VENTURA — Merlin W. Brinkman, 62, of 9 Marflow, Ventura, died Friday (Dec. 5, 1997).

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Ventura United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Gobeli officiating. The family will be at the church one hour before the service to greet friends. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the Merlin W. Brinkman Memorial Fund.

Merlin was born Aug. 19, 1933, in Klemme, the son of Martin and Meta (Baack) Brinkman. He graduated from Klemme High School. Merlin served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. After the service, he moved back to Klemme and attended Hamilton College and earned a degree in accounting. He worked for Dewey Electric as an accountant.

Merlin married Ina VanBuskirk on June 15, 1963, in Goodale. He was in the banking business in the area for more than 30 years.

Merlin was a member of Ventura United Methodist Church.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Ina Brinkman, of Ventura; two sons, Jeff Brinkman and his wife, Tricia, of Portage, Mich., and Dan Brinkman at Iowa State University, Ames; one grandson, Lane Brinkman; three brothers, Garland Brinkman and his wife, Karna, of Garner, Ronald Brinkman and his wife, Alice, of Klemme, and Martin Brinkman Jr. and his wife, Lois, of Sheffield; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dustin James Whitson

WHITTEMORE — Dustin James Whitson, 16, of Whittemore died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) in a car accident at 609 Highway 18 West, Algona.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lyle D. Hansen officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held after 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael’s Parish Center. The Geilenfeld-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dustin James Whitson was born July 12, 1981, in Britt.

Survivors include his mother, Bernadine Ladehoff and his step-father, Jim Kellogg, of Whittemore; one brother, Len Ladehoff of Milaca, Minn.; and one step-brother, Matt Kellogg of Lawton.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and his grandmother.

Alice Mellecker

CLARION — Alice Mellecker, 93, of Clarion, died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Willim Funeral Home, with the Rev. Charles Kellogg of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Alice Elizabeth Mellecker was born July 14, 1904, at Laurens.

Survivors include three sisters, Frances Thomason of Ames, Leone McClelland of Clarion, and Violet Bradford of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers and one sister.

Simon Sterling Simonson

WHITTEMORE — Simon Sterling Simonson, 16, of Whittemore, died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) in a car accident at 609 Highway 18 West, Algona.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lyle D. Hansen officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held after 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael’s Parish Center. The Geilenfeld-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Simon Sterling Simonson was born June 16, 1981, in Emmetsburg.

Survivors include his parents, Simon and Nancy Simonson of Whittemore; two sisters, Tanya Weir of West Bend, and Sondra Simonson of Cylinder; grandparents, Sterling and Helen Simonson of Whittemore, Evelyn Cullen of Emmetsburg, and Geraldine Zeman of West Bend.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers.

Marian Elizabeth Duncan

LAKELAND, Fla. — Marian Elizabeth Duncan, 91, of Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Mason City, died Wednesday (Dec. 3, 1997) in Lakeland following a lengthy illness.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Oakland Cemetery in Manchester, Iowa, with the Rev. Tim Bauler officiating.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to services at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home in Manchester.

Marian Elizabeth Duncan was born Dec. 14, 1905, in Delhi, to E.J. and Elizabeth Perkins Hopkins. She married Harold Duncan in 1932. He died in 1984. Marian was a member of the Congregational Church and Eastern Star.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Anne Dandy and her husband, Don, of Waverly; two grandchildren, Kathy Faber and her husband, Blaine, of Lenexa, Kan., and Lynn Taylor and husband, Kevin, of Olathe, Kan.; and three great-grandchildren, Courtney Faber, Mackenzie and Michaela Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harold; two sisters and a grandchild.

Thelma Blunt

CHARLES CITY — Thelma Blunt, 86, of Charles City, died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) at the Riverside Chautauqua Guest Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jack Ivey of First Congregational Church officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue from noon to 9 p.m. Monday, and from 9 a.m. Tuesday until service time.

Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa, Charles City.

Thelma Adina Sylvester Blunt was born April 25, 1911, in Charles City.

