PUBLISHED Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004.

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.

ALLIEDELL A. CLARK

KENSETT - Alliedell A. Clark, 57, of Kensett, died Saturday (Jan. 3, 2004) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett, with the Rev. Allan Stoa officiating. Burial will be in the State Line Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, Minn. and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea is in charge of arrangements.

Bayview/Funeral Home, (507) 373-4330.

RENA D. HANSON

ALGONA - Rena Delores Hanson, 85, of Algona, died Friday (Jan. 2, 2004) at Algona Manor Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Algona.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona.

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

ELVERNA E. LEIST

RICEVILLE - Funeral services for Elverna E. Leist will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the LeRoy Lutheran Church in LeRoy, Minn., with the Rev. Thomas Kolden officiating. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in LeRoy, Minn. and one hour prior to services at the church.

Elverna E. Leist, 86, of Riceville and formerly of the Osage and LeRoy area, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Riceville Community Rest Home in Riceville.

Elverna Elizabeth Ramsvig was born in Thor, Iowa on March 18, 1917, to Louis and Inga (Michaelson) Ramsvig. She graduated from Thor High School.

On June 11, 1936, she was united in marriage to Joseph Earl Leist at the Little Brown Church in Nashua and to this union four children were born, a son, Doug and daughters, Carol Jean, Jan, and Linda. They lived in the Humboldt area and in 1951 bought a farm in Oakdale Township, Howard County, Iowa. They lived there until moving to Osage, Iowa in 1997.

She was a 53 year member of the LeRoy Lutheran Church, which was a very important part of her life.

She enjoyed cooking and baking.

She is survived by one son, Doug (Jan) Leist, of Chester; three daughters, Carol Jean (Richard) Pearce of Grinnell, Jan Leist of Tuscon, Ariz. and Linda (Robert) Evenson, of Osage; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Myrtle (Edward) Carlson, of Fort Dodge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson, one great-granddaughter, one sister, and four brothers.

Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home, (507) 324-5160.

MAURICE R. 'RAY' MANION

JESUP - Maurice R. "Ray" Manion, of Homestead Assisted Living in Mason City, and formerly of Jesup, died Saturday (Jan. 3, 2004) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, following a lengthy illness.

He was born July 30, 1918, in Grinnell, the son of James Francis Manion and Kathleen "Katie" (Cash) Manion.

He moved with his family to Cedar Rapids at the age of eight, graduating from high school and attending business college there.

On Sept. 2, 1944, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Joan Schnoebelen in Goshen, Ind. They lived in Peoria and Bloomington, Ill. while Ray worked for Wilson Meat Packing as a sales representative.

They moved to Jesup, Iowa, in 1950 where he worked 27 years at Frost Oil Company.

Ray also worked as a sales representative at Waterloo Motors from 1977-1987. Eleanor preceded him in death on Nov. 25, 1988.

Mr. Manion is survived by one son, J. Craig (JoAnn) Manion of Oviedo, Fla.; three daughters, Rae Ann (Larry) Sundt and Janine (Hugh) Strong, both of Mason City, and Mary Kay (Brian) Parshall, of Hatfield, Pa.; also eight grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Ellen Nolan, of Cedar Rapids.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Athanasius Catholic Church of Jesup, with burial in the church cemetery.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Wednesday at the White Funeral Home in Jesup, where there will be a 7 p.m. vigil service and an 8 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary. The casket will be open for one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

White Funeral Home, (319) 827-3695.


DELOS JAMES ARMSTRONG

CLEAR LAKE - DeLos James Armstrong, 93, of 901 N. 12th St., passed away Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, 508 Second Ave. N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Delos James Armstrong Memorial Fund.

DeLos was born Sept. 3, 1910, the son of Harry and Pearl (McCormick) Armstrong in Iona, S.D. Delos moved with his folks, at an early age, to Dows, to the home farm.

DeLos was united in marriage to Margaret Smith, March 30, 1930, and they farmed in the Franklin County area. In 1950, they moved to the Clear Lake area and continued to farm and later trucked, hauling livestock and grain. Margaret passed away in August of 1965.

DeLos married Loretta Jahnke on Aug. 15, 1970. They enjoyed square dancing, camping, and they wintered in Texas from November to April for more than 20 years.

