Leo George Formanek
July 28, 1935-January 11, 2011

Memorial services for Leo G. Formanek, 75, of Clear Lake, who died on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City, will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 15, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Rev. Dennis W. Miller, as celebrant. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Private inurnment will take place at a later date this spring. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Leo George Formanek, the son of Frank Cyril and Rose Marie (Schoun) Formanek was born on July 28, 1935 at Mason City. He received his education at Garfield Township Country School and the Garner High School, graduating in 1955. Leo served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. On June 12, 1961, he married Mary Pat Tarr at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They made their home in Duncan until 1991, when they moved into Garner. Leo had farmed, worked for Zrostlik Tire Service, Glen's Auto Sales, Ollenburg Motors and Pritchard Auto Company. On July 23, 1999, he married Eddie Lee VerSteeg Peterson at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner.

He enjoyed auto detailing, card playing, gardening and playing the German accordion. He was member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Catholic Workman's Lodge #51.

He is survived by his wife, Edwina Formanek of Clear Lake; three sons, Randy Formanek (Chris) of Garner and their two children, Ashley and Chelsey; Steve Formanek of Garner and his two children, Kortney and Rachel; and Rick Formanek (Renae) of Clear Lake and their three children, Kelsey, Sara and Andrew; step-children, Eric Peterson (Amy), Kurt Peterson and Stacie Peterson; and a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Tusha (George) of Garner.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Pat Tarr Formanek on August 19, 1993; his parents; and a brother, Raymond Formanek on February 25, 1991.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Margaret Ann Becker, 1932-2011

January 19, 2011

Margaret Ann Becker, Wesley, died on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the Algona Manor Care Center. She was 78.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, January 15, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley, with Father Randy Schon officiating. Burial was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Margaret Ann was born on August 3, 1932 in Britt, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Klesel) Young. She grew up in Garner and graduated from the Garner High School in 1950. After her schooling she worked for a short time at the bank in Garner. On June 2, 1955, Margaret was united in marriage to Alvin Becker at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. After their marriage they lived near Wesley where they raised their family and farmed. After retirement Marge worked as a cook for 10 years at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Marge enjoyed quilting, putting puzzles together, playing cards, fishing with Alvin and she did her fair share of cooking. They also enjoyed wintering in Texas and Arizona. Marge was a member of the St. Joseph Parish and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

She is survived by her children, Ed Becker and friend, Susie Durst of Everly, Jean Warm of Carroll, Betty (Ron) Koontz of Council Bluffs, Donna (Steve) Brown of Omaha, Nebraska, Mike (Terry) Becker of Humboldt, JoAnn Gronstal of Houston, Texas, Jerry (Jeanine) Becker of Gilbert, Arizona, Pat Becker and friend, Kathy Manning of Las Vegas, Nevada and Donnie (Dawn) Becker of Iowa City; 15 grandchildren; many step-grandchildren; brother and sisters, Paul and Mag Young of Garner, Dorothy Huinker of Garner, Lorraine Chizek of Britt and Evelyn Pavelka of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin on January 31, 2010; daughter, Mary Jane Becker; and a brother, Donnie Young.

Arrangements were handled by Oakcrest Funeral Services of Wesley.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

Eugene Boyce Foval, 1920-2011

February 2, 2011

Eugene "Gene" B. Foval, 90, died on Saturday, January 15, 2011, in Peoria, Arizona.

Gene was born on November 20, 1920, to Herbert and Stella Foval in Jewell. He was raised on the Foval family farm near Ellsworth, with sisters, Bernice Hauck, Ruth Stoner and Virginia "Zoe" Rierson. They attended the Ellsworth Public School, where Gene was an accomplished athlete in baseball and basketball, earning the nickname "Casey" for his prowess playing on the baseball diamond.

Gene met the love of his life, Ila Jean "Jeanie" Flynn, of Boone and in their early years together, they shared a love of roller skating. They married, had two children, Sherry and Jerry and farmed near Ellsworth for more than twenty years. In 1964, Gene and Jeanie moved to Garner, owning and operating the Garner Farm Supply. In the 1970s, they also owned and operated the Garner A & W Root Beer Drive-In restaurant. After selling these businesses, they moved back to Jewell and Gene was a salesman for the Kruger Seed Company.

They were active in the Ellsworth and Garner Methodist churches. Gene was a fifty-year Mason and served as Worshipful Master of the Jewell Masonic Lodge. An avid sports fan, Gene's prowess at golf evolved his passion for the sport. He helped design and construct golf courses in Garner and Jewell; was the club tournament champion at the Garner course and won other northern Iowa tournaments several times over a 20 year time period. He credits his low scores on the golf course to his putter, "Ole Black Magic."