Survivors include a nephew, Curt Sylvester of Detroit, Mich.; a niece, Suzanne Cattell of Orlando, Fla.; and a sister-in-law, Jane Sylvester of Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and three brothers.

Irene A. Stebbins

BRITT — Irene A. Stebbins, 64, of Britt, died Friday (Dec. 5, 1997) at the Hancock County Hospital.

According to the wishes of the family, her body was cremated. There will be no services. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

The family of Irene A. Stebbins has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Irene A. Stebbins Memorial Fund in her memory.

Survivors include her husband, Alfred Stebbins of Britt; three children, Debi Schutzer of Britt, John Stebbins of Lacota, and Laura Wood of Pitchburg, Pa.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister.

Lois Mae Nixt

CHARLES CITY — Lois Mae Nixt, 63, of Charles City, died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Faith Bible Chapel, with the Rev. A.C. Wegner officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Roseville (rural Marble Rock).

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at Reid’s Funeral Chapel in Marble Rock, and will continue one hour prior to services on Tuesday.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Lois Mae Nixt Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Lois Mae Carpenter was born May 14, 1934, in rural Fredericksburg.

Survivors include five daughters, Theresa Staudt of Marble Rock, Thelma Onken of Greene, Tammie Garber of Nora Springs, Toni Merrill of Stewartville, Minn., and Tina Stock of Charles City; two sons, Terry Carpenter of Charles City, and Tom Bouillon of Rockford; 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Blanche Michner of Eagle Grove and Maxine Costello of New Hampton; and two brothers, Harry Carpenter of Fredericksburg, and Kenneth Carpenter of Milwaukee, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, one sister and three brothers.

Mary Margaret McCarron

MASON CITY — Mary Margaret McCarron, 73, of 9 Willowbrook Drive, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. 

James W. Mars

ROCKFORD — James W. Mars, 72, of Rockford died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Schumburg Funeral Home. 

Jerry L. Murphy

CLARION — Jerry L. Murphy, 67, of Clarion died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Wayne Droessler officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be held after 3 p.m. Monday at Willim Funeral Home. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., with a Knights of Columbus Rosary to follow.

Gerald Lawrence Murphy was born Aug. 11, 1930, in Webster City.

Survivors include his wife, Joan of Clarion; five children, Diana Henninger of Clarion, Mike of Altoona, Michele Leininger of Bonner Springs, Kan., Linda Murphy of Goldfield, and Bob of Clarion; five grandchildren; his mother, Odelia Murphy of the Clarion Care Center; two brothers, Jim Murphy of Hayes, Kan., and Denny Murphy of Clarion; two sisters, Marge Dahlgren of Clarion and Shirley Berens of Pleasant Hill.

He was preceded in death by his father. 

Martha Clement

FOREST CITY — Martha Clement, 80, of Forest City, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. George Kalb and the Rev. John Fuller officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home.

Martha Clement was born July 6, 1917, in Clear Lake.

Martha is survived by one son, Merle Clement of Forest City; two grandchildren; and one brother, Art Cantrall of Grand Terrace Calif.

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

Bernard K. Robuck

MASON CITY — Bernard K. Robuck, 70, of 106 Country Circle, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church, 318 N. Adams Ave.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., where other arrangements are incomplete. 

Katherine Ewy

MASON CITY — Katherine Ewy, 74, of 211 21st St. S.E., died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the North Iowa Mercy Health Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. 

Irene A. Stebbins

BRITT — Irene A. Stebbins, 64, of Britt, died Friday (Dec. 5, 1997) at the Hancock County Hospital.

According to the wishes of the family her body was cremated. There will be no services.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

The family of Irene A. Stebbins has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Garner Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in her memory.

Irene A. Stebbins was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Leicester, Mass., the daughter of Wilfred and Annette (Berthiaume) Barton.

She was united in marriage to Alfred Stebbins. Irene moved to Iowa in 1996 to be closer to her family.

She was a member of the Jehovah Witness in Garner and was a former member of the Palmer Jehovah Witness in Massachusetts.

Survivors include her husband, Alfred Stebbins of Britt; three children, Debi Schutzer and her husband, Tom, of Britt, John Stebbins and his wife, Francine, of Lakota, and Laura Wood of Fitchburg, Mass.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. 

