Published Monday, June 26, 2000

Obituaries are presented as a community service of Fullerton Funeral Homes. Information is submitted by families or provided by funeral homes for publication in the Globe-Gazette and Globe Online.

BETTY ROMP

GARNER - Betty Romp, 71, of Garner, passed away Saturday (June 24, 2000) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson of St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Cataldo Funeral Chapel and will continue one hour prior to services on Tuesday.

Betty Ann Romp, the daughter of Henry and Minnie (Peterson) Henriksen, was born Feb. 18, 1929, at Ringsted. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from Ringsted High School. She lived in various North Iowa area communities, settling in Garner in 1967.

On Oct. 13, 1967, she was married to Lee Roy Romp in Mitchell, S.D. They made their home in Garner, where she worked as a waitress and cook. She enjoyed her family, baseball games and her family picture gallery.

She is survived by three sons, LeRoy Ehrhardt of Marshalltown, Wayne Ehrhardt and his wife, Chris, of Marshalltown and Russell Ehrhardt and his wife, Dianna, of Manly; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Roy Romp, on Oct. 14, 1989, two grandchildren, Tom and Tim Ehrhardt and her parents.

Cataldo Funeral Home, (515) 923-2841.



WILLIAM H. SEELHAMMER

TRIPOLI - William Henry Seelhammer, 65, of Tripoli, died Wednesday (June 21, 2000) at Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, of complications from Parkinson's disease. His son, Scott, is a resident of Garner.

Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Tripoli, with the Rev. Roger McKinstry and the Rev. Miles Renaas officiating. Burial was in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Tripoli.

Memorials may be made to the Tripoli Volunteer Fire Department or the Parkinson's Foundation.

Rettig Funeral Home, Tripoli, was in charge of arrangements.

Rettig Funeral Home, (319) 882-4285.



GRACE H. GARVER

GRAFTON - Grace H. Garver, 83, of Grafton, died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial will be in the Manly Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 East Spring St., Manly, and one hour prior to service time on Tuesday at the church.

Grace H. Garver was born March 20, 1917, in Manly, the daughter of Vincent and Helen (Barta) Kalous. She received her education in the Manly school system, graduating from Manly High School in 1936. After completing her schooling, she worked for Maynard and Gladys Tantow in rural Manly, during the summer doing housework.

She was united in marriage to Charles Willard Garver on Sept. 25, 1940, in Sibley. After their marriage, they lived on a farm west of Manly before moving to a farm in the Grafton area in 1943, where she was a homemaker. He preceded her in death on Feb. 28, 1978. She enjoyed crocheting, working in the garden and flowers. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, and was a charter member of the Friendly Neighbor Club in Grafton.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Maxine Garver, Grafton; three brothers, Floyd Kalous and his wife, Gordy, of Chicopee, Mass., Arthur Cable and his wife, Betty, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Kenneth Cable of Milford; a sister-in-law, Lyla Kalous of Iowa Falls; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Robert and Edward Kalous.

Bride Colonial Chapel, (515) 454-2242.



ELAINE ROBUCK

MASON CITY - Elaine Robuck, 60, of 106 Country Circle, died Friday (June 23, 2000) at the N.H.S. Clarkson Hospital, Omaha, Neb.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave, with the Rev. Richard 'Rick' Eichenlaub of First Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Elaine Robuck Memorial Fund.

Elaine was born April 5, 1940, at Oakland, the daughter of Carroll F. and Opal G. (Strong) Needham. She graduated from Oakland High School.

She was married to Bernard K. Robuck on Dec. 26, 1975, in Cedar Rapids. She lived in Cedar Rapids for 25 years and worked at Rockwell-Collins. She moved to Mason City in 1983 and worked for Rockwell here for a few years until retirement. She liked to crochet and was the world's best baker of cinnamon rolls. She was known by her family and friends as the Hostess with the Mostest. She loved to travel everywhere and she was a member of First Christian Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Shellie Simon and husband, Rick, of Rockford; sons, Scott A. Park of Cedar Rapids and Rod Park and his fiancée, Sue Bailey, Mason City; mother, Opal Kruse of Bellevue, Neb.; grandchildren, Jennifer Park of Cedar Rapids, Tiffany Park of Northwood, Amy Hasley of Dennison, Dolly Funk of Nora Springs, Brook Park of Cedar Rapids and Steve Bailey of Mason City; great-grandson, Ethan "Tank" Hoff of Northwood; sisters, Margaret Renfield and husband, Gordon, of Red Oak, Carolyn Schnepel and husband, Marlyn, of Hancock, Diana J. Dahl of Atlantic and Rosie Rathman and husband, Paul, of Council Bluffs.

She was preceded in death by her father and her husband, Bernard, who died on Dec. 6, 1997.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.



