Bonnie L. Steward, 83, of Garner died Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at her home under the care of her three daughters and Hospice of North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M., Saturday, October 19th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with Rev. Scott Kozisek officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Bonnie Lucille Steward, the daughter of Morse and Marie (Leens) Hunst, was born May 28, 1930 in Belmond. She grew up on a farm southwest of Belmond, attending country school and Belmond Community High School. On January 25, 1946, she married Kenneth D. Modderman and to this union four children were born: Pamela Sue, Jeffery Morse, Jane Marie, and Amy Lou. After Kenny died in 1957, she moved the family to Trona, CA, for one year. She then returned to Belmond and worked for Farmers Grain Co. in Belmond. After the tornado, she moved to Clear Lake in 1967 and worked at the Soybean Plant in Mason City for 19 years. On November 29, 1974, Bonnie married James O. Steward in Clear Lake. They moved to Garner in 1975 and owned and operated the Black Velvet Inn from 1976-1979. Bonnie retired from AGP Soybean Processing Plant in 1986 and then managed the Black Velvet II at the Garner Golf and Country Club for one year. After Jim's death, Bonnie enjoyed spending winters in Pahrump, NV, with her youngest daughter, Amy.

She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and LWML.

Bonnie is survived by her three daughters, Pam (John) Van Gerpen, of Garner, Jane (Patrick) Greiman of Manteca, CA, and Pahrump, NV, and Amy Modderman (Diann Musial) of Pahrump, NV; her step-children Michael (Linda) Steward of Cornville, AZ, Larry (Kathy) Steward of Missouri City, TX, and Carolyn Steward of Henderson, NV; grandchildren, Diena (Daren) Mennenga of Belmond, Jamie Greiman (Billy Bruce) of Manteca, CA, and Heather (Matt) Curtis of Clear Lake; step-grandchildren, Jodi, Megan and Ryan Steward and Jonathan and Patrick Steward; great-grandchildren, Tristan and Ty Mennenga, Aspen and Tyler Curtis and Jane and Pat's special grandchildren Kynnady and Tatum Andreetta of Manteca, CA; special nieces, Jill Stoffer (Mark Allen) and Deb (Matt) Studer all of Belmond.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Kenny in 1957 and Jim in 2008; sisters, Laura Stoffer Saunders and Alice Mae Peterson; son, Jeffery in 1973; grandson Joshua Greiman in 1993; step-grandson Michael Steward in 1993; and step-son-in-law Bill Schnitkey.

Harlan E. Carolus, 82, of Garner died Monday, October 14th, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt with his family by his side after a long and courageous twenty-three year battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 19th, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner with Rev. Justin Asche officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the United Presbyterian Church and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the United Presbyterian Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Harlan E. Carolus, the son of Albert and Elsie (Rust) Carolus, was born on the home farm south of Klemme on October 19, 1930. He lived on the same farm for seventy-five years except for the time spent in the service during the Korean conflict. He was married to Betty Griffen on January 22, 1952, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. They worked together on the farm and raised four children.

In 2005, he moved to Garner but still enjoyed helping on the farm and also raised a big garden; he loved sharing the produce with everyone.

Harlan loved his family dearly and looked forward to the times he could spend with his children and grandchildren. He did not know a stranger and loved to visit with everyone.

Harlan was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Garner where he served on the trustees and session of the church for many years. He was also a member of the VFW and had been on the board of the trustees in Avery Township for many years.

He leaves behind his wife, Betty, of over 61 years; his son, Dean (Val) Carolus of Klemme; daughters, Janet (Tom) Boehnke of Ventura and Linda (Steve) Pringnitz of Katy, Texas; nine grandchildren, Kara (Sam) Wolf, Shanna Boehnke (fiancé Dylan Davison), Tyler Pringnitz, Brett (Caitlin) Carolus, Zachary Pringnitz, Trevor Carolus (fiancé Tristin Glidden), Brittany Boehnke, Kevin Boehnke and Taryn Carolus; as well as a special friend, Morgan Howie. He also leaves behind a sister, Margaret Nuehring of Britt, and many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Oxley, and her husband Mike; parents, Albert and Elsie Carolus; brother, LeRoy Carolus and his wife, Josephine Carolus; brothers-in-law, Morris Nuehring and Fred and Leon Griffen; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne Schroeder and Edna Mae Griffen.

