March 1-5, 1997

Obituary Archive

Mason City

Globe Gazette
Box 271
Mason City, Iowa
50402

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The Mason City Globe Gazette year 1997 archive

MCGG 03/01/1997 Walter T. Pfeffer ALGONA Walter T. Pfeffer, 73, of Algona, died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, with the Rev. Steve Brodersen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 5 p.m. Sunday at the Geilenfeld-Murphy- Schaaf Funeral Home, with a 7 p.m. parish prayer service. Walter T. Pfeffer was born July 7, 1923, in Livermore. Survivors include his wife, Bernadette, of Garner; three sons, Bruce Pfeffer of Wesley; Paul Pfeffer of Mason City, and Randy Pfeffer of Burt; one daughter, Concetta Pfeffer, Algona; two grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; one great-grandson; and one stepgreat-granddaughter; two brothers, Henry Pfeffer of Algona, and Francis Pfeffer, Titonka; and two sisters, Henrietta Tucker and Marie Muller, both of Algona. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, three brothers and three sisters.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Marguerite M. Hartley MAQUOKETA Marguerite M. Hartley, 74, of Maquoketa, and formerly of Mason City, died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at University Hospitals, Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Carson & Son Funeral Home, 318 W. Pleasant St., with the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Maquoketa officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Carson & Son Funeral Home. Marguerite M. Hartley was born on May 19, 1922, in Rossville to Cloyd Pettit and Lenniea Winger Pettit. Mrs. Hartley received her teaching certificate from the University of Dubuque. She then received her master's degree in elementary education and reading from Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash. She then became an elementary school teacher at several area schools for many years. In 1985, she was baptized and became a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Maquoketa. She loved reading, visiting with people, flower gardening and keeping a diary of her personal experiences for the day. She was also known for her storytelling. She had been a resident of Mason City for 20 years. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Rex (Claudette) Kersten of Maquoketa, one niece and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Clark K. Krohn on June 17, 1993. A Marguerite M. Hartley Memorial Fund has been established.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Marguerite L. Beisel MASON CITY Marguerite L. Beisel, 85, of 915 N. Taylor Ave., died Wednesday (Feb. 26, 1997) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., with the Rev. Ronald Stein of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services today. The family suggests memorials be made to the Marguerite L. Beisel Memorial Fund. Marguerite L. Beisel was born May 8, 1911, at Swea City, the daughter of Hiram and Cecil (Dingman) Campbell. She was united in marriage to Daniel Beisel on Aug. 15, 1931, at Mason City. Marguerite enjoyed fishing, dancing and crocheting. She loved visiting with people. Survivors include her daughter, Betty Wolff and her husband, Robert, Mason City; a sister-in-law, Alma Campbell, Mason City; numerous nieces and nephews; and one special great-niece, Debby Lancaster, Mason City; and a special friend, Lila Paulsen, Mason City. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; her grandson, Roger Wolff in 1994; her son, Bob in 1996; her twin sister, Marjorie Fletcher in 1996; a sister, Bernice Meckstroth in 1994; and a brother, Melvin Campbell in 1994.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Francis T. Spinka CEDAR RAPIDS Francis T. Spinka, 14, 141 34th St. N.E., died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at St. Luke's Hospital of injuries suffered in a traffic accident on I-380 Thursday afternoon. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Kenwood Park United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Martin Miller officiating. Private committal of cremains will be at a later date. Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Brosh Chapel, 1028 Third St. S.E. Francis was born Dec. 8, 1982, at Cedar Rapids, the son of Francis J. and Jean Lydic Spinka. He was an eighth grade student at Franklin Middle School. Francis enjoyed martial arts, camping and loved woodworking with his father. He especially liked helping other people. He will be sadly missed by his parents, Frank J. and Jean Spinka, both of Cedar Rapids; a brother, C. Paul Spinka, Iowa City; grandparents, Rose A. Spinka, Williamsburg, and Francis and Betty Lydic, Cedar Rapids; and an uncle, Roy A. Lydic, Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jim Spinka; and an uncle, Wencil Spinka. A memorial fund has been established to benefit physically challenged children.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Florence B. Schelick CHARLES CITY Florence B. Schelick, 98, of Manly, and formerly of 900 ``F'' St. and #126 Cedar Terrace North, Charles City, died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Highway 18 and Clark Street, with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., with a 3 p.m. rosary by the St. Francis Circle and a 7 p.m. parish vigil Scripture service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Other arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home.