HOWARD C. BLANCHARD

MASON CITY - Howard C. Blanchard, 74, of 743 11th St. N.E., died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Poland of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the LuVerne Cemetery at LuVerne.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard C. Blanchard Memorial Fund.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to services at the church.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.



DONALD G. BECKWITH

CHARLES CITY - Donald G. Beckwith, 86, of the Salsbury Baptist Home, formerly of 1305 N. Grand Ave., died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at Floyd County Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens with graveside military honors conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, where the family will be present from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, (515) 228-4211


MURIEL NELL (GAY) DIETRICH

LAKE MILLS -Muriel Nell (Gay) Dietrich, 55, of Lake Mills, died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at her daughter's home in Urbandale.

A public graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Manly Cemetery, Manly, with the Rev. Sara Beth Akre officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.



ALFRED H. DE BUHR

MASON CITY - Alfred H. de Buhr, 87, of 1764 Springview Drive, husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully in his sleep at home of heart failure the morning of Saturday, June 24, 2000.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Robert Towner officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Military rites will be conducted by members of Walker Graper Post 388, Rockford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alfred de Buhr Memorial Fund.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City.

Al was a longtime resident of Mason City, and an active leader in the Mason City business and political arenas. His accomplishments include founder/owner of de Buhr Brokerage, Gordon Manufacturing Corp. (later Risto, Inc.) and NIOWA Publishing and owner of Kayenay Graphics, Central Show Card Company and NIOWA Industries. He was the founding chairman of the NIAD Manufacturers Group with several other business leaders.

Al was a very active member of his beloved church for over 50 years, St. John's Episcopal Church, where he was not only a member but also a lay reader, vestryman, senior warden and president of Episcopal Men of Iowa.

He was an active politician and was a candidate for the elected offices of city councilman and state representative. He was very involved in many projects, such as the I35/I380 Link "Avenue of the Saints," Mason City Regional Airport improvements, downtown development and so many more. Al served in World War II as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy and United States Naval Reserve. He was an active member for years of Toastmasters.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys; his children by his former marriage with Frances de Buhr, of Tucson, Ariz., Phil de Buhr and his wife, Mary, of Downers Grove, Ill., and London, Ontario, Evelyn de Buhr and Frank Rothschild, of Hanelei, Hawaii, and Alice de Buhr and her life partner, Gloria Schmetzer, of Tucson, Ariz.; his stepchildren, Greg Griffith and his wife, Joyce, of Orlando, Fla., and Pam Griffith of Seattle, Wash.; and his grandchildren, Kimberlyn de Buhr, of Lisle, Ill., Branden de Buhr and wife, Tracy, of Westmont, Ill., Beau Williams of Hanelei, Hawaii, and Matt Klunder of Mason City; and sister, Elsie Uker, of Rudd.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harm Edden and Hilda Wilhelmina de Buhr of Rockford; daughter, Abbie Williams; his six brothers, Herman, Theodore, Gerhardt (Gay), John, William (Bill) and Bernhard (Ben), and his sisters, Hilda Goodsell and Marie Bequette.

Al was dearly loved by his family and friends. He touched many lives in his 87 years with his leadership, enthusiasm and spirit. He will be deeply missed.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.
 

Globe-Gazette Obituaries

Published June 27, 2000

Obituaries are presented as a community service of Fullerton Funeral Homes. Information is submitted by families or provided by funeral homes for publication in the Globe-Gazette and Globe Online.

GEORGE ELIASEN

CLEAR LAKE - George Eliasen, 64, died Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, (515) 357-2193.

RONALD L. CUMMINGS

CHARLES CITY - Ronald L. Cummings, 61, of 305 Sixth Ave., died Monday (June 26, 2000) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City, with the Rev. Diane Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Sunnyside Memory Gardens south of Charles City, with military honors conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St. in Charles City and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Hauser Funeral Home, (515) 228-2323.

MABEL A. BYERS

GARNER - Mabel A. Byers, 87, of Garner, passed away Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Boniface Catholic Church with Father John Hemann officiating. Interment will be in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, with a scriptural wake service at 5:30 p.m. and a Rosary Society rosary at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Mabel Ann Byers, the daughter of Lynn and Eva (Koestler) Kuchenreuther, was born Feb. 1, 1913, at Titonka. She attended and graduated from Titonka High School in 1930.

On Jan. 7, 1935, she was married to Bernard J. Byers at St. Boniface Catholic Rectory in Garner. For several years, they owned and operated grocery stores in Hayfield, Iowa, and Blooming Prairie, Minn.

In 1939, they returned to Garner and farmed north of town for 10 years. From 1968 to 1980, she was a nurse's aide for the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. She had resided at the Concord Care Center for the past three years.

