Rose A. Klemm
May 23, 1918 - December 3, 2012

Rose A. Klemm, 94, of Garner, died on Monday, December 3, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, December 7, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner, with a Rosary society rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Rose A. Klemm, the daughter Peter and Catherine (Cassidy) Swift, was born on May 23, 1918 near Norwalk. She graduated from the St. Joseph's High School in Churchville. After graduation, she attended the Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines and worked at Rollins Hosiery. On March 31, 1937, she was married to Arthur Klemm. They made their home on a farm near Norwalk. Later she attended the Iowa School of Beauty in Des Moines. In 1947, she moved to Garner as a single parent where she operated Rose's Beauty Salon for many years. She also worked at the Prairie View Beauty Salon. For health reasons she had to discontinue working as a beautician. She then worked at Bohn's Furniture Store and as a secretary to the Hancock County Nursing Service for twelve years. After retirement, she helped LeAnn Doyle at the Country Bouquet.

Rose enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and vacationing with her daughter and family in Colorado. They took her on trips to Washington, D.C., California, New York City, Cozumel and many other places. She also spent time with her son, Paul in Hawaii and son, Bernard in Houston and New Orleans. She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rosary Society and the Iowa and National Hairdressers Association.

Rose is survived by her two children, Bernie (Judy) Klemm of Forest City and Lori (Ron) Haugland of Carlsbad, California; daughter-in-law, Rosanne Klemm of Scarville; grandchildren, Nicole and Chad Haugland, Heather (Kalani) Kilar, Kristin Klemm and her friend, Leighanna Rickman, and Elijah Sviglas; two step-grandsons, David (Marie) Nielson and John (Rhonda) Nielson; and great-grandchildren, Dannen and Alana Rose Kilar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Paul; brothers, Joe, Hugh and Rev. Francis Swift, SVD; two sisters, Sister Carmen Marie and Ann Rawson; and a step-grandson, George Nielson.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Wilma Jean “Billie” Woiwod
December 18, 2012  -  December 7, 2012

Wilma Jean “Billie” Woiwod, 80, of Clear Lake, died on Friday, December 7, 2012, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, December 11, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rural Garner, with Rev. Carl Hedberg officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, from 4–6:00 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake and one hour preceding the services on Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, Rural Garner. Memorials may be given to the St. John’s Cemetery in her name.

Billie was born on December 18, 1931 in Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Grant L. and Pauline (Wright) Fox. She graduated from the Clear Lake High School in 1950. Billie married Laurice “Pete” Woiwod on March 21, 1951, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church. They were supposed to be married on the 18th but because of a snowstorm, they had to move the date to the 21st. Billie was a housewife.

She loved to crochet and work in the garden growing plants. Along with her two children she was mother to all in the neighborhood. Billie and her husband, Pete took care of the church and cemetery property for over 30 years. They loved to attend auctions and the children’s sporting events. Billie, with Pete, was an avid Hawkeye fan. They are members of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rural Garner.

Billie is survived by her husband, Laurice “Pete” Woiwod of Clear Lake; two children, Beverly Jean (Lynn) Kelck of West Union, Iowa and Richard Woiwod of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Kellie Kelck of Wyoming, Iowa, Krista Kelck of West Union, Brandi (Adam) Betts of Mason City, Ryan Woiwod and his special friend, Michelle of Waterloo and Abby Woiwod of Fertile; three great-grandchildren, Jason, Keegan and Jackson Betts.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Duane Fox and an infant brother.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of the arrangements.
© Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 2012

Richard L. Baack

December 19, 2012

Richard L. Baack, 76, a native and lifelong farmer of rural Klemme, died on Friday, December 14, 2012, at the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

Services were held on Tuesday, December 18, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme.

Richard Lee, the son of Herman Ernest Frederick and Lillie Louise (Blumer) Baack, was born on April 23, 1936 on his parents’ farm in rural Klemme, the same farm he lived on and farmed his entire life. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1954. Richard served his country from 1959 to 1960 in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Goose Bay, Canada in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Richard was united in marriage to Jean Anne Brogan on January 1, 1961, at the Thornton United Methodist Church. Their union was blessed with three children, Clarissa Louise, Michelle Ann and Vincent Lee. The couple farmed and raised their family near Klemme. In 2010, the farm was honored as a Century Farm by the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Richard was a farmer in every aspect of his life. He loved to work the land and care for his livestock. He had a passion for antique farm machinery and particularly enjoyed his participation in various area tractor rides. Rich was an avid conservationist and steward of the land. He developed and maintained a wetland and upland wildlife complex near Thornton where he planted hundreds of trees, nesting structures and hosted several trumpeter swan releases. He was also very active in the Izaak Walton League and other conservation organizations.

