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



Dr. A. R. Cullen, 1927-2005

November 9, 2005

Dr. A. R. "Doc" Cullen, of Crystal Lake, died on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 78.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church. The Rev. Charles Wallace officiated. Music was provided by pianist, David Earp who accompanied congregational hymns. James Hobbes and Kenny Sorenson ushered.

Honorary casket bearers were Clyde Hobbs, Dave Anderson and Donald Cottington. Casketbearers were Adam Helm, Cody Helm, Kirk Helm, Justin Squier, Michael Hardin and Larry Kunkel. Burial was in the Crystal Lake Cemetery. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. A. R. Cullen, was born in Boone County on February 17, 1927, to Walter and Margaret Thomson Cullen, who emigrated from Scotland in the early 1900s. He was the youngest of five children, and he was particularly proud of his Scottish ancestry.

He attended the Luther High School in Boone, and after graduation, served in the Navy near the end of WW II. In 1951 he graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State College in Ames. He remained an avid Cyclone fan for all of his life.

He married Joan Poland in July of 1946 at the United Methodist Church in Luther. From this marriage came four children, David, Lynn, Dan and Eric, who filled Doc's life with pleasure and pride.

He practiced veterinary medicine in Boone and Forest City before establishing his own practice in Crystal Lake, in 1955. In 1978 he retired from veterinary medicine and began his life as a farmer.

During his life Doc was Past Master of the Masonic Truth Lodge No. 213 in Forest City, President and long time member of the Woden-Crystal Lake School Board and actively involved in forming the Crystal Lake Development Corporation. Doc enjoyed his family, coffee with friends, reading, woodworking and carving, fishing and crossword puzzles. He spent hours keeping his shop and tools tidy and in good repair.

He is survived by Jo, his wife, partner and best friend; his brother, Walter Cullen and his wife, Marian of Alexandria, Virginia; four children, David Cullen and his wife, Sue of Bozeman, Montana, Lynn Cullen of Atascadero, California, Dan Cullen and his wife, Mary Hardin of Mason City and Eric Cullen of Des Moines; his beloved grandchildren, Chelsey and Hailey Cullen, Michael Hardin and his wife, Kirsten, Christin Squier and her husband, Justin, Maggie Seaburg; and his new great-granddaughter, Sidney Grace.

Survivors also include his nieces, Teresa Honnold, Margaret Sutherland and Janet Honnold; a nephew, Steve Cullen; and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Margaret Cullen; his brother, Gilbert Cullen; his sisters, Janet Gunton and Mary Honnold; and his nephew, Philip Larson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Raymond B. Frey, 1914-2005

November 9, 2005

Raymond B. Frey, of Corwith, died on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 91.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 9, 2005, at the First Baptist Church of Renwick. The Rev. Jerry Newland will officiate. Music will be provided by organist, Mary Ann Martin.

Honorary casket bearers are Chris Schulz Sr. and Charles Sorensen. Casket bearers are Dennis Glawe, Cecil Glawe, Dave Nall, Richard Nall, Gary Studer and John Puffer. Burial will be in the Corwith Cemetery. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of Corwith is in charge of the arrangements.

Raymond Burdell Frey, was born on September 26, 1914 at Flanagan, Illinois, to Edward and Lillie (Zimmerman) Frey. When he was 6 months old, Ray moved with his family to the Corwith area. He received his education at Corwith and graduated from the Corwith High School in 1933. After his schooling, Ray farmed with his parents north of Corwith.

Ray married Ivadelle V. Izzard on January 26, 1941 at Humboldt. The couple farmed the home place north of Corwith until Ray's retirement in 1962. Ray and Ivadelle remained on the farm. Ivadelle preceded him in death on July 5, 1996.

Ray was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Corwith, where he served as church treasurer and trustee. When the church closed, he became a member of the Renwick Baptist Church. Ray also served as a Boone Township Trustee. He enjoyed bowling and reading.

Ray lived in the same house north of Corwith his entire life, until he became a resident of the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha on April 9, 1999.

Survivors include his son, Ivan Frey and wife, Marcia of Corwith; and his two granddaughters, Misty Blair and husband, Duane of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and Mindy Frey of West Des Moines.

Also surviving are his sister, Erma Halverson; and his sister-in-law, Phildred Jacobs, both of Garner.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ivadelle; and his infant daughter, Ilo Rae Frey.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Clarence D. Swalve, 1917-2005

November 23, 2005

Word is received of the death of Clarence D. Swalve, 88, of Bella Vista, who died on Saturday, November 5, 2005, in Bella Vista.

