John K. Lorenz, 1920-2008

December 17, 2008

John K. Lorenz, 88, a resident of Leavenworth, Washington for the past six years, died on Friday, December 5, 2008, at the Cashmere Convalescent Center in Cashmere.

A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, December 10, at the Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Leavenworth, with Father Dan Dufner as the celebrant. Burial was in the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. The Ward’s Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, was in charge of the arrangements.

He was born on March 30, 1920, to Joseph and Antoinette (Kantor) Lorenz on the family farm at Britt, Iowa. John was educated in a one-room schoolhouse near Britt. On June 30,1942, John enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Suwannee. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and on August 30, 1952, he married Ruth Horton at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, Iowa. After honeymooning in Canada they returned to the family farm that they were the last to operate.

In 1960, they moved to Baldwin Park, California, where John started the Benlo Company, an R.V. repair, supply and parts store that he operated until retiring. John and Ruth then moved to Palm Desert, California, until moving to Leavenworth in 2002 to be close to their son.

John was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Baldwin Park, California and a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Leavenworth.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John R. and Jennifer Lorenz of Leavenworth; one brother, Norbert Lorenz of Covina, California; three sisters, Sally Devine of Corwith, Iowa, Trudy Burns of Aurora, Colorado and Irene Jackson of Wagoner, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Kristin Ventjeer of Mill Creek, Washington and Erica Lorenz of Leavenworth; and two great-grandsons, Ryan and Logan; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth in 2007; and a sister, Rita.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Florence H. Gilbert, 1946-2008

December 10, 2008

Florence H. Gilbert, 82, of Loveland, Colorado, died on Monday, December 8, 2008, at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland.

A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, December 11, at the Big Thompson Manor, with Chaplain Dale Piers, officiating. Cremation has been completed. Internment will be held at a later date in Garner.

She was born on March 30, 1926 in Kirkwood, Missouri, to Richard and Susie Russell. She married the love of her life, Warren Kelly Gilbert, on May 23, 1946. He preceded her in death on November 26, 1959.

She lived in Garner raising her family and working at several local businesses until 1978, when she moved to Loveland, Colorado. Florence worked for many years as a dietary aide at the McKee Hospital. She enjoyed her job, receiving the Employee of the Year Award. After retiring she spent several happy years as a volunteer at the McKee Hospital Gift Shop. Later, she volunteered at the Loveland Public Library. Florence was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Loveland.

Florence was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She enjoyed long walks, reading, music and spending time with family and friends. Her greatest joys were the visits, letters and pictures from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for managing the tough moments in her life with grace and a sense of humor. As she put it, "You simply put one foot in front of the other".

She is survived by two sons, Mark (Diane) Gilbert of Garner and Christopher (Mary) Gilbert of Sheldon; six daughters, Elizabeth (Arvin) Martensen of Westminster, Nancy (Bart) Bryan of Garner, Amy (Keith) Johnson of Loveland, Ruth (Mike) Bridges of Garner, Annette Gilbert of Loveland and Dawn Ditter of Loveland; and numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Rose Brcka, 1906-2008

December 17, 2008

Rose Brcka, 102, of Garner, died on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, December 15, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Brcka, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Kudej) Jakoubek, was born on June 14, 1906, on a farm near Hayfield. She attended school at Hayfield. On February 18, 1935, she was married to Edward Brcka at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They lived on a farm west of Garner where they raised their two sons. After Edward's death in 1963, she continued to live on the farm until 1993, when she moved to Forest City to be closer to her family.

Rose enjoyed raising chickens and selling eggs to many people in the area as well as bowling on the afternoon women's league in Garner. She also enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandkids and great-grandkids. She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Rosary Society.

Rose is survived by her two sons, Frank (Marguerite) Brcka of Plymouth and Raymond (Marge) of Forest City; six grandchildren, Karen (Steve) Usher, Dean Brcka, David Brcka, Patti (Bill) Kawalek, Keith (Ann) Brcka and Kent (Holly) Brcka; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Liska of Hayfield, Eleanor Garrison of Canyon Lakes, Texas; and Pauline Brcka of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; parents; twin infant granddaughters; a sister, Emily (Charles) Tlach; and a brother, John (Rose) Jakoubek.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Roger A. Ridder, 1929-2008

December 31, 2008

Roger A. "Lefty" Ridder, age 79, of Klemme, died on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient in Mason City, surrounded by his family.

Services were held on Monday, December 29, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. The Klemme Military Honor Guard provided full military honors. Those wishing to express their sympathies to the family through a memorial in Roger's name may direct them to Roger's family, or to the donor's choice.