He cherished his children and grandchildren and they were foremost in his life. He looked forward to any opportunity to spend time with them, traveling to visit them and attending as many of their activities and sporting events as he could. He especially enjoyed taking them on fishing excursions. Richard had a lifelong affinity for music that commenced in his youth when he was a saxophone player. He and Jean greatly enjoyed dancing and loved their outings to the Surf ballroom in Clear Lake. He found great enjoyment in camping and always looked forward to his annual camping trips to the Iowa State Fair. He had a fondness for flying, military memorabilia and attending air shows. His passion for history was shared with others through his involvement with the Hancock County Historical Society and Museum. He was a great supporter, promoter and volunteer for many years of the Hancock County Youth 4-H program, the Hancock County Junior Fair and the annual fair livestock auction.

Richard's faith was important to him as he served on the Immanuel Reformed UCC Consistory as president and deacon. His love for the community of Klemme was exemplified through his countless hours of volunteer time to KADO, Klemme Ag Days and fireworks. He supported many other local events and organizations either financially or with his time. Rich greatly looked forward to his daily coffee outings and was always up for a good conversation. He had a keen interest in others, be it friend or a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ethel Kropp, Dorothy Howie and Norma Mauritz; and brothers, Roy and Paul Baack.

His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his wife and life partner of nearly 52 years, Jean of Klemme; daughter, Clarissa (John) Kolmer of Peoria, Illinois and children, Zhi Yu, Neil and Jefferson; daughter, Michelle Koelling of Cedar Rapids and children, Johnathon and Matthew; son, Vincent (Amy) Baack of North Mankato and children, Michael, Leah and Daniel; and brother, Robert (Ruth) Baack of Britt.
©The Garner Leader 2012

Esther C. Evans
June 21, 1916 - December 14, 2012

Esther C. Evans, 96, of Garner, died on Friday, December 14, 2012, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., on Monday, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Cremation will follow with inurnment at a later date in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner, with a Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Esther Cecilia Evans, the daughter of John and Amanda (Larson) Johnson, was born on June 21, 1916 at Belmond. She attended school at Belmond until the family moved to Garner in 1931, where her step-father, John Brooks drove the Star Route mail delivery between Garner and Belmond. Esther graduated from the Garner High School in 1934. On October 31, 1935, she was married to William Evans at Mason City. They made their home in Mason City until 1942, when they moved to Cuero, Texas, where Bill was a flight instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1944, they returned to Mason City. In 1946, they moved to Garner and operated the Garner Airport which they later purchased. After Bill's death in 1983, Esther moved into Garner.

She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Past Regent and 50 year member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, a member of the St. Boniface Rosary Society, St. Francis of Assisi Study Club and the Knit and Purl Club. Esther was also a past-president of the Garner Music Mother's Club.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann Watson and her husband, Charles of Windsor, Connecticut; daughter-in-law, Pamela (Evans) Hitzhusen and her husband, Larry of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Lynne Eichner of Eugene, Oregon, Elizabeth Dumont and husband, Sean Werle of Montague, Massachusetts, Katherine King of Beijing, China, Neal Evans and wife, Stormi and their children, William and Olivia of Springfield, Missouri, Timothy Evans and spouse, Howe Allen of Fairhaven, Massachusetts and Charles Dumont of Knoxville, Tennessee; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Brooks of Garland, Texas and Inez Brooks of Glencoe, New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, John Brooks; husband, William on November 20, 1983; daughter, Shirley Dumont and husband, James; son, Donald Evans; and siblings, Myrtle Godtland, Melvin Johnson, Victor Brooks, Roger Brooks and an infant sister, Verna Mae Brooks.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Arno M. Olson
October 4, 1915 - December 15, 2012

Arno M. Olson, 97, of rural Garner, entered his heavenly home on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at the Iowa City Mercy Hospital Hospice Care surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 19, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Rose Visser, lay pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

Arno Mervin Olson, the son of Louis and Emma (Anderson) Olson, was born at his family home northeast of Garner on October 4, 1915. He attended the Ellington #8 Township School in Hancock County and graduated from the Garner High School in 1936. Arno learned at a young age about the value of hard work on the farm. Arno's life was full as he worked with his father on the family farm and took over full operation in 1968. His love of the land and animals encouraged him to be a lifelong farmer. On November 28, 1943, he married Alma Joanne Rogness at the Miller Lutheran Church. Arno and Alma's marriage of 69 years was blessed with five children, Billy Lee, Karen Jane, Janet Ann, Sandra Kaye and Barbara Joan. Arno's farming was not just a career, but a way of life from hitching up the horses to driving combines with computers. He knew well the definition of determination and hard work. His creativity and innovation proved successful in his work which involved crops, purebred Duroc boars, cattle, horses and fixing everything that was broken.

He loved driving his truck while hauling anything from grain, livestock, and furniture to apples, kids on a hayride and other requests. Arno was interested in progress concerning his community. He enjoyed leadership roles such as being president of the Miller Telephone Company for 38 years, church council and activities at Ellington Prairie and Faith Lutheran Churches, 4-H Club Leader, ASCS (40 years), Ventura State Bank Board of Directors and VP, Forest City Cow Palace (clerk for 50 years) and Ellington Township Clerk for many years. Music was a favorite activity throughout his life from playing his violin to dancing to big band and polka music with Alma at the Surf Ballroom. Piloting a Piper Cub was a highlight of his life.

