Allen Cowell

CHARLES CITY — Allen Cowell, 71, a resident of 107 13th Avenue, Charles City, died Monday (May 9, 2005) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.

Funeral services for Allen Cowell will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor A. C. Wegner of the Faith Bible Chapel will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City.

Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Hauser Funeral Home, Charles City, (641) 228-2323.

www.hauserfh.com.

Merle C. Been

BELMOND — Merle C. Been, 72, of 707 2nd Ave. N.E., Belmond, passed away on Monday (May 9, 2005) in the comfort of his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick Lane S., Belmond, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at the United Methodist Church. The Rev. Michael Druhl will be officiating. Burial will be at the Belmond Cemetery. The services will be under the direction of Dugger Ewing Funeral Home.

Per Merle's request he would like memorials to go to Belmond Community School Scholarship II Foundation, Belmond Hospital Foundation, Belmond United Methodist Church, Belmond Arts Council-Santa House, Hospice of Wright Co., and the Tingley Community Center.

Merle was born on Jan. 21, 1933, to William "Harley" Been and Leona (Saltzman) Been in Tingley, Iowa. Growing up in a small community, Merle, the son of the local barber, kept his roots by attending Tingley functions with friends and family throughout the years.

He completed high school in 1951 and married Doris Johnson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, on Oct. 4, 1952. They began their married life in Newton, where he was employed by Wilding Plumbing & Heating.

Merle (M.C.) entered the armed forces during the Korean conflict. He and Doris lived in the states of Virginia and California until his honorable discharge in 1956. Three children were born to this union; Steven, Jonel and Rodney.

After service, Merle entered into various positions in Des Moines related to the printing industry, until he decided to "venture" off and start his own printing career.

In 1965 he purchased the Town & Country Advertiser of Wesley, Iowa, and started The Reminder in Belmond. This led to the beginning of Printing Services Inc. Good friends Bob and Fern Tomson played an important part in the early development of the company. The publication and the printing company expanded many times over the years and now houses the main production plant in Belmond with satellite offices in Mason City and Webster City, Iowa.

In addition to being owner and president of Printing Services Inc., Merle was the owner of the Winter Texan Publication and co-owner of Farm & Home Publishers, City Directory Inc., Action Associates and True Value Farm & Home.

Various other business "ventures" over the years were: Cornbelt Horseman News, Kanawha Reporter, Webster City Shopper, Iowa Falls Shopper, Hampton Shopper, Northwood Office Supplies & Shopper, Britt Town & Country Advertiser, Hunter Ross Publications, American Woods, Wright Fabrication, Model Cleaners, Sports Cages and Ministry Management.

One of Merle's favorite mottos was "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," and this was evident throughout his life.

Merle enjoyed being a part of and serving his community. Since 1965 he served as a member and past president of the Belmond Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Belmond Industrial Development Corp. and served with his good friends George Hinman and Gary Berkland on the Luick Trust for 21 years.

He was involved with the Belmond Scouting Program where he was honored with the Outstanding Adult Scouter, and the District Award of Merit. He was a Belmond Lions Club member, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and the Warren Coleman Award. Merle was a charter member, past president and stock holder of the Belmond Country Club. He was an active Jaycee member, earning numerous awards including Boss of the Year and Distinguished Service.

He was a member of the Lake Cornelia Improvement Association, and many of Merle's most enjoyable moments were spent on Lake Cornelia at the cabin with family and friends.

He was a member of Midwest Free Community Papers, where he served   as board member and treasurer for more than 27 years. Through this organization he was honored with the highest award, Past Presidential Memorial Award and was honored with a Merle C. Been night where he was given an annual scholarship in his name.

Merle was a faithful member of the Belmond United Methodist Church and served as an Administrative Board Chairperson, chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pastor-Parish Chairperson, Finance Chairperson, usher, along with serving on various other committees.

Merle and Doris enjoyed many trips through their years, especially when it involved spending time with family and friends along the way. His family meant the world to him, and he cherished each and every one of his nine grandchildren and was happy to be a part of their lives.

Over the years, Merle helped many people get started in ventures of their own and he will be missed as a mentor and contributor to the community, as well as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and employer.