She enjoyed her family and cooking for family dinners.

She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and Rosary Society.

Mabel is survived by her four children, Marjorie Senne and her husband, Marlin, of Lake Mills and their children, Steven Senne, of Des Moines, Scott Senne and his wife, Mary, of Lincoln, Neb., David Byers of Hackensack, Minn. and his children, Todd Byers, of Des Moines, Dr. James Byers and his wife, Dana, of Minnestrista, Minn., Jeff Byers and his wife, Kris, of Cedar Falls and Greg Byers, of Sparks, Nev., Robert Byers and his wife, Carole, of Forest City, and their children, Mikal Byers and his wife, Linda, of Florence, Ken., Marc Byers, of Clear Lake, Suzanne Presholt and her husband, Kenneth, of Hanlontown and Ronald Byers, of Garner; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth Kuchenreuther and his wife, Kathryn, of Clear Lake and Dean Kuchenreuther and his wife, Delores, of Buffalo Center; two sisters, Alice Fraser and her husband, Lyle, of Burt and Dolores Schutjer and her husband, Eldon, of Titonka; and several nices and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, on May 5, 1992; parents; three sisters, Viola Watkins, Elsie Krominga and Lorraine Dahlen; and two brothers, Russell and Richard Kuchenreuther.

Cataldo Funeral Chapel, (515) 923-2841.

MERRIL D. RISTAU

HOLIDAY, Fla. - Merril D. "Mick" Ristau, 64, formerly of LuVerne, died March 17, 2000, at Holiday, Fla.

Inurnment will be Saturday, July 1, 2000, in the Ristau Family Plot in the LuVerne Cemetery.

The Holiday Chapter of Trinity Memorial Crematorial in Newport Richey, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.

HOWARD C. BLANCHARD

MASON CITY - Howard C. Blanchard, 74, of 743 11th St. N.E., died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Grace United Methodist Church, 200 14th St. N.W. , with the Rev. Bill Poland officiating. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. in the LuVerne Cemetery in LuVerne.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Howard C. Blanchard Memorial Fund.

Howard C. Blanchard was born Dec. 26, 1925, in Irvington, to Daniel Ezra and Rose A. (Warmbier) Blanchard. He attended country schools in the Algona area.

He entered the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. After the war he returned to the LuVerne area where he drove milk truck.

On Sept. 22, 1949, he was united in marriage with Dorothy Nielsen. They moved to Mason City in 1958 where he worked for Northwestern States Portland Cement, then State Brand Creamery for 18 years before retiring in 1985.

Howard was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, watching stock car racing and working on small engines.

He is survived by a daughter, Barbara Wilson, of Mason City, a son, Richard Blanchard and his wife, Deb., of Des Moines, a son, Daniel Blanchard and his wife, Barbara, of Jonesborough, Tenn., and a daughter, Ronda Worthy and her husband, David, of Mason City; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Clifford Blanchard and his wife, Jenny, of Humboldt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy, in 1987; a son, Douglas, in 1993; two brothers and four sisters.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.

DAISY MAUD MCELMURRAY

ALGONA - Daisy Maud McElmurray, 92, of Algona, died Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Good Samaritan Center in Algona.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Algona. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Wesley.

Visitation will be held from noon until time of services on Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Algona.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 295-3731.

DELMAR ALMQUIST

OSAGE - Delmar Almquist, 94, of Osage died Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Champion Funeral Home in Osage.

Champion Funeral Home, (5150 732-3706.

PAULINE C. KAFFAR WYETH

GLOBE, Ariz. - Pauline C. Kaffar Wyeth, 84, of Globe, Ariz., formerly of Belmond, died Saturday (June 24, 2000) at the Select Care Nursing Home in Globe.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with the Rev. David Beckman officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church.

Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond is in charge of local arrangements.

Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, (515) 444-3248.

FRANCIS FOTH

BANCROFT - Francis Foth, 73, of Bancroft, died Sunday (June 25, 2000) at his home near Bancroft.

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

Visitation will be held from 2:30 until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Bancroft.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 295-3731.

BEN BURMA

BUFFALO CENTER - Ben Burma, 90, of Buffalo Center, died Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center.

Winter Funeral Home, (515) 562-2858.
 

Published Thursday, June 29, 2000

Obituaries are presented as a community service of Fullerton Funeral Homes. Information is submitted by families or provided by funeral homes for publication in the Globe-Gazette and Globe Online.

JAMES MICHAEL GRELL

VENTURA - James Michael Grell, 65,of 4 First St. in Ventura, died Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. He died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military honors will be by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake, with a scripture wake service at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the James M. Grell Memorial Fund.

Jim was born April 28, 1935, in Clayton County, on a riverboat, the son of George and Margaurite Frey and was adopted by Rueben and Viola (Kremin) Grell on Dec 7, 1941.

