AMES - Catherine Ruth Hamilton, 89, of Ames died Friday, March 26, 2004, at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames due to complications from a recent stroke. A memorial service will be Saturday, April 3, at 3 p.m. at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames. The family will host a reception Friday, April 2, from 6:30 until 9 p.m. in the Campanile Room at Iowa State University's memorial Union. Internment will be at the Iowa State University Cemetery.

Ruth was born Nov. 15, 1914, in Blair, Neb., to Charles and Gertrude (Walton) Farnham. She graduated from Blair High School in 1932, and received a B.S. degree in home economics from Iowa State College in 1936. Ruth received a M.S. degree from ISC in 1937. She taught at Texas State Teachers College for Women in Denton, Texas, in 1937/38. Ruth married Carl Hamilton on Aug. 24, 1938, at the First Congregational Church parsonage in Ames. The Hamilton's moved to Washington D.C. and lived there until 1948. The family then moved to Iowa Falls where Carl and Ruth purchased a majority interest in the Citizen Printing Company, which published the Iowa Falls Citizen and Hardin County Times. While in Iowa Falls, Ruth served on the library board from 1957 to 1962. She was named Iowa Falls Business and Professional Women's Woman of the Year in 1961. She was a member of the Isabella Literary Society in Iowa Falls from 1949 until her death. Ruth and Carl were members of the First Congregational Church of Iowa Falls. In 1961, the Hamilton's moved to Ames when Carl accepted an administrative position at Iowa State University. They were members of Collegiate Presbyterian Church and active participants in many church endeavors over the years. The 43 years she lived in Ames were filled with civic involvement. In addition to the ex-officio role she played for many Iowa State events and projects, she was elected to the Ames School Board in 1970 and served until 1979. In 1973, Ruth became the first woman to serve as the board's president. She also served on the Story County Soil and Water Conservation Commission from 1988 to 1994. Ruth was an active member of the Ames League of Women Voters, serving as its president from 1966 to 1968. She was the recipient of the League's Carrie Chapman Catt Award in 1994. Ruth was an avid reader and loved to travel, especially to visit family members and old friends. Many of her favorite activities focused on making her home a welcoming place where she was equally happy to entertain formally or host ISU students, her book club, bridge club or family dinner.

Survivors include four children, Ann Campbell of Ames, Blair of Fayetteville, N.C., Bruce and wife Nancy of Catonsville, Md., and Mark and wife Laura of Ames; sister-in-law, Alice Walters of Jefferson; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, in 1991.

HAMPTON - Norman L. Johnson, 78, of Hampton died Monday, April 5, 2004, at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East Campus in Mason City. Funeral services will be Friday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton with Rev. Jon Anderson officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Military services will be provided by the Hampton Veterans' Memorial Association. Visitation is Thursday, April 8, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Norman was born June 29, 1925, at Chaseburg, Wis., to Maurice and Irene (Gilbertson) Johnson. He was raised in La Crosse, Wis., where he graduated from high school, going on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin. Norman served in the Army Air Force during WWII from 1943 until 1945. On June 18, 1955, he was united in marriage to Marguerite Erich at Madison, Wis. Norman was a soil scientist for the Soil Conservation Services and farmed near Elma. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Norman enjoyed fishing, hunting, farming and nature.

Survivors include his wife, Marguerite of Hampton; four daughters, Amy Stockton and husband Gary of Lebanon, Tenn., Linda Kotenbrink of Hampton, Erica Johnson and husband Danial of Omaha, Neb., and Sara Johnson of San Antonio, Texas; one son, Andrew Johnson and wife Bernadette of Houston, Texas; one sister, Gean Lee and husband Don of LaCrosse; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

ACKLEY - Harvey Rieken, 93, of Ackley died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at his home. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. at the Sietsema Funeral Home of Ackley with Pastor Mary Stonebraker officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 14, from 5 until 8 p.m.

