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.
Leah Obrecht
MASON CITY — Leah Obrecht passed away on
Sunday (May 15, 2005) in the comfort of
her home, surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.
Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Wendy Abrahamson will be
officiating. A luncheon will follow the
funeral services. Burial will follow the
luncheon in Thornton, Iowa, at the
Pleasant View Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.
today at the Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial
Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., in Mason
City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
given to St. John's Episcopal Church,
Hospice of North Iowa or the Humane
Society of North Iowa.
Leah was born to William Frederick Long
and Lucille Schindler Huettenmueller in
Westphalia, Kan.
Leah graduated from The University of
Omaha with the degree of Bachelor of
Science in Home Economics. Leah later
pursued graduate studies at Iowa State
University. Education was a value that
Leah carried with her through her life.
Leah's passion for education was passed
on to her many students, family members
and friends.
Leah enjoyed a 35-year career as a Home
Economics teacher. Most of her teaching
was in the Nora Springs, Iowa, school
district. Leah took great pride in
watching her students learn and succeed.
Leah was an educator both in and out of
the classroom.
Leah married Roger Obrecht in July of
1984. Leah and Roger enjoyed many happy
years together. Together they enjoyed
the outdoors, traveling, spending time
with their dogs, dining out, the theater
and tending to their acreage.
Leah's interests included raising and
training Labrador Retrievers for field
trial. Leah won many ribbons, trophies,
and recognition for her work with
Labradors. Leah also raised Dachshund
dogs.
Among Leah's many great talents, her
ability to sew may have been her best.
Some of the items Leah crafted were
beautiful couture clothing, quilts,
draperies, and many doll clothes through
the years. Leah's other talents were
gardening, cooking, wine making,
antiquing and crafts.
Leah took great pride in sharing her
talents with her friends, whether was by
sharing beautiful flowers from her
garden, cooking for friends, giving
homemade quilting lessons or passing on
her wealth of knowledge to those that
enjoyed her friendship.
Leah enjoyed reading and spending time
with her family, friends and pets. Leah
also took great pleasure in enjoying her
acreage "Greener Pastures" and the
fruits of her labor.
Leah enjoyed being a part of and serving
her community, she will be missed as a
mentor, volunteer and contributor. Leah
served on the Community Kitchen Board,
the St. John's Episcopal Church Vestry
and was a member of the Mason City
Garden Club.
Leah was a loving wife, mother,
grandmother and friend.
Leah is survived by her husband, Roger
Obrecht, of Mason City; one son, Danny
Krauth, of Clear Lake; and one
granddaughter, Mary (Brian) DeZiel of
Houston, Texas. Leah is also survived by
four siblings: Opal Parks, Ruby Parks,
Gail (Beverly) Long all of Garnett,
Kan., and Evelyn (Russell) Blubaugh of
Olathe, Kan. Also left to cherish Leah's
memory are numerous nieces and nephews
as well as many dear friends.
Leah was preceded in death by her
parents; grandparents; and many friends.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel,
(641) 423-2372.
www.colonialchapels.com.
John A. Johnson
MASON CITY — John A. Johnson, 83, of
1408 North Virginia Avenue, died
Saturday (May 14, 2005) at the Muse
Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30
p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral
Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with
the Rev. Kathy Graves, Director of
Spiritual Care, Hospice of North Iowa,
officiating. Inurnment will take place
at a later date in Immanuel Lutheran
Cemetery, Kiester, Minn.
Visitation will be one hour before the
service at the funeral home on Tuesday.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of
North Iowa.
John Abraham Johnson was born on Oct.
13, 1921, in Bayard, Neb., the son of
Thomas and Hannah (Graves) Johnson. He
attended schools in Arnold, Neb., and
Phoenix, Ariz. During the depression, he
worked in the CCC (Civilian Conservation
Corps) and later worked in the aircraft
industry in Southern California.
John was in the Army Air Corps during
World War II, serving with the Flying
Tigers in China.
He received a letter of commendation
from his superiors for his actions in
assisting other members of the crew when
their plane crashed in China.
In 1946, John married Harriet
Hermundstad in Sacramento, Calif. They
had two children, Claudia and Timothy.
They moved to Mason City in 1951. John
worked in sales for many different
companies throughout his working life.
John was a life member of the VFW. He
enjoyed hunting and fishing and
developed a talent for woodcarving in
later years. John was a gregarious
person who enjoyed his friends and
neighbors and most especially his family
and pets. He will always remain vibrant
in our hearts.
John is survived by his wife of 59
years, Harriet, of Mason City; daughter,
Claudia, of Mason City; several nieces,
nephews and friends.
John was preceded in death by his
parents; seven siblings; and son,
Timothy, in 1963.
Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory,
(641) 423-0924.
Arlene M. Henderson
FLUSHING, Mich. — Arlene M. Henderson,
formerly of Hampton, Iowa, age 88, died
Sunday (May 15, 2005) at Heartland-Fostrian
Health Care in Flushing, Mich.
Private family services will be held
with cremation to follow.
If desired, memorial contributions may
be made to the Salvation Army.
Arlene was born in Burt, Iowa, on March
30, 1917, the daughter of James H. and
Ada Belle (Hopkins) Bailey.
She married Robert W. Triplett in April
1936. He preceded her in death in 1960.
She then married Gail Henderson on July
24, 1966. He preceded her in death in
1979.
Arlene was a former member of First
Congregational Church of Hampton, Iowa,
and a current member of Flushing United
Methodist Church, Flushing, Mich. She
enjoyed traveling, playing bridge,
dancing, and spending time with her
family and friends.
Surviving are two sons, Bob Triplett of
San Bernardino, Calif., and Jim and
wife, Laragene Triplett, of Flushing,
Mich.; six grandchildren; several
great-grandchildren; and a sister,
Jeanne and husband, Stew Stewart, of
Kansas City, Mo.
Arrangements entrusted to Rossell
Funeral Home, Inc., 307 East Main
Street, Flushing, Mich.
Rossell Funeral Home, Inc., (810)
659-6342.
Myron ‘Mike' Becker
FOREST CITY — Myron "Mike" Becker, age
80, of Forest City, died Saturday (May
14, 2005) at St. Marys Hospital in
Rochester, Minn.
His funeral service will be at 10:30
a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist
Church in Forest City. Burial will be at
Madison Township Cemetery in Forest
City.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday at the Petersen Lund Funeral
Home, 505 North Clark Street in Forest
City, and an hour prior to service at
the church on Wednesday.
Myron Ray (Mike) Becker was born May 27,
1924, the son of Herman and Lillian
(Husted) Becker at Blairstown, Iowa. He
graduated from Blairstown High School in
1942. He farmed with his father and
later owned a tavern in Mount Vernon.
In 1946, he married Bette Butteris. Six
children were born to this union. The
marriage later ended in divorce.
In 1962, Mike came to Forest City and
owned the Forest Tavern, and in 1968,
the Village Lounge. On Oct. 27, 1976, he
married Judy Hiscocks Dahle. One son was
born to this marriage. Mike and Judy
owned and operated Uptown Liquor from
1989 to the present.
Mike went to work everyday and loved his
cabin at Summerbreeze, Minn., fishing
and especially driving his car. He was a
member of the United Methodist Church.
He loved spending time with family and
telling stories of the "Old Days,"
Buster and always had a joke to tell.
Mike is survived by his wife of 28
years, Judy, and his six children:
Sharlyn Pardubsky (Larry) of Johnston,
Pam Urbatsch (Harley) of Forest City,
Michael "Butch" Becker of Clear Lake,
Gary Becker (Teresa) of Cottonwood,
Minn., Richard Becker of Shakopee,
Minn., and Karla Woodward (Tim) of Mason
City; and Judy's three children: Kevin
Dahle (Beth) of Northfield, Minn., Kim
Jennings (Matt) of Forest City, and Tony
Dahle (Colleen) of Mason City; 22
grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren.
Also surviving Mike is his sister,
Alberta Volz of Amana; two brothers,
Donnie Becker, of Van Horn, and Wayne
Becker of Blairstown.