MCGG 03/01/1997 John H. King MASON CITY John H. King, 84, of 825 10th St. N.E., died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, where other arrangements are incomplete.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Gloria L. DeMaris MASON CITY Gloria L. DeMaris, 60, of 780 S. Pierce Ave., died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at the Heritage Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, where other arrangements are incomplete.

MCGG 03/01/1997 Larry Lee Hilbert WESLEY Larry Lee Hilbert, 46, of Wesley, died Wednesday (Feb. 26, 1997) at the Kossuth Regional Health Care Center, Algona. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Paul Bormann officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by Andrews American Legion Post #428. Visitation and special services were Friday at the Garry-Roberts- Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home. Larry Lee Hilbert was born April 12, 1950, at Algona. Survivors include his wife, Jean, of Wesley; his children, Chad and Lynn Hilbert, at home in Wesley; his mother, Felice Hilbert, Wesley; and his brothers and sisters, Kay Hilbert, Glendale, Calif.; Judy Hilbert, Denver, Colo.; Dave Hilbert of Lee's Summit, Mo.; Mary Robles, Glendale, Calif.; Becky Kudej of Britt; twin brother, Gary Hilbert of Britt; Margie McCleish, Bancroft, and Connie Dittrich of Algona.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Florence B. Schelick CHARLES CITY Florence B. (Mrs. William) Schelick, 98, Manly, and formerly of 900 ``F'' Street and #126 Cedar Terrace North, Charles City, died unexpectedly Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Manly. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Highway 18 and Clark Street, Charles City. Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-9 p.m. today at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. The rosary will be recited by the St. Francis Circle at 3 p.m., and there will be a parish vigil scripture service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at church. Mrs. Schelick, the former Florence Belle Simpson, was born Dec. 30, 1898, in Williams, the daughter of Alfred and Ellen (Lister) Simpson. She was one of three people in her graduating class from Williams High school. She attended her normal training in Iowa Falls, and then taught in rural schools near Williams in Hamilton County. On Aug. 13, 1917, in Webster City, she was united in marriage to William Louis Schelick. The couple made their home in Osage before moving to Charles City while Mr. Schelick worked for the railroad. Mr. Schelick died Sept. 26, 1966, in Charles City. Mrs. Schelick was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the St. Francis Circle of the church. She was a member of the Charles City Senior Citizens Center. Living family members include two daughters, Mrs. Virginia Meyerhofer of Manly, and Mary Ellen (Mrs. Samuel) Creed of Ottawa, Ill.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and seven great-great- grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters, one granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Nell A. Knapp IOWA CITY Nell A. Knapp, 89, of 528 Rundell St., Iowa City, formerly of Clear Lake, died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at the Crestview Care Center in West Branch, following a long illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Clear Lake with burial in the Clear Lake Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The body was cremated. Memorials may be made to the Congregational Church, Clear Lake, or to the University of Iowa Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. Nell was born Aug. 24, 1907, in Ellington Township, Hancock County, a daughter of Andrew and Ella Nelson Petersen. She attended grade school in Garner, and graduated from the Clear Lake High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls. She married Paul H. Knapp, Jan. 22, 1939, in Clear Lake. He died in 1970. She was employed as a legal secretary for Eddie Boyle in Clear Lake for several years. She and her husband owned and operated the Knapp Gardens and Market in Clear Lake until 1960. For 10 years, they operated the Knapp Real Estate Company and built several houses for sale. She enjoyed travel and playing bridge with her lifelong friends in Clear Lake. She moved to Iowa City in 1986 to be near her family. Nell was a member of the Congregational Church in Clear Lake, where she served as secretary for a number of years. Survivors include one son, Jim and his wife, Shirley Knapp, of Iowa City; one grandson, Jon and his wife, Sue, of White, S.D.; one granddaughter, Leslie Knapp of Des Moines; and two great-grand-children, Michael and Stephanie Knapp of White, S.D. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother, Kenneth Petersen.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Maxine Helen Beebe HAMPTON Maxine Helen Beebe, 83, died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at the Hampton Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hampton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry McCann officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Monday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home. Maxine was born Oct. 28, 1913, in Hampton. Survivors include two daughters, Kay Drew of Hampton and Beverly Conway of Houston, Texas; one son, Edwin ``Tim'' Beebe of Bemidji, Minn.; one sister, Edna McCall of Waterloo; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and step-great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and one brother.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Gloria L. DeMaris MASON CITY Gloria L. DeMaris, 60, of 780 S. Pierce Ave., died Thursday (Feb. 27, 1997) at Heritage Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Merlin Ackerson of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today and until time of services Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Gloria L. DeMaris Memorial Fund. Gloria L. DeMaris was born Aug. 24, 1936, in Mason City, the daughter of Gordon L. and Edna M. (Zorn) Koch. Gloria attended Mason City schools. She married Julius W. DeMaris on Aug. 28, 1954, in Mason City. She worked for four years at the North Iowa Vocational Center and at Affordables Great and Small, retiring in 1996. She enjoyed playing bingo, and was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Julius DeMaris of Mason City; two sons, Terry DeMaris and Steve DeMaris and wife, Rita, all of Mason City; four daughters, JoAnn Horzuesky and friend Rob Piska, Bonny Gallup, Nancy Whitehurst and husband, James, and Judy DeMaris, all of Mason City; 12 grandchildren, Brian, Brad, David, Jeff, Eric, Amielyn, Mindie J., Matthew, Danny, Jessica, Jake and Josh; one sister, Laurine Sheahan of Mason City; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