Funeral services were held at the Bella Vista Presbyterian Church. The Benton County Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Clarence Dirk Swalve, was born on October 30, 1917 at Klemme, to Dirk and Francis (Behrends) Swalve. He was a retired real estate agent and a member of the Bella Vista Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include a son, Richard Swalve and wife, Sharon of Bella Vista; two daughters, Linda Altman of Chino Valley, Arizona and Mary Bruce of Plancentia, California; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Howard Schoenwetter, 1922-2005

December 14, 2005

Hancock County native, Dr. Howard K. Schoenwetter, 83, of Rockville, Maryland, an electrical engineer for the National Bureau of Standards for 24 years, died on Monday, November 7, 2005, of complication from pneumonia at the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. Mr. Schoenwetter also suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Howard Schoenwetter, the son of George and Mary (Ludeke) Schoenwetter, was born on January 22, 1922, on the family farm in Liberty Township. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1940.

On February 3, 1945, he married Marjorie Richards at her parents' home in Alexander. He served in the Army Signal Corps and was stationed in Guam at the end of World War II. He graduated from the University of Iowa and received a master's degree in physics from Georgia Tech in 1950, a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1955 and a doctorate in electrical engineering from George Washington University in 1972.

He held a number of positions in the electronics field before joining the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He worked in the electronic systems division where he designed and developed high-speed circuitry. He published numerous technical papers and received several awards for his work.

Dr. Schoenwetter lived in Bethesda, Maryland for 37 years before entering the National Lutheran Home in 2002.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Schoenwetter of Rockville; three daughters, Barbara Renehan of Rockville, Carol "Kitty" Mitchell of San Antonio and Nancy Mills of Oakton.

He is also survived by a brother, Homer (Ada) Schoenwetter of Garner; sister, Mildred Lenihan of Tucson, Arizona; one sister-in-law, Carol Richards of Alexander; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



James W. Ridder, 1923-2005

November 16, 2005

James W. Ridder, 82, of Garner, died on Thursday, November 10, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 14, 2005, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Jerry Blake officiating. Donna Young was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir. Ushers were Robert Kral and Lawrence Engstler.

Casket bearers were Steve Buckley, Timothy Thompson, Ed Barkema, Dean Hrubes, Mike McLaughlin and David Bartlett. Burial was in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Memorials may be directed to the Lou Gehrig's Foundation. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

James William Ridder, the son of William Adolf and Sylvia (Baumgartner) Ridder, was born on April 9, 1923 in Waterloo. After graduating from the Waterloo East High School in 1941, he worked as an auto mechanic. Jim served his country in the U.S. Army in the Combat Engineers in the European Theater, with the rank of Sgt. After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of North Dakota.

On February 3, 1953, he married Ella Marie Buckley at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. They farmed southwest of Garner until retiring in 1979. In 2003 they moved into Garner. Jim enjoyed woodworking, mechanics, fishing and going to Texas in the winter for 21 years.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, the Garner VFW and American Legion and had served on the Hancock County Co-op Oil Board.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Marie of Garner; two daughters, Rose Marie Kastner (Steve) of Yale and Diane Clemmer (Monty) of Stanchfield, Minnesota; granddaughter, Stacey Kastner Simmons (Brian) and their two children, Molly and Keira; grandson, James F. Kastner; two brothers, Ralph Ridder (Beverly) of Waterloo and Paul Ridder of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Alice Crossley of Solon; a brother-in-law, Elmer Buckley (Marion) of Garner; two sisters-in-law, Donna Buckley of Clear Lake and Margaret McLaughlin (Loren) of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers-in-law, Leonard Buckley and Maurice Buckley.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Ethel S. Haynes

November 23, 2005

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 12, 2005, at the Inland Memorial Harford Chapel in Hemet, California, for Ethel Swanson Haynes, 87, who died on Thursday, November 3, 2005, from a massive heart attack. Burial was in the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.

Ethel Haynes, the daughter of Oscar and Anna Swanson, grew up in the Klemme vicinity. After graduation from high school, she worked at the Clear Lake Bakery for a few years. It was there she met and married her first husband, Melvin Peterson.

In 1941, they moved out to Long Beach, California, to go to work at Lockheed Aircraft. Melvin returned to Iowa and had surgery at the Iowa City hospital. After a second surgery, in 1943, he died at the age of 25.

In 1961, Ethel married Jack Haynes of Long Beach. After retirement, they moved to Hemet, California. Jack died in 1992.

Ethel suffered a stroke in 2002 and was left with dementia. She spent the last years of her life in a nursing home.