Mike is preceded in death by their son,
Andy Becker; a sister, Bonnie Kahle; and
his parents, Herman and Lillian Becker.
Petersen Lund Funeral Home, (641)
585-2685.
Gladys J. Summers
BELMOND — Gladys J. Summers, 103,
resident of the Belmond Health Care
Center, died Sunday (May 15, 2005).
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday at Andrews Funeral Home in
Belmond.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Belmond.
Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond is in
charge of the arrangements.
Andrews Funeral Home, (641) 444-4474.
Virginia L. Coe
VENTURA — Virginia L. Coe, 71, died
Sunday (May 15, 2005) at the Belmond
Health Care Center, Belmond.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete with
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 104
North Fourth Street, Clear Lake.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel (641)
357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.
Rex Dean Whitney
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Mr. Rex Dean
Whitney, 78, of Bartlesville, Okla.,
died at 11:35 a.m. Sunday (May 15, 2005)
at his home following an illness of
several months.
Memorial graveside services will be held
in Mason City, Iowa, at a later date and
cremation arrangements were under the
direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home in
Bartlesville, Okla.
Mr. Whitney was born on May 13, 1927, in
Mason City, Iowa, to Russell Charles and
Blanche Cordelia (Erickson) Whitney. He
grew up and received his education
primarily in Mason City, Iowa, and
served with the United States Army from
1945 until receiving his Honorable
Discharge in 1947.
He was married to Delores Winter on Feb.
14, 1948, at Albert Lea, Minn. They made
their home in Mason City, Iowa, and Mr.
Whitney was employed with the Armour
Meat Packing plant as a butcher for a
number of years and then as the chief
mechanic for the facility until his
retirement. Mr. Whitney was also active
as a home builder.
They moved to Bartlesville in 1990 for
four years and then returned to Mason
City. They moved back to Bartlesville in
1995 to make their home.
Mr. Whitney is survived by his wife,
Delores Whitney, of the home in
Bartlesville; one daughter, Deborah
O'Connell and her husband, Dr. Randy
O'Connell, of Bartlesville; one son,
Steven Whitney, of Kissimmee, Fla.; two
sisters, Cordelia Whitney of
Minneapolis, Minn., and Elaine Wiebrand
of Cottonwood, Ariz.; four
grandchildren: Rocky Whitney and Mick
Whitney, both of Orlando, Fla., Patricia
O'Connell of Bartlesville, Okla., and
Sarah Davidson of Spring Hill, La.; and
one great-grandchild, Katherine Davidson
of Spring Hill, La.
Mr. Whitney was preceded in death by his
mother and father; one brother, Roger
Whitney, of Minneapolis, Minn.; one
sister, Catherine Asbe, of Mason City,
Iowa; two sons, Edward Charles Whitney
in infancy, and David Jay Whitney of
Texarkana, Texas, in 2003.
PUBLISHED Tuesday, May 17, 2005
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.
Gladys J.
Summers
BELMOND — Gladys J.
Summers, 103, of
Belmond, died Sunday
(May 15, 2005) at the
Belmond Health Care
Center.
Funeral services will be
held at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday at the Trinity
Lutheran Church in
Belmond, with the Rev.
Rod Hopp officiating.
Burial will be in the
Belmond Cemetery in
Belmond.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m. today
at the Andrews Funeral
Home, 516 First St. S.
E. in Belmond and
continue one hour prior
to the services on
Wednesday at church.
Memorials are suggested
to Wright County
Hospice, Trinity
Lutheran Church or the
donor's choice.
Gladys Jeanette
Roseland, daughter of
John J. and Gertrude
(Christopherson)
Roseland, was born March
24, 1902, in Eagle
Grove, Iowa. Her mother
died when she was eight
days old and she was
raised in the foster
home of Rasmus and Brita
Velve of Eagle Grove.
Gladys was united in
marriage to Hiram Austin
Summers on Feb. 20,
1924. To this union,
four children were born:
William Austin, Robert
Leroy, Bernadine Belle,
and Pearl Elaine.
Gladys belonged to
Trinity Lutheran Church,
Veteran's of Foriegn War
Auxiliary, Senior
Citizens, Grandmothers
Club, and Trinity
Lutheran Church Women.
Gladys was a devoted
wife, mother, and
grandmother. She will be
remembered by family and
friends for her Kringla
and many other baked
goods. She had a smile
for everyone and a good
sense of humor.
Gladys had worked for a
number of years at the
Belmond Community
Hospital and at Keith's
Coffee Cup Café. She was
also the widow of a
World War I veteran.
Gladys is survived by
William (Bill) Summers
of Wichita Falls, Texas;
Robert (Bob) Summers and
wife Carolyn of Belmond;
Bernadine and husband
Bob Cooke of Belmond;
and Elaine and husband
Norman Lester of
Goldfield;
sister-in-law, Lila
Roseland of Eagle Grove;
16 grandchildren: Steven
Summers of San Antonio,
Texas; Denise (Ron)
Schiemer of Waianae,
Hawaii; Tanya (David)
Ferguson of Daegu, South
Korea; Matthew Summers
and fiancée, Heather of
Dallas, Texas; Timothy
Summers and fiancée,
Vicki of Aiea, Hawaii;
Toni (Jim) Williams of
Clarion; Linda (Jim)
Boyd of Colorado
Springs, Colo.; Richard
Summers of Belmond;
Mitchell Summers of
Belmond; Debra (Wendel)
Whipple of Mason City;
Diane (Jon) Crawford of
Belmond; Lynn A. Cooke
of Runnels, Iowa; Dennis
(Jane) McGrath, of
Clarion, Daryl (Jona)
McGrath, of Clarion;
Douglas (Donna) McGrath,
of Cumming, Ga.; and
Karen (Ken) Potts of
Yukon, Okla.; 27
great-grandchildren; six
stepgreat-grandchildren;
12
great-great-grandchildren;
and six
step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her parents,
John and Gertrude
Roseland; foster
parents, Rasmus and
Brita Vevle; husband,
Hiram A. (Aus) Summers;
sisters Jennie Willard,
Clara McCormick, Agnes
Hoffbuhr; half-brother
Arthur Roseland; foster
brothers, Oliver Vevle,
Carl Vevle, Mendus
Vevle; foster sister
Sophie Hovland; daughter
Bea Landerman; grandson,
Duane Summers; grandson
Baby Summers; grandson
Scott Lanferman;
granddaughter, Roxanne
Summers; and
great-grandson Jeremy
Williams.
Andrews Funeral Home,
(641) 444-4474.
Mark D.
Albaugh
AMES — Mark D. Albaugh,
56, Ames, died of a
heart attack on Saturday
(May 14, 2005) at his
home.
Funeral services will be
at 10 a.m. Thursday at
the Bethesda Lutheran
Church in Ames with
Pastor Randy Gehring
officiating. Burial will
follow in Ames Municipal
Cemetery.
Mark was born to Otis
and Grace (Bell) Albaugh
on Aug. 5, 1948, in
Mason City. He graduated
from Mason City High
School in 1966 and from
the University of
Northern Iowa in 1970.
Mark married Candace
(Candy) Canfield on May
9, 1971, in
Marshalltown. He was a
Naval intelligence clerk
in the United States
Navy from 1970-1974,
serving in the
Philippine Islands
during the Vietnam Era.
Mark was the Director of
the Boys and Girls Club
in Ames for 16 years and
has been an in-home
family counselor with
Lutheran Services in
Iowa for the past 13
years.
Mark loved his country,
was proud of his Naval
service and was very
strong in his Christian
faith.
He enjoyed reading,
genealogy, and loved the
Vikings, Twins, Celtics,
Cyclones and whoever
played the Hawkeyes each
week.
Survivors include his
wife, Candace (Candy)
Albaugh of Ames; sons,
Andrew Albaugh of Ames
and Tony Albaugh of
Ankeny; sisters, Sandra
Wilmarth of Maxwell and
Lavonne Kacer of Clear
Lake; brother, Daryl
Albaugh of Moline, Ill.,
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday at Stevens
Memorial Chapel in Ames.
Stevens Memorial Chapel
is assisting Mark's
family with
arrangements.
