Henrietta Isabelle Martin
March 22, 1927 - November 4, 2012

Henrietta Isabelle Martin, age 85, of Clarksville, Iowa, died late Sunday, November 4, 2012, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 8, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greene. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Clarksville, where there will be a 5:30 p.m. Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. 

Isabelle was born on March 22, 1927, to Otis G. and Gertrude O. (Anderson) Day, in Clarion, Iowa, the youngest of four children. She graduated from the Clarion High School in 1945. On March 16, 1947 she was united in marriage to Merle B. Bruhl at the Methodist Church in Clarion. They made their home on a farm near Eagle Grove. In 1954, they moved to a farm west of Klemme where they raised their five daughters. In 1974, Merle and Isabelle moved to a farm near Elma, where they lived until Merle’s death in 1977 and Isabelle moved to Osage. Izzy was a farmer’s wife and the city girl learned to drive a tractor. She was also the mother of five daughters, sewing many of their dresses. As a member of the Klemme Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School for several years. In 1968, she went to work at the Garner Leader and later worked for the Iowa Department of Human Services in Garner. When they moved to Elma, she was transferred to the Osage office, where she worked until she retired in 1983.

Isabelle was reunited with a high school beau, Russell Martin and they were married on July 2, 1983. They made their home in Clarksville. They enjoyed several winters in Arizona. She enjoyed traveling with Russ to area horseshoe tournaments where she would assist in the scoring and at times provide lunch for the pitchers.

Isabelle was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Merle Bruhl; two sisters, Mildred Kramer and Dorothy Colwell; and one brother, James Day.

Isabelle is survived by her husband, Russell Martin; five daughters, Susan (Terry) Kaduce of Klemme, Patricia (Patrick) Gilles of Lincoln, Nebraska, Mary (Verlyn) Kaduce of Garner, Connie (Robert) Walker of Mason City and Jane Bruhl Follett of Clear Lake; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; Russell’s children, Tom (Darla) Martin of Stanhope, Sue (Mike) Courts of Cedar Falls, Cindee Dickman of Thornton, Sallee Martin of Monticello, Sandee “Sam” (Tom) Clark of Clarksville and Tonee (Janelle) Martin of Winter, Wisconsin; fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
© Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home 2012

Orville G. Hall
May 13, 1927 - November 7, 2012

Orville G. "Bud" Hall, 85, of Garner, died on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 10, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Rose Visser, lay pastor, officiating. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

Orville Gaylord "Bud" Hall, the son of Ben and Carrie (Anderson) Hall, was born on May 13, 1927 in Miller. He attended the rural schools of Ellington Township and graduated from the Garner High School in 1945. On February 22, 1948, he married Josephine Alt at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. They farmed north of Garner from 1949 to 1977. In 1979, they moved to Cleveland, Minnesota, where they co-owned Hall's Resort for the next eighteen years. They retired in 1997 from the resort and returned to Garner. Bud became a resident of the Prairie View Apartments in 2006.

He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, fishing, bowling and playing cards at Prairie View. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

Bud is survived by his three children, Jerry (Pat) Hall of Garner, Gary (Donna) Hall of Garner and Pam (Ken) Russell of Le Center, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Hall, Cara Hall, Kelly Hall, Kerry Hall, Randy (Shay) Hall, Joel (Laurie) Hall, Verlinda (Craig) Angell and Lena Russell and her fiancé, Matt; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Clarence Schroeder of Klemme and Dick Holloway of Long Beach, California; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Josephine on December 24, 2005; and sisters, Ruth Greimann, Olive Holloway, Anna Mae Upmeyer and Alice Schroeder.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Lucile R. Wesson
March 31, 1917 - November 18, 2012

Lucile R. Wesson, 95, of Garner, died on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, November 20, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, with Revs. Justin Asche and Roger Kallem officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. 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. Memorials may be directed to the United Presbyterian Church.