MCGG 03/02/1997 John R. Gower CHARLES CITY John R. Gower of Charles City, died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home, Charles City.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Leo F. Young GARNER Leo F. Young, 84, died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at Heritage Care Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with the Rev. John W. Hemann officiating. Burial will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday with a Scriptural Wake service at 7:30 p.m. at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St., Garner. Leo Francis Young, the son of Frank and Emma (Gelner) Young was born Dec. 15, 1912, on the home place west of Garner. He attended school at Garfield #7 and then farmed with his parents. On Aug. 16, 1939, he married Rita Studer at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. They farmed the home farm west of Garner until ill health cased him to retire. The farm became a Century Farm in 1979. In 1947, he began raising Black Augus cattle, which were his pride and joy. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Association. He had served as president of the Garfield Township School Board. Survivors include his wife, Rita Young of Garner; four daughters, Judy Preissendoerfer and her husband, Jerry, of Denver, Colo., Janice Dally and her husband, Norman, of Duncombe, Jeanine Albrecht and her husband, Dale, of Liberal, Kan., and Jacalyn Young of Ankeny; five grandchildren, Chris Albrecht and his wife, Casey, Jon Albrecht, Daniel Albrecht, Sarah Albrecht and Kayta Preissendoerfer; and four nephews, Walter Best, Robert Best, Denny Best and Larry Best. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Vera Best; an infant brother and a twin sister and brother.

MCGG 03/02/1997 John H. King MASON CITY John H. King, 84, of 825 10th St. N.E., died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, where other arrangements are incomplete.