Lorraine E.
Porter
CEDAR RAPIDS — Lorraine
E. Porter, 84, of 300
32nd St. N.W. in Cedar
Rapids, died Monday (May
16, 2005) at Muse
Norrise Hospice
Inpatient Unit in Mason
City.
Funeral services will be
held at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at Salem
United Methodist Church
in Cedar Rapids, with
the Rev. Carroll Brown
officiating. Burial will
be in the Cedar Memorial
Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held
from 4 to 7 p.m. today
at the Turner West
Funeral Home in Cedar
Rapids and after 9 a.m.
Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be
directed to Hospice of
North Iowa, Mason City,
or Salem United
Methodist Church in
Cedar Rapids.
Curtis A.
Vrchota
MASON CITY — Curtis A.
"Peewee" Vrchota, 89, of
212 12th St. S.E., died
Friday (May 13, 2005) at
Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa.
Memorial services will
be held at 1 p.m.
Saturday at the Wesley
United Methodist Church,
1405 S. Pennsylvania
Ave. with the Rev. Bill
Poland officiating.
Private family inurnment
services will take place
in Park Cemetery in Nora
Springs.
A gathering of family
and friends will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday
at the Major Erickson
Funeral Home, 111 N.
Pennsylvania Ave. in
Mason City.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924.
Helen G.W.
Chase
MASON CITY — Helen G.W.
Chase, 91, of Mason
City, died Sunday (May
15, 2005) at Mercy
Medical Center-North
Iowa.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Major
Erickson Funeral Home,
111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
in Mason City.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924.
Virginia
‘Ginny' Coe
VENTURA — Virginia
"Ginny" Lee Stepleton
Coe, 71, passed away
Sunday (May 15, 2005)
after a long illness.
Funeral services will be
at 1 p.m. Thursday at
the Ventura United
Methodist Church in
Ventura, with Pastor
Audrey Westendorf Young
officiating. Interment
will be in the Ventura
Cemetery in Ventura.
Visitation will be from
4 to 7 p.m.Wednesday at
the Ward-Van Slyke
Colonial Chapel, 101 N.
Fourth St. in Clear
Lake, and one hour
before the service on
Thursday at the church.
The family suggests
memorials to Virginia L.
Coe Memorial fund.
Virginia was born Sept.
3, 1933, in Mason City,
the daughter of Gerald
and Anne (Gerdes)
Stepleton. She lived in
Mason City until about
the age of 14 when she
moved with her family to
Ventura. Ginny graduated
from Ventura High School
in 1951. She earned an
honorable mention by the
Iowa girl's basketball
association.
Ginny married Forrest
"Frosty" Coe on May 1,
1953, in Mason City.
Ginny worked
approximately 18 years
at the Ventura State
Bank and for several
years at the Ventura
Congregate Meals.
Ginny enjoyed cooking
for her family, watching
the Hawkeye and Viking
games, and especially
her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Ginny is survived by her
husband, Forrest; five
children: Teresa
(Charles) Patton of
Montevideo, Minn.,
Matthew Coe of Ventura,
Joni (Clint Kaune) Chase
of Oelwein, Jeff
(Debora) Coe of
Rochester, Minn. and Amy
(Brad) Reiter of
Clarion; fourteen
grandchildren: Nick,
Taylor and Sydney
Patton, Sandy Coe, Sarah
Coe Myers, Michael and
Matthew Chase, Julie
(Chase) Love, Joshua and
Ashley Coe, Amanda (Coe)
Johnson, and Tyler,
Michellynn and Payton
Reiter, and 11
great-grandchildren; one
sister, Carol (Jerry)
Mahrenholz of Tifton,
Ga.; one brother Charles
Stepleton of Clear Lake;
sister-in-law, Cleo
Overgaard of Ventura;
brother-in-law, Larry
(Jane) Coe of Ventura;
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Ginny was preceded in
death by her parents;
one sister, Marian
(Stepleton) Furleigh;
one brother, Patrick
Stepleton; and one
infant son, Forrest W.
Coe Jr.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, (641) 357-2193.
wwwcolonialchapels.com.
Bernice R.
Slusarczyk
MASON CITY — Bernice R.
Slusarczyk, 82, of 1170
14th St. S.E., died
Saturday (May 14, 2005)
at home.
Funeral services will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday
at the Free Methodist
Church, 604 23rd St.
S.W. with Pastor Larry
Day officiating.
Interment will be in
Elmwood-St. Joseph
Cemetery.
Visitation will be from
5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at
the Major Erickson
Funeral Home, 111 N.
Pennsylvania Ave., and
continue one hour before
services on Friday at
the church.
Memorials may be given
to the Bernice R.
Slusarczyk Memorial
Fund.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924.
Madison
Kay-Lynn Kuchel
MASON CITY — Madison
Kay-Lynn Kuchel,
stillborn daughter of
Ginnie Kingston and Kory
Kuchel Sr., died Sunday
(May 14, 2005) at Mercy
Medical Center-North
Iowa.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete with
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, 126
Third St. N.E. in Mason
City.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, (641)
423-2372.
www.colonialchapels.com.
William
Miller
MASON CITY — William
Miller, 77, of 127 26th
St. S.W., died Monday
(May 16, 2005) at his
home in Mason City.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete with
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, 126
Third St. N.E. in Mason
City.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, (641)
423-2372.
www.colonialchapels.com.
Merlyn J.
Thada
THORNTON — Merlyn J.
Thada, 82, of Thornton,
died Monday (May 16,
2005) at the Oakwood
Care Center in Clear
Lake.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at the
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, 101 N. Fourth
St. in Clear Lake.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, (641) 357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.
Curtis C.
Noble
RICEVILLE — Curtis
Cleveland Noble, 69, of
Riceville died Thursday
(May 12, 2005) at his
home.
A memorial service will
be held at 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005,
at the First
Congregational United
Church of Christ in
Riceville, with the Rev.
Gale Richards
officiating.
The Lindstrom Funeral
Home in Riceville is in
charge of arrangements.
Lindstrom Funeral Home,
(641) 985-2242.
|
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PUBLISHED Wednesday, May 18,
2005
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.
Bernice R.
Slusarczyk
MASON CITY — Bernice R.
Slusarczyk, 82, formerly
of 36 Sunny Circle,
completed her journey of
life in the comfort of
her home Saturday (May
14, 2005) where she had
been living with her
son, Robert, and his
wife, Deb, since
September 2004. Bernice
suffered a stroke in
June 2004.
After an extended stay
at the IOOF Home, she
moved in with her son
Robert. She had a second
stroke in February 2005.
After a short stay at
the Heritage Care Center
she returned home where
she lived until her
passing.
Funeral services will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday
at the Free Methodist
Church, 604 23rd St.
S.W., with Pastor Larry
Day officiating.
Interment will be in
Elmwood-St. Joseph
Cemetery.
Visitation will be from
5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at
the Major Erickson
Funeral Home, 111 N.
Pennsylvania Ave., and
continues one hour
before services on
Friday at the church.
Memorials may be given
to the Bernice R.
Slusarczyk Memorial
Fund.
Bernice Rose Slusarczyk
was born April 20, 1923,
in Chicago, Ill., to
August and Leona
(DeSomer) Koch. She
attended schools in
Chicago and after
graduating from high
school, Bernice
completed Beauty Culture
School. She worked at
various places in
Chicago.
It was not long before
she met and fell in love
with a handsome,
twinkling, blue-eyed
European gentleman by
the name of John.
Bernice joined John in
marriage and welcomed
his daughter, Jean, into
their family. They lived
in the Chicago area
until 1960, when John
was transferred by
Armour's to the Mason
City Decker plant. They
bought their home on
Sunny Circle and
continued to live there
until John's passing in
1992.
Bernice was employed in
the housekeeping
department at the
Madonna Inn for several
years prior to her
retirement.
Bernice's passion in
life was children and
she often did
babysitting for
neighbors in Rolling
Acres along with caring
frequently for her
grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. She
was an accomplished
seamstress and often
made clothing, curtains
and other items to
decorate her home. She
loved to keep house and
did so with pride.