Memories of Arno live on in the hearts of his wife, Alma of Iowa City; his five children, son, Billy (Janeil) Olson of Garner and their four children, Tracy Seng, David (Aleigha) Olson, RaeLea (John) Saxton and Russell (Jennifer) Olson; daughter, Karen (John) Arthur of Coralville and their four children, Rodney (Stacey) Arthur, Christopher (Jimena) Arthur, Damon (Kelly) Arthur and Kjersten (Nicholas) Koenigs; daughter, Janet (Stanley) White of Iowa City and their three children, Betsy (Matthew) Platt, Rachel White and Nathan White; daughter, Sandra (Craig) Molander of St. Charles, Missouri and their three children, Bradley (Martha) Molander, Lindsey Molander and Kelsey (Scott) Hulett; daughter, Barbara (Scott) Harvey of Rosemount, Minnesota and their two children, Erin Harvey and Kristen Harvey; eleven great- grandchildren; brother-in-law, Martin (Miriam) Rogness of Forest City; sister-in-law, Marie Jordahl of Enid, Oklahoma; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arno was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Emma Olson; his sisters and their husbands, Marian (Sherwood) Pitkin and Bernice (Norman) Anderson; his brother and wife, Milo (Hulda) Olson and his brother, Norman Olson; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Thelma (Harvey) Mitchell, Lester (Phyllis) Rogness, Emmet (Evelyn) Rogness and Burnell Jordahl.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Rev. William Lemke
April 26, 1919 - December 15, 2012

Rev. William Lemke, 93, of Chetek, Wisconsin, left us to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at the Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 26, at the Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Chetek, Wisconsin, with Rev. David Holmbeck officiating. Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 27, in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner, is in charge of the local arrangements.

Born in a farmhouse outside Klemme, Iowa in 1919, Bill served his country in the Army Air Force during World War Two. His first wife, LaVonne Lorenson passed away in 1948 while Bill was attending the St. Paul Bible Institute. After graduating from Kletzing College in 1951, he pastored churches in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. He also ministered in five European countries, Israel, Mexico, Indonesia, India and the Philippines over the years. Rev. Lemke led the Eden Ministry Center and Eden Discipleship Training School from its local inception in 1973 until recent years. Subsequently Rev. Lemke and the staff at Eden affiliated with Youth with a Mission, an inter-denominational mission outreach; the base is now "Northwoods."

With his second wife, Lou Rabun they built their "dream house" there in 1992. Lou, also greatly loved as a leader at Eden, passed away in 1997. Bill will be interred at her side in Garner, Iowa. Bill wrote an autobiography The Growth of a Soul which outlines his challenges, his weaknesses, and his spiritual growth over the years. He closes like this: "I close with leaving you the Lord's instruction for my life. "And whatever you do - no matter what it is - in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in dependence upon his person, giving praise to God the Father through Him." - Colossians 3:17

Bill leaves to celebrate his memory three sons, William (Sien) Lemke of Valhalla, New York, Bryant Lemke of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bernie Lemke of Charlotte, North Carolina; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends as well as large host who benefited from his gentle love, leadership, teaching and especially the prayers under his large hands.

Pastor Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ethel Lemke; his first wife, LaVonne; his second wife, Lou; three sisters; and two brothers.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Arthur D. Hejlik
November 6, 1930 - December 26, 2012

Arthur D. Hejlik, 82, of Garner, died on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at the Prairie View Apartments in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, December 31, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be from 2-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Arthur Duane Hejlik, the son of Anton and Rosetta (Phillips) Hejlik, was born on November 6, 1930, on the family farm west of Garner. He attended the rural schools of Garfield Township until the eighth grade and helped his family on the farm. Art served his country in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1956 and continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1964. Art farmed with his brother, Harold, near Garner until his retirement. On February 12, 1988, he married Betty Corrick at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. They made their home in Garner. In July of 2012, he moved into the Prairie View Apartments in Garner.

Art enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing and cooking. He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Garner American Legion.

Art is survived by his four step-children, Jerry (Carla) Corrick of Idaho Springs, Colorado, Tom (Donna) Corrick of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rita (Gerald) Urich of Austin, Colorado and Rick (Dawn) Corrick of Garner; two brothers, Harold Hejlik of Garner and Verne (Delores) Hejlik of Garner; a sister, Marjorie Savage of Bloomfield; step-grandchildren, Tammy Corrick, Teri Corrick, Tim Corrick, Amy Corrick, Ryan Corrick, Josh Urich, Jeremy Urich, Jake Urich, Barb (Mitch) Albritton and Teresa (Matt) Hockett; many step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty on January 22, 2011; an infant brother, Donald; brother-in-law, Bud Savage; a niece, Cindy Dodd; and a step-granddaughter, Mindy Rae Corrick.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012