Merlin W. Brinkman

VENTURA — Merlin W. Brinkman, 62, of 9 Marflow, Ventura, died Friday (Dec. 5, 1997).

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Ventura United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Gobeli officiating. The family will be at the church one hour before the service to greet friends. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the Merlin W. Brinkman Memorial Fund.

Merlin was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Klemme, the son of Martin and Meta (Baack) Brinkman. He graduated from Klemme High School. Merlin served in the Army from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean Conflict. After the service he moved back to Klemme and attended Hamilton College and earned a degree in accounting. He worked for Dewey Electric as an accountant.

Merlin Brinkman married Ina VanBuskirk on June 15, 1963, in Goodale. He was in the banking business in the area for more than 30 years.

Merlin was a member of Ventura United Methodist Church.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Ina Brinkman, of Ventura; two sons, Jeff Brinkman and his wife, Tricia, of Portage, Mich., and Dan Brinkman at Iowa State University, Ames; one grandson, Lane Brinkman; three brothers, Garland Brinkman and his wife, Karna, of Garner, Ronald Brinkman and his wife, Alice, of Klemme, and Martin Brinkman Jr. and his wife, Lois, of Sheffield; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Lois Mae Nixt

CHARLES CITY — Funeral services for Lois Mae Nixt, 63, of 1000 Terrace Road, Charles City, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Faith Bible Chapel, 1701 Ohio Ave., Charles City, with the Rev. A.C. Wegner officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Roseville, rural Marble Rock.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at Reid’s Funeral Chapel in Marble Rock, and will continue one hour before services on Tuesday at the church.

Lois Mae Carpenter was born May 14, 1934, in rural Fredericksburg, Iowa, a daughter of Peter William and Velta A. (Snider) Carpenter, and died Thursday (Dec. 4, 1997) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City of an aneurysm.

She received her education in the rural schools near Fredericksburg and as a young lady worked in the local area.

On Sept. 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to Marcel Bouillon in Waterloo. They farmed in Floyd County until moving to Greene in 1961. The marriage ended on June 23, 1975.

Lois was employed by Mathers Nursing Home, Riverside Cafe and Holzschuh Processing, all in Greene.

On July 11, 1981, she was united in marriage to Cletus George Nixt at his farm near Marble Rock, where they made their home until his death on Jan. 7, 1989. She moved to Charles City shortly thereafter where she became involved as a volunteer Foster Grandparent and Friend. She was recognized for her service as a Foster Grandparent.

Her interests included collecting music boxes, dancing, traveling throughout the United States on bus tours, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the Faith Bible Chapel in Charles City, former member of the Marble Rock Legion Auxiliary, former Girl Scout volunteer, and while living in Marble Rock, she made her home open to the members of the Flood Creek Lodge.

Living family members included five daughters, Theresa and her husband, Kenny Staudt, of Marble Rock, Thelma and her husband, Dennis Onken, of Greene, Tammie and her husband, Paul Garber, of Nora Springs, Toni Merrill and her companion, Bob Hicks, of Stewartville, Minn., and Tina Stock and her companion, Stephen Cartwright, of Charles City; two sons, Terry and his wife, Cindy Carpenter, of Charles City, and Tom and his wife, Sandy Bouillon, of Rockford; 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters and their spouses, Blanche and Richard Michner, of Eagle Grove, and Maxine and John Costello, of New Hampton; two brothers and their spouses, Harry and Kathy Carpenter, of Fredericksburg; and Kenneth and Audrey Carpenter, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and a sister-in-law, Delores Carpenter, of Milwaukee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Timothy Bouillon in 1958; one sister, Roberta; and three brothers, Donald, LaVern and Robert.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Lois Mae Nixt Memorial Fund in care of the family. 

Leo Patrick ‘Pat’ Murphy

RICEVILLE — Leo Patrick "Pat" Murphy, 73, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 1997, at his home in Riceville, Iowa.

