Chester F. Renner, 1918-2011

February 9, 2011

Chester Frank Renner, 92, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died on Wednesday February 2, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Monday February 7, at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Graveside services will be in the Ell Twp. Cemetery in Klemme. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel of Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements. The family suggests memorials to the C. F. Renner Memorial Fund.

Chester was born on August 23, 1918 in Daykin, Nebraska, the son of Robert S. and Nora Elizabeth (Lindekugel) Renner. He attended country school for three years and graduated from the Daykin High School in the spring of 36. Two years later he moved to Clear Lake, Iowa with his parents to a farm south of Clear Lake. He found a job working for a farmer who also needed a hired girl, so he sent a proposal back to his high school sweet heart, Ina Mae Jarchow. They were married on April 30, 1938.

In 1948, they moved to a farm east of Klemme, Iowa, where they farmed until Ina Mae passed away in 1984. After retirement, Chet moved to Clear Lake. He married Elsie (Theimann) Murray on July 9, 1984.

Chester enjoyed his family very much and rarely missed any events that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated in. He loved all sports. He served on several boards including the elevator, church, extension and the housing development board in Klemme. One of the things he enjoyed most was helping at the Garner Livestock Sale Barn every fall when they would sell 4 to 5 thousand head of cattle from noon until late at night. Chet enjoyed travel, most recently, bus trips to many locations sponsored by Clear Lake Bank and Apple Valley.

Chester leaves to mourn his two sons, William (Julie) Renner of Garner and Thomas (Janelle) Renner of Ventura; son-in-law, Lowell (Jenny) Greimann of Ames; sister, Thelma Doescher of Mason City; four stepchildren, Janet Blasingame of Cedar Rapids, Jerry (Doree) Murray of Port Byron, Illinois, Thomas (Kathy) Murray of Iowa City and Mary Jo (Brian) Hamrick of Springville; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mildred Renner of Thornton; and many friends and his Apple Valley Family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ina Mae, second wife, Elsie; daughter, Jane Greimann; brother, Norval Renner; brother-in-law, Harold Doescher; and step son-in-law, James Blasingame.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

Bertha Brown, 1910-2011

February 16, 2011

Bertha Brown, 100, of Britt, formerly of Garner, died on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at the Summit House Retirement Community in Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 19, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. Sandy Gobeli officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Bertha was a caring and vivacious lady, who celebrated her full life with dignity and dedication to her family, her friends, and her Lord. Born on December 28, 1910 in Perry, Oklahoma, she was raised in Garner, Iowa, by Henry and Myra Henschen, her aunt and uncle. She graduated from the Garner High School in 1929 and, after teaching country school for 4 years, attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City. Bertha always took leading parts in class plays, music and sports. She was valedictorian of her high school class and her class at Hamilton.

She met Leo, her husband of 52 years, while teaching school and they were married on September 3, 1935 in Mason City. They had their only child, Douglas Brown, on June 18, 1941. Bertha worked in Garner and did substitute teaching. In 1950, she began working for Charles Whitney, Supt. of County Schools. Whitney was a wonderful mentor, who helped guide her into her new career, at the Courthouse. In 1952, she became county drainage clerk, "My best job of all, where I met so many nice farmers, who became my close friends". In 1974, she was appointed County Auditor, and in 1976 she won re-election. During her time as Auditor, she supervised the building of a new County Home, new Law Enforcement Center, and all county level elections. During retirement, Bertha kept in touch with the County Supervisors, as secretary to the County Planning and Zoning Board, and the County Assessors. For 3 years she was president of the Hancock County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board, a life time member of the Garner Progressive Club and Order of Eastern Star, holding most offices there. She was also very active in the Garner United Methodist Church.

Bertha's hobbies were playing canasta and 500. She later belonged to three bridge clubs. She loved to host her guests, with all sorts of her favorite baked goodies. She also collected and wrote poems. When her husband died in 1987, she often said, "I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindnesses and all the friendship given me, during his illness and death. What would we do without our dear friends?" To 'have a friend, you must be a friend', and she lived by this motto all of her life. She thrived on doing for others, when she had little time. She just made time. She made many new friends, when she moved to Summit House Apartments in Britt two years ago. She thrived on the social atmosphere, her new friends and the personal attention she received from the wonderful staff. She remained active throughout her later years, going bowling with her family on her 80th birthday.