He was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

DeLos is survived by his wife, Loretta, of Clear Lake; three sons, James Armstrong, of Clear Lake, Robert Armstrong and his wife, Sally, of Detroit, Mich., and Paul Armstrong and his wife, Linda, of Des Moines; and one daughter, Irene Alshouse and her husband, Lyle, of Dubuque; two step-children, Ronald Jahnke and his wife, Ruth, of Cedar Rapids, and Judy Whitfield, of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; two sisters, Alice Creighton and her husband, Rex, of Hampton, and Ann Brinkman, of Dows; and a sister-in-law, Lois Armstrong, of Texas; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchilren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margaret; sister, Avis Armstrong; and brother, Walter Armstrong.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, (641) 357-2193.

WILMA J. CLAUSEN

MASON CITY - Wilma J. Clausen, 82, of 1705 S. Carolina, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First Street N.E., with the Rev. Samuel Hamilton-Poore officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue.

Memorials may be given to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Good Shepherd Telephone Assurance program.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

HARRY HENRY DIEDRICH

GRAFTON - Harry Henry Diedrich, 90, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial will be in the Grafton Cemetery in Grafton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 207 S. School St., St. Ansgar.

Harry Henry Diedrich was born Feb. 8, 1913, in Mitchell County, the son of William F. and Freeda (Dutte) Diedrich. He was baptized at his parents' home and confirmed in 1929 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, where he was a member his entire life. He received his education in the Newburg District School in Mitchell county.

On Feb. 6, 1938, he was united in marriage to Velma Seeger at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Myrtle, Minn. The couple farmed in the Grafton and Carpenter areas, with Harry having a threshing route in his early farming years. He also drove a school bus for St. Ansgar Community Schools for 18 years. Following their retirement, the couple moved to their present home in Grafton in 1975.

Harry served as president of the Newburg No. 5 Township School, secretary of the Grafton Telephone Co., served on the Grafton Manor, cemetery and church boards and was active in Senior Citizens.

Harry enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, especially the yearly Diedrich reunion, sightseeing trips to western states, and fishing trips to Northern Minnesota.

As a young man he enjoyed playing the violin and oboe in the church orchestra and band. His hobbies included restoring antique furniture and woodworking.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; a brother-in-law, Herbert Seeger, of Albert Lea; a sister-in-law, Lillian and husband, Eric Buntrock, of Minneapolis.

Harry is survived by his wife, Velma, of 65 years; son, David Diedrich and wife, Darlene, of Grafton; daughter, Janice Morrison, of Albert Lea, Minn., daughter, Julie Braun and special friend, David Ward, of Mason City; one brother, John Diedrich, of St. Ansgar; and some special cousins and friends.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in St. Ansgar is in charge of the arrangements.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, (641) 713-4920.

RUTH L. GAST

NORA SPRINGS - Ruth L. Gast, 79, of Nora Springs, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at her home in Nora Springs.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, (641) 749-2210.

NICHOLAS J. KAVAYA

MASON CITY - Nicholas J. Kavaya, 74, of 1033 19th St., Mason City, died Monday afternoon (Jan. 5, 2004) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Mason City.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676.

WILDA CLARA (HENDRICKS) PHILLIPS

FOREST CITY - Wilda Clara (Hendricks) Phillips of the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City, passed away Saturday (Jan. 3, 2004) surrounded by her family.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the North McDonald family cemetery near Winterset.

Wilda Clara Hendricks was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Winterset, to Blanche (Myers) and Oliver Hendricks. Wilda graduated from Winterset High School in 1944. Upon graduation, Wilda worked in Des Moines for a bank and later in sales.

In 1952, she married James W. Stepp of Des Moines. Three children were born to that union, Cynthia, Jamie and Steven Stepp.

In 1968, Wilda married Orville Glen Phillips of Eagle Grove, where she devoted her life to family and church.

Wilda could often be found teaching adult and teen Sunday School at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and was an active member of her congregation. She volunteered her service as chairperson for Meals on Wheels as well as for other community service organizations.

Wilda enjoyed cooking and antiquing, but most of all her family.