Roger was born on September 6, 1929 in Klemme, the son of Levi and Dolores (Koerner) Ridder. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1947. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Roger was stationed in Bad Hersfeld, Germany, where he met his wife, Margot Hesse. Roger was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Roger married Margot in Weiterode, Germany on December 25, 1949. He lived and work in Germany for the next 15 years before he and Margot and their five children moved back to the United States in 1964. Roger worked as a salesman for KLSM Radio in Mason City for a time before he dedicated himself to full-time farming.

Roger lived a conservative lifestyle and abhorred waste. He was a conservationist before it was fashionable. He enjoyed playing pool and Trivial Pursuit with his family and anything that stimulated the brain. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them the value of a nickel.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Margot Ridder of Klemme; five children, Monica (Paul) Kruse, Randy (Patt) Ridder, Sylvia Shell, Gloria (Rik Young) Bittner and Sonja (Ray Schmidt) Ridder; grandchildren, Tanya, Derek (Nicole), Justin, Ryan (Karrie) Shawn, Veronica (Josh), Nickolas, Christopher (Amber), Samantha, Lisa, Trenton, Jacob and Makenzie; and great-grandchildren, Alexis, Madisyn and Ashton; a brother, Dennis and sister, Maralee; close family friend, Darlene Toyne; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his infant sister.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Harold Kothenbeutel, 1917-2008

January 7, 2009

Harold Kothenbeutel, of Sheffield, died on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. He was 91.

Funeral services were held at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, followed by burial with Veteran’s Honors in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, was responsible for the arrangements.

Harold Frederick Kothenbeutel, was born the third child to Frederick William and Ada F. (Wenig) Kothenbeutel on October 23, 1917 near Kanawha. In 1936, he graduated from the Klemme High School. Harold entered the U.S. Army in February 1941 and served in Europe, landing on Omaha Beach and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1945. Harold was united in marriage with Betty Jean Marth on April 5, 1941 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Following the war they returned to Klemme where Harold managed the Phillips 66 station. He also had his own electrical business doing television repair and plumbing and heating repair. In 1960 Harold and Betty moved to Sheffield where he worked at the hardware store and continued doing plumbing, heating and electrical work.

Harold was a member of the United Church of Christ in Klemme and the VFW, Moose Lodge, American Legion, DAV, Eagles, had served as the Scoutmaster in Klemme and was the Legion Commander and fire chief in Klemme. He enjoyed time spent in his garden and hunting and fishing, caning and traveling he also returned to Germany in 1993. He was a loving, caring father who was always there for whatever his children or grandchildren needed. He loved to dance, share a joke or two and had to be busy traveling or repairing something. He made many wooden gifts or his family and friends.

Harold will be greatly missed by his children, Gary L. Kothenbeutel of Forest City, Daryl F. Kothenbeutel of Clear Lake, Merlene K. Sullivan of Sheffield, Beverly J. (Don) Girardot of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Leland (Robin) Kothenbeutel of Bettendorf and Bruce (Pat) Kothenbeutel of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Emma Palmby of Garner and Gladys Barz of Garner; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty in 1982; and grandsons, Scott Sullivan and Dustin Colby.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Doris Claude, 1915-2008

December 31, 2008

Doris Claude, 93, of Garner, died on Friday, December 26, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Iva Doris Claude, the daughter of John and Ivy (Thorne) Gatchel, was born on July 4, 1915 at Britt. She attended school in Britt until her junior year in high school. She then moved with her family to a farm east of Garner. On June 20, 1934, she was married to Albert Claude at her parent's farm. They farmed near Stilson before moving to Garner where they continued farming until retiring in 1974. Doris and Albert were proud to have been selected as Farm Family of the Week by the Garner Leader in 1949. In 1985, they moved in to Garner. In September of 2003, Doris entered Concord Care Center in Garner.

She loved her family and spending time with them. She enjoyed cooking, especially trying new recipes, playing bridge and traveling which included trips to England, Alaska, Washington, D.C. and New York City. The highlight of her trip to New York was seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time. Because she was born on the 4th of July, she was strong in her love for her country, the flag and all patriotic music. Doris was an active member of the United Methodist Church and UMW.

Doris is survived by her daughters, Sharon (David) Coe of Carbon Cliff, Illinois, Judith (Donald) Anderson of Britt and Kathryn (Doug) Siverson of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Lori (Phil) Krambeer of Ventura, Brian (Stacy) Anderson of Waukee, Jodi (Jeff) Brown of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Kari (Delbert) McFarland of Ault, Colorado and Tara Riley of Loveland, Colorado; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, James (Kathryn) Gatchel of Garner; a sister, Emma Lou (Lynn) Stayner of Punta Gorda, Florida; and sisters-in-law, Robertine Gatchel of Garner and Rena Claude of Garner.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; her parents; grandson, Richard Lang; and siblings, Eva (Ed) Kumsher, Johnny (Pearl) Gatchel and Clarence Gatchel.

She was loved and will be missed by many.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008