Left to survive Merle is  his wife, Doris; sons, Steven (Jeri) and Rodney (Laurie); daughter, Jonel Worden (Brian), all of Belmond; sisters: Maudeene Swinehart (Bud), Des Moines, Marrabell Schulz (Earl), Vancouver, Wash., Mardell Donner (Don), Augusta, Ga., brother, Milo (Naomi), West Des Moines, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Lillian Been, Palm Harbor, Fla., Nila Been, Goodland, Kan., Chrystal Johnson, Waverly, Neb., Willie Johnson of Newton, Iowa, Cleone Thompson, Louise Johnson, Cleone Hosfield, Pat Johnson all of Mt. Ayr, Iowa; grandchildren: Linzey Worden, Kevin Been, Lane Worden, Travis Been, Landon Worden, Corey Been, Dana Been, Luke Worden and Nathan Been as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Leona Been; three brothers, Marvin, Mark and Mac; two sisters, Margaret Dutton and Marilyn Tindle; father and mother-in-law, Bill and Edith Johnson; sisters-in-law, Marian Solomon and Gene Johnson; brothers-in-law, Charles Dutton, Max Tindle, Keith, Clare, Lawrence, Merrill, Dean and Marvin Johnson, Joe Thompson, Dale Reynolds, Ben Solomon and Kenny Hosfield.

The family would like to thank everyone for the generosity and kindness that has been shown to them during Merle's eight-year fight with melanoma cancer. A huge thanks goes out to Hospice  of Wright County. Jane and Barb, you were our Angels. Thank you is not enough! Thank you.

Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond, (641) 444-3248.

Morris ‘Chap' Nuehring

BRITT — Morris "Chap" Nuehring, 83, of the Kanawha- Britt area, passed away Wed-nesday (May 11, 2005) at Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services for Morris Nuehring will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme with the Rev. Donna Buckman officiating.

Friends may greet the family today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, 178 Center St. W. in Britt, and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. The family will also greet friends at the Klemme Library following the committal service on Saturday.

Morris Albert "Chap" Nuehring was born in Liberty Township on Aug. 28, 1921, to Owen and Blanche (Montgomery) Nuehring. When he was 3 years old, the family moved southwest of Klemme. He attended country school in Twin Lake Township and then attended Klemme High School, graduating in 1939. He was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Reformed Church in Klemme.

After graduation, he worked for his father and many of their neighbors until Feb. 25, 1950, when he married Margaret F. Carolus at the Goodell parsonage. They then moved to the farm northeast of Kanawha, where they lived for 55 years. To this marriage, three sons were born in which Chap instilled his strong work ethic.

He enjoyed farming and was an award-winning livestock producer, being named Iowa Master Pork Producer in 1963. He farmed all of his life until retiring in 1986, but continued helping his son farm for a number of years. After retiring, his pride and joy was his sweet corn patch, which he worked in diligently, supplying sweet corn for his whole family.

He served on the church consistory as deacon, elder, and congregational president of the Immanuel Reformed UCC in Klemme. He later became a member of the Britt United Methodist Church.

He served on the Hancock County Farm Bureau Board for a number of years. He was very active in Hancock County Elderbridge, serving as president, and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Citizen for Hancock County. In 1996, Gov. Vilsack honored him with the Governor's Volunteer Award.

Chap was a loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed his family and was very proud of their accomplishments. He loved to watch all kinds of sports on TV, especially the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret; children and grandchildren: Marvin and Phyllis of Kanawha, their children, Angela, and fiancé, Josh Nick, of Round Lake Beach, Ill., Lindsey of Owatonna, Minn., and James of Kanawha; Milvern and Judy, their children, Megan and Jon, of Lombard, Ill.; Monte and Candice, their children, Cayce, Jacob and Emmett, of Denver, Iowa. He is also survived by his sisters: Dorothy Brede of Goodell, Mavis Eckes of Long Prairie, Minn., Marie Ver Helst of Klemme, and Inez (Bruce) Dunbar of Mason City; his brothers: Dean of Osage, Ralph of Klemme, Keith (Wilma) of Webster City; his sister-in-law, Doris Nuehring of Belmond; his brother-in-law, Art Kemp of Colome, S.D.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, A. LeRoy (Josephine) Carolus of Bemond, and Harlan (Betty) Carolus of Klemme, and many nieces and nephews.

Chap was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Blanche; two brothers, Lorril and Lyle, and three sisters, Clara Bier, Grace Kemp and Betty Van Nurden, along with several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, (641) 843-3839.

Beverly Jean Helgeson

KENSETT — Beverly Jean Helgeson, 65, of rural Kensett, passed away Wednesday (May 11, 2005) as a result  of a vehicle accident in rural Fertile.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Killdeer Ave., Kensett, with the Rev. Allan J. Stoa officiating. Burial will be in the Elk Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly, and one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church.

The family of Beverly Jean Helgeson has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in her memory.

Beverly Jean Helgeson was born on May 20, 1939, in Mason City, the daughter of Everett and Edna (Entner) Boutelle. She was raised and educated in the Kensett and Osage areas. She was a lovely child full of energy who loved being outside doing whatever her father and grandfather were doing. She also helped her mother with the cooking and housekeeping, but would jump at the chance to go out and help her grandfather. She was a very intelligent and beautiful young lady.