She later moved to Forest City, to be near her grandchildren. Wilda was a wonderful mother and grandmother and was a "second mom" to countless others, and always lived her life with quiet humility and integrity toward others. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by two sisters, Laona (Hendricks) Goater, and Margaret (Hendricks) Jones, both of Winterset; daughter, Cynthia (Stepp) Peters and her husband, Kim, of Fertile; her sons, Jamie and his wife, Dawn Stepp, of Leland, and Steve Stepp of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Anne Peters, Jamie, Mackenzie, Doug and Noah Stepp.

Preceding Wilda in death were her husbands, James Stepp and Glen Phillips; her parents, Blanche and Oliver; three brothers, William, Walter, and Ralph Hendricks; and one sister, Ethel (Hendricks) Haines.

Those wishing to extend memorials to Wilda, may direct them to the Good Samaritan Center, 606 South Seventh Street, Forest City, IA 50436, and expressions of sympathy in care of the family, to her daughter, Cynthia Peters, P.O. Box 14, Forest City, IA 50436.

Petersen-Lund Funeral Home, (641) 585-2685.

MARK A. SCHRADER

AUSTIN, Texas - Mark A. Schrader, 40, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Northwood, died Thursday (Jan. 1, 2004).

Cremation will be at All Faiths Funeral Service in Austin, Texas.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at James Whitehead's home in Austin, Texas.

BENA WALTERS

PARKERSBURG - Bena Walters, 93, of Parkersburg, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Allison Care Center in Allison.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m Wednesday at the Hitesville Gospel Hall in rural Aplington, with the Rev. Robert Orr officiating. Burial will be in the Hitesville Cemetery in rural Aplington.

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


Bena was born on July 19, 1910, in Emdem,Germany, the daughter of Jacob Sluiter and Anna Garrels. She attended country school near Allison.

On April 30, 1935, Bena Sluiter was united in marriage to William (Bill) Walters. Bena was a homemaker, and they farmed near Parkersburg and did custom work.

She was a member of the Hitesville Gospel Hall.

Bena enjoyed being in fellowship with the Christians at the Hitesville Gospel Hall, where she enjoyed serving the Lord.

Bena enjoyed embroidering, gardening, flowers, cooking and baking.

Survivors include her sons, Jackie and wife, Lillian Walters, of Cedar Falls, and Lee and wife, Bonnie Walters, of Parkersburg; daughter, Betty and husband, Mike Smith, of Clear Lake; brother, Warner and wife, Elizabeth Sluiter, of Parkersburg; sister, Fannie Leerhoff, of Parkersburg; 10 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Walters; her parents; two sisters, Anna Speiker, and Margaret Tack; three brothers, Adolph, Henry, and Grant Sluiter; and two brothers-in-law, Herman and Eilert Walters.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, (641) 456-3232.

ROBERT OTTO

CHARLES CITY - Robert Otto, 86, of 910 Eighth St. in Charles City, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St. in Charles City, with the Rev. Kent Sovine, pastor of Bethany Alliance Church, officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Hauser Funeral Home and one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323.

LEONA M. QUAMME

BUFFALO CENTER - Leona M. Quamme, 77, of Rake, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, with the Rev. Larry Rehlander officiating. Burial will take place in West Cemetery in Rake.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Winter Funeral Home, 414 First St. N.W. in Buffalo Center and will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service, (641) 562-2858.

ETHEL YOUNG

BELMOND - Ethel Young, 89, of Belmond, died Saturday (Jan. 3, 2004) at the Belmond Medical Center in Belmond.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

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

Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond is in charge of arrangements.

Ethel Bier, one of nine children, was born Aug. 19, 1914, at Meservey, the daughter of Henry G. and Priscilla (Pals) Bier. She attended Meservey Schools.

Ethel began working in the early years of her life as a waitress in an area cafe where she met her husband Urie T. (Thomas) Young. The two were united in marriage on Jan. 10, 1934. Ethel then joined her husband in his travels as a salesman selling cookware throughout the country.

The couple was blessed with a daughter, Mary Jane. They had lived in various places thoughout the years. In addition to helping her husband in his sales career, she had been employed for many years at Woolworth's and for a time at The Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

Ethel later returned to her Iowa roots from Missouri moving back to Belmond in the 1970s and had lived at the Leinbach Center Retirement Community since November 1980.

Ethel enjoyed the simple things of life and believed in smelling the roses along the way. She lived a life of strong convictions filled with grace and concern for humanity.