After retirement, her
hours were spent having
coffee parties with her
neighborhood friends,
crocheting, baking,
playing cards, doing
word puzzles and
reading. She was well
known for her pound cake
which was often enjoyed
by all. Her favorite
book was "Gone with the
Wind" and she enjoyed
television, especially
the "Price is Right" and
cooking programs.
Bernice will be missed
by her children, Jean
(Joseph) Stefaniak of
Helena, Mont., Robertha
(Robert) Grelak of
Newark, Del., Robert
(Deborah) Slusarczyk of
Mason City, John (Diana)
Slusarczyk of
Morristown, Ariz.,
Deborah Hildeman and
fiancé, Scott Hart, of
Mason City; 16
grandchildren; 22
great-grandchildren. She
will be missed by her
faithful pets, Libby,
Ollie and Billie, that
adopted her at her son's
home. She is also
survived by a sister,
Estelle (John) Geltosky
of Memphis, Tenn.;
brothers, Edward (Rose)
Koch of Chicago, Ill.,
Donald (Laverne) Koch of
Orland Park, Ill.;
sister-in-law, Doreen
(August) Koch of Avon,
Ind.; nieces, nephews,
cousins as well as
special neighborhood
friends, Vi, Janet,
Dixie, Sue and Karen.
Waiting to welcome her
home are her husband,
John; parents; a sister
who died in infancy;
son, William; and
brother, August.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924.
Marvin W.
Merritt
RICEVILLE — Marvin W.
Merritt, 88, of Sierra
Vista, Ariz., passed
away Monday (May 16,
2005).
A memorial service will
be held at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Riceville
United Methodist Church
in Riceville with the
Rev. Michael Carey
officiating.
Lindstrom Funeral Home
is in charge of the
arrangements.
Marvin was born July 5,
1916, in Allerton to
William and Inamay
(Kimple) Merritt. He
graduated from
Strawberry Point High
School in 1934.
He attended San
Bernardino Junior
College in California in
1937 and 1938. Marvin
served in the U.S. Army
before and during World
War II as an officer in
General Patton's 818th
Tank Destroyer
Battalion.
On March 2, 1942, he
married Earlene Presson.
In 1948, he graduated
from Henderson State
College in Arkadelphia,
Ark. From 1948 to 1951,
he worked for Lion Oil
Co. In 1951, he moved to
a farm in Mitchell
County, Iowa. He served
as director of schools
for Douglas Township.
In 1957, he moved to the
home farm in Howard
County and served on the
County School Board from
1960 to 1969. He served
on the Howard County
Draft Board during the
Vietnam Conflict.
He worked in the
Riceville Post Office
from 1962 until his
retirement in 1977. He
taught high school
Sunday school class in
the Riceville United
Methodist Church for
many years and served on
many commissions. After
his retirement, they
lived in Arizona during
the winter and summered
in Iowa.
Marvin is survived by
his children, William
(Rita Jo) Merritt of
Sierra Vista, Ariz.,
James (Cherie) Merritt
of Osage, and Cathy
Simon of Riceville;
stepchildren, Charles
(Debi) Makidon of St.
Paul, Minn., Diane
(David) Peters of
International Falls,
Minn., and Carol (Terry)
Ohlund of Grand Rapids,
Minn.; brothers, Milo
(Marge) Merritt of Mesa,
Ariz., and Robert
(Bernice) Merritt of
Burleson, Texas; and
many loving
grandchildren;
great-grandchildren;
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; his
wife, Earlene; his
second wife, Arene
Makidon-Holt; a sister,
Eleanor Dean; a
stepbrother, James
McGahey; and his
stepdaughter, Susan
Bibeau.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be given
to the Marvin Merritt
Memorial Fund, 219 N.
13, Osage, IA 50461.
Lindstrom Funeral Home,
(641) 985-2242.
Jimmie Lee
Maynard
ETTRICK, Wis. — Jimmie
Lee Maynard, 59, of
Ettrick, Wis., passed
away Sunday (May 15,
2005) after a courageous
battle with cancer.
Jimme was born Feb. 15,
1946, to Frank and Laura
"Ruby" (Beer) Maynard in
Kanawha. He married De
Lawrence "De" Hewitt and
to this marriage nine
children were born. De
passed away in December
1992.
On Nov. 12, 1994, Jimmie
married Margaret
"Maggie" (Truax) Jacobs.
Jimmie was a longtime
over the road driver for
Ashley Distribution and
received many awards for
his accident-free
driving, most recently
the 2,000,000 Mile Safe
Driving Award.
Jim loved to fish, golf
and spend time with
family and friends. He
also enjoyed antique
cars.
Left to cherish his
memories are his beloved
wife, Maggie; his
mother, Ruby; seven
children: Jimmie
(fiancee, Linda) Hewitt,
Tommie (fiancee, Karen)
Maynard, Tammy (John)
Hooper, Misty Peplinski,
Jessie (Kathy) Maynard,
Penny (fiance, Pat)
Maynard, and Corie
(fiancee, Crystal)
Maynard; 16
grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren;
three stepchildren:
Bryan (Ina Jo) Jacobs,
Joy Jacobs and Heather
(Josh) Buchholtz; 10
stepgrandchildren; a
brother, Ray (Verla)
Maynard; a sister, Hazel
(Chuck) Barloon;
father-in-law, Wayne
Truax; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Cheryl
Truax, Dennis and
Patricia Truax, and
Wayne and Shelby Truax;
several nieces and
nephews; and best a
friend, Jim (Linda)
Newman.
He was preceded in death
by his first wife, De;
father, Frank; two sons:
Timmie and Johnnie;
sister, Jennie;
brother-in-law, Duane;
nephew, Dwight; and
mother-in-law, Phyllis
Truax.
Funeral services will be
held at 1 p.m. Friday at
Living Hope Lutheran
Church in Ettrick, Wis.,
with the Rev. Kristen
Wendland officiating.
Visitation will be held
from 4 to 8 p.m.
Thursday at Zwickey
Funeral Home, Galesville
Chapel, Wis., and from
noon until the time of
services on Friday.
Graveside services will
be held at 11 a.m.
Saturday at Elmwood-St.
Joseph Cemetery in Mason
City with the Rev. Jim
Magelssen officiating.
Condolences can be sent
to his wife, Maggie
Maynard, P.O. Box 33,
Ettrick, WI 54627, or
his sister, Hazel
Barloon, at 406 West G
St. Forest City, IA
50436-1824.
Zwickey Funeral Home,
Galesville, Wisc. (608)
582-2746.
Merlyn
‘M.J.' Thada
THORNTON — Merlyn "M.J."
Thada, 82, formerly
Thornton, died Monday
(May 16, 2005) at
Oakwood Care Center in
Clear Lake.
A memorial service will
be held 11 a.m. Thursday
at St. Paul Evangelical
Lutheran Church in
Thornton with the Rev.
Robert Hetrick
officiating. Inurnment
will be at Pleasant View
Cemetery. According to
his wishes, his body has
been cremated.
Memorials may be given
to the M.J. Thada
Memorial Fund.
M.J. was born Oct. 21,
1922, in Thornton, the
son of Harold and Ellen
(Berdelson) Thada.
Merlyn was baptized in
the American Lutheran
Church of Thornton where
he is still a member.
M.J. married Ellen
Harmon on Nov. 15, 1940,
in Mason City. In 1945,
he enlisted in the Army.
He owned and drove
trucks for Thada Truck
Lines.
He was also an
auctioneer for 33 years
all around North Iowa.
He graduated from Reisch
American School of
Auctioneering on March
11, 1950. Using his
talents, he helped with
the "Pie Auctions" at
the church.
M.J. was a volunteer at
the fire department and
a life member of the
American Legion.
He enjoyed playing in
bands, especially
Thada's Thumpers for 17
years at the Clear Lake
V.F.W. and other places.
He loved to fish.
M.J. is survived by his
daughter, Barbara Card,
St. Louis Park, Minn.;
two grandsons: Kyle Card
and wife, Jill, and
Cameron Card;
great-grandsons, Ryan
James and Joey; brother,
Dean Thada and his wife,
Elvira, Clear Lake; and
and brother-in-law, Roy
Baack, of Thornton.