Harvey was born Nov. 19, 1910, in rural Grundy County near Ackley to Jack and Ockje (DeBuhr) Rieken. In 1945, he was united in marriage to Martha Boheman. She died in 1954. Harvey married Julia Osterland on Aug. 21, 1958, at Nashua. He worked for Beu and Sons Co. at Grundy Center, operating a dragline in agricultural lime and gravel work in quarries. Later Harvey was involved in his family's lime and rock quarry business, and then farmed until his retirement in 1987. He enjoyed traveling and playing horseshoes.

Survivors include two nieces, Rosemary Sicard and Dolores Geerdes, and great nieces and nephews.

GRAETTINGER - Ferman Max Watson, 83, Graettinger died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg. Funeral services were Saturday, April 10, 2004, at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger with Rev. Vicki Fisher officiating. Burial was in the High Lake Township Cemetery, rural Wallingford.

Ferman was born, June 7, 1920, near Ayrshire to Sam and Gertrude (Fread) Watson. He attended Hoprig School through the eighth grade. On Aug. 18, 1940, Ferman was united in marriage to Carolyn Johnson. They lived with Johnnie and Thelma Johnson for one year, then near Estherville for a year, and many years at two other farms near Graettinger. He was a lifelong farmer, and enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping.

Survivors include his four daughters, Dietta Watson of Grand Forks, N.D., Janice Bahr and husband Robert; Linda Christensen and husband Ron, and Norma Jackson and husband Jim all of of Graettinger; seven grandchildren, including Elaine and Wendell Bahr of Alden; five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two sisters, and two grandsons.

CARMEL, Calif. - Eloise Mayburn LeVett, 93, of Carmel, Calif., died Saturday, April 3, 2004. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 13, at the Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel.

Eloise was born March 5, 1911, in Walnut to A. J. and Marie Strutz and moved to Iowa Falls in 1920. In 1935, she was united in marriage to Frank K. LeVett at Iowa Falls. Frank died in 1954, and in 1957, she moved to Gridley, Calif. Eloise took a position as schoolteacher in Yuba City, where she taught grammar school for 16 years, retiring in 1973. In 1981, Eloise moved to Palo Alto, Calif., where she cared for grandchildren and enjoyed playing bridge. She moved to Palm Desert in 1984, and in 1998 to the Monterey Peninsula.

Survivors include one son, Denny LeVett; a daughter-in-law, Karen LeVett; two grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

ACKLEY - Pamela Sue Mudderman, 56, of Ackley died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at the Muse-Norris Hospice House in Mason City. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 13, at the Linn's Funeral Chapel in Ackley.

Pamela was born June 24, 1947, at Eldora to Virgil and Lenora (Macy) Smith. She attended the Eldora Community Schools. On Nov. 1, 1963, Pamela was united in marriage to Melvin Mudderman at Eldora. She was employed by Dodger Industries in Eldora as a line supervisor, Waldorf Foods and The Coffee Suite, both in Ackley, and then started baking from her home, calling her business Cake & More.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin, of Ackley; one son, Melvin Mudderman Jr. and wife Geni of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Barbara Crawford of Ames and Sharon Krumm and husband Daniel of Kellogg; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Janet Harms of Grinnell and Eloise Roethler and husband Phillip of Marshalltown; and one brother, Raymond Smith and wife Julene of Ankeny.

ELDORA - Shirley J. Cockerham, 73, of Eldora died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at her daughter's home near Hubbard. Services were Monday, April 12, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. Burial was at the Eldora City Cemetery.

Shirley was born April 11, 1930, in Moston, Wis., to Irwin and Lillian (Tuch) Mueller. She was raised in Wisconsin, moving to Eldora in her teenage years, and attended Eldora High School. On Oct. 4, 1947, she was united in marriage to Clarence Cockerham at her parents' home. Shirley was a homemaker and was employed by Eldora Manor as a nurse's aide, the Ackley canning factory and was later a day-care provider. In 1992, she moved to Hubbard.

Survivors include her three sons, Dana Cockerham of Iowa City, Stuart Cockerham and wife Karen of Tallahassee, Fla., and Daniel Cockerham of Iowa City; one daughter, Cara Loewen and husband Wince of Hubbard; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Brian Mueller of Iowa Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one sister, Dawn Sapp Lusher.