Leo Patrick Murphy was born on Nov. 13, 1924, in Dunlap, Iowa, the son of John and Ann (O’Connor) Murphy.

He graduated from Dunlap High School. He worked at John Deere as a core maker, worked at Rath Packing Plant, and owned and operated Murphy’s Tavern in Riceville.

On July 18, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lois Armstrong at St. John’s Church in Waterloo, Iowa.

They lived in Waterloo, Iowa, and Wykoff, Minn., before moving to Riceville in 1955.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Howard County Conservation Board and the Riceville Fire Department. He also operated a concession stand at many of the county fairs and stock car races.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; one daughter, Lynda Foster of Riceville; two sons, Thomas and his wife, Jan, and Timothy and his wife, Penny, all of Ruthven; 10 grandchildren, Chad, Stephanie, Todd and Stacey Foster; April and Courtney Murphy; Adam, Patrick, Anthony and Megan Murphy; three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Katelyn and Christen; one brother, William of Oelwein; two sisters, Kathleen Heller of Dunlap, and Mary Wilke of Omaha, Neb.; a son-in-law, Dean Foster; and a daughter-in-law, Donna Nesitt.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Shawn Murphy; three brothers, Edward, Eugene and John; and one sister, JoAnn Heubner.

Constance Steffen

RICEVILLE — Constance Steffen, 87, of the Stacyville Community Nursing Home, formerly of Riceville, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville with the Rev. John Moser officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday where there will be a Scripture service at 4 p.m. and a rosary at 5:30 p.m.

Constance Steffen was born March 11, 1910.

Survivors include four sons; Almond Steffen, Waterloo, Vincent Steffen, Mazeppa, Minn., and Emmet (Pat) Moore and Owen (Jack) Moore of California; 13 grandchildren; and eight grandchildren.

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

Ervin William Dralle

ALLISON — Ervin William Dralle, 92, of Allison, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Allison Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Greene. The Rev. Nancy Vieker will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home.

Ervin William Dralle was born Sept. 15, 1905, in Allison.

He is survived by his wife, Velma, of Allison; one son, Darold Dralle, Wabasha, Minn; one daughter, Betty Jane Frey, Aplington; two brothers, Paul and Lawrence Dralle, Greene; one sister, Rosamond Bruns, Greene; and five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Sue McGrath

CLARION — Sue McGrath, 35, of Clarion, died at her home on Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997).

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Willim Funeral Home.

Mary M. McCarron

MASON CITY — Mary Margaret McCarron, 73, of 9 Willowbrook Drive, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m.

Katherine Ewy

MASON CITY — Katherine Ewy, 74, 211 21 St. S.E., died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., with the Rev. David Anderson and the Rev. Rodney Holmburg officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church or the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

Wilbur R. Crooks

MASON CITY — Wilbur R. Crooks, 84, of Mason City, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E.

Bernard K. Robuck

MASON CITY — Bernard K. Robuck, 70, of 106 Country Circle, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, 318 N. Adams Ave., with the Rev. Rick Eichenlaub officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be a flag folding ceremony by the Mason City Memorial Association.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Masonic services by Harding Lodge No. 649 A.F. & A.M., will be held at 7 p.m. today.

Bernard K. Robuck was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Des Moines, the son of Vernon E. and Myrtle O. (Burgett) Robuck. Bernard attended and graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1945. He also attended Grandview Junior College.

Bernie served in the U.S. Navy during the end of World War II and during the Korean conflict, being discharged in 1951. After the service, Bernie returned to Iowa and worked for All State Insurance Company for six years and for Travelers Insurance for six years. Bernie lived in Davenport and Cedar Rapids before moving to Mason City in 1983. Bernie worked for the IMT Insurance Company for 17 years, retiring in 1991 as a district claims manager. Bernie married F. Elaine Park on Dec. 26, 1975, in Cedar Rapids. Bernie loved to golf, do lawn work and his pup Bear.

He was a member of First Christian Church, Mason City; Fraternal Lodge No. 221, A.F. & A.M., of Davenport; El Kahir Shrine Temple, Cedar Rapids; Cedar Rapids York Rite Bodies; Trowel Chapter No. 49; Cedar Rapids Palestine Council No. 27; and Appolo Commandry No. 26 of Cedar Rapids; and was a former member of the Elks Lodge No. 375 in Mason City.