Though at times her life may have been filled with challenges, she always saw the best in everything.

She was a devoted mother, wife, grandma, and caregiver.

For many years her love and affection was shown in the care that she provided for area residents.

She loved her daughter's family very much and cherished the wonderful bond with her son-in-law, Rusty Rusnak, who enjoyed treating her with respect and dignity and treating her to special occasions.

She was a pioneer of sorts in the fact that she had never driven an automobile in her 89 years of life. She was a wonderful cook.

Ethel had been an active member of the United Methodist Church participating in various activities, the UMCW, and the Senior Citizens. She had also assisted with the Belmond Care Care program.

Those left to cherish the memory of her life include her daughter, Mary Jane Rusnak, of Olathe, Kan.; her brother, Paul Bier, of Belmond; her granddaughter, Karla Ann and husband, Jay K. Johnson, of Overland Park, Kan.; and their children Lindsay and Michael, both at home with their parents, her grandson, Dr. Robert (Bob) Rusnak and wife, Barbara, of Topeka, Kan., and their children Stephanie and Rachel, both at home with their parents; and many nieces and nephews.

Those preceding her in death include her parents, husband, Urie T. (Thomas) Young; son-in-law, Rusty Rusnak; sisters, Laura Haupt, Iva Beek, and Wanda Bier; brothers, Warren, Glenn, Lloyd Bier; and an infant brother, Lester Bier.

Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, (641) 444-4474.

DOROTHY J. LINDQUIST

STEWARTVILLE, Minn. - Dorothy J. Lindquist, 84, of Stewartville, Minn., formerly of Mason City, Iowa, died Friday (Jan. 2, 2004) at the Stewartville Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Chris Brekke, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn., officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the Dorothy J. Lindquist Memorial Fund.

Dorothy was born Nov. 16, 1919, in Mason City, the daughter of Edward F. and Martha M. (Haase) Gorman. She graduated from Mason City High School, moved to Algona for six years then returned to Mason City in 1936.

Dorothy married Donald R. Lindquist Jan. 29, 1940, in Mason City. She worked at the Cerro Gordo Hotel for three years, then as the deputy auditor for Cerro Gordo County for 27 years, retiring in 1980.

Dorothy was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn., ONO Club, volunteered for Hospice of North Iowa, KCMR Radio, literacy program and enjoyed quilting.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Vivienne Braun and husband, Ronald, of Brodhead, Wis.; son, Marshall E. "Mike" Lindquist and wife, Mary Alice, of Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Matt Braun of the United Arab Emirates, Amanda Braun of Green Bay, Wis., Jeff Sawyer of Rochester, Minn., Steve Sawyer and wife, Tricia, of Cedar Rapids, and Marsha Lindquist of Rochester, Minn.; three great-grandchildren, Graham and Collin Sawyer, Sydnee Lindquist; sister, Vivian Bennett and husband, Robert, of Mason City; brother, Howard Gorman and wife, Haroldean, of Story City; sister, Mileen Sinclair of Carrollton, Texas; sister, Janice Burgess and husband, Harold, of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Lucille Gorman of Citrus Heights, Calif.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Frances Jimenez; and one brother, Edward F. Gorman Jr.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 2004.

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.

ROBERT J. ‘BOB’ WALKER SR.

IOWA CITY — Robert J. “Bob” Walker Sr., 77, of rural Iowa City, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, following a short illness.

Funeral service for Robert will be held at 6 p.m. today at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, 2720 Muscatine Ave. in Iowa City. Burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be 1 to 3 p.m. today at the funeral home.

He was born on Sept. 30, 1926, in Johnson County, the son of Scott and Columbia Powelson Walker. Robert graduated from Lone Tree High School then joined the U.S. Air Force.

On Feb. 16, 1949, Robert married Ida Belle Hollingshead in Enid, Okla.

After the Air Force, he graduated from an engineering school in Milwaukee, Wis. Most of his life was lived on the family farm south of Iowa City.

Through the years he had worked for Allen Bradley in Milwaukee, General Foods, City Cab, city sewer department and Sheller Globe in Iowa City. He retired from Sheller Globe in 1988, where he worked as an electrician.

Robert was a member of the Free Medical Board and the HACAP Board in Iowa City.