MCGG 03/02/1997 Fred Henry Bram CLEAR LAKE Fred Henry Bram, 77, of 1310 Sixth Ave. S., died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ventura United Methodist, Ventura, with the Rev. David Gobeli officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake. The family suggest memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Horace J. Kirk CLEAR LAKE Horace J. Kirk, 88, of 611 S. 14th St., died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center-East in Mason City. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Rex D. Henry CHARLES CITY Rex D. Henry, 83, of 1506 D. St., died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital. Graveside committal services for Rex Henry will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Riverside Cemetery with the Rev. Debra Lincoln, associate pastor of the Trinity Untied Methodist Church officiating. There will be a flag presentation at the grave side by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from noon to 9 p.m. today. The family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Rex Dolan Henry was born May 26, 1913, at Waverly. Survivors include his wife, Pearl of Charles City; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Elnora Adams NASHUA Elnora Adams, 90, passed away Saturday (March 1, 1997) at the Ninth Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City of complications following a stroke. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Chenoweth and Son Funeral Home in Nashua. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Elnora Adams was born in Chickasaw County on Nov. 27, 1906, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Roether) Schultz. She lived in the Nashua area all her life. She was united in marriage to Frank Powell Adams on Dec. 27, 1934, in Charles City. Elnora worked as a cook in restaurants in Charles City and later worked at Fritze's nursing home in Nashua. She was a long-time member of the Nashua Bible Church. She is survived by two sons, Richard Adams of Nashua and James Adams of Cedar Falls; two daughters, Darlene Tegtmeier and Pat Adams, both of Charles City; two grandsons, John Tegtmeier of Nashua and Greg Adams of Houston, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Jeremy Hinders and Jill Tegtmeier; and two sisters, Kathyrn Edgeton of Oelwein and Alice Bucknell of Charles City. Elnora was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Adams on Oct. 27, 1941; a great-granddaughter, Katie Marie Tegtmeier; two brothers, Peter Schultz and Albert Schultz; two sisters, Anna Bisbing and Emma Brady.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Mrs. Thelma Hauan FOREST CITY Mrs. Thelma Hauan, 95, died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with the Rev. Perry Fruhling officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson. Visitation will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. today at Petersen Lund Funeral Home. Thelma was born Oct. 7, 1901. Survivors include one son, Philip Hauan of LeMars; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Verna Oehlert CLEAR LAKE Verna Oehlert, 71, of 106 Fairway Dr., died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center-East. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Fred Henry Bram CLEAR LAKE Fred Henry Bram, 77, of 1310 Sixth Ave. S., died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, Ventura, with the Rev. David Gobeli officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake. The family suggests memorials be given to Hospice of North Iowa. Fred Henry Bram was born April 30, 1919, in Renwick, the son of Henry and Jennie (Rasmussen) Bram. He grew up in the Renwick area and attended and graduated from Vernon Schools. He was enlisted in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946. He served in India and Okinawa. He traveled all around the world. He was united in marriage to Opal Hatfield on March 20, 1946, in Kansas City, Kan. They farmed north of Ventura for 26 years, retiring in 1981. They moved to Clear Lake in 1996. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Ventura, as well as the American Legion. Fred loved traveling in his motor home, spending winters in Arizona. He enjoyed visiting and meeting new people. He loved hiking, reading and his farm. He especially loved his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Opal Bram of Clear Lake; two daughters, Brenda Hanson and her husband, Joel, of Garner and Cheryl Moorehead and her husband, Rick, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Stephanie Hanson of Richfield, Minn., Kevin Hanson of Ventura and Jeff Hanson of Garner, and Melissa Moorehead and Matthew Moorehead, both of Clear Lake; his two brothers and five sisters, Matilda White of Renwick, Anita Olsen of Cedar Rapids, Jennie Norden and her husband, Pete, of Englewood, Colo., Eldine Adams of Tipton, Betty Ripley and her husband, David, of Perry, Jake Bram and his wife, Margaret, of Oskaloosa, and Lewis Bram and his wife, Pat, of Mason City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; an infant son, Richard; an infant daughter, Kathy; and two sisters, Doris Withers and Bertha Dunlap.