Survivors include his wife, F. Elaine Robuck of Mason City; children, Patricia Funk of Mason City, Gerald V. Thele and his wife, Susan, of Mesa, Ariz., Shellie Hasley and her fiance, Rick Simon, of Rockford, Scott A. Park of Cedar Rapids and Rodney L. Park of Mason City; six granddaughters, Jennifer, Tiffany, Amy, Stephanie, Dolly and Brooke; his mother, Myrtle O. Robuck of Davenport; and two sisters, Marjory Ferris and Judy Robuck, both of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother in infancy.

Marie J. Tibeau

CHARLES CITY — Marie J. Tibeau, 85, of 714 Eighth Ave., died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Ninth Street Chautauqua Guest Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, U.S. Highway 18 and Clark Street, with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Monday at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. St. Michael’s Circle will recite the rosary at 3 p.m. and there will be a parish scriptural wake service at 8 p.m. Monday. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church.

Marie was born Nov. 25, 1912, in Marble Rock.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers and two nieces.

Lorraine F. Nast

ALGONA — Lorraine F. Nast, 80, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Algona Manor Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dan Mangler officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilson Funeral Home.

Lorraine F. Nast was born March 20, 1917, in Milwaukee, Wis.

Survivors include her husband, Arthur, of Algona; one daughter, Corinne Rasmussen of Burt; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and three brothers.

Maxine June Meinders

BUFFALO CENTER — Maxine June Meinders, 63, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Ramsey Reformed Church, rural Titonka, with the Rev. Dennis Redeker officiating. Burial will be in the Ramsey Reformed Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Winter Funeral Home, Buffalo Center, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Maxine June Meinders was born June 3, 1934, near Bricelyn, Minn.

Survivors include her husband, Jim, of Buffalo Center; her children, Kathy Fisk of Milford, Barb Rinnels of Clear Lake, Deb Hanson of Garner and Randy Meinders of Sibley; and nine grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

George Swalve

BUFFALO CENTER — George Swalve, 89, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Reformed Church.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Winter Funeral Home, where other funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Sue McGrath

CLARION — Sue McGrath, 35, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Kenneth Gehling and the Rev. Wayne Droessler officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Willim Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 804 54th St., West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.

Survivors include her parents, Gary and Shirley Rohrer of Clarion; her husband, Daryl, of Clarion; three brothers, John and Joel Rohrer, both of Clarion, and James Rohrer of Marina Del Ray, Calif.; and her grandmother, Margaret Anderson of Clarion.

Carol Ann Dietel

MASON CITY — Carol Ann Dietel, 58, of 416 N. Madison Ave., died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E.

Mabel Lillian Amundson

CLEAR LAKE — Mabel Lillian Amundson, 99, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Bethany Manor Care Center, Story City.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St.

James W. Mars

ROCKFORD — James W. Mars, 72, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for Thursday. Other arrangements are incomplete at the Schumburg Funeral Home.

Wilbur R. Crooks

DOUGHERTY — Wilbur R. Crooks, 84, of Dougherty, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Stephen Meyer officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at St. Patrick’s Catholic School Hall, Dougherty, with a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church. Hogan Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Wilbur R. Crooks Memorial Fund.

Wilbur R. Crooks was born April 22, 1913, at rural Dougherty, the son of Perry and Alma (Ries) Crooks.

In 1934, he married Gladys M. Holding at Mason City. He was a horse-lover and enjoyed working with and training horses.

He was a member of the Dougherty Fire Department for 41 years and was a founding member of the Dougherty Saddle Club. He was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dougherty.

