Evelyn Rensink
April 6, 1915-December 1, 2011

Evelyn (Krutsinger) Rensink, 96, of Mason City, died on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, December 5, at the First Covenant Church, with the Pastor Philip Stenberg officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 4, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Evelyn (Krutsinger) Rensink memorial fund in care of the family.  

Evelyn Larsen, was born on April 6, 1915 in Alexander, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Amanda “Star” (Seeger) Larsen. She graduated from the Alexander High School in 1932. She married Charles Howard Krutsinger in 1935, they later divorced in 1957. She worked several places through the years and retired from Damon’s Department Store. She married Roy Rensink in 1969. While married to Roy she enjoyed spending the winters in Texas for 20 years. Evelyn loved spending Sundays with her family and enjoyed playing card games with them. She enjoyed quilting and painting artwork, many times giving them to her family to enjoy. She was a member of the First Covenant Church in Mason City. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her daughter, Alberta Loveless of Mason City; sons, Richard Krutsinger and wife, Harriet of Clear Lake, Gail Krutsinger of Mason City and Don Krutsinger of St. Paul, Minnesota; step-daughter, Julie Goodling and husband, Al of Mason City; daughter-in-law, Shirley Krutsinger of Mason City; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Viola Passehl of Latimer; and sister-in-law, Gertrude Larsen of Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Howard Krutsinger in 1967 and Roy Rensink in 2002; son, Ronald Krutsinger in 2009; one brother; two sisters; grandson, Michael Krutsinger; granddaughter, Diane Wyant; and step-daughter, Mary Rensink.
www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
© Major Erickson Funeral Home 2011

LeRoy Aaron Ziesmer
July 22, 1929 - December 2, 2011

LeRoy A. Ziesmer, 82, of Clear Lake, died on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Apache Junction, Arizona.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 10, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, December 9, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to the Leroy A. Ziesmer Memorial Fund.

LeRoy Aaron was born on July 22, 1929, on their family farm near Ventura, Iowa, the son of Henry Carl and Mathilda (Bahr) Ziesmer. Leroy was baptized and confirmed at the St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Garner. He graduated from the Ventura High School in 1945. His “first” job was selling pickles for Presley Griggs. He worked for the Bierman Grocery Store and Field Grocery Store, both in Ventura. He also worked on the family farm. LeRoy married Kathleen Fay “Pat” Parker on April 16, 1950 in Mason City. They lived on a farm west of Ventura where he farmed and then he managed the Farmers Coop, retiring in 1995.

LeRoy loved family get together and vacations with the grandchildren; including fishing trips, camping trips, cruises and Sunday drives. He enjoyed trading show pigeons. Retirement allowed them to spend many winters in Arizona. He was a member of the Ventura School Board, Community State Bank Board, Clear Lake Sanitary District Board, Ventura Cemetery Board and was a former Ventura Fire Dept. volunteer. He was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Pat Ziesmer of Clear Lake; five children, Jody (Michael) O’Donnell of Pocatello, Idaho, Jane (Douglas) Beach of Kansas City, Missouri, David (Becky) Ziesmer of rural Garner, Jana Niemeyer and her fiancé, Jim Kern of Blue Springs, Missouri and Andrew (Jean) Ziesmer; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Smith, Aaron Hollingshead, Austin (Jamie) Hollingshead, Alison Ziesmer, Derek Ziesmer, Ian Niemeyer, Parker Niemeyer, Pierce Niemeyer, Zachary Ziesmer, Amanda Ziesmer and Olivia Ziesmer; three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Iva and Matilda Smith; brother-in-law, David (Bonnie) Parker; and sister-in-law, Marcia Boyd; and numerous nieces and nephews.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Rueben Ziesmer.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements. www.colonialchapel.com
© Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 2011

Barry Priebe
December 17, 1954 - December 5, 2011

Barry Arthur Priebe, died on Monday morning, December 5, 2011, at Garner, Iowa, at the age of 56.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 9, at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona with Walter Reemtsma officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.- Noon Friday, at the funeral home in Algona.

Barry was born on December 17, 1954 at Estherville, Iowa, to Dennis and Patsy (Marlow) Priebe. Barry graduated from the Sentral High School in 1973 and married Carol Johnson on May 29, 1976, at Fairville, Iowa. The couple soon moved to Britt and lived there until moving to Stilson, Iowa, in 1980. Barry worked for 25 years at Armour in Britt, then for Kiefer Built and currently for Stellar Industries in Garner.