She is survived by one sister, Phyllis Loeffler and husband, Karl of Ocala, Florida; one sister-in-law, Lyda Swanson of Garner; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two loving husbands; four brothers, Albert, Carl, Roy and Leonard Swanson; five sisters, Mary Swanson, Esther Etchen Miller, Ruth Bridges, Dora Lawhorn and Edith Lemke.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Merle R. Hall, 1924-2005

November 23, 2005

Merle R. Hall, 81, of rural Forest City, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at his home southeast of Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 19, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with the Rev. Owen Gaasedelen officiating. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Torkelson who accompanied, vocalist, Warren Torkelson and congregational hymns. Ushers were Dave Luscomb, Glen Juhl and Jerry Hall. Honorary bearers were Jodi Alt, Jacki Keenan, Angella Hall, Kathryn Wright, Jessica Buckmier, Allison Reese, Camryn Hays and Samantha Petersen.

Casket bearers were Don Reese, Dan Petersen, Criswell Hays, Jeff Hall, Ethan Hays, Christopher Wright and David Reeese. Burial was in the Ellington Prairie Cemetery, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Merle Robert Hall, the son of George Mandus and Lena Caroline (Dietz) Hall, was born on February 29, 1924, on a farm north of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church near Miller. He attended Ellington Township #8 Country School and graduated from the Garner High School in 1941.

Merle served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 on the U.S.S. J. Franklin Bell. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and farmed north of Garner.

On February 12, 1949, he married Marjorie Pauline Kofoot at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. In 1952, they moved to a farm northeast of Miller where they continued to farm.

Merle enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, sports events that his children and grandchildren participated in, square dancing in Rainbow Swingers and playing softball in the church league.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church where he had served as president of the congregation, church council member, Sunday School Teacher and choir member. He was a charter member of the Garner VFW and also was a member of the Garner American Legion and the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. He served on the Miller Telephone Board, Hancock County Fair Board, was NFO County Chairman and Third District President, Winnebago Historical Society and Mansion Board and was a 4-H Leader.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie of Forest City; children, Michael (Bonnie) Hall of Omaha, Nebraska, Ted (Susan) Hall of Forest City, Georgeann Hall of Omaha, Carolyn Wright of Garland, Texas, Susan (Donald) Reese of Forest City, Joyce (Criswell) Hays of Smithville, Missouri and Julie (Dan) Petersen of Castle Rock, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a great-step-granddaughter.

Survivors also include three brothers, Harold (Gladys) Hall of Bakersfield, California, Galen (Mary) Hall of Mankato, Minnesota and Leonard (Donna) Hall of Winthrop, Maine; and two sisters, Doris (Marvin) Juhl of Forest City and Myrtle (Merle) Yanecek of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Timothy Hall.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Myra C. Stahl, 1914-2005

November 23, 2005

Myra C. Stahl, 91, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 21, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with the Rev. Jeff DeBoer officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo. Casket bearers were Wayne Stahl, Sam Velau, Steven Waage, Todd Waage, Jordan Knutson, Kevin Stahl, Bradley Stahl and Christopher Stahl. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Myra Charlotte Schlawin, the daughter of Otto A. L. and Mathilda E. (Katter) Schlawin was born on September 3, 1914, on a farm southwest of Garner. She attended school at Liberty Township # 1 and later worked at the Klemme Telephone office.

On December 23, 1933, she was married to Lewis E. Stahl at the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner. They farmed southeast of Klemme until 1960 and then moved to Moorecroft, Wyoming, where she was a cook at the school for three years. In 1964, they bought a gas station and restaurant in Goodell, which they operated for 13 years. After retiring in 1977, they moved to Arkansas for seven years and then to an acreage near Forest City.

After her husband's death, she moved to Garner and later to Belmond where she lived in the Belmond Apartments. Myra had resided in the Belmond Health Care Center since June of 2001. She was a former member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Klemme. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting and her flower garden.

She is survived by her six children, Virgil (Berniece) Stahl of Klemme, Janet (William) Velau of Garner, Juda Crump of Carson City, Nevada, Verlinda (Gilford) Knutson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Jim (Darlene) Stahl of Andover, Minnesota and Lewis K. (Mary Jane) Stahl of Cody, Wyoming; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis E. Stahl on May 23 1992; three grandchildren, Joshua Stahl, Kenneth Stahl and Timmy Knutson; her parents; four sisters, Sadie Lemke, Norva Cole, Helena Boland; and her twin sister, Mathilda Eenhuis on April 5, 2005; and twin brothers, Roger Schlawin and Reinhold Schlawin.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Gladys Wilkie, 1905-2005

December 7, 2005

Gladys D. Wilkie, of Kanawha, died on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, at the Kanawha Community Home. She was 100.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, December 3, at the United Methodist Church, Kanawha. The Rev. Cynthia Morrison officiated. Music was provided by organist, Barbrara Csomay, who accompanied congregational hymns. Bill Harson and Lyle Zeigler ushered. Interment was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Gladys Delight (Enabnit) Wilkie, the daughter of Christ and Anna Mayer Enabnit, was born on April 29, 1905 in Meservey. She married D. L. Wilkie Sr. on September 27, 1924, at the home of her parents in Des Moines.