She graduated from Osage High School in 1956 at the age of 16, a full two years ahead of her peers. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in Mason City.

In 1960, she injured her head while traveling with her family near Plymouth, Iowa. She was admitted to Mercy Hospital for a couple of days, and it was at this time that she first spotted Roger. She told her friends he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Roger was in the hospital with a broken leg. She stopped and talked to him and this started a courtship which lasted nearly 42 years.

While other people had hobbies or took vacations, Beverly just wanted to spend her time by Roger's side, taking care of the animals, the farm and raising their family with the man she adored, respected and loved more than anything else.

Beverly started working at the Post Office in June of 1979, during the Worth County Fair, where she continued to work for 26 years.

She was a member of Elk Creek Lutheran Church, the church circle and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was also a member of the Rural Carriers Association. Beverly was very active in Scouting, 4-H and various school organizations.

She loved her animals, gardening, and bird watching, but above all, she loved and adored her family.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Roger Helgeson, of Kensett;    two sons, Steven J. Helgeson and his wife, Sally, of Clarion, Iowa, and Dr. Rodney D. Helgeson of Louisville, Ky.; one daughter, Lori J. Peters and her husband, Mike, of Lansing, Iowa; her mother and stepfather, Edna Boutelle Seamann and her husband, Heinz Seamann, of Davenport; seven grandchildren, Brittany and Brandon Helgeson, Shaun McBride Peters, Joseph "Joey" Helgeson, Caelan McBride Peters, Connor Helgeson and Makayla Peters; one brother, Robert Boutelle and his wife, Nancy, of Walcott, Iowa, many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and many friends.

She is preceded in death by an infant son, Timothy; her father, Everett Boutelle, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lu Lu and James Helgeson.

Bride Colonial Chapel (641) 454-2242.

www.colonialchapels.com

Donald ‘Booie' Duane Busick

FOREST CITY— Donald "Booie" Duane Busick, 71, of Forest City, died Friday (May 13, 2005) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st St. SE, Belmond.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.

Donald was born January 2, 1934 in Belmond, Iowa. He was the second oldest son of eleven children born to Dale and Alice (McMannus) Busick.

Donald attended school in Belmond and later earned his G.E.D. while serving in the Marine Corps.

After his military service, he worked in La Crosse, Wis., where he married Rosada Postin in 1958. From this union, their daughter, Suzette Ondine, was born.

They moved back to Belmond, where Booie worked for Acco Seeds for many years, working test plots, germinating corn, etc. Their marriage was later dissolved.

A few years later, he started working for Winnebago Industries as a press operator, moving his residence to Forest City, then retiring in 1996 at age 62.

In his leisure time, Don enjoyed fishing, bowling, horseshoe tournaments, and playing harmonicas.

Don was Wright County and Belmond city bowling champion in the mid-1950s. He took great pride in being the first bowler to roll a 700 scratch series, in 1958, at Bowl Mor Lanes in Belmond (on Suzette's birthday).

He really enjoyed visiting, and he always had a story or a joke or two for everyone.

 Don also enjoyed times spent dining, coffeeing, and visiting with his friends and family at the Sportsman's Cafe, Forest City.

Although he enjoyed coffee, his real drink of choice was his Irish Creme Cappucinno.

In his later years, Don enjoyed watching old classic movies (primarily Western and suspense) with his dog "Max" at his side. (Don collected a susbstantial number of movie tapes from which he could choose for viewing when he could not find "anything of interest" on cable). He also developed a special relationship with the Winnebago transit and local taxi driver, Ron Bronson, who took him shopping and to medical appointments after he could no longer drive himself.

He had much praise for Helen Alne (Alne Acres) who cared for his dog "Max" when he had to be away from home.

Don is survived by his daughter, Suzette (Keith) Hughes, Trusedale, Iowa; three brothers: Darwin (Joan) Busick from Haverhill, Mass.; Ken (Carol) Busick of Mason City, Doug Busick of Britt; three sisters: Shirlene (George) Van Den Heuvel of Klemme; Remae (Eddie) Schuver of Goodell; and Rosetta Busick and special friend, Jim Peterson, of Lake Cornelia, Iowa.

Other survivors include several aunts, 28 nieces and nephews, 53 great nieces and nephews; a special friend, Jean Thompson, many other friends, and his faithful companion "Max".

He was preceded in death by Rose; his paternal and maternal grandparents; his parents, Dale and Alice; an older brother, Dale Jr.; a younger brother Darrel, brother Harold; and his sister Darlene Baker; and also his father and mother-in-law Doug and Florence Poston.

Andrews Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

(641) 444-4474.

                     Posted by Gene Manning