Gene and Jeanie retired to Mission, Texas, where Gene pursued his passion daily. For nearly 15 years, Gene played golf with his Billy Miller golf group and regarded those men as his best friends:. He proudly shot par golf regularly until he was 85, when he retired from playing.

In 2006, Gene and Jeanie moved to Peoria, Arizona, to be closer to their family where they made treasured friends. Jeanie died on February 24, 2010 and Gene missed Jeanie terribly after she passed. In the sixty-seven years of their marriage, they were most proud of their family. Gene was a great friend, a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Gene is survived by his sister, Virginia Zoe Rierson of Radcliffe; sister-in-law, Margaret Ewing of Ames; children, Sherry Foval Ramsey and Jerry Foval and their respective spouses, Dick Ramsey and Janet Kitchell Foval; six grandchildren, Curt Wendt, Todd Ramsey, Brooke Ramsey Robinson and husband, Reggie Robinson, Scott Foval, Bridgette Ramsey Smith and Emily Foval; and six great-grandchildren, Jaden Ramsey, Stella Foval, Cameron Wendt, Londyn Ramsey Smith, Braeden Wendt and Sydney Robinson.

A private family gathering to honor Gene and Jeanie Foval's life together is pending, following their last wishes. Memorials are requested to be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, Arizona, which is an organization they proudly supported.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

Shirley Sheimo
April 14, 1928-January 18, 2011

Shirley Sheimo, age 82, of Garner, formerly of Fertile, died on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 22, at the Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile, with Lay Pastor David Halverson officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Brush Point Cemetery in rural Hanlontown. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 21, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and will continue an hour prior to the service at the church.

Shirley Jean Sheimo, was born on a farm in Tenold Township, in Worth County, near Hanlontown, Iowa, the daughter of Amos and Edna (Tvedt) Gilbertson. She attended rural school near her home and graduated from the Hanlontown High School in 1945. She furthered her education at Waldorf College in Forest City, graduating in 1947. She worked at the Hanlontown Elevator until her marriage to Franklin Sheimo on March 25, 1950. She became a full-time farm wife and mother of three. In 1966, she began working in the Purchasing Department at Winnebago Industries. She retired in 1990 after nearly 24 years with the company.

Shirley was a long-time member of the Fertile Lutheran Church. For many years she led the church women's group as they made beautiful quilts and blankets for families in need. She was a wonderful cook & baker and each of her grandchildren has a favorite treat they remember her making. She loved to decorate her home and as a passionate collector, she had more than enough to make her house special, including a collection of over 800 snowmen. She was an avid sports fan and loved cheering on the Hawkeyes and the Twins. She loved spending time with her family and treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her children, Debra (David) Haugen of Cloquet, MN and Kevin (Jill) Sheimo of Forest City; son-in-law, Michael Hall of Omaha, NE; seven grandchildren, Ben (Connie) Haugen, Andrew (Megan) Haugen, Jodi (Arthur) Alt, Jackie (Scott) Keenan, Tony, Sally, and Bailey Sheimo; seven great-grandchildren, Cale & Sam Haugen, Jack & Mia Haugen, Amelia & Arthur Alt, Zachary Keenan and baby Keenan to join the family very soon. Also surviving are two sisters, Lorraine Bakke of Forest City and Darlene Ziesmer of Garner; a brother, James (Judy) Gilbertson of Ackley; sister-in-law, Ardis Sheimo of Fertile; and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2000; and her daughter, Bonnie Hall.
© Petersen Lund Funeral Home 2011

Betty L. Hejlik
February 29, 1932-January 22, 2011

Betty L. Hejlik, 78, of Garner, died on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Donald Hertges officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with a parish 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.

Betty Louise Hejlik, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Arnold) Daubs, was born on February 29, 1932 in Niantic, Illinois and was proud to be a leap year baby. She attended school in Illiopolis, Illinois. On March 25, 1950, she was married to Gilbert L. Corrick in Niantic. They lived in several towns in the Midwest before moving to Garner in 1975, where they operated the Longhorn Cafe until 1981. In 1986, Gilbert passed away. On February 12, 1988, she was married to Arthur Hejlik at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. Betty was employed at the Concord Care Center until her retirement in 1994.