M.J. was preceded in
death by his parents;
his wife, Helen (Sept.
5, 1998); and son,
Dickie (Dec. 15, 2002);
and sister, Bernice
Baack; and two brothers,
Lyle and Stanley.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, 101 N. Fourth
St. in Clear Lake, is in
charge of arrangements.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, (641) 357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com
Carol
Springer
CHARLES CITY — Carol
Springer, 88, of Charles
City died Tuesday (May
17, 2005) at Floyd
County Memorial Hospital
in Charles City.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Hauser
Funeral Home, 1205 S.
Main St. in Charles
City.
Hauser Funeral Home,
(641) 228-2323.
www.hauserfh.com
Pearl J.
Harris
MASON CITY — Pearl J.
Harris, 84, of 651 Sixth
St. S.E., Apt. 2, died
early Tuesday morning
(May 17, 2005) at Mercy
Medical Center-North
Iowa in Mason City.
Memorial services will
be held at 11 a.m.
Thursday at Wesley
United Methodist Church,
1405 S. Pennsylvania
Ave. in Mason City, with
the Rev. Keith Scott
officiating. A private
graveside inurement
service will be held at
a later date in Memorial
Park Cemetery in Mason
City.
The family will greet
relatives and friends
today from 4 to 7 p.m.
at Fullerton Funeral
Home, 123 Second St.
S.E. in Mason City.
Thoughts, condolences
and stories may be
e-mailed to the family
on the Web site below.
Those wishing to extend
memorials or expressions
of sympathy direct them
to the Pearl J. Harris
Memorial Fund
Fullerton Funeral Home
and Cremation Services,
(641) 423-8676.
www.fullertonfh.com
Madison
Kay-Lynn Kuchel
MASON CITY — Madison
Kay-Lynn Kuchel,
stillborn daughter of
Ginnie Kingston and Kory
Kuchel Sr., died
Saturday (May 14, 2005)
at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete with
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, 126
Third St. N.E. in Mason
City.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, (641)
423-2372.
www.colonialchapels.com
Hubert
Orvick
FOREST CITY — Hubert
Orvick, 80, of Forest
City died Tuesday (May
17, 2005) at the Good
Samaritan Center in
Forest City.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Petersen
Lund Funeral Home, 505
N. Clark St. in Forest
City, (641) 585-2685.
Helen G. W.
Chase
MASON CITY — Helen G. W.
Chase, 91, of Mason City
died Sunday (May 15,
2005) at Mercy Medical
Center- North Iowa.
Funeral services will be
held at 2 p.m. Friday at
Our Savior's Lutheran
Church, 2502 S.
Jefferson Ave. in Mason
City, with the Rev. Joel
Dahlen officiating.
Interment will be held
at Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday at Major
Erickson Funeral Home,
111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
in Mason City.
Memorials may be
directed to Helen G. W.
Chase Fund.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home, (641) 423-0924.
Gerald
Swyter
KANAWHA — Gerald Swyter,
92, of Kanawha passed
away Monday (May 16,
2005) at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa in
Mason City.
Funeral services will be
held 10:30 a.m. Friday
at Kanawha Christian
Reformed Church of
Kanawha with Pastor
Steve Schulz
officiating. Burial will
be in the Amsterdam
Township Cemetery near
Kanawha.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday at Ewing Dugger
Funeral Home, 118 E.
Second St. in Kanawha,
and one hour prior to
services at the church.
Ewing Dugger Funeral
Home, (641) 762-3211.
William
‘Bill' Miller
MASON CITY — William
"Bill" Miller 77, of 127
26th St. S.W., died
Monday (May 16, 2005) at
his home after a short
battle with cancer.
Funeral service will be
held 10:30 a.m. Thursday
at Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, 126
Third St. N.E. in Mason
City, with Pastor Thomas
Healey officiating.
Burial will be in
Memorial Park Cemetery
in Mason City, with
military honors
conducted by members of
the Mason City Veterans
Memorial Association.
Visitation will be from
5 to 7 p.m. today at
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel.
William Joseph Leo
Miller Jr. was born July
18, 1927, the son of
William Joseph Leo
Miller Sr. and Pearl in
Baltimore, Md. Bill
served in the military
during World War II.
On Dec. 28, 1979, Bill
was united in marriage
to Karen (Gilbert)
Miller in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. To this
union two children were
born.
Bill drove truck for
most of his life, the
last being Montgomery
Ward for 14 years. He
also loved helping his
friends out driving cars
back from the cities.
Bill always had a
helping hand. His
greatest love was
spending time with his
family.
Bill is survived by his
wife of 25 years, Karen
Miller, of Mason City;
son, Scott Miller and
his wife, Tina; and
daughter, Jill Eilers
and her husband Rob; a
stepson, Tom
UitdeFlesch; a
stepdaughter, Peggy
Willard and her husband,
Brian; three
grandchildren: Kaylee
and Jacob Miller, and
Abby Eilers; and four
stepgrandchildren: Joey
UitdeFlesch, Aaron,
Emelie, and Hannah
Willard.
Bill is preceded in
death by his parents.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore
Colonial Chapel, (641)
423-2372.
www.colonialchapels.com
Clarence W.
Gingrich
LONE ROCK — Clarence W.
Gingrich, 81, of Lone
Rock died Monday (May
16, 2005) at Kossuth
Regional Health Center
in Algona.
Funeral services will be
held at 10:30 a.m.
Thursday at United
Presbyterian Church in
Lone Rock with the Rev.
Donna Steven
officiating. Burial will
be in Buffalo Township
in Titonka.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 8 p.m. today
at United Presbyterian
Church in Lone Rock.
Garry-Roberts-Murphy-
Schaaf Funeral Home,
Algona, (515) 295-3731.
Dorothy J.
Pringnitz
GARNER — Dorothy J.
Pringnitz, 91, of Garner
died Tuesday (May 17,
2005) at Hampton Health
Care Center.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Cataldo
Funeral Home in Garner.
Cataldo Funeral Home,
(641) 923-2841.
Larry Dean
Pittenger
MASON CITY — Larry Dean
Pittenger, 68, of
Pueblo, Colo., formerly
of Mason City, died
Monday (May 16, 2005) in
Pueblo.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Rose Lawn
Funeral Home & Cemetery
in Pueblo, Colo., (719)
542-2934.
|
|
Published Thursday, May 19,
2005.
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.
William ‘Bill'
Ward
CHARLES CITY —William
"Bill" Ward, 76, of
Charles City, died
Tuesday (May, 17, 2005)
at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa in
Mason City.
Funeral services for
William Ward will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday
at New Life Community
Church in Charles City
with Pastor Mike McAbee
officiating. Burial will
be at a later date.
Military honors will be
conducted by the Charles
City Ceremonial Unit.
Friends may call from 4
to 8 p.m. today at
Hauser Funeral Home,
1205 S. Main St. in
Charles City. Visitation
will continue an hour
prior to the service on
Friday at the church.
William Otto Ward was
born March 27, 1929, at
Wesley, the son of
William and Tracy
(Goetz) Ward. He was
raised and educated in
Wesley and Titonka and
graduated from Titonka
High School. He was
married to Janice
Bonacker in 1947 and the
couple later divorced.
He served his country in
the United States Navy
from 1947 to 1967 as a
communication technician
first class. His
military career included
service aboard the USS
St. Paul in the Pacific
Fleet, and service in
Washington, D.C.,
London, England,
Istanbul, Turkey,
Wiesbaden, Germany, and
Spain.
Bill worked with the
Appliance Center of
Charles City from
1967-1979, and was a
partner in B & J Water
Conditioning from 1979
until his retirement in
1993.
He was united in
marriage to Wanda
Cuccuini at the Little
Brown Church in Nashua
on July 1, 1995.
He was a member of the
VFW, American Legion,
Moose Lodge, and the
Iowa Water Quality
Association, where he
served as president in
1991. Bill enjoyed golf,
fishing, bowling,
playing poker and
euchre, working out in
the yard and spending
winters in Florida. He
loved his grandchildren
and especially enjoyed
spending time with
family and friends.
