Arvin L. Larson, 1928-2008
February 6, 2008
Arvin L. Larson, died at his
home in Wesley, on Friday,
February 1, 2008, at the age of
79.
Funeral services were held on
Monday, February 4, at the
Evangelical Free Church in
Wesley. Jason Boomgarden
officiated at the service.
Interment was in the Evergreen
Cemetery in Wesley.
Arvin Lester Larson, was born on
April 28, 1928 at Wesley, to
Lester and Berniece (Byro)
Larson. Arvin attended country
school and graduated from the
Wesley High School in 1946. He
farmed with his father northwest
of Wesley and on August 5, 1950,
was united in marriage to LaVon
Higdon in Britt. Arvin continued
to farm until 1993, when he
retired and they moved to
Wesley.
Arvin’s life centered on his
family, their activities and on
his local community. He was an
active member of the Evangelical
Free Church in Wesley. He was a
loyal supporter of the
Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne
athletics.
He and LaVon enjoyed traveling
and spending a few weeks in the
warmer climates during the cold
Iowa winters. No one was a
stranger to Arvin, he liked
talking to everyone. His real
love was farming and horses and
his favorite seasons were
planting and harvest.
His family includes his wife of
57 years, LaVon of Wesley; five
daughters, Mary Lou (1951-1954),
Barbara Larson of Cedar Rapids,
Diane and Larry Potter of Cedar
Rapids, Danna and Britton
Johnston of Pasadena, California
and Jane and Eep Peuchen of
Assaria, Kansas; son, Craig and
Julie Larson of Wesley; eight
grandchildren, Laura and Travis
Sheely of Amana, Shannon Larson
of Wesley, Len Mitchell of
Swisher, Benjamin (1990),
Elizabeth, Rachel, Jonathon and
Andrew Peuchen of Assaria,
Kansas; seven
step-grandchildren, Tracy and
Lance Ludwig, Stacy and Ben
Smith, Brandi Zittritsch, Cody
Zittritsch and Dillon Moran all
of Wesley and Jamie and Kristie
Potter of Cedar Rapids; one
great-grandchild, Dylan Sheely;
and four
step-great-grandchildren, Brody
Ludwig, Taylor and Treyton
Potter and Mariah Nock.
Being an only child, Arvin
treasured the relationship he
had with LaVon’s parents, Minnie
and Jim Higdon and LaVon’s
brothers and sisters, as well as
with his aunts, uncles and
cousins.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Billy D. Broers, 1931-2008
February 6, 2008
Billy D. Broers, 77, of Mason
City, died on Sunday, February
3, 2008, at the Muse Norris
Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Memorial services will be held
at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at
the First United Methodist
Church, with Rev. Jim Stiles
officiating. A gathering of
family and friends will take
place following the service in
the fellowship hall. Inurnment
will be in the Elmwood-St.
Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may
be given to Hospice of North
Iowa or Mercy Cancer Center.
Billy was born at his home on
the farm South of Mason City on
January 16, 1931, the son of
Emil and Cecil (Walls) Broers.
He attended country school in
Bath Township and graduated from
the Rockwell High School in
1949.
Billy was united in marriage to
Marilyn G. Barber on January 24,
1951 in Mason City. Billy farmed
the family farm for many years
until he retired and moved to
Mason City. Billy and Marilyn
wintered in Arizona for 15
years. They enjoyed spending a
few months in the warmer climate
during the cold Iowa winters.
During the summer months, he
enjoyed having coffee at
McDonalds with the “guys”. Billy
was a member of the First United
Methodist Church and enjoyed
flowers, his friends, and
family.
Billy is survived by his wife of
57 years, Marilyn of Mason City;
daughters, Janell (Brick) Hejlik
of Sheffield, Darla (Gary)
Steenhard of Rockwell and Alesa
(Ron) Sweers of Britt;
grandchildren, Travis (Tracy)
Steenhard of Rockwell, Amie
Steenhard and Randy Crooks of
Rockwell, Angie (Philip) DeVries
of Sheffield, Drew and Matt
Sweers of Britt;
great-grandchildren, Madison,
Morgan and Mariah Steenhard,
Nick and Levi Crooks, Aaron and
Zach DeVries; brother, Emil
(Anita) Broers of Ventura; many
nieces, nephews, and cousins,
aunts, Ruth Smith of Mason City,
Marjorie Walls of Clear Lake,
Lois Fulghum of Clear Lake and
Pauline Walls of Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
Billy was preceded in death by
his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Almira J. Holt, 1919-2008
February 13, 2008
Almira J. Holt, 88, of Story
City, died on Monday, February
4, 2008, at the Mercy Medical
Center in Des Moines.
Funeral services will be held on
Friday, February 8, at 11:00
a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Story City. Burial
will follow in the Story City
Municipal Cemetery. Visitation
will be Thursday, February 7,
from 5-7:00 p.m., at the
Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story
City. Memorials may be directed
to the Immanuel Lutheran Church
or the Homeward Hospice.