Survivors include three daughters, Loretta Engelking and her husband, Gene, Littleton, Colo., Barbara Swallom and her husband, Leonard, Cedar Rapids, and Sandra Williams and her husband, Cliff, Marion; eight sons, Lawrence Crooks and his wife, Judy, Dougherty, Ramond Crooks, Dougherty, Joseph Crooks and his wife, Shirley, Plymouth, Lloyd Crooks, Princeton, Minn., Marvin Crooks and his wife, Lois, Mason City, James Crooks and his wife, Jane, Mason City, Robert Crooks and his wife, Sue, Mason City, and Michael Crooks and his wife, Judie, Everett, Wash.; 22 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Henry Crooks and his wife, Frieda, Dows.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one brother, one sister and one grandson.

Mary Margaret McCarron

MASON CITY — Mary Margaret McCarron, 73, of 9 Willowbrook Drive, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at her home.

There will be a Mass of the Resurrection at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E.

Other funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Major-Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Katherine Ewy

MASON CITY — Katherine Ewy, 74, of 211 21st St. S.E., died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., with the Rev. David Anderson and the Rev. Rodney Holmburg, officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with a VFW memorial service at 7 p.m. There will be visitation one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be given to St. James Lutheran Church or the VFW Auxiliary in her memory.

Katherine Ewy was born Feb. 16, 1923, in Mason City, the daughter of Charles and Katherine (Tagliareno) Accurso.

Katherine attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in 1941.

Katherine married Elwood Ewy on July 27, 1943, in Salina, Kan.

Katherine enjoyed crafts, playing cards and spending time with her friends and family.

She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary, which she served as past president and 3rd District past president. She was a member of the Grandmother’s Club No. 987 and the ONO Birthday Club.

Survivors include her husband, Elwood D. Ewy, Mason City; six children, Eunice Hendricks and her husband, Richard, of Key West, Fla., Pam Brown and her husband, Tom, Sheboygan, Wis., Dwayne Ewy and his wife, Donna, Kent, Wash., Mark Ewy and his wife, Cindy, of Mason City, Greg Ewy of Ankeny and Barbara Ewy, Fort Lee, N.J.; 11 grandchildren, Jill, Kim, Tim, Kristin, Ryan, Emily, Erin, Nathan, Holly, Kayley and Anthony; one brother, Tony Accurso, Bancroft; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Accurso, Austin, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, John, Joseph, and Jack Accurso; and one sister, Jennie Stephenson.

Bernard K. Robuck

MASON CITY — Bernard K. Robuck, 70, of 106 Country Circle, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the First Christian Church, 318 N. Adams Ave., with the Rev. Rick Eichenlaub officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be a flag folding ceremony by the Mason City Memorial Association.

Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and will continue one hour prior to services today at the church. Masonic services by Harding Lodge No. 649 A.F. & A.M. were held at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Memorials may be given to the Bernard K. Robuck Memorial Fund.

Bernard K. Robuck was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Des Moines, the son of Vernon E. and Myrtle O. (Burgett) Robuck. Bernard attended and graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1945. He also attended Grandview Junior College.

Bernie served in the U.S. Navy during the end of World War II and during the Korean Conflict, being discharged in 1951. After the service Bernie returned to Iowa and worked for All State Insurance Company for six years and for Travelers Insurance for six years. Bernie lived in Davenport and Cedar Rapids before moving to Mason City in 1983. Bernie worked for the IMT Insurance Company for 17 years, retiring in 1991 as a district claims manager. Bernie married F. Elaine Park on Dec. 26, 1975, in Cedar Rapids. Bernie loved to golf, to do lawn work and his pup "Bear".

He was a member of First Christian Church, Mason City, Fraternal Lodge No. 221, A.F. & A.M. of Davenport, El Kahir Shrine Temple, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids York Rite Bodies, Trowel Chapter No. 49, Cedar Rapids Palestine Council No. 27 and Appolo Commandry No. 26 of Cedar Rapids. He was a former member of Elks Lodge No. 375 in Mason City.

Survivors include his wife, F. Elaine Robuck of Mason City; children, Patricia Funk of Mason City, Gerald V. Thele and his wife, Susan, of Mesa, Ariz., Shellie Hasley and her fiance, Rick Simon, of Rockford, Scott A. Park of Cedar Rapids and Rodney L. Park of Mason City; six granddaughters, Jennifer, Tiffany, Amy, Stephanie, Dolly and Brooke; his mother, Myrtle O. Robuck of Davenport; and two sisters, Marjory Ferris and Judy Robuck, both of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother in infancy.