APLINGTON - Leona Hoffman, 91, of Aplington died Friday, April 9, 2004, after a short stay at Maple Manor Care Center in Aplington. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 13, at the Aplington Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Smith officiating. Interment was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Aplington.

Leona was born Nov. 30, 1912, to Lammert and Lena (DeWeerodt) Hoffman at their home in rural Grundy County, near Buck Grove Township. She lived and worked most of her life on the Hoffman farm until moving to Parkersburg in 1972. Leona enjoyed working on the farm, especially with her flowers, and the farm cats. She was a member of the Aplington Baptist Church.

Survivors include one brother, Carl Hoffman and wife Bert of Parkersburg; one sister, Ethel Avery of Aplington; four nieces; and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, John and Louis, and two in infancy; one sister, Vera Hoffman and one niece.

Steven Lewis Whitman was born May 17, 1938, at Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of John Lewis and Ruth Sylvia Quaife. He attended the Iowa Falls Community Schools graduating with the class of 1956. He then attended Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls. He served with the Iowa Army National Guard at Iowa Falls, Iowa. On January 15, 1966 he was united in marriage to Linda Kay Pickering at Hubbard, Iowa. He was a groundskeeper at the Meadow Hills Golf Club, Iowa Falls. Steve enjoyed his family, woodworking, and his three hole in ones at Meadow Hills. He was a member of Meadow Hills Golf Club and the Thursday morning senior league.

Stephen L. Whitman is survived by his wife: Linda Whitman, Iowa Falls; two daughters: Stephanie M. Stark and husband Vincent of Ames, Iowa, Nicole Ward and husband Craig of Iowa Falls; one son: Rick A. Whitman and wife Alana of Iowa Falls; six grandchildren: Beau and Brandon Klaffke, Bailey Sterk of Ames, Iowa, Lauren Whitman of Iowa Falls, Jacob and Logan Ward of Iowa Falls; one sister: Judy Fouts and husband Stan of Central Point Oregon; and one brother: Stanley Whitman and wife Kathy of Henderson, Nevada.

Dorien E. Steenrod was born September 19, 1914, in Selkerk, Manitoba, Canada the daughter of Murdock John and Isabella [Stevens] Reid. She was educated in St. Charles Academy and St. Joseph's Academy in Winnipeg, Canada, and graduated from Norwood High School in Norwood, Manitoba, Canada. Prior to entering nursing school she attended St. John's College, Winnipeg. Her life dream of becoming a nurse was fulfilled when she graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1936. On September 3, 1938, she was united in marriage to Dr. Emerson Joseph Steenrod in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her husband established a medical practice in Iowa Falls, Iowa, in 1939. She assisted him and became a housewife and fulltime mother when her two children were born: Patricia and Robert. Dorien was a member of St. Matthew Episcopal Church, Iowa Falls, and charter member of the Questers, a charter and life member of the Iowa Falls Historical Society, an over 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Iowa Falls Literary Society.

Survivors include her sister: Lorna Reid of Clive, Iowa; her children: Patricia Dorien Steenrod of Reno, Nevada, her son: Robert Emerson Steenrod and wife Sharon of Des Moines, Iowa; three grandchildren: Heather A. Steenrod, Christopher J. Steenrod and wife Ann, and Ryan A. Steenrod al of Des Moines, Iowa.

ELDORA - Veva A. King, 85, of Eldora died Saturday, April 24, 2004, at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora with Pastor David Splett officiating. Burial will follow in the Eldora City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 28, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora.