Almira J. Holt, was born on
April 29, 1919, to James and
Millie (Danielson) Olson in
Jewell, Iowa. She graduated from
the Jewell High School and
attended Waldorf College where
she sang in the choir. Almira
also sang for weddings and
played the piano.
She married George Lee Holt on
April 25, 1944 in Jewell, Iowa.
They farmed near Slater where
she was a member of the
Bethlehem Lutheran Church,
serving as Sunday School
Superintendent. They then farmed
in the Garner area for many
years. They moved to Story City
in 1989.
Survivors include one son, LeRoy
(Mary) Holt of Firestone,
Colorado; two daughters, Elaine
(Richard) Kolkmann of
Bloomington, Minnesota and Janet
(Norm) Trentmann of Urbandale,
Iowa; one brother, Eugene Olson
of Jewell; one sister, Irene
Billings of Ames; seven
grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Clarence E. Ptacek, 1923-2008
February 13, 2008
Clarence
E. Ptacek, 84, of Garner, died
on Saturday, February 9, 2008,
at the Concord Care Center in
Garner.
Funeral services will be held at
10:00 a.m., on Wednesday,
February 13, at the St. Boniface
Catholic Church in Garner, with
Fr. Henry Huber officiating.
Burial will be in St. John’s
Catholic Cemetery in Duncan.
Visitation will be held from
4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the
Cataldo Funeral Chapel in
Garner, with a Catholic Workman
rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a
Scriptural wake service at 7:00
p.m. Visitation will continue
one hour prior to the services
at the church.
Clarence Edward Ptacek, the son
of Adolph and Mary (Nedved)
Ptacek, was born on October 1,
1923, on a farm south of Duncan.
He attended country school in
Liberty Township until the
seventh grade and then farmed
with his father. On October 4,
1943, he married Verneil Gouge
at the St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church in Wesley. They lived on
a farm south of Duncan until
1953 when they moved to
Estherville, where they owned
and operated the C and V Tavern.
In 1956, they moved to Wesley
and in 1958 to Duncan.
Clarence worked on grain
elevators and for Becker
Construction until 1962 when
they moved to Garner and
Clarence began his construction
business. He later helped his
son, Gerald, build homes in
Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed his
family, grandchildren, playing
cribbage, polka music and
dancing.
He was a member of the St.
Boniface Catholic Church and the
Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch
W51.
Clarence is survived by his
wife, Verneil of Garner; six
children, Joyce (Gary) Meyer of
Garner, Jan (Calvin A.)
Baumgartner of Garner, Karen
(Dennis) Furness of Story City,
Gerald (Deb) Ptacek of Cedar
Rapids, Kris (Bill) Christie of
Garner and Jeff (Debbie) Ptacek
of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 16
grandchildren; 19
great-grandchildren; three
sisters, Sally Weiskamp of
Britt, Marge Schleusner of
Garner and Frances (Allan)
Doughan of Britt; and many
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; a brother, Tony; and
three sisters, Mary Kral,
Blanche Witte and Agnes Kumsher.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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James O. Steward, 1926-2008
February 20, 2008
James
O. Steward, 82, of Garner, died
on Monday, February 11, 2008, at
the Mercy Medical Center–North
Iowa in Mason City.
Funeral services will be held at
10:30 a.m., on Friday, February
15, at the St. Paul Lutheran
Church in Garner, with the Rev.
Dale Glawatz officiating. Burial
will be in the Memorial Park
Cemetery in Mason City. The
Cataldo Funeral Home is in
charge of the arrangements.
James Orville Steward, the son
of Orville and Helena
(Whitesell) Steward, was born on
January 23, 1926 at Iowa Falls.
At the age of 6, he moved with
his family to a farm south of
Garner. Jim graduated from the
Garner High School in 1943.
Following high school he worked
on the family farm and drove
truck for Ed Bock.
On March 8, 1947, he married
Joan R. Walle at Albert Lea,
Minnesota. To this union three
children were born, Michael
James, Lawrence Dean and Carolyn
Ruth. When his father decided to
retire from farming, Jim went to
work for the Garner Police
Department, serving as Chief of
Police for several years. He
then worked for the FEMIC
Insurance Company as a claims
adjuster.
On November 29, 1974, he married
Bonnie L. Modderman at the Zion
Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
They lived in Clear Lake until
moving to Garner in 1975. They
built, owned and operated the
Black Velvet Inn in Garner for
four years. Jim then worked for
Iowa Mold Tooling, starting the
security program and managing
the yard work. He retired in
1991.
He was a member of the St. Paul
Lutheran Church in Garner.
