Robert D. Hoyt
September 11, 1937 - June 1, 2011

Robert D. Hoyt, 73, of Garner, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the Concord Care Center, Garner, from complications of Alzheimers Disease.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, June 6, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, Iowa, with Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2-4:00 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel at Clear Lake and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Concord Cemetery, Garner, with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association.

Robert D. Hoyt, was born on September 11, 1937 in rural Klemme, Iowa, the son of Emmett D. and Ruby (Halfpop) Hoyt. Bob started school at the Ell Township country school and was transferred to the Ventura Community Schools in the 4th grade. He graduated from the Ventura High School in 1955. He was active in music, football and track where he held the record for the 100 yard dash for many years and was selected for the Drake Relays. Bob lived in Hancock County all of his life, living on the same farm since age 9.

Bob served his country in the US Army from 1962 to 1964. He was stationed in Korea for 13 months as a medic in an evacuation hospital. He married Patricia McGowan on July 3, 1959 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, Iowa. They farmed the family farm until 2007 when his Alzheimer’s prevented him from work. The farm will be a Century Farm in 2013. Bob loved fishing and especially loved camping at the Mississippi River. He loved the outdoors.

He was baptized and confirmed his faith at the St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Garner. Bob was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, where he worked in the Sunday School for many years. Most recently he became a member of Redeemer Lutheran.

Robert and Patricia had one daughter, Suzanne. He loved his family, playing cards with his granddaughter and playing outdoor games with family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Emmett Hoyt; and in-laws, Keith & Ruth McGowan.

Robert is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia of Garner; daughter, Suzanne (Tim) Copas of Ventura; granddaughter, Krystal (Steven) Thoe and great grandson, Edan Thoe, all of Ventura; sister, Dixie Boehnke of Clear Lake; brothers-in-law, Bill (Judi) McGowan of Des Moines and Ted (Pamela) McGowan of Huntsville, Alabama; and many relatives and friends.
 
The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements.
© Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 2011

Lois Dorothy Huenemann
December 14, 1915 - June 4, 2011

Lois D. Huenemann, 95, of Garner, died on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 8, at the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner, with Rev. Harvey Opp officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, June 7, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to thePeace Reformed Church or to the donor's choice in memory of Lois.

Lois Dorothy Huenemann, the daughter of Wesley and Mathilda (Greimann) Lenz, was born on December 14, 1915, on the Lenz family farm southwest of Garner, where she lived for thirty-four years. She was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Reformed Church, where she continued as a member throughout her life. Lois graduated from the Garner High School in 1933 and continued her education at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls. On June 21, 1941, she was married to Elmer Huenemann in a wedding ceremony officiated by his father, the Reverend William Huenemann at Peace Reformed Church. Lois was always a homemaker. She was also employed as a public school teacher in Hancock County for nine years and in bookkeeping and secretarial work for fourteen years. She lived on farms the first fifty-three years of her life. In 1968, the family moved into Garner where she lived in her own home until 2006, when she moved to the Prairie View Apartments.

Throughout her life Lois was active at her church. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She also sang in the choir and participated in and held various offices in the Women's Missionary Society. Community activities included serving on the Hancock County Extension Council, singing in the Hancock County Chorus, serving as county chairman for the American Cancer Society and serving as a 4-H Leader. Her hobbies included vegetable and flower gardening, knitting (making 99 afghans), working with houseplants, cooking and traveling. Lois always loved children and was involved in many ways in helping others. She was also a prolific writer, poet, record keeper and family historian. Events throughout her life have been carefully documented and she leaves behind many examples of her poetry, histories and various other writings.

Lois is survived by her three children, Joyce Vogt of Cedar Rapids, Nancy Witter and husband, David Wilkison of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kent (K.J.) Hueneman and wife, Karen of Garner; nine grandchildren, Daniel (Gretchen) Graves, Lynette (Greg) Boheman, Jennifer (Mark) Phillips, Christopher Witter, Victoria Hueneman, Rick Hansen, David (Mollie) Hueneman, Chastity (Jed) Hemer and Heather Hueneman; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer on September 6, 1999; her parents; three sons-in-law, Allan Taylor, William Witter and Dean Vogt; four siblings and their spouses, Ruth and Harold Haberkamp, Norma and Verner Stromer, Clarence and Ruby Lenz, Evelyn and Clifford Anderson; and an infant brother.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Steven J. Sloan, 1951-2011

June 15, 2011

Steven J. Sloan, of Corwith, died on the family farm on Thursday, June 9, 2011. He was 59.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 13, at the United Methodist Church of Corwith. The Rev. Beatrice Kinzler officiated. Burial was in the Corwith Cemetery. The Oakcrest Funeral Services was in charge of the arrangements.