Barry was an avid fan of the World Champion Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, collecting coins and studying history and geography. His greatest enjoyments were playing golf and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Carol of Stilson; son, Bristol Priebe and fiancée, Carmen of Norman, Oklahoma; daughter, Kristen and husband, Tim Hinders of Waterloo; mother, Patsy and her husband, Paul Vaughan of Canyon Lake, California; sister, Kelly Permann of Apple Valley, Minnesota; brothers, Carey Priebe and wife, Teri of King George, Virginia and Christopher Priebe and wife, Kim of San Diego, California; uncles, Rodney Priebe and family and Joel Priebe and family; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Barry was preceded in death by his father, Dennis; grandparents; and nephew, Jesse.
© Oakcrest Funeral Services 2011

Mark L. Schwem
October 16, 1955 - December 7, 2011

Mark L. Schwem, 56, of Garner, died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 10, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with Pastor Ed Bard, Hospice Chaplain officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel and will continue one hour prior to the services.

Mark Loraine Schwem, the son of Loraine and Elnora (Neimeyer) Schwem, was born on October 16, 1955 in Sumner. He was raised on a farm north of Tripoli and attended school at Tripoli. As a young man he worked for farmers in the area baling hay. Mark also worked for Stubmeyer's at the sawmill and Jack Snyder's sale barn. On December 4, 1976, he married Nancy Green of Cedar Falls. Together they had three children. They lived in Sheffield where he worked for Eno Farms. Mark was a hard worker and a wonderful provider. In 1986, they moved to Wisconsin to milk cows with his brother, Steven. They later returned to Sheffield working for Eno Farms and the Sheffield elevator. Mark and Nancy later divorced. In 1993, Mark was reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Connie Bauer of Garner. They made their home northwest of Ventura. Mark was employed at Curries in Mason City until April of 2011 when health issues caused him to retire. Mark also hobby farmed raising cows, turkeys, chickens, geese and cats. He enjoyed cat fishing, hunting, trapping, westerns, music from the hippy era and his coon hounds, chocolate and babies.

Mark is survived by the love of his life, Connie Bauer of Garner; a litter of children, Jill Schwem (Kevin Becker) of Garner, Kelly Schwem of Forest City, Brian Schwem of Cedar Falls, Tom Smith (Crystal Pischel) of Mason City, Amy Ulven (Clint Gouge) of Garner and Jake Wolf of Algona; a flock of grandchildren, Alex, Angelle, Lakell, Keyaira, Xander, Morgan, Chase, Mattilynn, Zoey, Lucca, Cierra, Amanda and one on the way; brothers, Romaine Schwem of Waterloo, Jerry (Lucy) Schwem of Gays Mills, Wisconsin and Steven Schwem of Viroqua, Wisconsin; sisters, Merna Costa of Waterloo and Marlene (Steve) Knapp of Westgate; mother-in-law, Lois Bauer of Garner; sisters and brothers-in-law, Julie Pigman of Crystal Lake, Hal (Cindy) Bauer of Kanawha, Janelle Smith (Lee White) of Garner, Dallas Bauer of Garner, Dean Bauer of Forest City and Mark Bauer of Garner; his former wife, Nancy Schwem of Mason City; former mother-in-law, Marilyn Green of Janesville; former brother-in-law, Mike (Jackie) Green of Cedar Falls; and a herd of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Schwem; sister, Margaret Delong; sister-in-law, Shirley Schwem; father-in-law, Keith Green; brother-in-law, Duane Pigman; and his faithful dog, Dusty.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Robert L. McCormick
May 27, 1924 - December 8, 2011

Robert L. McCormick, 87, of Garner, died on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 14, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with Rev. Roger Kallem officiating. Inurnment will be in the spring in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral chapel.

Robert Lewis McCormick, the son of Michael and Florence (Jones) McCormick, was born on May 27, 1924 at Garner. He graduated from the Garner High School in 1942. Bob immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in San Diego, California and Jacksonville, Florida, where he became a radio and radar technician and member of VMF 112 Wolf Pack. He then went to the Philippines and China. Bob was also a backup gunner. He is, was and will always be, a PROUD MARINE! As the slogan says, "Once a Marine, always a Marine". He was honorably discharged in May of 1946 with a rank of sergeant. In October of 1947 he married Beverly Molander.