He graduated from Ventura High School in 1953. He was also a graduate from Hamilton Business School and NIACC. He served in the Army during the Korean War.

He married Elizabeth "Bette" Joynt on April 15, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. After leaving the service they lived in the Ventura and the Mason City area, and then began farming west of Ventura in 1961.

He also worked various jobs, including security guard at Unisys. After retiring from Unisys, he drove the school bus for Ventura, Clear Lake Headstart and Clear Lake Chamber Trolley. He enjoyed taking Opportunity Village residents to church and working with Crimestoppers.

Jim was a former Clear Lake V.F.W. post commander, past president of the Clear Lake Memorial Association for 20 years, active member in the Democratic party, ran for state representative in 1978 and was a past member of the Ventura School Board. He was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Jim had a great zest for life, despite numerous health problems, and he enjoyed being around people. He made a lot of people laugh with his jokes. He was an avid fan of Hawkeye basketball, Minnesota Viking football and all auto racing. He loved keeping "tabs" on his kids. He had great love for his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by five children and ten grandchildren, Michelle LaRue and her husband, Joel, and children, Jenny, Christy and Angie Abbas, of Ventura, Ann Grell Wilwert, and children, Greg and Matt Grell, and Crisann McCoy, of Clear Lake, Eric Grell and his wife, Tammy, and children, Derek and Dillon Grell, of Mesa, Ariz., Ronald Grell and his wife, Amy Kuns Grell, of Clear Lake, and Douglas Grell and his wife, Julie, and children, Hailey and Dalton, of Thornton; three brothers Ted Grell, of Kokomo, Ind., Bob Tietz, of Albert Lea, Minn. and Paul Bauer, of Kansas City, Mo.; three sisters, LaDonna Specht, of Cherokee, Gloria Sheehan, of Kansas, and Linda Grell, of Alaska; his special friend, Margaret Vaage, of Clear Lake; family friends Gary and Ellie Day, of Mason City; and many, many friends and relatives.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, (515) 357-2193.

CARROLL L. DICKINSON

MASON CITY - Carroll L. Dickinson, 71, of 14344 330th St. in Mason City, died Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, with the Rev. Robert Cummings officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will begin after 5 p.m. today at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St. in Manly, and one hour prior to service time on Friday at the church.

Carroll L. Dickinson was born March 26, 1929, in rural Cerro Gordo County, the son of Earl and Lizzie (Benjegerdes) Dickinson.

He attended Lime Creek No. 3 rural school and was a 1947 graduate of Manly High School.

Carroll served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He farmed southwest of Manly for more than 50 years. He enjoyed fishing, camping and visiting with friends over coffee. Beginning with his military service, Carroll held a lifelong interest in photography. He especially received great joy from his grandsons.

He was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly and was a member of the Mason City Evening Lions Club, having served as its president.

Carroll is survived by his wife, Winifred, of Mason City; a daughter, Nancy Lass and her husband, John, of Minnestrista, Minn.; two grandsons, Ben and Jordan Lass; a brother, Merle L. Dickinson and his wife, Phyllis, of Waterloo; and three nieces, Lynn Kloberdanz, Jan Hendricksen and Dawn West.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bride Colonial Chapel, (515) 454-2242.

MEARLD PIERCE

LAKE MILLS - Mearld Pierce, 90, of Lake Mills, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills, with the Rev. Jeanne Martin officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.

DELMAR ALMQUIST

OSAGE - Delmar Almquist, 94, of Osage, died Monday (June 26, 2000) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with the Rev. Robert Mehlhorn officiating. Interment will be in the Osage Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Champion Funeral Home, 702 State St. in Osage.

Delmar was born on a farm southwest of Stanton, to John David and Amanda Augusta (Carlson) Almquist, on Aug. 30, 1905. The family moved to Kansas when Delmar was a toddler and lived near Topeka for several years before returning to Iowa to live on his grandfather's family farm near Stanton.

He attended Grant country school in Montgomery County. In 1927, Delmar left the farm and attended Hoenchen Mortuary School in Des Moines.

After graduation, Delmar worked for E. Carl White Funeral Home in Des Moines. He came to Osage on July 4, 1929, and was employed by C.R. Champion & Sons Funeral Home and Ambulance Service.

On April 17, 1936, Delmar married Irma Joyce Pacey at her parents' home in Osage.

In 1946 Delmar bought a half interest in Kane Drug Store in Osage. In 1954 he purchased Mr. Kane's interest and the store became Almquist Rexall Drug. He sold the drug store in 1968. He had planned to retire, but kept office part-time for Dr. Pennington's Veterinary Office for nine years.