Veva was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Stepleton, Neb., to Clarence and Bertha (Woods) Henry. She was raised and educated in Nebraska and attended college in Le Mars for one year. In 1938, Veva moved to Eldora, working as a waitress and later as a store clerk, leaving for a short time to work in Ames for an ordinance plant. On Oct. 10, 1942, Veva was united in marriage to Leland King at Eldora. They farmed for several years in the Owasa area, and in 1961, moved to Oxford, Ind. In 1965, they moved back to Eldora. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Marilyn Oliver of Oxford, Ind., Joyce Morlan of West Lafayette, Ind., and Rose King of Irving, Texas; three sisters, Virginia Wells of Escondido, Calif., Evelyn Reints and husband Benny of Parkersburg, and Arla Holcomb of Peoria, Ariz.; one brother, Marvin Henry of Richmond, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

IOWA FALLS - Stephen "Steve" Lewis Whitman, 65, of Iowa Falls died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at his home. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 29, at the Linn's Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel, with burial to follow at Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 28, from 2 until 8 p.m., with the family present to receive friends between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.

Steve was born May 17, 1938, at Iowa Falls to John and Ruth (Quaife) Lewis. He attended the Iowa Falls Community Schools, graduating in 1956, and attended Ellsworth Community College. Steve served with the Iowa Army National Guard at Iowa Falls. On Jan. 16, 1966, he was united in marriage to Linda Kay Pickering at Hubbard. Steve was groundskeeper at the Meadow Hills Golf Club in Iowa Falls. He was a member of Meadow Hills Golf Club and the Thursday morning senior league. Steve enjoyed his family, woodworking and his three hole-in-ones at Meadow Hills.

Survivors include his wife, Linda of Iowa Falls; two daughters, Stephanie Sterk and husband Vincent of Ames, and Nicole Ward and husband Craig of Iowa Falls; one son, Rick Whitman and wife Alana of Iowa Falls; six grandchildren, Beau Klaffke of Ames, Brandon Klaffke of Hubbard, Bailey Sterk of Ames, Lauren Whitman and Jacob and Logan Ward, all of Iowa Falls; one sister, Judy Fouts and husband Stan of Central Point, Ore., and one brother Stanley Whitman and wife Kathy of Henderson, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Whitman.

IOWA FALLS - Marguerite Ruth Hale, 88, of Iowa Falls died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral services will be Friday, April 30, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with Revs. Don and Rhoda Preston officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls.

Marguerite was born July 15, 1915, in Iowa Falls to Sylvester (Marvin) and Nettie (Cronk) Sanders. She graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1932, and Ellsworth Conservatory of Music. Marguerite was a member of the Mother's Club, Etude Club, church choir and bridge club. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include three sons, J. Richard Hale of Center Ossipee, NH, Dan Hale of Lebanon, Ore., and David Hale of Arroyo Seco, NM; five daughters, Sandra Groethe of Richfield, Minn., Suzan Dreyer of Ames, Jane Moss of Houston, Texas, Joelle Floren of Johnston and Margo Harden of Las Vegas, Nev.; 28 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Kathryn Foster of Iowa Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and a sister.

IOWA FALLS - Jay W. Hamilton, 61, of Iowa Falls died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 29, at Morgan United Methodist Church, rural Dows, with Rev. David Gobeli officiating. Burial will be at Maynes Grove Cemetery, rural Bradford. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 28, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Jay was born Nov. 4, 1942, at Iowa Falls to Lawrence and Leah (Scott) Hamilton. He graduated from Franklin Community School in Latimer and attended the University of Iowa, receiving his law degree. Jay was a member of the Iowa Bar Association. He served in the ROTC at the University of Iowa, and was a captain in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Jay worked at Hobson & Cady Law firm in Hampton and farmed. He was a member of the Morgan United Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, Franklin County Fair Board, and was previously active in 4-H. Jay enjoyed music, Iowa State sporting events, collectible arts, and farming.

Survivors include his mother, Leah Hamilton of Hampton; three brothers, Larry and wife Barb of Cedar Falls, John and wife Linda of Hampton, and Steven and wife Julie of Laramie, Wyo.; one sister, Ardith Kirchhoff and husband Marc of Columbia, Mo.; his friend, David Patrick of Iowa Falls; and several nieces and nephews.