Cataldo Funeral Home, 641-923-2841  www.cataldofuneralhome.com

Leona Sorenson, 75, of Crystal Lake, passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services for Leona Sorenson were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the United Methodist Church, 215 Summit Ave., in Crystal Lake with Pastor Chuck Layton officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation was held on Monday, Oct. 7, from 5- 7 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center St. W., in Britt and continued one hour prior to services at the church.

Leona Grace was born on May 16, 1938, to Ben and Grace (Nieman) Blank on a farm near Britt. They later moved to Kanawha where she graduated from high school in 1956.

Leona was united in marriage to Donald Marchand on Oct. 22, 1957. To this union five children were born; Patty, Larry, Mary Jo, Patrick and Dean. Don passed away on March 25, 1971, and Leona then attended NIACC and received her LPN license.

On Aug. 12, 1974, Leona married Kenneth Sorenson and welcomed his children; Brian, LaMae, Gail and Bradley into the family. They resided on a farm near Woden until their retirement when they moved to a home in Crystal Lake. Leona’s life was centered on her church and family. She enjoyed traveling, reading and gardening. She was a member of United Methodist Church, Ladies Aid, served on the Crystal Lake Library Board and taught Sunday school.

Leona is survived by her husband, Kenneth; children, Patty (Jack) Tucker of Johnson, Kan., Larry Marchand of Slidell, La., Mary Jo (Cliff) Post of Blue Earth, Minn., Patrick (Judy) Marchand of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Dean (Janet) Marchand of Longmont, Colo.; Kenny’s children, Brian (Catherine) Sorenson of Guttenburg, LaMae (Lindy) Peterson of Woonsocket, S.D., Gail (Vance) Vander Ploeg of Greybull, Wyo. and Brad (Julie) Sorenson of Woden; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Ada Schoenwetter of Garner; sisters-in-law, Ann Blank of Kanawha and Marian Blank of Garner and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Marchand, infant brother in 1927; sisters, Lillian (Clarence) Vander Ploeg and Edna (Herman) Schreur; brothers, Cecil Blank and Raymond Blank and brother in law, Homer Schoenwetter.

www.ewingfh.com
Ewing Funeral Chapel
178 Center Street West
Britt, Iowa 50423
641-843-3839

Bonna Wilson, 94, of Britt died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9,  at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt with Rev. Robert Dishman officiating. Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield.

Bonna Belle Wilson, the daughter of P.W. and Vera (Dunmire) Beukema, was born June 23, 1919 at Reasnor. She graduated from Newton High School in 1938. Bonna married Clarence Wilson of Altoona on Oct. 6, 1940. They moved to Britt in 1958 after farming in the Altoona area for many years. Bonna was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, traveling and gardening. She liked to play cards and dominos, especially with her kids and grandkids. She made her home at the Summit House in 2011 following her husband’s passing.

She was a member of the Park Church of Christ in Goldfield and the Britt Senior Citizens.

Bonna is survived by three children, Robert Wilson and wife, Judy, of Eagle Grove, Barbara Dukes and husband, Donald, of Bronson, and Shirley Hill and husband, Art, of Belt, Mont.; six grandchildren and their families, Duane Wilson and wife, Molly, and their three daughters, Heather, Amy and Sarah of Eagle Grove, Julie Dowden and her two daughters, Kari and Susie of Clarksville, Mark Wilson and wife, Beth, and their three children, Emily, Noelle and Alex of Eagle Grove, Jon Dukes and wife, Sara, and their two children, Nicole and Ryan of Bronson, Jena Dukes Huizinga and husband, Rick, of St. James, Mo. and Jane Dukes Encinias and husband, Louie, and their daughter, Larrissa of Greeley, Colo.; two sisters Vera Lloyd of Phoenix, Ariz., and JoAnn Cooper of Mitchellville; and sister-in-law, Ellen Beukema of Mitchellville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, May 1, 2011; her parents P.W. and Vera (Dunmire) Beukema; brothers, Richard, Wayne and Byron Beukema; and a sister, Betty (Beukema) Barnes.