Delmar was a very active community worker. He was awarded an honorary membership in the Jaycees. While in business, he was a member of the Osage Rotary Club and was its president in 1962. He was a member of the Osage Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. He was active in his church, the United Church of Christ.

Delmar was an avid bowler and he is in the Osage Bowler's Hall of Fame. He was very interested in all school activities, especially sports.

Delmar is survived by his wife, Irma, of Osage; two sons, David Almquist and his wife, Marita, of Rockville, Md. and their three children, Stephanie, Michael and Timothy and their two grandchildren, Caitlyn and Austin; and Nevin Almquist and his wife, Jean, of Sedalia, Mo. and their two children, Kevin and Denise; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Champion Funeral Home, (515) 732-3706.

HELEN L. HUGHES

KANAWHA - Helen L. Hughes, 87, of Kanawha, died Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with Father Marvin Bries officiating.

Ewing Funeral Home, (515) 843-3839.

DANIEL DAHLBY

NORTHWOOD - Daniel Dahlby, 92, of Northwood, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.

HELEN RECKNER

ROCK FALLS - Helen Reckner, 70, of Rock Falls, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at home.

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

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, (515) 423-0924.

VERA CONN

BRISTOW - Vera Conn, 96, of Bristow, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Dumont.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, (515) 456-3232.

DALE W. FOX

NEW HAVEN - Dale W. Fox, 70, of New Haven, died Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven, with private burial services at a later date.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the Conway Funeral Home in Riceville and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church. There will be a Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Forester Rosary at 5 p.m. today at the Conway Funeral Home, followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m.

Dale was born on July 1, 1929, on the farm southeast of New Haven, the son of Henry and Eva (Dynes) Fox. He attended the rural school and graduated from Osage High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Marian; five sons, Christian, of Black River Falls, Wis., Bruce, of Owatonna, Minn., Neal, of Fresno, Calif., Frank, of Mason City, and Travis, of Osage; four daughters, Cheryl Jahnel, of Orchard, Sheila Kobliska, of Alta Vista, Trudy O'Donnell, of Elma, and Sue Hermanson, of Decorah; six stepchildren, Dean Thein, Randy Thein and Tony Thein, of Fredericksburg, Cindy Sharp and Connie Thein, both of Urbandale and April Wheling, of Sumner; 18 grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; four brothers, Victor and Curt, both of Osage, Larry, of Riceville and Jerry, of Elma; one sister, Doris Kulage, of Bridgeton, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Brian Jahnel.

JAMES W. O'ROURKE

MASON CITY - James W. O'Rourke, 63, of 777 S. Eisenhower Ave., died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 W. Main St. in Rockford.

Fullerton Funeral Home, (515) 423-8676 or 756-3311.

DORIS D. LAMB

MASON CITY - Memorial services for Doris D. Lamb, 89, formerly of Swaledale, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 30, at the Harvestine Funeral Home, Highway 122 West in Mason City. Interment will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Cerro Gordo County.

Doris D. Lamb died on Monday, May 22, 2000, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau, Wis.

KENNETH ROBERT MOTT

DUBUQUE - Kenneth Robert Mott, 63, formerly of Mason City, died Sunday (June 25, 2000) in a plane crash near Sumner.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Egelhof-Siegert-Casper Funeral Home in Dubuque.
 

Published Friday, June 30, 2000

Obituaries are presented as a community service of Fullerton Funeral Homes. Information is submitted by families or provided by funeral homes for publication in the Globe-Gazette and Globe Online.

MEARLD L. PIERCE

LAKE MILLS - Mearld L. Pierce, 90, of Lake Mills, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills, with the Rev. Jeanne Martin officiating. Burial will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

Mearld Leslie Pierce, son of Clair and Gertrude (Hoffman) Pierce, was born March 13, 1910, at Boone. When he was four years old, his parents moved six miles south of Kiester, Minn., where they farmed and he grew up with his brothers and sisters.

On Sept. 26, 1935, Mearld married Elizabeth Stevens at the church parsonage in Kiester. Mearld and Elizabeth bought the family farm and raised their children on it.

He loved to go walleye fishing and made many trips up north. He made trips to see his children and grandchildren in other states as often as they could. Mearld loved his farming life of 35 years and retired in 1981 to Lake Mills.

In his spare time he made clocks. He liked watching the birds that visited their bird feeder. He belonged to the Eagles in Albert Lea, Minn. He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church. He loved going to the Grand Café to eat and visit with their friends - you could almost set your watch by their visits. Mearld and Elizabeth moved into Mills Harbor in December of 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of Lake Mills; four children, Lanny Pierce Sr. and his wife, Sally, of Joice, Darrell Pierce and his wife, Sandy, of Sacramento, Calif., Shirley Mason and her husband, Skip, of Bonanza, Ore. and Richard Pierce and his wife, Darlene, of Minneapolis; seven grandchildren, Lanny Pierce Jr., Michael Pierce, Nichole Pierce, Don Madson, Jennifer Mason, Darla Pierce, Doreen Pierce; three stepgrandchildren, Curtis Leverton, Christen Funk, Lance Hartkopp; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Nadine Morgan, of Seattle, Wash.