Lucile Reed Ryan, the third child of James and Cecil (Reed) Ryan was born on March 31, 1917 in Garner. After her mother's death during the flu epidemic of 1919 her siblings were adopted by their grandparents, Herbert and Jennie Reed. Lucile, then two years of age, was adopted by Dr. J.S. "Sam" and Emma Wesson also of Garner. Dr. Wesson was a veterinarian in Garner. Lucile joined the United Presbyterian Church in Garner on March 18, 1927 when Rev. Bruce Gillis was the pastor. She and her parents joined the church after the First Congregational church disbanded. Lucile graduated from the Garner High School in 1934. She continued her education at Coe College in Cedar Rapids but was forced to quit due to illness. Later she went to AIB in Des Moines and just six weeks prior to graduation she was offered a job at the Hancock County National Bank in Garner. She worked there for six and one-half years until she was offered a job at the Iowa Des Moines National Bank. She later took a position at Valley Bank in Des Moines.

She worked in Des Moines from 1944 to 1972. At that time she retired and moved back to Garner. Lucile taught piano lessons for six years. She began her music career at the Garner UPC under the direction of Mrs. Stuart (Arlene) Lee. Lucile played piano along with Duane Cummings and Berneace Cataldo at the organ during church services at the Garner UPC for many years. She was also active in the church choir. During her high School years, Lucile taught Sunday School. She also was a soloist at the Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church, when she lived in Des Moines. Lucile sang for numerous organizations and at conventions. Lucile's pride and joy for over twenty-five years was her Siamese cat, Dolly. Dolly was a stray cat that came to Lucile's door hungry and never left again. Her favorite color was "green" and her "special day" was March 17th. You guessed it - she was Irish! Lucile's hobbies included music, gardening and being able to drive her car and go places.

Lucile is survived by two nephews, Kent (Sandi) Ryan of Ankeny and Tracy (Kathy) Ryan of Malvern, Iowa; four great-nephews, Matt and Marcus Ryan and Joe and Patrick Ryan; a great-niece, Brook Eggeling; and dear friends, Roger (Mary) Kallem of Clarion and Dean (Carol) Dolphin of Garner.

She was preceded in death by her parents and adopted parents; brother, Kenneth Ryan; and sister, Doris Lindmeyer.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Marvin Brager
February 11, 1923 - November 22, 2012

Marvin O. Brager, 89, of Ventura, died on Thursday, November 22, 2012, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, November 26, at the St. John's Lutheran Church east of Garner, with Pastor Carl Hedberg officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held 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.

Marvin Odell Brager, the son of Willard and Velma (Hollingsworth) Brager, was born on February 11, 1923 on a farm south of Ventura. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church near Miller. Marv attended the Ventura Community Schools and graduated from high school in 1941. On September 22, 1946, he married Adelaide Schwisow at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Daykin, Nebraska. They lived on a farm near Ventura where they raised their family. Marv worked at Fretten Dairy, farmed for 30 years, was plant manager for Clear Lake Aluminum, employed at Woodford Wheeler in Clear Lake and drove truck for Niemans.

He enjoyed gardening, mowing lawns and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served in various offices in the church.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Adelaide of Ventura; four children, Cheryl (James) Nesbit of Clear Lake, Mike (Sue) Brager of Clear Lake, Barb Ward of Ventura and Randy (Janet) Brager of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren, Heidi and Amy Nesbit of Clear Lake, Hollie (Brian) Meyer of Mason City, Todd (Brandi) Brager of Garner, Tiffani (Brad) Primrose of Clear Lake, Dustin (Allison) Ward of Clear Lake, Laura Brager of Copper Center, Arkansas, Emily (Ben) DuBose of Franklin, Tennessee and Molly Brager of Franklin, Tennessee; eight great-grandchildren, Jordan Nelson, Kasey, Andrew and Faith Primrose, Nicholas Siebert, Cade and Emma Meyer and Abagail Brager; sister, Darlene Wells of Clear Lake; brother, Larry (Sandy) Brager of LeClaire, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Carl and Minnie Schwisow; son-in-law, Chris Ward; brothers, Kenneth and Ronald; sister, Venita Statser; and brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Ruth Wessner.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Edward "Red" Buntenbach
November 9, 1927 - November 26, 2012

Edward Duane "Red" Buntenbach, 85, of Garner, died on Monday, November 26, 2012, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A visitation will be held from 2-5:00 p.m., on Saturday, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. Following the visitation his body will be cremated. Private family burial will be at a later date in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Edward Duane "Red" Buntenbach, the son of Edward C. and Martha (Rockow) Buntenbach, was born on November 9, 1927 at Klemme. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1945. He continued his education at Upper Iowa University and the University of Iowa. During his time at Iowa he was a member of the Hawkeye football team. On August 28, 1949, he married Patricia Phillips at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme. They lived in Garner where they raised their family. Red worked with his father, Ed, in the family cattle business in Garner from his early childhood years until his retirement in 1982. In his later years, Red worked at Diamond Jo's Casino in Northwood as a part-time black jack dealer.