Living relatives include
his wife Wanda of
Charles City; three
daughters: Stephanie
(Steve) Sinnwell,
Haverhill, Tamara
(Arnie) Arnoldussen,
Mason City, and Melanie
Hargrave, Ionia; two
stepsons: John Cuccuini,
Charles City, Robert
Cuccuini (Roberta
Lockrem), Charles City;
one stepdaughter,
Shirley (Scott) Huemann,
Mason City; and special
family friends, Rick and
Sue Rague, Lindsay and
Ryan, Waconia Minn.; 11
grandchildren; seven
great-grandchildren; and
one sister, Donna
(Gilman) White, Charles
City; nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; one
brother, Edward Fay
Ward; one sister, Iva
Smith; and son-in-law
Gene Hargrave.
The Hauser Funeral Home,
(641) 228-2323.
www.hauserfh.com
Pearl J.
Harris
MASON CITY — Pearl J.
Harris, 84, of 651 Sixth
St. S.E. Apt. 2 in Mason
City, died early Tuesday
morning (May 17, 2005)
at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa in
Mason City.
Memorial services will
be held at 11 a.m. today
at Wesley United
Methodist Church, 1405
S. Pennsylvania Ave. in
Mason City, with the
Rev. Keith Scott
officiating. A private
graveside inurnment
service will be held at
a later date in Memorial
Park Cemetery, Mason
City.
The family greeted
relatives and friends
Wednesday at Fullerton
Funeral Home, 123 Second
St. S.E. in Mason City.
Those wishing to extend
memorials or expressions
of sympathy may direct
them to the Pearl J.
Harris Memorial Fund.
Thoughts, condolences
and stories may be
e-mailed to the family
on the
www.fullertonfh.com
Web site.
Pearl Jeannette Harris
was born July 6, 1920,
in Blue Earth, Minn., to
Peter K. and Josephine
(Paulson) Mondahl. She
was one of six children
born to her parents.
Pearl earned her high
school diploma from
Mason City High School
and chose to further her
education at the Mason
City Junior College,
attaining her teaching
certificate.
Pearl was employed by
the Mason City School
District at various
times throughout her
adult life including
positions as teacher and
para-professional. She
also assisted in the
school library and
worked at the AEA.
On Aug. 15, 1943, Pearl
was united in marriage
to the love of her life,
Roger W. "Bud" Harris at
the Little Brown Church
in Nashua. Pearl and Bud
treasured time spent in
each other's company,
traveling to all but
four states of the
United States, fishing
and dining out. Bud
describes his wife,
Pearl, as the "jewel of
the family!"
Above all, Pearl was a
devoted wife and
nurturing mother. Her
highest priority in life
was caring for her
family and spending
quality time with each
of them. Pearl loved the
challenge of any kind of
good card game,
crocheting and creating
craft items. She was
extremely proud of her
Norwegian heritage and
often cooked and baked
in reflection of that
country.
Pearl attended Wesley
United Methodist Church
in Mason City and was
active in various
women's clubs and Bible
study groups.
Even until the final
days of her life, Pearl
continued to stay in
close contact with her
sisters and brothers.
Conversations with them
via telephone became a
bright spot in her day.
Pearl is described by
her family as a loving
woman who was a true
friend and partner!
Pearl will be dearly
missed by her family and
friends who have shared
in her life.
She is survived by her
husband, Roger W. "Bud"
Harris of Mason City;
her daughter, Diann
(Jim) Moreland of Omaha,
Neb.; her son, Larry
Harris of Mason City;
her granddaughter,
Samantha Harris of Mason
City; her two sisters"
Bernice "Beets" (Bill)
Trizulny of Mason City
and Arlene Johnson of
Manly; her two brothers:
Norman (Milly) Mondahl
of Harrison, Ark., and
Jerry (Vel) Mondahl of
Mason City.
Preceding Pearl in death
are her parents, Peter
and Josephine Mondahl;
her brother, Gilman
Mondahl and her
brother-in-law, Dean
Johnson.
Fullerton Funeral Home
and Cremation Services,
(641) 641-423-8676.
www.fullertonfh.com
Gerald
Swyter
KANAWHA — Gerald Swyter,
92, of Kanawha passed
away Monday (May 16,
2005) at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa in
Mason City.
Funeral services for
Gerald Swyter will be
held 10:30 a.m. Friday
at Kanawha Christian
Reformed Church of
Kanawha with Pastor
Steve Schulz
officiating. Burial will
be in the Amsterdam
Township Cemetery near
Kanawha.
A visitation will be
held from 5 to 7 p.m.
today at Ewing Dugger
Funeral Home, 118 E.
Second St. in Kanawha,
and one hour prior to
services on Friday at
the church.
Gerald, the son of Menno
and Lubena Blank Swyter,
was born May 3, 1913, in
rural Kanawha. Gerald
attended school in the
Britt area.
On June 4, 1935, Gerald
was united in marriage
with Faye Abbas in
Kanawha and to this
union, three sons were
born. The couple made
their home and farmed in
rural Kanawha. Faye
passed away in November
1963.
Gerald was united in
marriage with Ethel Anne
Peterson on March 12,
1966, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
The couple continued to
live on the farm in
rural Kanawha until they
retired and moved to
Kanawha in 1978. Ethel
passed away in November
1997.
Gerald enjoyed bowling,
fishing in Minnesota,
woodcarving and
gardening. He was always
sharing his garden
produce with his friends
and neighbors.
Gerald was an active
member of the Kanawha
Christian Reformed
Church where he served
on various committees
including the church's
consistory. Gerald was
also a board member for
the Care Review
Committee at Kanawha
Community Home.
Gerald is survived by
two sons: Marvin Swyter
and his wife, Patsy, of
Fort Madison, Iowa and
Gary Swyter and his
wife, Barbara, of San
Dimas, Calif.; five
grandchildren; 15
great-grandchildren; and
two
great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; two
spouses; two sisters:
Gladys Swyter in 1926
and Mrs. Herman (Elsie)
Eekhoff in 1969; one
son, Roger Swyter in
1944; and two grandsons:
Bryan Swyter in 1967 and
Robert Swyter in 1978.
Ewing Dugger Funeral
Home, (641) 762-3211.
Carol
Springer
CHARLES CITY — Carol
Springer, 88, of Charles
City died Tuesday (May
17, 2005) at Floyd
County Memorial Hospital
in Charles City.
A funeral Mass for Carol
Springer will be held
at 10:30 a.m. Monday at
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church in
Charles City with
Monsignor Stanley Hayek
celebrating the Mass.
Burial will be in
Calvary Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4
to 8 p.m. Sunday at
Hauser Funeral Home,
1205 S. Main St. in
Charles City, where the
Rosary will be recited
at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil
Scriptural wake service
will be held at 7 p.m.
Visitation will continue
one hour prior to the
Mass on Monday at the
church.
Carol Marie Zimmer
Springer was born Dec.
24, 1916, in Floyd
County, the daughter of
Ernest and Ruth (Hoger)
Zimmer. She received her
education from Floyd
County rural schools and
Charles City High
School.
On April 29, 1935, she
was united in marriage
to Kenneth Vincent
Springer at Charles
City. Carol worked for
24 years in the
production department of
Salsbury Laboratories.
She was a devout member
of Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church and
Saint Mary's Circle.
Carol enjoyed playing
cards, especially with
her daughter, fishing,
and collecting
knick-knacks. Among
other things, Carol will
be remembered as a
fast driver. Her family
was always very
important to her and she
always looked forward to
spending time with them.
Living family members
include two sons: Ronald
(Donna) Springer of
Scottsdale, Ariz., and
Robert (Cindy) Springer
of Charles City; a
daughter, LaVonne
(Marvin) Plagge of
Clarion; nine
grandchildren; eight
great-grandchildren; and
two brothers: Wayne
(Viola) Zimmer, of
Charles City and Bernard
(Madgit) Zimmer of
Texarkana, Ark.