Jim is survived by his wife,
Bonnie of Garner; three
children, Michael (Linda)
Steward of Cornville, Arizona,
Larry (Kathy) Steward of
Missouri City, Texas and Carolyn
Steward of Henderson, Nevada;
step-children, Pam (John) Van
Gerpen of Garner, Jane (Pat)
Greiman of Manteca, California
and Amy Modderman of Pahrump,
Nevada; grandchildren, Jodi,
Megan and Ryan Steward in
Arizona and Jonathan and Patrick
Steward in Texas;
step-grandchildren, Heather Ann
(Matthew) Curtis of Clear Lake,
Diena Ann (Daren) Mennenga of
Belmond and Jamie Greiman of
Manteca, California;
step-great-grandchildren, Aspen
Curtis, Tyler Curtis, Tristan
Mennenga and Ty Mennenga; and
close family friend, Diann
Musial of Pahrump, Nevada.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; an infant sister;
step-son, Jeffery Modderman; a
son-in-law, Bill Schnitkey;
grandson, Michael Steward; and
step-grandson, Joshua Greiman.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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George E. Woelke, 1937-2008
February 20, 2008
George E. Woelke, 71, of Colona,
Illinois, died on Tuesday,
February 12, 2008, at the
Trinity Pathway Hospice at
Terrace Park, Bettendorf, Iowa.
Funeral services were held at
2:30 p.m., on Saturday, February
16, at the Colona United
Methodist Church. Graveside
services were at 1:00 p.m., on
Monday, February 18, in the
Riverside Cemetery, Riceville,
Iowa. Visitation was from 4-7:00
p.m., at the Trimble Funeral and
Cremation Center, Moline.
Memorials may be made to the
Green River United Methodist
Church, Colona, or Alternatives
for the Older Adult.
George Emmett Woelke, was born
on January 28, 1937 in Beatrice,
Nebraska, the son of George E.
and Evelyn (Hueske) Woelke. He
served in the U.S. Army. He
married Marilyn Elwood on August
14, 1966 in Nashua, Iowa. George
was an aviation inspector and
airplane mechanic for the
Elliott Flying Service, Moline,
for 20 years. He previously
worked at airports in Mason City
and Garner, Iowa, and was
co-owner of the Forest City
Aviation, Forest City, Iowa.
He was a member of the Green
River United Methodist Church
and charter President of the
Lions Breakfast Club in Forest
City. He loved the outdoors and
fishing, and enjoyed woodworking
and puttering with boats, cars,
and engines. He had been
involved in aviation for over 50
years.
George is survived by his wife,
Marilyn; two sons and
daughters-in-law, Ged and Wendy
Woelke of Bend, Oregon and
Garrin and Jennifer Woelke of
Colona; two grandsons, Gavin and
Fisher Woelke; and a favorite
uncle, Kenneth Hueske of
Milford, Nebraska.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Marvin L Reese, 1931-2008
February 20, 2008
MILLER-Marvin Luverne Reese, 76,
of Miller, died on Wednesday,
February 13, 2008, at the
Concord Care Center in Garner,
Iowa.
Memorial services will be held
on Saturday, February 16, at
1:30 p.m., at the Faith Lutheran
Church in Miller, with Lay
Pastor Rose Visser officiating.
Visitation will be an hour prior
to the services at the church.
Inurnment will be in the spring
in the Madison Township Cemetery
in rural Forest City. The
Petersen Lund Funeral Home,
Forest City, is in charge of the
arrangements.
Marvin Luverne Reese, was born
at home in Crystal Lake, Iowa,
on August 11, 1931, the son of
Elmer and Emily (Cunningham)
Reese. He graduated from the
Forest City High School in 1951
and served in the United States
Air Force.
He farmed with his father and
brother, worked at Goldy’s Mobil
Station, the Forester Trailer
company and then for Winnebago
Industries.
After he retired from Winnebago,
he was very involved in
Pheasants Forever, especially
the tree projects. Marvin
enjoyed woodworking and built
many pieces of furniture. For
several years he served as
Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop
19 in Garner. He loved to visit
with his friends over coffee.
Marvin enjoyed his family,
gardening and taking many trips
to the "cabin" in Longville,
Minnesota. He went there every
chance he got and had many fish
tales to tell about. He was a
member of the Faith Lutheran
Church in Miller.
He is survived by his wife, Gail
Reese of Miller; his children,
David (Kandy) Hinrichs of York,
Pennsylvania, Irving (Carol)
Reese of Charles City, Dale
Reese of Mason City, Joann
Miller of Chelan, Washington,
Pamela Osborne of Harcourt and
John (Dimple) Reese of
Gigharbor, Washington; 19
grandchildren; and 21
great-grandchildren; brother,
Duane (Verna) Reese of Forest
City; sister, Glennice (Ronald)
Trail of Des Moines; and many
in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Marvin was preceded in death by
his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Vincent Kopacek, 1911-2008
February 20, 2008
Vincent Joseph Kopacek, 96, of
Britt, died on Thursday,
February 14, 2008, at the Mercy
Medical Center-North Iowa in
Mason City.