ALICE HEJLIK MARTIN

Alice Marian Hejlik Martin, 78, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. She was born in Britt, to Frank and Bessie Hejlik.

A gathering of family and friends was from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Bradshaw Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial was held at noon on Friday, Oct. 11, at St. Odilia Church 3495 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, Minn.  Burial was in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, Wis.

She was raised on their family farm, and graduated top of her class from Sacred Heart Academy Convent School. She then graduated from Mercy Nursing School in Mason City in 1955 and later got her degree in health administration. She married William D. Martin and they made their first home in Milwaukee, Wis., residing there for 21 years. Her passion was for "life" which started her career working in the obstetrics unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in between raising her eight children. They belonged to St Sebastian's Parish. In 1976 they moved to Ladysmith, Wis., and were parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Alice continued her nursing career at Rusk Memorial Hospital and then as a home health nurse. She was active in the pro-life movement and was one of the founding directors of the Rusk County Pregnancy Resource Center. She worked with the Catholic diocese and bishop as a coordinator for the Wisconsin Right to Life movement. Alice was a true champion of life, loved by all for her gentle nature and devout faith, and handling everything life sent her with grace and dignity. She wore numerous hats: mother, wife, caregiver, activist, author, lactation and Lamaze specialist, gardener, and seamstress, among others; but most who knew her just referred to her as a saint! Her husband of 55 years, Bill, died in 2010.

Alice is survived by her eight children: Annette Kaminsky of Two Rivers, Wis.; Mary Martin of Minneapolis, Minn.; Carolyn Martin of St Cloud, Minn.; John (Patti) Martin of Cornell, Wis., David (Pam) Martin of Spooner, Wis.; Thomas (Denise) Martin of Green Bay, Wis.; William (Heather) Martin of LaCrescent, Wis.,and Patricia (Matthew) Luxton of San Diego, Calif.; and 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sisters: Betty (George) Tlach, Rosella (Dave) Tisl, Mildred (Don) Neppl, and Theresa (Cliff) Doran.

She was preceded in death by her brother Cletus (Adene) Hejlik.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred: Maryknoll: The U.S. Catholic Mission Movement, Food for the Poor, Covenant House and Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Ladysmith, Wis..

Bradshaw Funeral Home,1078 Rice Street, St Paul, Minn., 55117  651-489-1349

DON MAY 
April 17, 1925 - October 8, 2013 

Don Eugene May, 88, passed away Oct. 8, 2013 at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha following a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer.

Don was born April 17, 1925 to Hattie (Barracks) and Vern May of Corwith. He attended school in Corwith. Following his school years he helped on the family farm. While a young man he ventured to New York where he worked for a few years until enlisting in the Army in 1944.

Don was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army and a squad leader during the Luzon Campaign in World War II in the Philippines. He reenlisted in 1946 in Gifu, Japan. Don often spoke of how he was in Nagasaki, Japan, a week after the bomb was dropped and told of the devastation he witnessed. After reenlistment his occupation in the service was a member of the 60th Engineers as a construction foreman. While holding that position he helped build many structures, roads and bridges. He always spoke of the many parts of the world he visited and his chance encounter spending a day with Ernest Hemingway. While serving his country Don received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Following his discharge, he returned to the Corwith area to farm. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Gerdes June 21, 1949, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden. He and Betty farmed their entire married life until retirement when they moved into Corwith and resided until Aug. 20, 2013, when he entered the Kanawha Community Home. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Corwith and of the Corwith American Legion. Don enjoyed golfing, playing cards, gardening and spending time with family and friends. He will always be remembered for his strength, fun-loving spirit, laugh and kindness.