Not slowing down, she attended a Michigan State football game with her three grandchildren, when she was 90. She lived for life, and many times said, "Oh, I wish I could be active again, and go back to work at the courthouse". She celebrated her 100 years of life last December, with family and friends. She continued to touch the hearts and lives of others, even strangers, in so many ways. She had an amazing zest for life. She said "Please miss me, but now I must go home".

She is survived by her son, Douglas and his wife, Bernetta of Crownsville(Annapolis), Maryland; three grandchildren, Scott and Brandi of Los Angeles, California and Kristin and her husband, David Nowaczyk of Howell, Michigan with their Audrey Diane, Bertha's new great-granddaughter.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; her three sisters in Oklahoma; her first granddaughter, Stacy Elizabeth; and her close sister-in-law, Ruth Brown.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in her name to Iowa-Hospice, 18 E. Main Street Ste 2, New Hampton, IA 50659 or International Retts Syndrome Foundation, PO Box 706143, Cincinnati, OH 45270.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

Eugene J. Wood, 1932-2011

March 2, 2011

Eugene J. Wood, 78, of Garner, died on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

His body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Private family services will be held. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
 
Eugene Jonathon Wood, the son of William Jacob and Ethel Mae (Hammond) Wood, was born on February 24, 1932 at Woden. He graduated from the Woden High School in 1949. Gene served his country in the U.S. Air Force from August 30, 1949 to November 28, 1952, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his honorable discharge he returned home to Woden and worked at Storck Chevrolet in Britt. On August 27, 1953, he married Hazel Zeigler at the Kanawha Methodist Church. They lived in Britt until 1983 when they moved to Garner. Gene spent his entire working career in the automobile business.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and was always interested in wildlife conservation. He also was an avid reader of general history and military literature. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake VFW, Garner American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. Gene was also a former member of the Britt Volunteer Fire Department.

Gene is survived by his wife, Hazel of Garner; three children, Peg Nelson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Steven Wood of Garner and Robert (Tracy) Wood of Marseilles, Illinois; six grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Elizabeth, Alyah, Heather and Caitlyn; three great-grandchildren, Zachary, Jenna and Alex; six sisters, Lois Hanna, Lorraine Naser, Leona Chestnut, Lola Wittmeier, LaDonna (Don) Gigler and Linda (Ken) DeWaard; three brothers, Donald (Ardith) Wood, William A. (Faith) Wood and Larry (Betty) Wood; a brother-in-law, Don Isebrand; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, LaVonne Isebrand; a brother, Richard Wood; brothers-in-law, Alvin Hanna, Gary Wittmeier, Chuck Chestnut and Wayne Naser; an infant niece, Valerie Jo Wood; and a nephew, Gary Naser.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

Harlan Stille, 1928-2011

March 2, 2011

Harlan S. Stille, 82, of Mason City, died on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Grace Evangelical Free Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Scott Davis officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

The Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mason City was in charge of the arrangements. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association in Harlan’s memory.

Harlan S. Stille, was born on a farm west of Klemme, on March 25, 1928, to Quinten and Evalyne (Crothers) Stille. He was one of four children. He was raised in the Klemme area and married Rose Ann Reinig on July 19, 1948 in Garner, Iowa. They had 5 wonderful children. Shortly after they moved to Mason City and he worked for the local power company where he rose from a lineman to District Manager in his 40 years of dedicated service.

Harlan had many passions and fun hobbies including his remote control, electricity, an ability to fix anything, teaching anyone, hunting and fishing.
For the past 22 years he and Rose Ann enjoyed retirement on the shores of Lake Irving, they also enjoyed the many close friends they had there.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rose Ann; children, Glen (Connie) Stille, Bruce (Alice) Stille, Jo Ellen (Roger) Griffin, Stan (Mari) Stille and Patsy Piper; fifteen grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry; a sister, Shirley Garfin; and many nieces and nephews.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011