Mearld was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Larry; two brothers, Forest and Clair; and one sister, Maxine Ericson.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.

DANIEL I. DAHLBY

NORTHWOOD - Daniel I. Dahlby, 92, of Northwood, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Somber Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, with the Rev. Alf Merseth officiating. Burial will be at Somber Cemetery in rural Northwood.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.

At 4 years of age, he moved with his family to Canada, but returned at the age of 8 to the Joice area.

He was confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church near Joice in 1922. Daniel attended Dahlside rural school east of Joice and Joice School.

Following school, he farmed with his father and drove a gravel truck. In 1929 he began farming on his own and farmed for 44 years until he retired in 1973.

He was united in marriage to Eleanor Hanson in rural Kensett on Sept. 23, 1931, at her parents' home by the Rev. A. J. Torgerson. He lived on the family farm until 1993, when he and his wife moved into an apartment in Northwood.

He was an active member of the Somber Lutheran Church in rural Northwood. For 20 years he spent his winters in McAllen, Texas. He was interested in fishing and usually went to a lake in northern Minnesota or Canada for vacation in the summer.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Eleanor at the Lake Mills Care Center; five children, Donovan and his wife, Gail Dahlby, of Northwood, Marian and her husband, Orion Iverson, of Emmons, Minn., Richard Dahlby, of Scottsdale, Ariz., Roger and his wife, Janet Dahlby, of Northwood and Charles and his wife, Diane Dahlby, of Galena, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Milba and her husband, Julian Hagen, of Lake Mills; one sister-in-law, Grace Dahlby, of Emmons, Minn.; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one infant son, Allen; his parents; one brother, Aaron Dahlby; four sisters, Thelma in infancy, Thelma Dahlby, Vivian Hanna and Evelyn Thoen.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.

EVELYN EUNICE HANCHETT SQUIER

OSAGE - Evelyn Eunice Hanchett Squier, 72, of Des Moines, formerly of Osage, died Thursday (June 29, 2000) at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines from heart complications due to Parkinson's disease. She resided on the south side of Des Moines with her husband, Edward L. Squier.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at Osage Cemetery, with the Rev. Laurie L. Riley officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Champion Funeral Home, 702 State St., Osage.

Evelyn was born May 13, 1928, at Dubuque, the daughter of Vernon and Eunice (Farrel) Hanchett. She attended schools in Dubuque and in Decorah.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Edward L. Squier, in a double wedding ceremony on Feb. 21, 1948, at Dubuque. Evelyn worked as a nurse's aide in Decorah, Charles City and Osage.

They made their home in Manly, where she was a member of Eastern Star and a Cub Scout leader. In 1976 they moved to Des Moines. Evelyn was a Cub Scout leader in Des Moines and later was a district committee person for the Boy Scouts of Des Moines. Evelyn was also a member of the Ding Darlings in Des Moines and she participated in the Foster Parent's program.

Evelyn had been attending Wesley Acres Adult Daycare in Des Moines for the past 7 1/2 years, where she learned to play the musical bells.

All memorials may be forwarded to her husband.

Evelyn is survived by her husband, Edward L. Squier, of Des Moines; a daughter, Katherine M. Potter and her husband, Russell, of Altoona; two sons, Vernon E. Squier and his wife, Sharlene, of Clemons, and Patrick A. Squier and his wife, Cynthia, of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant sister.

Champion Funeral Home, (515) 732-3706.

KENNETH R. MOTT

DUBUQUE -Kenneth R. Mott, 63, of 2293 Southway Dr., formerly of Mason City, died Sunday (June 25, 2000) from injuries sustained when the airplane he was piloting from Mason City to Dubuque crashed near Sumner during severe weather.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Siegert Didesch Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N. Grandview, Dubuque. A St. Raphael's parish Christian wake service will begin at 4 p.m.

Kenneth was born on Nov. 1, 1936, at Mason City, son of Clifford and Cecelia (Krapp) Mott.

Ken was an accomplished musician and financed his college education by playing piano dinner music in East Dubuque and Galena, Ill. He received his bachelor of arts degree at Loras College.

He opened Ken Mott Music in 1970 at the Kennedy Mall Montgomery Wards Store until 1980. He then opened Ken Mott Music & Computers on Cedar Cross Road.