Don is survived by sons Tom (Peggy) May of Arvada, Colo.; Mike (Becky) May of Britt and daughter Susie (Doug) Gayken of Britt. Grandchildren: Nick (Lisa) May and their children, Kylie, Aiden and Jaxon of Ankeny; Ivy and (Jason) Gardner and their son Garrett of Wesley; Luke (Brittney) May of Britt; Paige May of Spirit Lake; Stacy Babcock of Corwith and her children Autumn, Emorie and Athens and Steven Gayken and his son Brice of Britt; step sisters Verna May of Des Moines; Phyllis (Fred) Hubler of Cedar Rapids and Elly (Ken) Keniston of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sisters-in-law Alice May of Algona, Barb Shipman of Nora Springs and Leota Gerdes of Garner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; parents, Hattie May and Vern May; step mother Minnie May; brothers Dick May and Larry May; and a great-grandson Billy Gardner.

Oakcrest Funeral Services of Corwith in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com. 

Gary Lynn Olson, 79, passed away Oct. 18, 2013 in Laramie, Wyo., surrounded by family.

He was born on Dec. 30, 1933 to Lynn and Marguerite (Wright) Olson in Britt. He was the older of two sons. He graduated high school in Austin, Minn. In his earlier high school years in Britt, Gary wrestled at 98 pound weight group. He met the love of his life, Darlene Anderson, in 1953. Gary and Darlene were married in 1956. They were happily married for 57 years and had four children. After returning home from serving in the Korean War, Gary went to school in Des Moines, on the GI bill where he received his tool and dye degree.

They traveled to Minnesota were Gary took a job at the University of Minnesota as a machinist. Gary’s hard work led to him receiving a job at the University of Wyoming in the Atmospheric Science department. Earlier this year Gary helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first weather balloon launch. Gary worked at the University of Wyoming from February 1972 to July 1995.

Gary enjoyed many hobbies which included fishing, wood working, BBQ, travel and most importantly, spending time with his family. Gary enjoyed taking Darlene to auctions, garage sales, and flea markets. They spent their winter months in Dade City, Fla., where they entertained family and friends at their home. Gary was always willing to lend a helping hand and excelled in carpentry and concrete finishing. Gary loved his family deeply and was heard to say on many occasions that he had the best family in the world. Gary built his life with his own two hands. Gary was never too busy to help a friend and touched many lives.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Darlene; children Gwen and Leonard Kosirog of Riverton, Kim and Bill Siersma of Vernal, Utah, Dan and Nancy Olson of Laramie, and Pam and Lyle Pierce of Laramie; grandchildren McKala (Siersma) and Terrance Serrano, Crystal (Kosirog) and Stanton Peterson, Eric and Miki Siersma, Lennie Kosirog, Daniel, Hannah and Haley Ahrenholtz, and Lonnie and Amy Olson; and great grandchildren Tayla and Tracen Serrano, and Brayden and Jayce Siersma.

Services were held at the United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Donations can be made in Gary’s name to the United Methodist Church of Laramie, 1215 E. Gibbon St. Laramie, WY 82070.

Services are under the direction of Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please go to www.montgomerystryker.com.

Robert Glenn Barracks, 95, of Kanawha, passed away on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at the Kanawha Community Home.

Funeral services for Robert Barracks will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Kanawha Lutheran Church, 124 West 4th St., in Kanawha with Pastors Char and Geoffrey White officiating. Burial will be at Corwith Cemetery in Corwith.

Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East 2nd St., in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Robert Barracks was born on July 22, 1918, to Glenn and Mary (Wilkinson) Barracks in Corwith, and was a lifelong resident of north central Iowa.

He loved spending time with his family, baseball, fishing, gardening and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was known by many and loved by all. He also honorably served his country and was a proud veteran of WW II.