He enjoyed flying his airplane, golfing, playing cards and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, Garner Rotary Club and a thirty year member of the Garner Volunteer Fire Department.

Red is survived by his four children, Mary Pat Hastings and her husband, Steven of Blaine, Minnesota, Edward P. "Phil" Buntenbach of Des Moines, Brian Buntenbach of Klemme and Andrew Buntenbach and his special friend, Teresa of Mason City; four grandchildren, Benjamin Hastings, Adam (Rachel) Buntenbach, Eric (Brandi) Buntenbach and Wesley Buntenbach; four great-grandchildren, Naiya and Jaeda Hastings and Gavin and Kennedy Buntenbach; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia on February 18, 2009; and two sisters, Lorraine Rygh and Elaine Keraus.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Louis John Vavrik
January 27, 1928 - November 28, 2012

Louis John Vavrik, 84, of Ventura, died on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.
 
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 1, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Reverend John Gossman officiating. Burial will be in the St. Johns Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church.

Louis John Vavrik, was born on January 27, 1928, the son of Frank and Anna (Tusha) Vavrik on the family farm near Duncan. He was baptized at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and attended rural school in Garfield Township. Louis was inducted into the Army on January 11, 1951, serving in the Korean Conflict. Louis served his country honorably and faithfully until his honorable discharge in October 1952, with the rank of SGT. Louis was united in marriage to Marjorie Kirschbaum at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, on June 25, 1953 and to this union was born a daughter, Jane and a son, Marvin. Louis and Marjorie farmed west of Duncan until 1968, when they moved to an acreage north of Ventura. He then worked at Cashway Lumber Company in Mason City for 25 years.

Louis enjoyed gardening and woodworking and was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Marjorie Vavrik of Ventura; daughter, Jane (Wayne) Eckhoff of Alexander; son, Marvin (Julie) Vavrik of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Rebecca and Stephen Tiffany of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Mark and Jennifer Eckhoff of Madrid, Brian and Ashley Eckhoff of Marion, Hannah Vavrik and Dylan Vavrik of Clear Lake; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Allyson Tiffany; step great-grandson, Michael Legan; brother-in-law, Eugene Kirschbaum and sister-in-law, MaDonna Kirschbaum; as well as nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna; sisters, Mamie Sucky, Rose Formanek, Lillian Malek; brothers, Frank Vavrik Jr, George Vavrik, William Vavrik and Robert Vavrik.

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

Rev. Thomas R. Balm
August 14, 1932 - November 29, 2012

Rev. Thomas R. Balm, 80, of Garner, died on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at his home in Garner.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, December 3, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. Paul Evans officiating.
Visitation will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Garner. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Thomas Ree Balm, the son of Thomas T. and Ivadel (Wickersheim) Balm was born on August 14, 1932 at Ft. Dodge. Tom Balm grew up in Fort Dodge near the river. His father was a city fireman and his grandfather owned a filling station in town. For a few years he lived with his Grandma Wickersheim who taught him a lot about "saving". He graduated from the Ft. Dodge High School and continued his education at Iowa Central Junior College in Ft. Dodge. Tom was called to the ministry during a church camp at Riverview Park in Cedar Falls, Iowa where he later built a cabin for his family to live in during summer camps. He attended Westmar College in LeMars where he met his first wife Darline. He later attended seminary and was assigned the first of his eight churches in Bolan, Iowa. Tom and Darline were married for over 25 years and had four children as well as four foster children and one live-in student. In 1987, Tom (and his dog Shasta) married Marilyn Wilson (and her dog Cuddles) while serving the UM church in Estherville. Marilyn says life was never dull including having three foster children of their own. Starting in the early 2000's Tom and Marilyn spent their winters in Florida where they met many new friends. They spent the summers in Garner where they resided until his death.