An accomplished pilot, he was a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association and The Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a member and past president of the 660 Club and member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge of Dubuque and St. Raphael's Cathedral parish

Ken is survived by his daughter, Kenia (Scott) Riddle, of Mundelein, Ill.; his son, Dr. Kevin (Ann) Mott of Columbia, Mo.; three grandchildren, Zachary Mott and Stephanie and Ryan Riddle; his mother, Cecelia, of Mason City; his sister, Marcele (Carroll) Kaduce, of Mason City; two brothers, Doug Mott of Dubuque and Roger Mott of Waterloo; and his special friend, Grace Miller of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his father on Dec. 24, 1998, and his brother, Bryan, on March 6, 1999.

Memorials may be directed to the Ken Mott Memorial Fund, which has been established.

DONALD G. YOUNG

GARNER - Donald G. Young, 58, of Garner, passed away Thursday (June 29, 2000) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. John W. Hemann officiating. Burial will be at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, with graveside military rites conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with a combined Knights of Columbus and Catholic Workmans Lodge rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.

Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of arrangements.

Donald George Young, the son of Joseph and Rose Marie (Klesel) Young, was born Oct. 10, 1941, at Garner. He graduated from Garner High School in 1960, and began farming west of Garner with his parents. He served in the Iowa National Guard from 1967 to 1973.

On April 17, 1968, he married Jean Witte at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They farmed and lived west of Garner until the time of his death.

He enjoyed his family, playing cards and visiting with his friends.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Workmans Lodge and the Garner American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Garner; three children, Todd Young, of Duncan, Tracey McNamara and her husband, Deon, of Garner and Tom Young, of Duncan; three grandchildren, Dakota and Montana McNamara and Kaden Greiman; four sisters, Evelyn Pavelka, of Britt, Dorothy Huinker, of Garner, Margaret Becker and her husband, Alvin, of Wesley and Lorraine Chizek, of Britt; a brother, Paul Young and his wife, Margaret, of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers-in-law, James Pavelka, Alvin Huinker and Arthur Chizek.

Cataldo Funeral Home, (515) 923-2841.

DENNIS SHIPLER

BURT - Dennis Shipler, 58, of Burt, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at his home in Burt.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. John Lutheran Church in Burt, with the Rev. Henry Friedrich officiating. Burial will be in Burt Township Cemetery, with military honors by the Burt V.F.W. Post.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Bancroft and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.

EARL E. WILLERT

ROCKFORD - Earl E. Willert, 89, of Charles City and formerly of Rockford, died Thursday (June 29, 2000) at the Ninth Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford, with the Rev. John Albrecht officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.

The Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 West Main Ave. in Rockford is in charge of arrangements.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, (515) 756-3311.

DORIS D. LAMB

MASON CITY - Memorial services for Doris D. Lamb, 89, formerly of Swaledale, will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Harvestime Church, Highway 122 West in Mason City. Interment will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Cerro Gordo County.

Doris D. Lamb died on Monday, May 22, 2000, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau, Wis.

JAMES W. O'ROURKE

MASON CITY - James W. O'Rourke, 63, of 777 S. Eisenhower Ave., died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Holy Name Catholic Church in Rockford, with the Rev. Leo Riley officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Visitation will begin after 4 p.m. Sunday at the Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 W. Main St. in Rockford, with a parish rosary at 7 p.m.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, (515) 756-3311.

EMMA V. BROWN

DUMONT - Emma V. Brown, 79, of Dumont, died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at the Dumont Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Dumont, with the Rev. Gerald Condon officiating. Burial will be in the Hitesville Cemetery in rural Aplington.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Dumont.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, (515) 456-3232.

RALPH H. HIBBARD

MASON CITY - Ralph H. Hibbard, 92, of Mason City, died Thursday (June 29, 2000) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.

There will be no visitation. Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City, is in charge of arrangements.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.

HELEN L. HUGHES

KANAWHA - Helen L. Hughes, 87, of Kanawha, passed away Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with Father Marvin Bries officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery near Britt.

Ewing Funeral Home in Britt is in charge of arrangements.

Helen, the daughter of Ola and Lenore Nerheim Munson, was born June 5, 1913, on a farm near Kanawha. She grew up in the Kanawha area where she attended country schools, later graduating from Kanawha High School. After high school, Helen attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and taught country school for a time.

Helen was united in marriage with Dean Hughes on May 24, 1938, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The couple made their home in the Britt and Kanawha area, eventually settling in Kanawha.

They ran Dean's Café in Kanawha for more than 25 years. Helen later cooked at the Kanawha Community Home. She moved to Prairie View Apartments in Garner in 1998.

Helen and Dean loved buying and selling antiques. They specialized in antique glass for more than 20 years.

Helen was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt.