Survived by wife of 66 years, Berniece (Omvig) and children Mary (and Mark) Sorensen, Roxanne (and Dale) Thompson, Ron (and Donna) Barracks, grandchildren Eric (and Julie) Sorensen, Claire Sorensen, Elliot Thompson, Alex Thompson, Rachael Barracks and Reese Barracks, and great grandsons Wyatt and Henry Sorensen.

www.ewingfh.com     
Ewing Funeral Home     
118 East 2nd Street  
Kanawha, Iowa 50447             
641-762-3211                              

Helen Dena Smidt, 94, of Britt went home to be with our Lord, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Funeral services for Helen Smidt were held on Monday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church, 480 Main Avenue North, in Britt with Pastor Greg Baum officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation was one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.

Helen was born April 13, 1919 to John and Jennie (Abbas) Baker. She married Henry Smidt on July 8, 1937. To this union, they had two sons, Ronald and Henry.

Helen owned and operated the Gift Nook and Bible Store in Britt for many years. She loved sewing, making floral arrangements and many other craft items. Her tea pot was always on for anyone that would stop and chat.

Helen is survived by her two sons, Ronald (Marvea) Smidt of Britt and Henry (Gayle) Smidt of Tallahassee, Fla.; one sister, Emma Applehons of West Des Moines; one sister-in-law, Geraldine Pilkin of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and 10 sisters and brothers.

www.ewingfh.com
Ewing Funeral Home
178 Center Street West
Britt, Iowa 50423
641-843-3839

Elizabeth L. “Betty” De Jong, 88, of Orange City, passed from this time into eternity on Oct. 18, 2013, at the Orange City Area Health System Hospital. She was lovingly surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.

The funeral service was on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m., at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Mark Haverdink and Mr. Thomas Hydeen officiated. Interment followed at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation was after 4 p.m. on Monday, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Betty was born to Albert and Agnes (Dykstra) Giesen, of Orange City, on May 11, 1925. She attended Orange City Christian School from kindergarten through eighth grade, after which she attended high school at Northwestern Classical Academy in Orange City. While there, she was a cheerleader and was invited to play clarinet with the college band. She also sang in the college choir and performed the solo “Somebody Did a Golden Deed.” She graduated from The Academy in 1942 and attended Northwestern College for one semester.

In 1943, she left college to assist her father at his grocery store, as many men were off to war. At the store, she performed multiple tasks, including assembling care packages for persons in the war-devastated Netherlands. She worked at her father’s store until it was sold due to his illness.

Following the war, Betty and Lloyd K. De Jong were united in marriage at First Reformed Church in Orange City on Sept. 26, 1946. They became the proud parents of two children, Myra and Wayne. Betty was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed taking care of her family’s home. In addition, she held various jobs over the years, including working at the co-owned Corner Market and IGA grocery stores, the Capital newspaper, the Sioux County Treasurer’s Office, and Toyland at The Village during Christmas. Given her close ties to the war, Betty was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over sixty years.

Throughout her life, Betty enjoyed many different activities. As a child, she loved roller-skating in addition to playing clarinet and singing. Later, she enjoyed knitting baby sweaters, cross-stitching, and reading. Betty was also an excellent baker and was determined to ensure family and friends alike had plenty of cookies to eat. She also spent countless hours playing games with her family, including Yahtzee! and Farkle. Betty always enjoyed life, maintaining her positive outlook and sense of humor in every situation and shared a laugh with everyone she met.

Betty’s faith was center to her life, and she was a lifelong member of First Reformed Church of Orange City. She was a member of the Ruth Circle, but most dear to her heart was singing high soprano in the church choir for over fifty years.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses, Myra and John Bowman of Britt, and Wayne De Jong and Lisa Erdos of San Francisco, Calif.; along with her grandchildren, Ryan and Kelly Bowman of Humboldt, and Jill Bowman of Edina, Minn. She will also be missed by two special nieces, Noreen (Ted) De Hoogh of Sioux Center and Ellen De Jager of Sioux City; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor De Jong and Frances De Jong, both of Orange City; and several other relatives and friends.

Betty has joined in heaven, her husband, Lloyd; her parents, Albert and Agnes; her brother, Nanning Giesen; and her sister, Ella Harmina (Myna) De Jager.

Memorials may be directed to the First Reformed Church broadcasting ministry.

You may express your sympathy at www.oolman.com.