Funeral services were held on
Monday, Februay 18, at the St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church in
Britt, with the Rev. Brian
Dellaert and the Rev. Jerry
Kopacek officiating. Burial was
in the St. John’s Catholic
Cemetery in Duncan. The Ewing
Funeral Chapel, Britt, was in
charge of the arrangements.
Vincent, the son of Frank and
Elizabeth Kudej Kopacek, was
born on April 10, 1911, on the
family farm near Britt. He
attended country school in
Liberty Township and helped on
the family farm.
On January 31, 1933, Vincent was
united in marriage with Rose
Cecilia Rayhons at the St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Church in
Duncan. Following their
marriage, they rented the Kudej
farm west of Duncan. In 1939,
they purchased a farm in Erin
Township where they built a new
home and raised their family.
In 1975, they moved into Britt.
In their retirement Rose and
Vince spent time helping on the
farm, traveling and visiting
their children.
Vince loved bowling and playing
cards, especially his numerous
games of 65 with Jim Ryburn,
Clarence Seebeck, other friends
and family, and 500 with the
Senior Citizens. Vince had a
great love for horses and had
never missed a Britt Draft Horse
Show in 26 years. He loved
playing golf, which he didn’t
begin playing until age 65, his
Minnesota Twins, ice cream and
Rose’s cooking and baking.
Vince was a member of the St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church and
the Catholic Workmen. He was
active in the community and for
many years served as director of
the country school in Erin
Township, which was on the
corner of their farm. He was on
the board of directors of the
First State Bank of Britt for
several years and also the Britt
Farmers Coop Board.
Vincent is survived by eight
children, Doris Hempe of Britt,
Shirley (Dr. Thomas) Carson of
Camarillo, California, Donald
(Kay) Kopacek of Britt, Roger
(Mary) Kopacek of Britt,
Vincent, Jr. (Janice) Kopacek of
Ankeny, Carl Kopacek of
Portland, Oregon, Ted (Cindy)
Kopacek of Maple Grove,
Minnesota and Vicki (Tom) Bueker
of Bettendorf; 27 grandchildren;
28 great-grandchildren; two
sisters, Vivian Formanek of
Britt and Marie Brcka of Britt;
and numerous nieces and nephews,
other family members and
friends.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; wife, Rose on April 19,
2006; granddaughter, Liz Ann
Hempe; grandson, Jeff Kopacek;
two great-grandsons, Tate and
McCoy Nedved; brothers, Arnold
and Francis; and sisters, Helen
and Evelyn at young ages;
brother, Raymond; and sisters,
Mildred Wellik, Lillian Chizek,
Agnes Rayhons and Blanche Paca.
He will be missed by all who
knew and loved him.
Donations can be made to these
funds, which Vince supported,
the Britt Swimming Pool, Britt
Hobo Museum and the St.
Patrick's Roof Fund.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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Verneil M. Ptacek, 1924-2008
March 5, 2008
Verneil
M. Ptacek, 83, of Garner, joined
her beloved husband, Clarence on
Tuesday, February 26, 2008. She
died at the Hancock County
Memorial Hospital in Britt.
Funeral services were held on
Saturday, March 1, at the St.
Boniface Catholic Church in
Garner, 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.
Verneil Marie Gouge, the
daughter of Alonzo and Josephine
(Spangler) Gouge, was born on
September 16, 1924, on a farm
west of Wesley. She graduated
from the Wesley High School in
1942. On October 4, 1943, she
was married to Clarence Ptacek
at the St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church in Wesley. They made
their home on a farm south of
Duncan until 1953, when they
moved to Estherville where they
owned and operated the C and V
Tavern.
In 1956, they moved to Wesley
and in 1958 to Duncan. In 1962
they moved to their present home
in Garner. Besides being a
homemaker and raising their six
children, Verneil also worked
for a time at the Garner Bakery
and was a cook at various
restaurants in Garner.
Verneil loved spending time with
her family and grandchildren.
She enjoyed dancing, cooking,
embroidering, baking kolaches
and homemade bread, working on
jigsaw puzzles and completing
word find books.
She was a member of the St.
Boniface Catholic Church and the
Rosary Society.
Verneil is survived by her six
children, Joyce (Gary) Meyer of
Garner, Jan (Calvin A.)
Baumgartner of Garner, Karen
(Dennis) Furness of Story City,
Gerald (Deb) Ptacek of Cedar
Rapids, Kris (Bill) Christie of
Garner and Jeff (Debbie) Ptacek
of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 16
grandchildren; 19
great-grandchildren; and many
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Clarence on February 9,
2008; her parents; and a sister,
Marjorie Becker.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008
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