She was preceded in
death by her parents;
husband on Nov. 10,
1993; a son, Larry
Springer; a grandson,
Steve Allen; a
son-in-law, Lloyd Allen;
and a brother, Don
Zimmer.
Memorials may be
directed to Immaculate
Conception Catholic
Church and Hospice of
North Iowa Charles City
site.
The Hauser Funeral Home,
(641) 228-2323.
www.hauserfh.com
Helen G.W.
Chase
MASON CITY — Helen G. W.
Chase, 91, of Mason City
died Sunday (May 15,
2005) at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa.
Funeral services will be
held 2 p.m. Friday at
Our Saviour's Lutheran
Church, 2502 S.
Jefferson Ave., with the
Rev. Joel Dahlen
officiating. Interment
will be in Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m. today
at Major Erickson
Funeral Home, 111 N.
Pennsylvania Ave.
A memorial fund has been
established in her name.
Helen G. W. (Rusley)
Chase was born on a farm
near Joice, Iowa, to Tom
and Tilda (Kvaslerud)
Rusley on Feb. 22, 1914.
She graduated from Lake
Mills High School in
1932 and Lutheran
Deaconess School of
Nursing in Chicago,
Ill., in 1937. She
worked as a registered
nurse in the Chicago
area for two years
before returning to
Mason City where she
continued her career at
the Park Hospital.
Nurse colleague Nettie
Delahoyde talked her
into a blind date with
Nettie's brother, Jess
Chase. The matchmaking
was so successful that
Helen and Jess were
married on Oct. 12,
1941, and they
celebrated their 63rd
anniversary last fall.
Throughout her life,
Helen was deeply
involved in her family's
activities and service
to Our Savior's Lutheran
Church. Near the end of
her professional career,
she taught nursing
education classes for
three years at North
Iowa Community College.
After retirement, she
continued her
involvement with the
community, including
help with refugee
settlement, free
immunization clinics,
and health screening in
the schools.
She served for many
years on the Altar
Guild, chaired women's
organizations in the
church, and continued to
meet with her cherished
Marion Circle friends
long after she was able
to sew and create the
handcrafts she loved.
Helen is survived by her
husband, Jesse;
daughters Lynne (Wayne)
Paulson of Chandler,
Ariz., and Gayle
(Robert) Bingham, of
Apex, N.C.; and three
grandchildren: Emily and
Kari Paulson and
Christopher Bingham. Her
surviving siblings
include Kermit Rusley,
Leland, Stanley Rusley,
Lake Mills; and many
nieces and nephews.
Helen will be greatly
missed and fondly
remembered by many whose
lives she touched.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924.
Larry Dean
Pittenger
MASON CITY — Larry Dean
Pittenger, 68, passed
away in Pueblo, Colo.,
on Monday (May 16, 2005)
after a long struggle
with emphysema.
Larry was born in Mason
City, Iowa, on Aug. 11,
1936.
Larry is preceded by his
father, John Dean
Pittenger; and sister,
Maxine Pittenger.
He is survived by his
mother, Gabrielle
(VanHyfte) Pittenger, of
Mason City; wife, Nancy
(Smith) Pittenger; son,
Richard (Shaundra)
Pittenger; daughters,
Sherry (Frank) Major,
Amber (Cory) Sharp, and
Mary (Stuart) Snow. He
is also survived by six
grandchildren: Crysta
Sharp, C.J. and Alexis
Major, Bryson Pittenger,
and Taylor and April
Snow; a sister, Deanna
(John) Gunderson;
nephews, Michael and
Joel Gunderson; and
niece, Amy Gunderson,
all of the Minneapolis
area.
Larry and his family
moved to Pueblo in 1964.
He was employed by Bill
Jones Volkswagen,
Clifton-Landrum Datsun,
and U.S. West, from
which he retired as a
design engineer in 1990.
He was a veteran of the
U.S. Army, and at
various times in his
life was involved with
Junior Achievement, Boy
Scouts, stock car racing
at Beacon Hill, and as a
volunteer boat inspector
at the Pueblo Reservoir.
He will be remembered by
many for his ability to
build or repair anything
including carpentry,
auto mechanics, etc. If
there wasn't a tool to
fix it, he'd make one.
He was a great dad, a
wonderful husband, and
will be missed by all
who knew him.
Memorial service will be
10 a.m. Friday at
Roselawn Funeral Home
Chapel. Inurnment to
follow.
Roselawn Funeral Chapel,
(719) 542-2934.
Dorothy J.
Pringnitz
GARNER — Dorothy J.
Pringnitz, 91, of Garner
died Tuesday (May 17,
2005) at the Hampton
Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be
held 10 a.m. Saturday at
the United Methodist
Church in Garner with
the Rev. David Wagner
officiating. Burial will
be in Concord Township
Cemetery in Garner.
Visitation will be held
from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
at Cataldo Funeral
Chapel, 160 E. Fourth
St. in Garner, and one
hour prior to services
on Saturday at the
church.
Dorothy June Pringnitz,
the daughter of Henry
and Lena (Werner) Helps,
was born June 6, 1913,
at Clarion. She attended
school at Klemme.
On Sept. 5, 1931, she
was married to Ernest
Pringnitz at Galena,
Ill. They farmed in the
Klemme and Garner areas.
After Ernest passed away
in 1974, she moved to
Garner. In 2003, she
moved to Prairie View
Apartments in Garner.
Dorothy enjoyed her
family, flowers,
cooking, baking and
crossword puzzles.
She was a member of the
United Methodist Church
in Garner and UMW.
Dorothy is survived by
her daughter, Beverly
Klein and her husband,
Raymond, of Hampton; her
son, Roger H. Pringnitz
of Fayetteville,
Ark.; her
daughter-in-law, Jean
Sheets and her husband,
Eldon, of Britt; six
grandchildren; and 12
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her husband,
Ernest; parents; a son,
Raymond D. Pringnitz, in
1995; three grandsons,
Dan Pringnitz, Glenn
Klein and Michael
Pringnitz; and two
brothers: Harlow and
Dwight Helps. Cataldo
Funeral Home, (641)
923-2841.
www.cataldofuneralhome.com
Marcella
Crawford
SHEFFIELD — Marcella
Crawford, 85, of
Sheffield died Tuesday
(May 17, 2005) at
Sheffield Care Center.
Funeral services will be
held at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at Zion St.
John Lutheran Church in
Sheffield with Pastor
Kent Mechler
officiating. Burial will
be in the Hillside
Cemetery in Sheffield.
Visitation will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday
at Retz-Grarup Funeral
Home in Sheffield.
Memorial contributions
may be directed to the
Activities Fund at the
Sheffield Care Center.
Retz-Grarup Funeral
Home, (641) 892-4241.
Donald G.
Arends
HAMPTON — Donald Gerald
Arends, 67, of Hampton
died Tuesday (May 17,
2005) at Franklin
General Hospital in
Hampton.
Funeral services will be
held 10:30 a.m. Friday
at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Hampton
with the Rev. Karl
Bollhagen and Vicar
Jonathan Mumme
officiating. Burial will
be in the Hampton
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held
from 4 to 7 p.m. today
at Sietsema-Vogel
Funeral Home in Hampton.
Sietsema-Vogel Funeral
Home, (641) 456-3232.
Hubert D.
Orvick
FOREST CITY — Hubert D.
Orvick, 80, of Forest
City died Tuesday (May
17, 2005) at the Good
Samaritan Center in
Forest City.
A private family service
will be held on Friday.
Burial will be at
Madison Township
Cemetery in Forest City.
Visitation will be from
5 to 8 p.m. today at
Petersen Lund Funeral
Home, 505 N. Clark St.
in Forest City.
Petersen Lund Funeral
Home, (641) 585-2685.
Andrew M.
Kramer
ALGONA — Andrew M.
Kramer, 89, of Algona
died Wednesday (May 18,
2005) at Kossuth
Regional Health Center
in Algona.
Funeral arrangements are
incomplete at Wilson's
of Algona, 403 E.
McGregor in Algona.
Wilson's of Algona,
(515) 295-2622.
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Published Friday, May 20, 2005.
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.