Bob was a meat-cutter by trade and was very proud of how he could cut steaks to an exact weight. He began as a meat man by working for Don Roe and C.J. Schneider. He then was a manager of a store in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and St. Paul, Minnesota. Bob started to do special cuts for hotels and restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Anyone who knew him always got a verbal lesson on how to cut meat. He enjoyed listening to talking books and "watching" TV and older movies.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Garner; children, Roxanne Bauler of St. Paul, Minnesota and Tim (Cheryl) McCormick of Newborn, Georgia; grandchildren, Jeff, Jessica and Christine Bauler and Jennifer McCormick Harrelson; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Hunter Bauler and Caden Harrelson; sisters-in-law, Jackie Molander of Yuma, Arizona and Minnetta Loebig of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, Royal (Clare) Molander of Garner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eileen Malek; brothers-in-law, Ed Malek, Don and Bud Molander and Mike Loebig; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concerns for Bob over the past twenty years and also to the wonderful doctors, Levinson and Sarik for their excellent care and other organizations that helped him so much.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Marian P. Gouge
November 10, 1927 - December 8, 2011

Marian P. Gouge, 84, of Garner, died on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at her home in Garner.

Private family funeral services will be held on Monday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. A luncheon for friends and family will commence at 12:00 noon, on Monday, at Mat's Place in Garner with parking encouraged along the north side of the building. Visitation will be held from 3-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the local food bank, God's Pantry, located at the United Methodist Church in Garner.

Marian Pauline Gouge, the daughter of Peter and Beatrice (Miller) Haag, was born on November 10, 1927 at Whittemore. She attended rural school and graduated from the Presentation Academy in Whittemore in 1945. Marian overcame a lot of adversity early in her life after the death of her mother and younger brother in 1937. She worked on the farm and assisted in the care of her brothers and sister. At the age of 17, she contracted polio and spent several months in Iowa City. Even at a young age she still thought of others. A well known and favorite story she shared with her family was spending Christmas at Iowa City Hospitals, there were many children there at the time, and no Christmas tree. Late one night she crawled out of a window with a confiscated knife from the kitchen and cut down an evergreen tree from the font of the hospital. After dragging the tree back into the hospital, she helped the children decorate it with popcorn strings and construction paper chains. She figured the nurses knew who had cut down the tree but they never said anything.

She missed much of her senior year, recovering from polio. After returning home, she was able to live with the nuns while completing her studies and graduated on time with her class. While in school she enjoyed math, history and participated in cheerleading. On February 10, 1949, she was married to Merle J. Gouge at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore. A short time later, they moved to Garner where they raised their nine children. Marian did work outside the home but truly devoted her life to her family. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, painting ceramics, remodeling projects, gardening and most of all visiting with her family.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Merle of Garner; nine children, John (Violet) Gouge of Garner, Peter (Joan) Gouge of Garner, Rebeccah Linahon of Redmond, Oregon, Michael (Judy) Gouge of Britt, Julian Pigman of Crystal Lake, Steve (Mary) Gouge of Garner, Laura (Ted) Salz of Garner, Lois Ziron of Garner and David Gouge of Garner; twenty-seven grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; brothers, William (Ernestine) Haag and Harold (Judy) Haag; sister, Adele (Lowell) Shimmon; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Haag; parents-in-law, David and Alice Gouge; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Pauline Gouge, David, Jr. and Alice Gouge, Kathryn Brass, Betty and Albert, Jr. Mefford, Bill and Helen Gouge, Robert Gouge, Richard Gouge and Loren Dean Gouge; and sons-in-law, Duane Pigman and Timothy Wurtzel.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Leta M. Davis
May 26, 1924 - December 9, 2011

Leta Mae Davis, 87, of Garner, died on Friday, December 9, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 13, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with Rev. Dale Glawatz officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Leta Mae Davis, the daughter of Harm and Wilhelmine (Senne) Harringa, was born on May 26, 1924 at Titonka. She attended school at Titonka Consolidated and graduated from 8th grade in 1939. She received her GED and worked at Deckers in Mason City. On April 10, 1946, she was married to Howard Davis at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Titonka. They farmed in the Wesley area and near Waterville, Minnesota. They then moved to Britt and in 1954 to Garner. Lee worked at Winnebago and the Garner Bakery. After Howard passed she volunteered for Hospice.