Helen is survived by one daughter, Margaret Zelko and her husband, Russell, of Ithaca, N.Y.; one son, Timothy Hughes and his wife, Nancy, of Rochester, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters, Donna Hermann, of Northfield, Minn., Lillian Bruins, of Austin, Texas, Ramona Smith, of Wichita, Kan., and Viva DeMerritt, of Goodyear, Ariz.; and two brothers, Robert Munson, of Cedar Rapids and Vernon Munson, of Sacramento, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean; and two sisters and one brother in infancy.

Ewing Funeral Home, (515) 843-3839.

JAMES MICHAEL GRELL

VENTURA - James Michael Grell, 65,of 4 First St. in Ventura, died Tuesday (June 27, 2000) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. He died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. today at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military honors will be by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake, with a scripture wake service at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the James M. Grell Memorial Fund.

Jim was born April 28, 1935, in Clayton County, on a riverboat, the son of George and Margaurite Frey and was adopted by Rueben and Viola (Kremin) Grell on Dec 7, 1941.

He graduated from Ventura High School in 1953. He was also a graduate from Hamilton Business School and NIACC. He served in the Army during the Korean War.

He married Elizabeth "Bette" Joynt on April 15, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. After leaving the service they lived in the Ventura and the Mason City area, and then began farming west of Ventura in 1961.

He also worked various jobs, including security guard at Unisys. After retiring from Unisys, he drove the school bus for Ventura, Clear Lake Headstart and Clear Lake Chamber Trolley. He enjoyed taking Opportunity Village residents to church and working with Crimestoppers.

Jim was a former Clear Lake V.F.W. post commander, past president of the Clear Lake Memorial Association for 20 years, active member in the Democratic party, ran for state representative in 1978 and was a past member of the Ventura School Board. He was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Jim had a great zest for life, despite numerous health problems, and he enjoyed being around people. He made a lot of people laugh with his jokes. He was an avid fan of Hawkeye basketball, Minnesota Viking football and all auto racing. He loved keeping "tabs" on his kids. He had great love for his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by five children and ten grandchildren, Michelle LaRue and her husband, Joel, and children, Jenny, Christy and Angie Abbas, of Ventura, Ann Grell Wilwert, and children, Greg and Matt Grell, and Crisann McCoy, of Clear Lake, Eric Grell and his wife, Tammy, and children, Derek and Dillon Grell, of Mesa, Ariz., Ronald Grell and his wife, Amy Kuns Grell, of Clear Lake, and Douglas Grell and his wife, Julie, and children, Hailey and Dalton, of Thornton; three brothers Ted Grell, of Kokomo, Ind., Bob Tietz, of Albert Lea, Minn. and Paul Bauer, of Kansas City, Mo.; three sisters, LaDonna Specht, of Cherokee, Gloria Sheehan, of Kansas, and Linda Grell, of Alaska; his special friend, Margaret Vaage, of Clear Lake; family friends Gary and Ellie Day, of Mason City; and many, many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Mike Grell, in April of 1979; and his wife, Elizabeth "Bette" Grell, in January of 1995.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, (515) 357-2193.

HELEN JUNE RECKNER

ROCK FALLS - Helen June Reckner, 70, of 212 South Spring St., died Wednesday (June 28, 2000) at her home.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City, with the Rev. Doug Anderson of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be at 1 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, with the Rev. Herschel Hawf officiating.

A time of sharing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson and one hour prior to services on Saturday. Her body has been cremated.

Memorials may be given to the Helen Reckner Memorial Fund.

Helen was born Feb. 10, 1930, in rural Franklin County, the daughter of Bano and Bena (Gersema) Abben. She graduated from Northwood High School.

She was united in marriage on April 27, 1949, to Dale Reckner at the Little Brown Church. They lived for two years in Mason City before making their home in Rock Falls. She worked for 15 years as a sales associate in the sporting goods department at K-Mart.

She loved the outdoors, especially her fishing trips to Canada. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, traveling, spending the winter season in Texas and family "get togethers."

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Dale Reckner, of Rock Falls; sons, Dean Reckner and his wife, Bette, of West Des Moines and David Reckner and his wife, Mardell, of Plymouth; daughters, Connie Bram and husband, Dana, of Lawrence, Kan. and Karen Hamilton and her husband, Tim, of Alburnett; a spare daughter, Lora Broadhurst and husband, Alan, of Pocatello, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; brothers, Leland Abben and his wife, Betty, of Albert Lea, Minn., Kenneth Abben, of Cedar Rapids, Duane Abben and his wife, Mary, of Little Cedar, Millard "Bud" Abben and his wife, Dixie, of Little Cedar and Harold Abben, of Joplin, Mo.; sisters, Mildred Rhodes, of Cedar Rapids and Dorothy Caldwell and her husband, Clair, of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Elda Bartholmey.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory (515) 423-0924