GRUNDY CENTER - Fred O. Dinnes, 76, of Grundy Center, formerly of Eldora, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Long Term Care Unit, Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 27, at the Ivester Church of the Brethren, Grundy Center, with Pastor Tim Button-Harrison and Pastor Marlene Neher officiating. Burial was at the Sheller Cemetery, Eldora. Military rites were provided by the Walter Sayer Post No. 182 American Legion and Roll-Harless Post No. 3974 VFW.

Fred was born Jan. 1, 1928, at Eldora to Orla and Retta (Tilton) Dinnes. He attended school at Melrose No. 5, and graduated from Whitten High School in 1946. Fred served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a farmer, trained horses and was involved in trucking. Fred was a member of the Walter Sayer Post No. 182 American Legion of Eldora.

Survivors include one brother, John Dinnes and wife Mary of Eldora; four nieces, Barbara Brekke of Loveland, Colo., Norma Dinnes of Saint Cloud, Minn., Mary Anderson of Gilman, and Phyllis Gotta of Oskaloosa; seven grandnieces and nephews; and five great-grandnieces.

CLIVE - Dorien Steenrod, 89, of Clive, formerly of Iowa Falls, died Saturday, April 24, 2004, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 27, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls, with burial at Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls.

Dorien was born Sept. 19, 1914, in Selkerk, Manitoba, Canada, to Murdock and Isabella (Stevens) Reid. She was educated in St. Charles Academy and St. Joseph's Academy in Winnipeg, Canada, and graduated from Norwood High School in Norwood, Manitoba. Dorien attended St. John's College in Winnipeg, and in 1936, she graduated from nursing school at Winnipeg General Hospital. On Sept. 3, 1938, she was united in marriage to Dr. Emerson Steenrod in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1939, her husband established a medical practice in Iowa Falls, where Dorien assisted. She later became a full-time housewife and mother. Dorien was a member of St. Matthew Episcopal Church in Iowa Falls, and charter member of the Scenic City Questers, a charter and life member of the Iowa Falls Historical Society, an over 50-year member of the Eastern Star and a member of the Iowa Falls Literary Society.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Dorien Steenrod of Reno, Nev.; one son, Robert Emerson Steenrod and wife Sharon of Des Moines; three grandchildren, Heather A. Steenrod, Christopher J. Steenrod and wife Ann and Ryan A. Steenrod, all of Des Moines; one great-granddaughter, Carly Jean Steenrod of Des Moines; and one sister, Lorna Reid of Clive. She was preceded in death by her parent; her husband; two brothers, Jack and Orville Reid; and two sisters, Muriel Neil and Verlie Wyman.

Memorials may be directed to the family in care of her son: Bob Steenrod, 32 S.W. 58th St., Des Moines, IA 50312.

HAMPTON - Ann Merrill Shelby, 84, of Hampton died Thursday, April 22, 2004, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Funeral services were Monday, April 26, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hampton with Father Jim Miller officiating. Burial was in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.

Ann was born Dec. 5, 1919, at Des Moines to Keith and Rachel (Garst) Merrill. She graduated from high school in Des Moines. Ann served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate Third Class. On Aug. 9, 1946, she was united in marriage to William H. Shelby at Des Moines. Ann was a homemaker and worked as a receptionist at her husband's chiropractic clinic in Hampton. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hampton. Ann was involved in Centering Prayer Group, Friends of the Hampton Library, and was a hospice volunteer. She was a master gardener, liked to travel, was an avid reader, a delegate for the Democratic Party and a pianist.

Survivors include three sons, Jim Shelby and wife Margaret of Kansas City, Mo., David Shelby, and C. Patrick Shelby and wife Brenda, all of Minneapolis, Minn.; four daughters, Mary Rachel Jolin and husband Marc of North Hatley, Quebec, Canada, Christine Bee and husband Mike of Monona; Margaret Kitterman and husband Jeff of Sauke Centre, Minn., and Laura Shelby of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Patricia Morey of Denton, Texas, and Gretchen Wilson and husband Tom of Troutman, N.C.; one brother, Keith Merrill Jr. and wife Suzy of Des Moines; and 12 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one grandson.