The couple lived in Des Moines where Luck managed the Red Ball Grocery Store until 1926, when they moved to Manly. They were co-owners of the Enabnit-Wilkie Grocery and Dry Goods Store until December of 1936 when they purchased the grocery store in Kanawha, which Gladys ran alongside her husband. She retired after 62 years in the grocery business.

Gladys was involved with her family, church and community. She was a founding member of the American Legion, sold war bonds during WW II, and spearheaded the campaign to get Kanawha's band their first uniforms. She wrote news for over 40 years for the newspapers in Kanawha, Britt, Belmond and Clarion.

She was a member of the Kanawha United Methodist Church, A.M. Bible Study, Sr. Bible Class, Sunday School, Administrative Board and Ecumenical Officer of Devotions. She was also a member of the A.B.C. Club, life time member of the Kanawha Women's Club, life time member of the Order of Eastern Star, Past President Parley, Past President of American Legion Auxiliary, member of the Netaker Temple Daughters of the Nile, Merry Makers Club, life time member of the Hancock County Historical Society, Paradise Club (O.E.S. Past Matrons), Elm Club, bridge club and book club.

Gladys deeply valued her family, her church community, her community, and her many friends. She loved to play cards, entertain friends, and write poetry and verses. One of her last efforts was to organize the ecumenical vespers program at the community home.

Survivors include her three children, Rose Eileen Hall of Dubuque, David Wilkie of Ventura and friend, Sally Pritchard and Deloris Alderson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Luck; and a stillborn daughter, Mabel.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Norma L. Early, 1931-2005

December 7, 2005

Norma L. Early, of Rockwell, formerly of the Goodell and Klemme areas, died on Thursday, November 24, 2005, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. She was 74.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 28, at the Andrews Funeral Home in Klemme. Interment was in the Ell Township Cemetery.

Norma was born on July 26, 1931, to Sylvia (Larson) and Alex "Boots" Early. She graduated from the Klemme High School and later attended Hamilton Business College, Mason City.

She was a life long homemaker and worked for many years at Curries Manufacturing in Mason City, where she had moved to be with her mother in 1950 following her father's death.

She was a resident of the nursing home for the last four and a one-half years.

Norma is survived by many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Andrea Hayungs, 1969-2005

December 7, 2005

Andrea Hayungs, 36, of Woden, died on Friday, November 25, 2005, at the University Hospitals in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 30, at the Zion Church of the Nazarene in Britt. The Rev. Ron McKee and the Rev. Brandt Freeburg officiated. Music was provided by pianist, Frances Freeburg who accompanied soloists, Sherry Langlitz and Bruce Halverson as well as congregational hymns. Lyle Meyers and Kenny Shipler ushered.

Casket bearers were Mark Lewerke, Rich Lewerke, Tyler Lage, Brad Laird, Eldon Meyers and Jeff Kudej. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Andrea Elaine Hayungs, the daughter of Ivan and Susan (Loney) Imel, was born on October 10, 1969 in Laredo, Texas. She later moved with her parents to Gila Bend, Arizona where she was educated. She then attended the Northern Arizona University and received her Master's Degree in 1999.

On June 1, 2002, Andrea married Randy Hayungs at the Zion Church of the Nazarene in Britt. The couple made their home on the family farm near Woden. Andrea was employed at the Woden-Crystal Lake Titonka School as an elementary teacher and high school librarian. She was librarian for the Crystal Lake Public Library.

She was a member of the Zion Church of the Nazarene in Britt, where she helped with Bible School, Sunday School, Bible Quizers for children and sang in the church choir.

Andrea is survived by husband, Randy; daughter, Sheena at home; father, Ivan and Ann Imel of Texas; mother, Susan and Jerry Lewerke of Britt; brother, Eric and Mikkie Imel of Mesa, Arizona; sister, Shannon Imel and her son, Micah of Britt; step-brothers, Mark and JoAnn Lewerke and Rich Lewerke all of Garner; step-sister, Traci and Cody Torgerson of Chewela, Washington.