MCGG 03/03/1997 Mary Louise Schultz OSAGE Mary Louise Schultz, 76, died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Champion Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennis Hanson officiating. There will be no visitation. The body was cremated. Mary was born Mary 1, 1920, in Clarinda, the daughter of G. Ray and E. Margaret Burton. She attended school in Farragut. She resided in southwest Iowa until moving to Mason City, where she met and married Carl A. Schultz on April 20, 1943, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Mason City. During their married life, they lived in Iowa and southern California. They returned to Iowa in 1990 and have lived at the Hamland Garland Apartments in Osage. Mary enjoyed needlework, crocheting and visiting with family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Carl Schultz of Osage; two daughters, Phyllis Sartor and husband, Fred, of Canon City, Colo., and Karla Schultz of Riverside, Calif.; two sons, Gerald Schultz and wife, Karen, of South Range, Wis., and Richard Schultz and wife, Marjorie of Riceville; six grandchildren, Stuart of South Range, Wis., Mark of Riceville, Jeff of Osage, Shelly, Terry and Fred, all of Greeley, Colo.; eight great-grandchildren, Lonnie, Brad and Steven all of Riceville, Mike of Osage, Jayna, Carl, Nichole and Freddie, all of Greeley, Colo.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Berneice J. Eliason BELMOND Berneice J. Eliason, 89, of Belmond, died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at Trinity Nursing Home, Minot, N.D. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Tenold Funeral Home.

MCGG 03/04/1997 John R. Gower CHARLES CITY John R. ``Bob'' Gower, 64, of 223 N. Main St., died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., with the Rev. Jack L. Ivey of the First Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. John Robert ``Bob'' Gower was born May 8, 1932, in Centerville. Survivors include one daughter, Mitzi DeGroote of Hampton; two sons, Douglas Gower of Louisville, Colo., and Robert Gower of Superior, Wis.; one brother, William Gower of Hattiesburg, Miss.; one sister, Helen Chadima of Iowa City; and three grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Lucile Ewald CHARLES CITY Lucile Ewald, 85, of 604 N. Joslin, died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at Community Hospital, Coldwater, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at a later date at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St. There will be no visitation. Lucile Vern Schmoeller Anderson Ewald was born Dec. 30, 1911, at Washington, Iowa. Survivors include one son, Thomas Anderson, Celina, Ohio; one daughter, Peggy Lockey of St. Louis, Mo.; one brother, James Schmoeller of Harlingen, Texas; six grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, her parents and one brother. Memorials may be directed to the Charles City Public Library.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Violet I. Buffington TITONKA Violet I. Buffington, 82, Titonka, died Saturday (March 1, 1997) at home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Karl Schiltz officiating. Burial will be in Buffalo Township Cemetery, rural Titonka. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Garry- Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home. Violet I. Buffington was born March 17, 1914, at Bogota, Ill. Survivors include three sons, David Buffington of Danbury, Conn.; Sidney Buffington, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Richard Buffington, Titonka; one daughter, Jane Isebrand, Newton; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Neil Slack, Ardsley, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Donna Schmall CHARLES CITY Donna Schmall, 82, formerly of 312 Fifth Ave., died Monday (March 3, 1997) at the Ninth Street Chautauqua Guest Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Monsignor Stanley Hayek officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St., with a 3:30 p.m. rosary by the Rosary Society and a 7:30 p.m. parish vigil Scripture service. There will be further visitation from 9 a.m. until time of services on Thursday at the church. Donna Darlene Nims Schmall was born Dec. 1, 1914, at Nora Springs. Survivors include her husband, Anton, of Charles City; two sons, James of Millington, Tenn., and Anton L. ``Tony'' of Ida Grove; six daughters, Katherine Osterman of Rockwell; Rose Perrin of Charles City; Barbara Bean of Nashua; Patricia Barr of Dubuque; Dorothy Mosher of Torrance, Calif., and Donna Lawless of Bettendorf; two sisters, Jaceil Gisleson of Osage, and Nina Pettit of Kenora, Ontario, Canada; 32 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. Memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception School Fund, and the Heart to Home Hospice.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Verna Elizabeth Oehlert CLEAR LAKE Verna Elizabeth Oehlert, 71, of 106 Fairway Drive, died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Township Cemetery, rural Rockwell. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. The family suggests memorials may be given to the Arthritis Foundation. Verna was born Sept. 29, 1925, in rural Carpenter, the daughter of Thurman and Verna E. (Jones) Davis. She attended rural school near Burchinal in her early years, then high school at Swaledale. Verna was a strong defensive guard on the Swaledale girls basketball team. Transferring to Ventura her senior year, she graduated in May of 1942. She attended and completed Hamilton Business College. She was a member of the Hamilton Business Raiderettes basketball team. Howard M. Oehlert proposed to Verna in the spring of 1943. Off to war he went. Then while back on furlough, March 7, 1943, Verna and Howard were wed at Grandfather King's house, where Dennis and Sharon Springer now reside. Margaret Ann was born in the fall of 1945, stillborn. Verna and Howard were a team. Verna operated tractors, disked, plowed, cultivated corn and soybeans plus operated a ``Super M'' with a mounted two-row corn picker. She drove a tandem grain truck for Oehlert-Miller Cornshelling & Trucking. What Verna enjoyed in her job tasks, besides gathering eggs, was the spring of the year when 70 Black Angus cows would have their baby calves. The joy of life. Francis Miller and Verna enjoyed many a room hanging wallpaper together with friends during the mid-1950s. In the spring of 1966, arthritis started to battle Verna. To rid herself of physical farm tasks, she went to work at the Clear Lake Mirror Reporter as a writer, ad salesperson and photographer. She also enjoyed writing poems. She liked her work there, plus met many friends along the way. Verna was very active in politics during the 1970s. She organized and ran many successful campaigns for State Senator Alvin Miller. She also worked on President Jimmy Carter's state campaign, as well as the Howard Oehlert for Supervisor campaign. Verna loved people and they loved her back. She battled arthritis in 10 different surgeries and won every time. They gave her new knee replacements and knuckles of fingers. During her last few years, she met new friends through bingo. Her hobbies also included crossword puzzles and writing lovely poems. She kept her spirits up and enjoyed every person that phoned, wrote or stopped by to visit. Until we meet again. She is survived by her husband, Howard Oehlert, of Clear Lake; three sons, Richard C. Oehlert and his wife, Cherie Lee; David B. Oehlert; and Garry W. Oehlert and his wife, Julie, all of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Angie Oehlert, Jonathon Shear, Brooke E. Oehlert, Syreeta L. Monson, Grant W. Oehlert, and Andy C. Monson; a brother, Thurman Oscar Davis and his wife, Maxine, of Clear Lake; and many special relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lawrence Steepleton, Gerald Steepleton, Burl Steepleton, Eugene Steepleton, Thomas Steepleton and Ray Davis; an infant brother, Vernon Steepleton; a daughter, Margaret Ann Oehlert; and a grandson, Charlie Shear.