She enjoyed her family, having coffee with friends, cooking and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Betty is survived by her husband, Arthur Hejlik of Garner; four children, Jerry (Karla) Corrick of Idaho Springs, CO, Tom (Donna) Corrick of Oklahoma City, OK, Rita (Gerald) Urich of Austin, CO and Rick (Dawn) Corrick of Garner; ten grandchildren, Tammy Corrick, Teri Corrick, Tim Corrick, Amy Corrick, Ryan Corrick, Josh Urich, Jeremy Urich, Jake Urich, Barb Corrick and Teresa (Corrick) Hockett; seven great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Bob Daubs, Harold Daubs and Sharon Woodward.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Gilbert; brother, Kenneth Daubs; and a granddaughter, Mindy Rae Corrick.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Gail Ann Christians, 1954-2011

February 16, 2011

Gail Ann Olsen Christians, 56, of Bentonville, Arkansas, died on Friday, January 28, 2011 at the Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.

Gail was born on June 22, 1954 in Britt, Iowa, to Joanne (Kingsbury) Olsen and the late LeRoy Olsen.

Survivors include one son, Jeremy Christians of Bentonville; two daughters, Jenna Christians of Bentonville and Jacey Sakoff and her husband, Bret of Crozet, Virginia; three grandchildren, Madison, Emily and Jake Sakoff, of the home; her mother, Joanne Olsen of Clive, Iowa; her ex-husband, Steve Christians of Bentonville; two brothers, Richard Olsen and his wife Susan of Garner, Iowa and Todd Olsen and his wife, Sandy of Keller, Texas; two sisters, Janet Meyne and her husband, Wayne of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Polly Judd and her husband, John of Bella Vista; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

A memorial service for Gail was held on February 1, at the Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers, Arkansas.

Memorial contributions can be made in Gail's name to Lone Pine Animal Shelter in Centerton. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

James "Jim" Burton Eenhuis

February 2, 2011

James "Jim" Burton Eenhuis, of Covington, Georgia, died on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Atlanta Medical Center at the age of 65. Jim's passing was the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on his way to a motorcycle gathering on Thursday, January 27.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 1, at the Social Circle United Methodist Church in Social Circle, Georgia, with Pastor Richard Noth officiating. Arrangements were made by the Henry Funeral Home of Social Circle, Georgia.

Jim was born on December 23, 1945 in Kanawha, to the late John and Lida (Griffen) Eenhuis. He attended high school in Klemme and graduated in 1963.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and his older sister, Elaine Stroud.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy of Covington, Georgia; his three sons from a previous union to Lois Block, Brian and Cindy Eenhuis of Melbourne, Florida, Bruce Eenhuis of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida and Brad and Stephanie Eenhuis of Iowa City; step-daughter, Brandy (Curt) Ricker of Kennesaw, Georgia; grandchildren, Taylor, Alexa, Eva, CJ, and Gavin; sisters, Rosalie (James) Prescott of Klemme and Marylin (Robert) Roisum of O'Fallon, Missouri.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011

John J. Dieter, 1961-2011

February 9, 2011

John Joseph Dieter, 49, of Vinton, died in his home on Sunday, January 30, 2011, from an ascending aortic aneurysm.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 7, at the River of Life Church, Cedar Rapids. A private family burial was held at the Bear Creek Church Cemetery, Brandon, Iowa. The Phillips Funeral Home of Vinton, was in charge of the arrangements.

He was born on December 5, 1961 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Colleen (Meg C.) Dieter and Donald Dieter. John graduated from the Garner-Hayfield High School in 1979. He was severely burned in a grain elevator explosion in 1981, which changed the course of his life dramatically. John attended Taxidermy School in 1982 and started his own business, Red Fox Taxidermy, Vinton, Iowa. John was a well known artist, taxidermist and motivational speaker. Recently he embarked on a new venture, Victoria's Angels, an Old English Sheepdog breeding business. John lived in the rural Vinton area for the past 30 years and was well known to all in the community. The Lord blessed us with 30 extra years of John Dieter.

He is survived by his two sisters, Sharon Dieter of Vinton and Joanne Dieter Norris of Rowley; his brother, David (Cheryl) Dieter of Visalia, California and Rev. Mark G. Dieter of Lancaster, Wisconsin. He leaves several nieces and nephews, Kylee, Karson, Kullen and Kellis Dieter, Sarah Rippel, John and Will Norris and Ross Hossman. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Meg C. Dieter and his father, Donald J. Dieter; and his grandmother, Hilda Mackey-Beresford.

A Memorial Fund has been established.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2011