She enjoyed her family, friends, quilting, craft club, square dancing, bowling, camping, hosting Bible study and family events. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, LWML and the Garner VFW Auxiliary.

Leta is survived by her son, Jim (Denise) Davis of Clear Lake; daughters, Sherry (Daniel) Short of North Branch, Minnesota, Jeanne Meyer and Stepheni (TJ) Salz of Garner; grandchildren, Kelly (Doug) Pedersen of Garner, Ian, Andrew and Hannah Davis, Drew (Kate) and Chelsea Short, Sophie Salz; siblings, Harold Harringa of San Diego, California, Eugene (Aurelia) Harringa of Cedar Falls, Ileane (Bob) Ladd of Neillsville, Wisconsin, Lorraine Seifken of Iowa Falls, Marcella Mahan of Palmdale, California and Berniece Peebles of Klemme; and a sister-in-law, Doris Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard on August 30, 1990; brothers, Dick and John Harringa; sisters, Martha Schwartz and Louise DeVries; and brothers-in-law, Bob Davis, Bob Peebles and Don Seifken.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Anna K. Tlach
July 23, 1921 - December 10, 2011

Anna K. Tlach, 90, of Britt, died on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, December 16, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Fr. Paul Lippstock officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt, with a combined Rosary Society, CD of A and Catholic Workman Rosary at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be given to the St Mary's Senior Outreach Program Coordinator, Sister Carol Tlach Waltsenburg, Colorado in memory of Anna.

Anna Kathryn Tlach, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Hrubes) Stupka, was born on July 23, 1921, on a farm north of Garner. She graduated from the Hayfield Consolidated School in 1938. After graduation, Anna was a clerk at Allard's Variety Store in Garner and helped take care of her younger brothers and sisters. On June 18, 1941, she was married to William "Bill" Tlach at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They farmed in the Britt area until retiring in 1985. Anna loved being a farmer's wife and homemaker. She always had a garden and canned vegetables. In December of 2001, Anna and Bill moved into Britt.

She enjoyed reading, writing poetry and books in general. Another hobby was making bread, angel food cakes and her famous potato salad for family and friends. The family was her main source of joy. She was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Britt Court of Catholic Daughters of America, past president of the Mason City Deanery for Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women, Catholic Workman FCSLA w51, Garfield Hobby Club and Birthday Club.

Anna is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Art) Linden of Golden Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jessica Linden, Amanda Linden, Jacque Weiland, Doug Weiland, Brenda (Lee) Whitaker; great-grandson, Nicolas William Whitaker; a brother, Clarence (Marlene) Stupka of Ankeny; and nieces, nephews, farm family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill on July 6, 2007; two daughters, Betty (Darryl) Sparks and Patricia (Merlyn) Helps; sisters, Dorothy Bosch, Agnes Formanek and Mildred Schaefer; and brothers, Raymond, Lewis and Harold Stupka.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Pearl L. Smith
September 28, 1920 - December 12, 2011

Pearl Lillian Smith, 91, of Woden, died on Monday, December 12, 2011, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 17, at the United Methodist Church in Buffalo Center, with Rev. Deb Devine officiating. Burial will be in the Bingham Township Cemetery in Woden. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Woden and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Pearl Lillian Smith, the daughter of Carl and Sena (Sabin) Tollagson, was born on September 28, 1920, on a farm near Buffalo Center. She attended rural school and graduated from the Buffalo Center High School in 1938. On April 1, 1938, she was married to Elmer Smith in Forest City. They lived in Woden all of their married life except when Elmer was in the service. Pearl was employed at the post office in Woden as Post Master for fourteen years and then as a rural route carrier for sixteen years, retiring in 1979. She was instrumental in helping build the Woden Post Office in 1960.

In their retirement Pearl and Smitty spent their winters in Texas for many years. Pearl enjoyed card playing, visiting with friends and baking. She was a member of the Buffalo Center United Methodist Church, was a former member of the United Methodist Church in Woden and belonged to the Woden American Legion Auxiliary.