MCGG 03/04/1997 John H. King MASON CITY John H. King, 84, of 825 10th St. N.E., died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Rich Murray of First Covenant Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today and until time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in his memory. John H. King was born March 5, 1912, the son of Henry and Alma (Timmerman) King in Brooklyn. John attended school in Sheffield and Mason City. In 1934-1936, he was in the CC Camp in Cresco, Boone and Red Oak. John married Luella Mae Snyder in Milan, Mo,. on July 5, 1941. They moved to California in 1941, where John worked for Hughes Aircraft until 1949 when they returned to Mason City. John then went to work for the Mason City Water Works and the Street Department until he retired in 1977. John enjoyed fishing, trips to Canada, baseball and bowling. Survivors include one son, Dennis King and his wife, Ileen, of Grand Island, Neb.; one granddaughter, Michelle Salpas and her husband, Kevin, of Grand Island, Neb.; and two great-grandsons, Brandon and Jaden Salpas of Grand Island, Neb. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Luella, in 1994; and one granddaughter, Cheri King.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Rev. James E. Brown ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. The Rev. James E. Brown, 67, of St. Louis Park, formerly of Bloomington, died Friday (Feb. 28, 1997) at the Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Cedarcrest Free Methodist Church, 1630 E. 90th St., Bloomington. Private interment will be held Thursday, March 6, 1997, in Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington. Memorials may be given to the Cedarcrest Free Methodist Church. He was born March 22, 1929, in Rockwell, Iowa. He was a retired pastor from Cedarcrest Free Methodist Church, Bloomington, and Alexandria Free Methodist Church, Alexandria. He is survived by his wife, Laveen, of St. Louis Park; four sisters, Janet Sellick, San Francisco, Calif.; Margraret Hulst, Waltham, Minn.; Marian Frazier, Northwood, Minn.; and Bonnie Peterson, Forest City, Iowa; one brother, Robert of Elkhart, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Gerald Resser MOLINE, Ill. Gerald E. Resser, 74, of 407 29th Ave. Drive, died Tuesday (Dec. 17, 1996) at the Illinois Veteran Home, Quincy. Visitation was held Friday, Dec. 20, 1996, at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline. There were no funeral services. The body was cremated. Mr. Resser was born April 3, 1922, in Moline, to Gerald and Edith Redman Resser. He married Bette Wales on Dec. 7, 1946. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Army Air Corps. He retired as a territory manager after 38 years with the John Deere Company. Survivors include his wife, Bette; a daughter, Sherre A. Resser; two grandaughters, and one grandson, all of Naperville. One daughter, Patricia, is deceased. Memorials may be given to the Heart Association or Diabetes Association in his memory.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Collette Kockler BANCROFT Collette Kockler, 90, of Bancroft, died Monday (March 3, 1997) at Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona. 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. Wednesday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, with a 3 p.m. rosary and a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Collette Kockler was born Dec. 18, 1906, at Bancroft. Survivors include several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Luverne A. Lines MASON CITY Luverne A. Lines, 78, of 160 Sunny Circle, died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at Hospice of North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sunnyside Chapel, Highway 218 S., Charles City, with the Rev. Sharon Betsworth of First United Methodist Church, Mason City, officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Garden, Charles City. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa. Luverne A. Lines was born Nov. 14, 1918, in Catersville. Survivors include one daughter, Darlene Fitzgerel, Independence, Mo.; two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Naomi Raymond, Spring Valley, Calif.; and two brothers, Gerald Angell, Kansas City, Kan., and Donald Angell of Mason City. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers.