Kenneth Edward Wilkinson

HAMPTON — Kenneth Edward Wilkinson, 94, of Hampton, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Hampton Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Hampton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Janet Wearda officiating. Interment will be in the Hampton Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home.

Kenneth Edward Wilkinson was born Jan. 21, 1903, in Altoona.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Wilkinson Jr., Hampton, and Max Wilkinson, Charles City; two daughters, Elner Burcum and Helen Nelson, both of Apache Junction, Ariz.; two stepsons, Lee Wilson, Portland, Ore., and Robert Wilson, Roswell, N.M.; two stepdaughters, Gerry Pletsch, Alexander, and Elizabeth Crotty, Waverly; 13 grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 19 stepgreat-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, two sons, one stepson, one sister, one grandchild, and two stepgrandchildren.

Mabel Lillian Amundson

CLEAR LAKE — Mabel Lillian Amundson, 99, of Bethany Manor Care Center, Story City, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Bethany Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. Fourth St., with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., and one hour before services on Friday at the church.

Memorials may be given in memory of Mabel Lillian Amundson.

Mabel was born April 30, 1898, in Radcliffe, the daughter of Lewis and Martha (Engelson) Amundson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, west of Radcliffe.

Mabel was employed for a number of years as a nurse at Iowa State Soldiers Home in Marshalltown, later going to Clear Lake to help care for her elderly parents for the rest of their lives.

After the death of her parents (her father in 1947 and her mother in 1966) she and her sister, Ida, continued to reside in Clear Lake until April of 1982, when Mabel entered into Bethany Care Center in Story City, Iowa.

Mabel enjoyed reading, including her Bible which she had read through several times. She was a kind and happy person from childhood to old age.

Mabel is survived by her sisters, Harriet Olsen, Marshalltown, and Ida Amundson, Story City; one brother, Leroy Amundson and his wife, Agnes, Kensett; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Josephine Heng, Amy Linn and Laura Rickman; two brothers, Thomas Amundson and Oscar Amundson.

Anna Schwierjohann

SHEFFIELD — Anna Schwierjohann, 82, of Sheffield, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, Sheffield, with the Rev. Steve Hollingsworth officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield.

Anna Schwierjohann was born on Jan. 24, 1915, rural Chapin, the daughter of Klass and LaBena (Halfwassen) Steenhard. She attended rural country school in the Chapin area.

She was united in marriage to William Schwierjohann on Feb. 23, 1932, in Hampton. She farmed with her husband and after his death she cleaned homes for various families, the Sahara Supper Club, Midtown Cafe, and worked as a janitor for the Sheffield Savings Bank and the Sheffield Post Office. Anna enjoyed repairing old dolls, sewing and crocheting in her spare time.

She is survived by two sons, Edward Schwierjohann and his wife, Noreen, of Sheffield, and Clarence Schwierjohann and his wife, Karnella, of Glenville, Minn.; two daughters, Anna Mae Marquardt and her husband, Jerry, of Glenville, Minn., and Nadine Reiher and her husband, Wayne, of Alden, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Kurna Neve, of Rockwell, Jennie LaRue, of Alexander, Elizabeth Carter, of Florida, Wilma Schultz, of Plainview, Minn., and LaVonne Brager, of Ventura; and one brother, Fred Steenhard, of Owatonna, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, three sisters, and two brothers.

Caleb Ronald Edward Anderson

LAKE MILLS — Caleb Ronald Edward Anderson, 13-month-old son of Kathie Anderson of Lake Mills, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home.

Horace Greer ‘Bud’ Parker

MASON CITY — Horace Greer "Bud" Parker, 90, of 130 Fifth St. N.W., died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., where other arrangements are incomplete.

Thomas Logan

CHARLES CITY — Thomas Logan, 41, 303 Oak Park Circle, Waterloo, formerly of Charles City, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City.

Edward Parks

HAMPTON — Edward Parks, 75, of Hampton, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at the Franklin General Hospital, Hampton.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, Hampton.