Pearl is survived by nephews, Dennis (Joanne) Lunning of Woden, Wayne (Jeanne) Tollagson of Crystal Lake and David (Ila) Tollagson of Kiester, Minnesota; and nieces, Cheryl Hayes of Clarissa, Minnesota, Sharon Vrieze of Moore, South Carolina and Phyllis Hauen of Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer on January 16, 2003; a sister, Edna Lunning; and six brothers, Clarence, Elmer, Joseph, Melvin, Clifford and Leonard Tollagson.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Esther Greimann Schuettpelz Fillmore

January 18, 2012

Esther Greimann Schuettpelz Fillmore, 98, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at the Bickford Cottage, Marion.

Services at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, December 21, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion, with private burial services following.

Esther was born on September 19, 1913, on a farm near Garner, to William and Betty Greimann, the middle child in a family of five boys and three girls. She attended Iowa State Teachers College and at the age of 17 began her teaching career in a one room school house in Hancock County. She married Earl Schuettpelz in Taylor Falls, Minnesota on October 21, 1939. They moved to Marion and she continued teaching and then began her 20 year career as secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Marion.

Earl passed away on August 30, 1981. She married John Fillmore on January 7, 1987. John passed away January 24, 1995.

Esther is survived by three children, Donald (Patricia) Schuettpelz of Solon, Diane (Terry) Conklin of Alpharetta, Georgia and Carl (Dawn) Schuettpelz of Ft. Meyers, Florida; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one brother, Earl Greimann of Golden, Colorado; one sister, Gladys Alden of Garner.
©The Garner Leader 2012

Alice Meister

December 28, 2011

Alice Meister, died on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at the age of 95 years, 2 months and 25 days, at the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 26, at the Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Rev. Timothy Johnson officiated at the service. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manning.

Alice Ann, daughter of Frank T. and Stella (Rayhons) Lapitz, was born on September 25, 1916 in Duncan. She attended the Garner High School and graduated in 1934. Alice then remained at home to help care for her mother. She enrolled at Drake University and then graduated from the University of Iowa in 1946, with a B.S. Degree in Commerce. Alice became a teacher and taught in Oskaloosa, Lake View, Mt. Carmel, Pilot Mound, Breda and Moline, Illinois. On June 13, 1949, Alice married William Meister Jr. in Wall Lake. Together they lived on a farm near Wall Lake until they moved to Carroll in 1976. In 1979, Alice moved to Manning.

Alice was a member of the Legion of Mary and the Ladies Guilds of the parishes she attended. Alice studied music and loved listening to and playing classical music. She also enjoyed flowers, embroidery, cooking, baking, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and bird watching. Alice spent a significant amount of time with family in Arizona until she became a resident of the Manning Plaza in 2005. In 2007, she moved to the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

She is survived by her children, Billy Meister of Manning, Kathryn and husband, Dr. Peter Nash of Phoenix, Arizona and Constance Meister of Sacramento, California; granddaughter, Shannon Meister of Council Bluffs; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters, James Lapitz, Frank Lapitz, William Lapitz and Margaret Lapitz.

The Ohde Twit Funeral Home, Carroll, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader 2011

Vivian M. Anderson
December 21, 1919 - December 25, 2011

Vivian Mildred Anderson, 92, of Clear Lake, died on Sunday, December 25, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, December 28, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Rose Visser, lay pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Vivian M. Anderson, the daughter of Theodore and Ruth (Luscomb) Back, was born on December 21, 1919, on a farm near Clear Lake. She attended the Grant Center rural school and the Fertile High School. On March 10, 1937, she was married to Earl K. Anderson at her parent's home near Clear Lake. Vivian was baptized and confirmed at the Ellington Prairie Church in 1938. Earl and Vivian farmed northwest of Ventura for thirty-eight years until retiring and moving into Ventura in 1975. Earl passed away in 1993. In 2001, Vivian moved to Clear Lake. She enjoyed attending Bible study.

She was a 4-H Leader for the Ellington Township Girls Club, a Sunday School teacher and an active member of the Ellington Prairie Church and later Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

Vivian is survived by her four children, Fran (Gary) Huling of Hampton, Sharon (Bob) Fischer of Hondo, Texas, Marge (Jim) Brasel of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Jerry (Joanie) Anderson of Clear Lake; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Anderson and Carrie Greiman of Garner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl on February 11, 1993; and granddaughter, Connie Huling.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Kathleen “Kay” Pistek
September 24, 1928 - December 29, 2011