MCGG 03/04/1997 Horace J. Kirk CLEAR LAKE Horace J. Kirk, 88, of 611 S. 14th St., died Sunday (March 2, 1997) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Agape Christian Family Church, 2810 Highway 18 West, West Delta Park, with the Rev. David Toyne officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery, rural Fertile. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Horace J. Kirk was born Sept, 1, 1908, at Heddinger, N.D., in a sod house, the son of homesteader parents, James and Emma (Luken) Kirk. He was united in marriage to Golda Severson on May 24, 1936, at the Church of Christ in Fertile. Horace was a farmer for many years. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking and making lawn ornaments. He was an avid reader. Horace especially enjoyed geneology, searching out his lineage and family history. One of Horace's favorite things to do was to visit with people and tell them about his Lord. He was a devoted Christian and enjoyed witnessing his faith to others. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Golda Kirk, Clear Lake; one daughter, Patricia Turner, Omaha, Neb.; two sons, James Kirk and his wife, Linda, Lakeville, Minn., and Sam Kirk and his wife, Linda, Alpharetta, Ga.; six grandchildren, Randall Turner and his wife, Sandy, Portland, Ore.; Rodrick Turner and his wife, Katie, Memphis, Tenn.; Roberta Turner, Omaha, Neb.; Chris Kirk and his wife, Augusta, Crystal, Minn.; Kristen Kirk, Alpharetta, Ga., and Kari Kirk, Lakeville, Minn.; one great-grandchild, Derick Turner, Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Elaine Hall, Clear Lake, and Lorraine Hall, Lake Mills; many nieces and nephews; and many many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William and Frederick; and one sister, Iva Suby.