Robert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ida; his sister, Cara Brehm, of Tacoma, Wash.; and 14 children, Lindy Lou Snyder of Fort Worth, Texas; Robert Joseph (Connie) Walker Jr., of Mason City, C. Henry (Lee) Walker, of Salina, Kan., Miron Jay (Elaine) Walker, of Oelwein, Charles Francis (Jackie) Walker, of Lake Dallas, Texas, Terry Mark (Lenora) Walker, of Orem, Utah, James Timothy Walker, of Iowa City, Michael Raymond (Susan) Walker, of Kalona, John Barry Walker, of Cedar Rapids, Benjamin Lee (Shari) Walker, of Cedar Rapids, Clinton Wilber Walker, of Iowa City, Sarah Walker, of Hesston, Kan., Carol Walker of West Liberty, and Judy Lynn (James) Ridg-way, of Cedar Rapids. He was also the proud grandparent of 40 grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Scott and Columbia Walker; his brother, Scott; and a son, Philip Edward Walker.

Gay and Ciha Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (319) 338-1132.

MILDRED ‘NANNY’ IRENE THORPE

MASON CITY — Mildred “Nanny” Irene Thorpe, 76, of Mason City, died Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2004) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral service for Mildred will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Pastor Kathy Graves, Director of Spiritual Care-Hospice of North Iowa, officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Mildred Irene Overbeck was born March 19, 1927, the daughter of Oscar O. and Karen “Marie” (Melcher) Overbeck in Mason City. She attended schools in the Mason City public school system.

Mildred was united in marriage to Robert H. Thorpe on May 17, 1946, in Mason City.

Mildred was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Eagles Fraternal Order No. 3416.

She spent many hours working and playing bingo. Mildred also enjoyed crocheting and bowling. Mildred worked for Armour’s for 32 years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Robert Thorpe of Mason City; daughter, Terrie Lea Weiland and husband, Larry, of Man-kato, Minn.; daughter, Jeri Lyn Thorpe and partner, Julie Cain, of Fayetteville, Ark.; brother, Raymond Overbeck and wife, Jan, of Mason City; grandchildren, Kimberly Walters and husband, Jeremy, of Mankato, Minn., Traci Full and husband, Brian, of Man-kato, Minn., Robyn Sullivan of Mankato, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Zak, Cody and Brady Walters of Mankato, Minn., Bobby Sullivan II of Mankato, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Clifford and Andrew Overbeck.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

RUTH L. GAST

NORA SPRINGS — Ruth L. Gast, 79, of Nora Springs, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at her home in Nora Springs.

Scripture reading and prayer service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Nora Springs Christian Church with the Rev. Glen E. Bandel officiating. Inurnment will be in the Park Cemetery in Nora Springs. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time Saturday at the church.

According to her wishes her body was cremated.

Ruth L. Gast was born on Sept. 3, 1924, in Waterloo, the daughter of Glen W. and Alleen V. (Hamilton) Martin. She attended and received her education at Lincoln School in Mason City.

She was united in marriage to Truman H. Gast on June 17, 1941, in Mason City. Ruth worked as a med aide at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Mason City and for the Nora Springs Care Center.

She and her husband Truman had resided in Nora Springs for past 54 years.

She enjoyed collecting dolls, flowers, going to horse shows and visiting with family and friends, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and friends.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Truman Gast of Nora Springs; her son, Howard Gast, of Nora Springs; grandchildren, Kevin Gast and his wife, Brenda, of Sheffield, and James Gast, of Nora Springs; great-grandchildren, Chelsea and Logan Gast, of Sheffield; a brother, Rex W. Martin, of Charles City; two sisters, Jacqueline Rollefson, of Clear Lake, and Arvilla Martin of Mason City; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Margaret Murl.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, (641) 749-2210.

WILMA J. CLAUSEN

MASON CITY — Wilma J. Clausen, 82, of 1705 S. Carolina Ave., died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First St. N.E., with the Rev. Samuel Hamilton-Poore officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Memorials may be given to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or Good Shepherd Telephone reassurance.

Wilma was born Feb. 18, 1921, in rural Charles City, the daughter of Bernice and Dorothy (Wood) Lambert. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1937, moved to Mason City in 1938, then attended Hamilton Business College for one year.