Curtis Arthur
Vrchota
MASON CITY — Curtis
Arthur Vrchota, 89, of
Mason City died Friday
(May 13, 2005) of a
heart attack while
mowing the lawn.
Memorial services will
be held at 1 p.m.
Saturday at Wesley
United Methodist Church,
1405 S. Pennsylvania
Ave., with the Rev. Bill
Poland officiating.
Private family inurnment
services will take place
in Park Cemetery, Nora
Springs.
A gathering of family
and friends will be held
from 5 to 7 p.m. today
at Major Erickson
Funeral Home, 111 N.
Pennsylvania Ave., Mason
City.
In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be given
directly to the Curtis
and Verna Vrchota
Memorial Fund, c/o
Community National Bank,
100 E. State St., Mason
City.
Curt was born May 9,
1916, the first of three
sons of Frank and Mary
(Libra) Vrchota, in
Mason City. His father
passed away in 1922 and
his mother remarried in
1928. In 1929, the
family moved to Nora
Springs. Curt graduated
from Nora Springs High
School in 1934. He was
known for his baseball
pitching ability and
graduated as
valedictorian.
Curt married Verna Ruth
Winchell, also of Mason
City, in Albert Lea,
Minn., in 1940. They
made their home in Mason
City at 12th St. S.E.
where they raised six
children. After spending
five years at his first
steady job at the DeWitt
farm northeast of town,
Curt worked at Deckers
Meat Packing Plant, in
the lard and engineering
departments, from 1941
until it closed in 1975.
Then he worked for three
years at American
Education Association
(AEA) where he was
highly prized for his
helpfulness as building
custodian.
For the past 25 years,
Curt served as usher and
greeter most Sundays at
Wesley United Methodist
Church. Many friends
looked forward to Curt's
visits when they were in
the hospital or nursing
home. He was famously
known to the
neighborhood children as
"Grandpa Gumball."
Curt met most weekday
mornings with his coffee
group at Hardees. He
tended a "Victory
Garden" in his backyard
since 1940 and shared
his abundant fruits and
vegetables. Curt and
Verna enjoyed taking
seniors bus trips around
the area.
Curt is survived by sons
LeRoy of Azusa, Calif.,
and Dale (Carol) of
Louisburg, N.C.;
daughters Janet (Mario)
of New York City, Jolene
(Joe Schneider) of
Seattle, Wash., and Jean
of Montgomery, N.Y.;
grandsons, Chane
Vrchota of Richmond,
Va., Justin and Luke
Riservato of New York
City, and Shelley
Vrchota of Des Moines;
granddaughters, Alyssa
and Lace Holland of New
York City; brother, Roy
of Florida; and
sisters-in-law Glenafa
Vrchota of Mason City
and Gladys Renshaw of
Burnsville, Minn.; and
several cousins in the
Jackson, Minn., area.
He is preceded in death
on April 18, 2005, by
his wife, Verna Winchell
Vrchota of Mason City.
He was also preceded in
death by his son, Bruce
Vrchota of Mason City,
and brother Lester
Vrchota of Mason City.
Major Erickson Funeral
Home & Crematory, (641)
423-0924
Marcella
Winifred Crawford
SHEFFIELD — Marcella
Winifred Crawford, 85,
passed away Tuesday (May
17, 2005) at the
Shef-field Care Center
after a long and
courageous battle with
osteoporosis.
Funeral services will be
held at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at Zion St.
John Lutheran Church in
Sheffield with the Rev.
Kent Mechler presiding.
Interment will be in
Hillside Cemetery.
Visitation will be from
5 to 7 p.m. today at the
Retz-Grarup Funeral Home
in Sheffield.
Marcella is survived by
her son, Charles
(Nancy), of Orange Park,
Fla.; three
grandchildren: Terri
(Clyde) Headly,
Jacksonville, N.C.,
Patrick (Suzanne)
Crawford, Chesapeake
Beach, Md., Shawn
Crawford, Wheaton, Md.;
seven
great-grandchildren; and
one
great-great-grandchild;
four sisters: Fleta
Berndt, Sheffield,
Ardis Meyer, St. Peter,
Minn., Eileen (Jerry)
Lutcavish, Sheffield,
and Bernadine (Carl)
Hulsing, Sheffield; two
brothers: Harold
(Wilhelmina) Culver,
Sheffield, and Junior
Culver, Sheffield; and
numerous nieces and
nephews.
Marcella's husband,
Russell L. Crawford,
preceded her in death,
as did her mother,
father, four sisters and
three brothers.
Wonderful memories
of her gentle love and
generosity will be
forever cherished by a
host of relatives and
friends.
Marcella was born in
Sheffield Dec. 26, 1919,
a daughter of Arthur and
Elizabeth (Knapp) Culver
and made her home in
this community her
entire life.
She was baptized Dec.
11, 1932, at the EUB
Church in Sheffield.
Throughout her years she
devoted her life to God,
her family and
friends. All were
truly the focus of her
life!
On Oct. 28, 1938,
Marcella was united in
marriage with Russell L.
Crawford in Minnesota.
Marcella was a loyal
servant in the community
during World War II.
Along with many other
young women in
Sheffield, she was
employed at the local
Brick & Tile factory.
They filled a void while
the majority of the
younger male population
was off to war.
Marcella was a devout
Christian and a member
of the Zion St. John
Lutheran Church. She was
a lifetime member of the
Ladies Aid Society and a
lifetime member of the
Hillside Cemetery
Society.
These past 20 years were
not easy for Marcella as
she battled with
advanced stages of
osteoporosis. Even
though she was plagued
with constant pain, she
frequently managed a
smile and made certain
everyone knew — she
never questioned God's
plan for her.
We'll miss you, Mrs.
Crawford. Hallelujah,
the pain is gone!
Rest easy, Mom, your
family is at peace
knowing you and Dad are
with the Father.
In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests memorial
contributions be
directed to the
Activities Program, c/o
Sheffield Care Center,
100 Bennett Drive,
Sheffield IA 50475.
Retz-Grarup Funeral
Home, (641) 892-4241.
Andrew M. Kramer
ALGONA — Andrew M.
Kramer, 89, of Algona
died Wednesday (May 18,
2005) at the Kossuth
Regional Health Center
in Algona.
Funeral services will be
held at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at St.
Cecelia's Catholic
Church in Algona, with
the Rev. Paul Eisele
officiating. Burial will
be at 1 p.m. Saturday at
St. Joseph Cemetery in
St. Joe.
Visitation will be held
from 3 to 8:30 p.m.
today at Wilson's of
Algona, with a 4 p.m.
rosary and a 7 p.m.
Scripture reading.
Wilson's of Algona,
(515) 295-2622.
Paul A.
Hansen
IOWA FALLS — Paul A.
Hansen, 78, of Iowa
Falls died Wednesday
(May 18, 2005) at Scenic
Manor, Iowa Falls.
Funeral services for
Paul Hansen will be at
10:30 a.m. Saturday at
the Bethany Lutheran
Church in Iowa Falls,
with burial to follow at
Union Cemetery, Iowa
Falls.
Visitation will be from
2 to 7 p.m. today at the
Linn's Funeral Home,
Iowa Falls, with the
family present to
receive friends between
the hours of 5 and 7
p.m.
Memorials may be
directed to the family
c/o his wife: Jayne
Hansen, 1602 Taylor
Avenue, Iowa Falls, IA
50126.
The Linn's Funeral Homes
Iowa Falls Chapel, (641)
648-2569.
Luella C.
Riedel
ALGONA — Luella C.
Riedel, 84, of Algona,
formerly of Burt and
Lone Rock, died Thursday
(May 19, 2005) at Good
Samaritan Communities in
Algona.
A funeral service will
be held at 10:30 a.m.
Monday at St. John's
Lutheran Church, 109
Maple St., Burt, with
the Rev. Jonathan C.
Watt officiating. Burial
will be in Burt Township
Cemetery.
Visitation will be from
4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at
the
Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf
Funeral Home in Algona,
and will continue one
hour prior to the
service on Monday at the
church.
Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf
Funeral Home, (515)
295-3731.
www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
Posted
by Gene Manning
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