Also surviving are her paternal grandmother, Delores Imel of Ohio; Randy's parents, Harold and Stella Hayungs of Britt; Randy's grandmother, Lydia Hillenga of Woden; brother-in-law, Gary and Dianna Hayungs of Britt; sisters-in-law, Sherri and Bruce Logemann of Earlham and Paula and Scott Davis of Lake Nabagmon, Wisconsin; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mildred and Harold Loney; paternal grandfather, Albert Imel; Randy's grandparents, Harm Hillenga and John and Elizabeth Hayungs; and step-sister, Marne Lewerke.

The family will donate all memorials to the Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Sgt. Gregory L. Tull, 1984-2005

November 30 & December 7, 2005


The Iowa National Guard regrets to announce the death of Sgt. Gregory L. Tull, 20, of Pocahontas, Iowa. Tull was killed during combat operations when insurgent forces detonated an improvised explosive device directly adjacent to the armored Humvee in which he was the gunner.

The attack occurred in Al Anbar province near Hit, Iraq at approximately 2:00 p.m., Iraq time, on Friday, November 25, 2005. He was assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard's Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Storm Lake.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 3, 2005, at the Faith Lutheran Church near Palmer. The Rev. Richard Taylor officiated. Full military rites were conducted by the Iowa National Guard. Burial was in the Indian Mound Cemetery near Humboldt. The Powers Funeral Home of Pocahontas was in charge of the arrangements.

Gregory LeRoy Tull, was born on December 28, 1984 in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Gary and Eileen Tull. The family moved to Pocahontas. He was a 2003 graduate of the Pocahontas Area High School where he was active in sports. During his high school years he worked after school at the Pocahontas Pharmacy. He also worked with his father installing carpet from a very young age. During his junior year in high school, he enlisted in the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Iowa Army National Guard at Storm Lake and was qualified as a Forward Observer.  He attended the South Dakota State University where he was studying to become a nurse anesthetist. 

Greg volunteered for Operation Iraqi Freedom in November of 2004. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant in a private ceremony with his family and senior leaders from the Iowa and Mississippi National Guard. He loved being a solider and was proud to wear the uniform. He enjoyed helping people and always had a smile on his face. He had a special love of life and the people around him.

Tull is survived by his mother and father, Eileen and Gary Tull and brother, Bryan all of Pocahontas; grandparents, Bill and Janet Velau of Garner, Erland and Phyllis Nelson of Humboldt.

Survivors also include aunts and uncles, Jerry and Vici Fowler, Mike and Rosie Tull, Sue and Scott Hayungs, Roger and Tia Tull, Christine and Lonnie Schmidt, Marlene Velau and Sam Velau: and cousins.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005



Donna Baumgartner, 1930-2005

December 7, 2005

Donna J. Baumgartner, 75, of Garner, died on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 5, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Revs. David Wagner and Wendy Johannesen officiating. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied congregational hymns. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman.

Honorary bearers were Katie Barrett, Sara Miller, Gabrielle Baumgartner, Elizabeth Bucinski, Alexis Graham, Beau Sorenson, Emily Barrett, Courtney Miller, Julia Miller, Jake Miller and Jordan Baumgartner. Casket bearers were Gene Kramer Jr., Daniel Kramer, David Tate, James Tate, Alex Baumgartner, Nicholas Weidner, Andrew Sorenson and Aaron Sorenson. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Donna Jean Baumgartner, the daughter of Chester and Leta (Jones) Coziah, was born on June 24, 1930 at Cherokee. She attended school at Mason City and graduated from the Mason City High School in 1948. She was married to Gene Kramer of Mason City for 17 years. She attended cosmetology school in Mason City and later owned and operated "Donna's Beauty Shop" in Garner.

On September 11, 1967, she was married to Calvin C. Baumgartner at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake. They made their home in Garner. Donna worked at Winnebago Industries in Forest City and Con Agra in Garner. In May of 2005, she became a resident of the Concord Care Center. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting and especially spending time with her family. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner.

Donna is survived by her children, Kris (Howard) Melin of Northfield, Minnesota, Gene (Kathy) Kramer of Lebanon, Ohio, Diana (David) Tate of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Allen (Nina) Baumgartner of Johnstown, Colorado, Carol (Rick) Weidner of Omaha, Nebraska, John Kramer of Charles City, Julie (Bradley) Sorenson of Woden, Stacy (Douglas) Burton of Garner, Calvin A. (Jan) Baumgartner of Klemme, Sandy (Mike) Bailey of Kalispell, Montana, Peggy Linahon of Mason City and Mary (Steve) Gouge of Garner; 29 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two nephews, David (Becky) Fellom of Norfolk, Virginia and Mark (Joan) Fellom of Mason City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cal on November 15, 1999; grandson, Steven Kramer; her parents; and sister, Harriet Fellom.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

 

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