Wilma married Paul J. Clausen on Oct. 18, 1941, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She was the bookkeeper for Clausen Plumbing and Heating for 25 years, re-tiring in 1983.

Wilma was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, active in various church groups, a life member of the VFW, volunteered at Community Kitchen as well as other organizations, enjoyed ceramics, breakfast with her friends and spending time with her family.

Wilma is survived by a daughter, Karen Hackman and husband, Robert, of Mason City; a son, Steve Clausen and wife. Ann, of Mason City; daughter, Shelley Wallace and husband, Greg, of Troy, Ill.; brother, James Lambert and wife, Imogene, of Arlington, Texas; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Paul J. Clausen; and sister, Maxine Lambert.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

DONNA MAE KAHLSTORF

BRADENTON, Fla. — Donna Mae Kahlstorf, 75, of Bradenton, Fla., died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at Blake Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 30, 1928, near Garner. Just after graduation from Britt High School, she accepted the Lord as her Savior at a youth con-vention. This decision changed her life and focus.

She graduated from Northwestern Bible School in Minneapolis and earned a B.A. in education from the University of Northern Iowa in preparation to serve the Lord. She taught fourth and fifth grades for two years before she left for Zimbabwe in 1955 as a missionary under The Evangelical Alliance Mission.

She taught in the Chironga Teachers’ Training Institute for several years, training young Africans to teach kin-dergarten and elementary grades. Later, she became an instructor in the Evangelical Bible College, mainly in the Christian education department. She, together with Bible College students, reach-ed out to start African churches. Her last two terms in Zimbabwe were spent managing the Word of Life Book Store in Harare, the capital city.

Donna left Zimbabwe in April of 1995 to retire. Since then she had made her home at Bradenton Missionary Village in Bradenton, Fla. At the village she had been involved in various types of volunteer work.

She is survived by three sisters, Edna Fisher of Phoenix, Ariz., Laura Baade of Britt and Mildred Sonerholm of Klamath Falls, Ore.; two brothers, Harold Kahlstorf of Britt and Donald Kahlstorf, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Gertrude Mortenson, of Naples, Fla.

Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Skyway Memorial Gardens, 5200 U.S. Highway 19 N. Palmetto, FL 34221.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Bradenton Missionary Village at the Rossi Center in Brad-enton, Fla.

Memorial gifts may be given to The Evangelical Alliance Mission, P.O. Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60189-0969.

LILLIAN M. SNYDER

MASON CITY — Lillian May Snyder, 92, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., formerly of Mason City, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 329 E. State St., with the Rev. Paul Finger officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with an Eastern Star service at 6:30 p.m. and continues one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Lillian May Snyder Mem-orial Fund.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

NICKOLA J. KAVAYA

MASON CITY — Nickola “Nicholas” J. Kavaya, 74, of 1033 19th St. S. W., died Monday (Jan. 5, 2004) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City. Burial will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Friday at the Fullerton Funeral Home.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Nicholas Kavaya Mem-orial Fund in the care of his family.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676.

BESSIE BUCHAN

SHERBURN, Minn. — Bessie Buchan, 92, of Clear Lake, formerly of Sherburn, Minn., died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2004) at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sherburn, with the Rev. Jean Wallenfang officiating. Burial will be in the Sherburn Cemetery in Sherburn, Minn.

Visitation will be held 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sherburn, Minn.

Kramer Family Funeral Home, (507) 639-2281.

ROBERT E. BLACK

ALGONA — Robert E. Black, 85, of Algona, died Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2004) at the Good Samaritan Center in Algona.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Algona. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery in Algona.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wilson’s of Algona.

Wilson’s of Algona, (515) 295-2622.

GOLDIE M. VEACH

MASON CITY — Goldie Mae Veach, 86, of 222 S. Pierce, died Monday (Jan. 5, 2004) at USA Healthcare.

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

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (641) 423-0924.

JENNIE CHRISTIANS

KANAWHA — Jennie Christians, 89, of Kanawha, died Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2004) at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, 118 E. Second St. in Kanawha.

Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, (641) 762-3211.

FRANK GROFF

CHARLES CITY — Frank Groff, 80, of 600 Pheiffer Ave., died Tuesday (Jan. 6, 2004) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St. in Charles City.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323.