Steven John Sloan, was born on June 13, 1951 in Algona, Iowa, to Marvin and Alice (Bjornson) Sloan and lived on the family farm northeast of Corwith. Steve attended the Corwith-Wesley Schools graduating in 1969. In 1972, he graduated from the NIACC agricultural equipment program. He farmed with his father for several years and began employment in Forest City at Winnebago Industries, completing over 15 years of service. Steve served as a trained active Emergency Medical Responder (EMT) serving the Corwith area for many years.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Corwith. He is remembered as a friend to many and a giver to all.

He is survived by his brother, Kenneth "Ken" and wife, Mary (Krebs) Sloan of Milford, Iowa; nephews, Aaron Sloan and wife, Carrie of Milford, David Sloan and wife, Leslie of Garner and Mark Sloan and wife, Becky of Onawa, Iowa; six great-nephews and nieces, Tori Sloan, Evan Sloan, Makenna Sloan, Cabel Sloan, Aubrey Sloan and Josiah Sloan; and many cousins and friends.
©The Garner Leader 2011

James "Jim" W. Meyer, 1930-2011

June 22, 2011

James "Jim" W. Meyer, 81, of Palm Bay, Florida, former longtime chief of the Garner Fire Department, died on Thursday, June 16, 2011, in Palm Bay, Florida.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, June 21, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with Rev. Dr. James Lamb officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

James "Jim" Meyer, the son of Martin "Max" and Alvina (Streucker) Meyer, was born on January 12, 1930 at Whittemore. At the age of two, he moved with his family to Garner, where he graduated from high school in 1947. Jim worked for the Garner Leader for forty-two years and wrote the column "Outdoors With Jim Meyer" for many of those years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Jim was an active member of the Garner Fire Department for thirty-six years having served seven years as assistant chief and fifteen years as chief. The fire department was his life. Jim was a devoted member of the St Paul Lutheran Church in Garner and also sang in the church choir.

Jim is survived by his wife, Julie of Palm Bay, Florida; two children, James W. II (Priscilla) Meyer of Belmond and Julie (Jeffrey) Trost of Nashua; six grandchildren, Katie (Joe) Tautges, Christopher Meyer, Jordan Meyer, Jason Trost, Jill Trost and Jon (Krista) Trost ; two brothers, Rev. Edward (Melba) Meyer of Conover, North Carolina and Rev. David (Vivian) Meyer of Winter Haven, Florida; a sister, Marie (David) Waddingham of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth (Puckhaber) Meyer; son, John; and his parents.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
©The Garner Leader 2011

Lawrence R. Bierman, 1939-2011

June 22, 2011

Lawrence R. Bierman, age 72, formerly of Marshalltown, was called home by his Savior on Friday night, June 17, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, June 21, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City. Graveside military rights will be provided by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence Bierman, was born on January 11, 1939, on a farm near Austinville in Butler County, Iowa, to George and Dena (Harms) Bierman. He attended the Austinville School and later graduated from the Marshalltown Community College. He was stationed in Alaska for two years while serving in the U.S. Army. Lawrence was a postal employee and drove truck before becoming a machinist at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown for 20 years. After leaving Fisher Controls, he worked eight years at Tone's Spices before retiring.

Lawrence loved to travel the scenic routes, whether it was on his Honda Gold Wing or by car. He loved to tinker with anything and sitting still was not a part of his lifestyle. But more than anything else he loved God.

He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara (Nonnweiler) Bierman of Garner and their special pet companion "Sammie"; two children, Tammy (Jeff) Hayes of Marshalltown and Todd (Tammy) Bierman of Marshalltown; five stepchildren, Diana Ausborn of Garner, Don (Deb) Risius of Garner, Bonnie (Ken) Ausborn of Garner, Todd (Jane) Risius of Russellville, Arkansas and Chris (Lance) Atwell of Garner; two sisters, Berdena Wolff of Applington and Lorraine (John) Kalkwarf of Applington; two brothers, Vernon (Pat) Bierman of Ackley and Floyd (Bena) Bierman of Dumont; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends, and those that will be able to continue on with their lives because of his selfless donation of tissue upon his death.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Imogene Maifeld.
©The Garner Leader 2011