Kathleen “Kay” Pistek, 83, of Britt, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, with friends and family in prayer.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, January 2, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt, with Rev. Dennis Miller and Monsignor John Hemann officiating. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 1, from 3-5:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt. A combined Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Catholic Workmen rosary will be said at 3:00 p.m. A scriptural wake service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Kay Chizek, was born on September 24, 1928, at the family home in Britt, to Joseph and Ella (Buckley) Chizek. Kay graduated from the Britt High School in 1946 and received her teaching certificate at the college in Cedar Falls. Kay taught at the Garfield Township School. On August 25, 1949, she married Leonard Pistek and quit teaching to raise a family. Leonard and Kay lived on the family farm during their married life. Kay worked at the Britt Nursing Home and cared for both of her husband’s parents in their home. Kay was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. 

She enjoyed fishing with grandpa, teaching her grandchildren card games (500), doing the crosswords with her sisters, baking kolaches and was faithful to daily prayer. Kay was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Court of St. Catherine of Siena #284 CDA, Rosary Guild, Catholic Workman and the Legion Auxiliary.

Those surviving Kay are her loving husband, Leonard of Britt; her children, Francis (Elaine) Pistek of Garner, Mary (Dennis) Hutchinson of Charles City, Carol (Dave) Moline of Waterloo, Leonard (Cindy) Pistek of Britt, Barbara (Bill) Swift of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Joseph (Kim) Pistek of Albia, Teresa (Todd) Decker of Algona, Patricia (Paul) Birkey of Maplewood, Minnesota and Paul (Julie) Pistek of Plymouth; 37 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sisters, Irene Hiscocks, Rita Stevenson, Veronica (Bill) Lawlor and Margie (Steve) Jano; sister-in-law, Dorothy Chizek; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. 

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ella Chizek; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Barbara Pistek; brother, Virgil Chizek; her sister, Rosella Daniels; brothers-in-law, John Stevenson, Bill Hiscocks, Lester Daniels; a grandson-in-law, Scott Koppes; and an infant grandson.
© Ewing Funeral Home 2011

Delores "Toodie" Jane Arhart

January 11, 2012

Delores "Toodie" Jane Arhart, 77, died on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at the Good Shepherd in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City. Pastor Keith Scott officiated at the service. The interment was in the West Side Cemetery in Marble Rock.

Those wishing to express their sympathy through a memorial can be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Delores's name or may direct them to the family. The family will distribute the memorial funds to charities that benefited Delores.

Delores "Toodie" Arhart, was born in Bristow, Iowa on March 21, 1934, to Henry and Velma (Bohnoff) Krull. She was one of six children; Edward, Marjorie, Harry, Lyle and Sam. She spent the first years of her educational life going to country schools and later attended and graduated from the Marble Rock High School. In 1956, Delores married the love of her life, Robert Arhart and this union was blessed with four children, Randy, Janine, Kim and Rick. Aside from caring for her family as a full-time homemaker, she spent her time cooking, working at various places including Younker's, JC Penney's and Cub Foods. She also worked many years at the Tom Thumb Deli in the Twin Cities. There she acquired the nickname of Julia Child for her delectable dishes. She was promoted to their main downtown store until the couple returned to Garner, where she resided for her retirement.

Delores had a passion for gardening. She had many plants and flowers with all kinds of foliage. She truly had a green thumb. She enjoyed decorating their retirement home along with collecting hand-crafted birds, china tea sets and porcelain dolls. Delores was extremely shy in her younger years, but as the years went by she blossomed, just like her many gardens, into a social loving person, who foremost loved her husband Robert, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with countless friends. Delores loved to be around her family and couldn't wait to host their next gathering.

Delores' love and memories will live on in the hearts of her husband, Robert Arhart of Garner; son, Randy (Jane) Arhart of Austin, Minnesota and their children, Ryan (Kelsey), Lindsay and Ashley; daughter, Janine (Brian) Hammarstedt of Mason City and their children, Michele (Dan) Werts and their baby due in February 2012, Matt Hammarstedt and Amanda (Nick) Steege and their children, Noah and Tayden; daughter, Kim (Kevin) Smith of Belmond and their sons, Kody and Kyle; son, Rick (Tammy) Arhart of Rochester, Minnesota and their daughters, Abigail and Alexandria; her beloved brother, Lyle Krull and sister, Sam (Earl) Usher; along with various other beloved relatives.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Velma Krull; brothers, Edward and Harry and sister, Marjorie.

The Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader 2012