Throughout his life Tom had a knack for finding humor in life. From his college antics to his unique Christmas letters, Tom marched to the beat of a different drummer. Tom served the following Iowa churches as a minister, Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church, Bolan, Lansing Evangelical United Brethren Church, Lansing, Trinity United Methodist Church, Dysart, Calvary United Methodist Church, LeMars, Trinity United Methodist Church, Cedar Falls, Estherville United Methodist Church, Estherville, Christ United Methodist Church, Davenport and the Eldora United Methodist Church, Eldora. Throughout his ministry Tom would always find a different perspective that would reveal God's word, often times finding the positives in difficult situations. His compassion and empathy for others as well as "all the defenseless creatures" defined his life. Up to his death, he was more concerned about others than himself. He enjoyed collecting stamps, coins, music boxes, pocket knives and trains. Other interests included genealogy, travel, gardening and attending multiple churches.

Tom is survived by his wife, Marilyn (Schnell) Balm of Garner; former wife, Darline (Miller) Balm-Demmel of Cedar Falls; children, Stephen (Sara) Balm of Spirit Lake, Jonathon Balm of Brooklyn, Iowa and his fiancée, Angie Story, Brian (Nancy) Balm of Omaha, Nebraska and Michelle Balm of Jesup; step-daughter, Kathy Janssen of Mason City; step-son, David Alsvig of Boerne, Texas; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sally (Balm) Dempsey; a brother, Jerry Balm; and a granddaughter, Aubrey Oliver.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

Martin L. Bachman
January 7, 1929 - November 30, 2012

Martin L. Bachman, 83, of Garner, died on Friday, November 30, 2012, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 4, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with Rev. Brian Lund officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Martin Luther Bachman, the son of Martin George and Tillie (Kraus) Bachman was born on January 7, 1929, in Klemme. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1946. After graduation he worked on the family farm with his mother. On October 22, 1950, he was united in marriage to Vera Simmons at the Immanuel Reformed Church in Klemme. Following their marriage, the couple farmed near Garner. He prided himself on his herd of miniature horses, longhorn cattle, raising exotic birds and enjoyed traveling to horse sales around the Midwest.

In his free time Martin also enjoyed watching RFD TV and listening to country music. In 2002, Martin and Vera moved into Garner and enjoyed traveling around to visit friends and casinos. Martin's pride and joy was his family. He cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church of Garner, where he served as a Deacon and an Elder.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vera; his two daughters, Julia (Tom) Schultz of Garner and Darla (Jeff) Mallas of Ogden; a son, Martin (Yvette) Bachman of Garner; grandchildren, Angie (Scott) Van Dusseldorp of Garner, Tara (Tim) Eisenlohr of Mason City, Joe Schultz of Chicago, Illinois, Tom (Heather) Hartwig of Clear Lake, Tad (Mallory) Hartwig of Garner, Martin Nicholas Bachman of Los Angeles, California, Samuel Bachman of Los Angeles, California and Colton (Brittany) Bachman of Ames; great-grandchildren, Jack, Rafe, Caleb, and Emily Van Dusseldorp, Cade and Reid Hartwig, Teagen, Tatem and Talon Eisenlohr and Piper Hartwig; a brother, Eugene (Janice) Bachman of Clear Lake; and a sister-in-law, Dena Bachman of Fairbank, Iowa.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leroy, Alvin and Raymond; and three sisters, Edith Montgomery, Gertrude and Dorothy Bachman.
© Cataldo Funeral Home 2012

David Eugene Casperson

December 12, 2012

David Eugene Casperson, age 75, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2012, at his home in Linwood Township, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 6, at the Mattson Funeral Home, Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment, with military honors, was held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 8, in the Concord Cemetery, Garner, Iowa. Family and friends gathed at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, at Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner. A luncheon followed the interment. Memorials preferred to the Linwood Covenant Church, Wyoming, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Myrtle Casperson; and brother, Daniel Casperson.

Survivors include his brother, Stephen Casperson; nieces, Amy Casperson and Tara (Chad) Gimbel; nephews, Todd (Diane) Casperson, Tim (April) Casperson and Troy (Brooke) Casperson, great-nieces and nephews; his dear Minnesota family, The Wellmans', Cordell, Lorraine, Kermit, Jeanie.

The Mattson Funeral Home of Forest Lake, Minnesota, was entrusted with the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader 2012