cross Country Estates housing
development.
She was a member of the Trinity
Lutheran Church, where she
served as a Sunday School
Teacher and later as Sunday
School Superintendent. After
retiring from a 35-year career
as a public school teacher, she
served as Parish Worker for
Trinity Lutheran Church and was
the author of e-mail devotions
for the past three years. Donna
Lou was a member of MEA, NEA,
ISEA, Matins Kiwanis, ADK and
enjoyed several bridge clubs.
Survivors include her husband of
46 years, Larry; one daughter,
Lori Manderfield and her
husband, Jim of Urbandale; two
sons, Dave and his wife, Julie
of Urbandale and Dan and his
wife, Lora of Marshalltown; nine
grandchildren; two brothers,
Roger Peterson of Lake Mills and
Richard Peterson of Pine Bluff,
Arkansas; two sisters, Marjorie
VerHoef of Leland and Sharon
Holland of Forest City; and many
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her
parents and one brother, Marvin.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Leonard Rayhons, 1922-2004
August 25, 2004
Leonard
J. Rayhons, 82, of Garner, died
on Sunday, August 15, 2004, at
his rural home.
Funeral services were held on
Thursday, August 19, at the St.
Boniface Catholic Church in
Garner, with the Rev. Michael
Schueller officiating. Lector
was Shane Upmeyer. Music was
provided by organist, Carolyn
Kumsher who accompanied the
church choir. Ushers were Bob
Kral and Lawrence Engstler.
Honorary bearers were the Garner
Lions Club and spouses. Casket
bearers were Corey Upmeyer,
Shane Upmeyer, Brian Cataldo,
Brian Follmann, Jason Reis, Bob
Malek, Scott Rayhons and Randy
Rayhons. Burial was at the St.
John's Catholic Cemetery,
Duncan, with military rites by
the Garner Veterans Ceremonial
Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home
was in charge of the
arrangements.
Leonard John Rayhons, the son of
John and Beatta (Wellik)
Rayhons, was born on February
28, 1922 at Garner. He attended
the Garfield No. 5 Country
School and helped his parents on
the family farm northwest of
Garner.
On November 16, 1943, he married
Emily Marie Tlach at the St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Church in
Duncan. They made their home
across from his parents' home
where they farmed. He served his
country during WW II in the U.S.
Army as an automotive mechanic
in the European Theatre.
Following his honorable
discharge on October 27, 1946,
he returned home and continued
to farm.
Besides farming, he also sold
hybrid seed, did custom baling
and chopping and hauled feed and
grain. On May 8, 1978, his wife,
Emily died from cancer at the
age of 52.
On August 16, 1979, he married
Alice (Rapp) Meints at the St.
Boniface Catholic Church in
Garner. They lived on the home
farm where Leonard farmed with
his son, Marv. Leonard enjoyed
his family, visiting with
people, playing cards, dancing
and helping on the farm. He
especially enjoyed dressing up
each Christmas as Santa Claus
for lots of little children.
He was a member of the St.
Boniface Catholic Church in
Garner, Knights of Columbus 4th
degree, St. Boniface Men's
Society, Catholic Workman Lodge,
Garner Lions Club and was a life
time member of the Garner VFW
and American Legion. Leonard was
also a 4-H Leader, served on the
ASC Committee and was a Trustee
for Garfield Township.
He is survived by his wife,
Alice of Garner; two children,
Marvin (Nancy) Rayhons of Garner
and Jeanette (Allen) Upmeyer of
Clinton; five grandchildren,
Bonnie (Brian) Cataldo, Amy
(Brian) Follmann, Cory
(Jennifer) Upmeyer, Shane
(Jennifer) Upmeyer and Darci
(Jason) Reis; seven
great-grandchildren, Sam, Ray
and Reed Cataldo, Ethan and Abby
Follmann, James and Joshua
Upmeyer; three step-children,
Roger Meints of San Diego,
California, Dick (Sheryl) Meints
of Meservey and Kathleen (Mike)
Embertson of Mason City.
Also surviving are two sisters,
Rose Mae (Red) Baker of Garner
and Darlene Oldham of Dubuque; a
brother-in-law, George (Betty)
Tlach of Garner; and many nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by
first wife, Emily; his parents;
and two brothers-in-law, Darold
Pletcher and Mike Oldham.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
David A. Wilhelm, 1951-2004
September 1, 2004
Word was received
of the death of David A.
Wilhelm, 52, of Mason City, who
died at his home, on Sunday,
August 22, 2004.
A Mass of Christian Burial was
held on Thursday, August 26, at
11:00 a.m., at the Nativity
Catholic Church in Harmony,
Minnesota. Burial was in the St.
Bridget's Cemetery near
Bluffton, Iowa.
David Arthur Wilhelm, was born
near Cresco, on October 2, 1951.
He graduated from the Harmony
High School in 1969 and attended
Winona Vocational College,
graduating from the electronics
program. He worked for Davis TV
in Garner before opening his own
business, Dave's TV and Stereo
in Clear Lake.
On September 8, 1979, David
Wilhelm married Jill Ackerman of
Ventura. They later divorced.
David was active in the fire
department, Jaycees, and St.
Patrick's Catholic Church of
Clear Lake. He enjoyed outdoor
activities including hunting,
camping, canoeing and golfing.
Survivors include his children,
April and David Joseph (DJ) of
Clear Lake; his parents, Art and
Sadie Wilhelm of Harmony,
Minnesota; three sisters, Diane
(Larry) Anderson of Ostrander,
Minnesota, Denise Schultz of
Lanesboro, Minnesota and Angela
(Kyle) Colbenson of Rushford,
Minnesota; two brothers, Richard
(Judy) Wilhelm of Garner and
Michael (Lisa) Wilhelm of
Preston, Minnesota.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
|
Marjorie Roths, 1927-2004
September 1, 2004
Marjorie
M. Hofbauer-Spieker-Roths, 77,
died on Wednesday, August 25,
2004, at the Iowa Lutheran
Hospital in Des Moines.
Graveside services will be held
at a later date, with burial in
the Concord Township Cemetery.
Marjorie was born on April 15,
1927, in Buffalo Center, Iowa,
and lived most of her life in
Garner. She was a member of the
VFW Women's Auxiliary and the
Presbyterian Church in Garner.
She is survived by her son,
Rodney (Cheryl) Spieker, their
son, Michael (Julie) Spieker,
daughter, Michelle Spieker and
great-granddaughter, Aibree
Spieker; son, David (Mickey)
Spieker, their sons, Dillon
(Jane), Wyatt and Shadoe
Spieker; son, Scott (Lisa)
Spieker, their son, Zach Brown,
daughter, Mollie Brown;
daughter, Jackie (Jim) Liska,
their son, Travis Jorgenson and
a great-grandson, Remington
Jorgenson.
She is also survived by her
brothers, Hank and Jack
Hofbauer; sisters, Ruth Harris
and Billie Weaver.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Thomas "Junior" Roths;
granddaughter, Vanessa Spieker;
and eight brothers and sisters.
©The
Garner Leader & Signal 2004
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