Violet Ohm

FOREST CITY — Violet Ohm, 77, of Forest City, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St.

Ethel Kloster

FOREST CITY — Ethel Kloster, 97, of Forest City, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Good Samaritan Home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark.

Lowell T. Stumo

NORTHWOOD — Lowell T. Stumo, 48, of Northwood, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at his home, rural Northwood.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Sion Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with the Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Elk Creek Cemetery, rural Kensett.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood.

Agnes M. Goche

BANCROFT — Agnes M. Goche, 87, of Bancroft, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 1997) at the Heritage Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John Catholic Church, with the Rev. John Thomas officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, with a Catholic Daughters of the Americas Altar Society rosary at 3 p.m. and a 7:30 p.m. parish prayer service.

Agnes was born on March 10, 1910, at Oregon, Ill.

Survivors include one daughter, Shirley Davis, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and three sons, William Goche, Kenneth Goche and Richard Goche, all of Bancroft; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and three brothers.

Carol Ann Dietel

MASON CITY — Carol Ann Dietel, 58, of 416 N. Madison Ave.. died Sunday (Dec. 7, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., with the Rev. David French of First Assembly of God Church officiating.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Carol Dietel Memorial Fund.

Carol was born Dec. 6, 1939, in Clearwater, Minn.

She is survived by one daughter, Candy Martin, Boise, Idaho; two sons, Rick Dietel of Celina, Texas, and Justin Dietel, of Mason City; two sisters, Arlys Springer, Zepher Hills, Fla., and Doris Berg, of Burnsville, Minn.; two brothers, Keith Fittji, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Neal Fittji, of Columbia, Tenn.; and one granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, one son, one sister and one brother.

James W. Mars

ROCKFORD — James W. Mars, 72, of Rockford, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rockford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rosemary Rhode-Frank officiating.

There will be a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. today at the Schumburg Funeral Home, Rockford, with the family present.

James was born Oct. 29, 1925, in Aurora, Colo.

Survivors include his wife, Bertha, of Rockford; one son, Byron Mars, of Newport News, Va.; a daughter, Mardell Reit, of Charles City; one brother, John Mars, of Prescott, Ariz.; one stepson, Roger Berk, of Evansville, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife.

Gerhart R. Swalve

BUFFALO CENTER — Gerhart "George" Reinhart Yohonn Swalve, 89, of Buffalo Center, died Monday (Dec. 8, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Reformed Church with the Rev. Bill Peake officiating. Interment will be in the Olena Mound Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Winter Funeral Home.

Gerhart R. Swalve was born Aug. 9, 1908, in Williams.

Survivors include his five sons, Lewis Swalve of Hayfield, Arlo Swalve of Hinton, Allan Swalve of George, Lloyd Swalve of Spring Grove, Minn., and Cecil Swalve, Britt; 21 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, two brothers and two sisters.

Mary Margaret McCarron

MASON CITY — Mary Margaret McCarron, 73, of 9 Willowbrook Drive, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 1997) at her home.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., with the Rev. Mike Schueller officiating. There will be no burial. Her body was donated to the University of Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with a 7 p.m. scriptural wake service.

Memorials may be given to the Mary Margaret McCarron Memorial Fund.

Mary Margaret McCarron was born Feb. 29, 1924, in Mason City, the daughter of Ralph and Margaret (Mogan) McCarron.

Mary Margaret graduated from Holy Family School and also from Rosary College in River Forest, Ill., receiving a B.A. degree.

She was a long-time employee of Sears-Roebuck in Chicago as a librarian. She retired in 1987.

Mary Margaret was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include a sister, Bridget A. McCarron, of Mason City; sister, Sara Muller and her husband, Lawrence, of El Segundo, Calif.; brother, Paul J. McCarron, of New York, N.Y.; brother, Thomas J. McCarron and his wife, Patricia, Great Falls, Va.; brother, Peter A. McCarron and his wife, Margaret, of St. Paul, Minn.; and sister, Camilla Weber and her husband, Bill, of Grand Lake, Colo.