Paul R. Hahn

July 6, 2011

Paul R. Hahn, 50, of Garner, died on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa in Mason City.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, June 27, at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond, with Pastor James Harbaugh officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

The Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader 2011

Arvil L. Stille
October 7, 1926 - June 24, 2011

Arvil L. Stille, 84, of Garner, died on Friday, June 24, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, June 27, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with Rev. Brian Lund officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Arvil L. Stille, the son of Earl and Dena (Greiman) Stille, was born on October 7, 1926 in Garner. He graduated from the Garner High School and served his country during WW II in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Drake University where he played football and received a BA in Education in 1951. Arv then returned to Garner and began working with his father for the newly named, Stille and Son Construction Company. On June 25, 1960, he married Sandra Elsing in rural Geneva. They lived in Garner where they raised their two daughters, Deb and Mary. Arv was a devoted outdoorsman and an avid Vikings fan.

He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church and a twenty-five year member of the Garner Volunteer Fire Department.

Arv is survived by his wife, Sandra of Garner; two children, Deb (Curt) Miller of Hampton and Mary (Darrin) Gillett of Cedar Falls; three grandchildren, Rachel Miller, Kaitlyn Gillett and Luke Gillett; and a brother, Russ (Emily) Stille of Maple Grove, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Clint Stille.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Sarah Arla Peterson
June 2, 1920 - June 27, 2011

Sarah A. Peterson, 91, of Garner, died on Monday, June 27, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Sarah Arla Peterson, the daughter of Albert and Etta (Towsley) Coe, was born on June 2, 1920 at Mason City. She graduated from the Mason City High School in 1939. On July 14, 1946, she was married to Jacob Legler by the Rev. C.A. Hinz at the Parsonage of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. They lived in Mason City where they raised their three daughters, Dee Etta, Roseann and Arla. After Jake passed away on April 4, 1963, she continued to live in Mason City. On January 27, 1990, she was married to Clair Peterson at Okoboji. They made their home in Britt. Clair passed away in September of 2000. In December of 2001, Sarah moved to the Prairie View Apartments in Garner and in November of 2006 to Concord Care Center.

She enjoyed embroidery work and gave many hand embroidered gifts to family and friends. She also enjoyed reading books and playing card games at the Britt Community Center with her husband, Clair. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner and a former member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City.

Sarah is survived by her three daughters, Dee Etta (Mike) Hollatz of Garner, Roseann (Mark) Boehnke of Garner and Arla (Steve) Juhl of Mason City; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marie Miller of Mason City and Mary Coe of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Jacob and Clair; a son-in-law, Francis Murray; her parents; and three brothers, Lester Towsley and Donald and Arnold Coe.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011

Kenneth F. Reinig

July 6, 2011

Kenneth F. Reinig, 80, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, formerly of Garner, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully surrounded by the love of family on Monday, June 27, 2011.

Viewing and rosary was held at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, July 1, at St. Steven's Catholic Church, Sun Lakes, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., with Father Pierre Hissey presiding. Burial will be in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. Steven's Chapter or the Americare Hospice.

Ken was born on December 25, 1930, the youngest of six children of Clarence and Pauline Reinig in Garner. He served one year in the Army and 29 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star. In 1977, he went to work for the city of Chandler as their first Public Information Officer.

Ken enjoyed giving back to the community and was a Founding Father of the United Food Bank of Mesa, Arizona. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus chapter 9678, St. Steven's Parish, as well as the VFW chapter 8053, Sun Lakes. Ken was chairman, the past three years, for the United Blood Service drive for the Sun Lakes community. He enjoyed serving meals at Paz De Cristo, Mesa, Arizona and St. Vincent De Paul in Phoenix. Ken and his wife, Mary, loved to travel but most of all he cherished the time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who he loved dearly.

Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; children, Ken Michael of Lakewood, Colorado, Laurie of Mesa, Arizona, Mark (Deborah) of Fairmount, North Dakota, Lee (Beth) of New Port Richey, Florida, Annette (Vic) Thomson of Mesa, Arizona, Neal (Rhonda) of Golden, Colorado and Karen (Hector) Bejarano of Gilbert, Arizona; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Lester Reinig of Sun Lakes, Arizona and James (Darlene) Reinig of Mesa, Arizona; sisters, Rose Ann Stille and Darlene (Dean) Brackey, both of Mason City; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Pauline; brothers, Don and Russell; and his stepfather, Ivan Coates.

Arrangements entrusted to the Queen of Heaven Mortuary. www.queenofheavenmortuary.com
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2011