North Central Iowa
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Box 237
Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Mason City

Globe Gazette
Box 271
Mason City, Iowa
50402


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The Mason City Globe Gazette year 2005 archive


PUBLISHED Saturday October 1, 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.

Rolland ‘Rollie’ W. Keeling

MASON CITY — Rolland “Rollie” W. Keeling, 82, of Mason City died Thursday (Sept. 29, 2005) at his home.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Jon M. Seda officiating and the Rev. James Norem participating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City with military honors by Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E. in Mason City, with a Scriptural wake service at 4 p.m.

Family suggests memorials to Holy Family Catholic Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Rollie was born in Mason City on Feb. 22, 1923, the son of Beuford and Hildegarde (Stebritz) Keeling and raised in Mason City where he attended St. Joseph Catholic School.

He was baptized, received first Holy Communion and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

On Feb. 16, 1943, he left to join the United States Army. He served in the signal corps and infantry in England, France and Germany until his discharge on Dec. 11, 1945, at Fort Monmouth, N.J. Returning to Mason City, he married Arlene Bergan on May 21, 1955, at Holy Family Church. They had eight children.

Rollie worked for the Chicago-Northwestern railroad for a time and later at the Northwestern States Portland Cement Co., then as a machinist for Mattison Machine in Rockford, Ill.

Circumstance brought him back to Mason City, where he took over custodial and maintenance duties for Holy Family Church and School. The family moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1974. There he was hired to maintain the building and grounds for the Phoenix diocesan office. In 1978, the family returned to Mason City and he worked as a custodian at Mason City High School, from which he retired in 1985.

After his retirement, he traveled some and for a period worked part-time with Morris Norem in     his furniture restoration business. Late in his retirement, he put together model airplanes and automobiles. His mind was kept sharp in part by working the crossword puzzles daily and watching Jeopardy.

He, together with Arlene, formed a powerful bond of family unity.The ability to count on each other when times got hard he taught through action. In his last times with us he, like his father before him, maintained his dignity through to the end, leaving his family profoundly grateful to the merciful God who gave him to us.

Rollie was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Randall Steven Keeling; his brother, Ronald A. Keeling Sr.; and his sister, Dorothy Ealy.

His survivors include his wife, Arlene, of Mason City; sons, Mark Keeling (identical twin to Randall Steven) of Casa Grande, Ariz., Kevin Keeling, his fiancee, Melissa Johannessen, Gregory (Kathy) Keeling and Neal (Karen) Keeling of Mason City; daughters, Debra Rampy of Centennial, Colo., Laura Keeling of Mason City and Christy (Duane) Marques of Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren, Randall Keeling of Phoenix, Ariz., David Keeling of Flagstaff, Ariz., Tristen Johannessen of Mason City, Justin and Matthew Rampy of Centennial, Colo., Briana (Ryan) Hanig of Mason City, Brandon (Angela) Keeling of Cameron, N.C, Monika, Jacqueline and Daniel Keeling of Mason City and Brady Marques of Littleton, Colo.; one great-grandchild, Cade Hanig of Mason City; a sister, Barbara (Lloyd) O’Connor, of Clear Lake; and a brother, Richard “Joe” (Sylvia) Keeling of Cedar Rapids.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, (641) 423-2372.

www.colonialchapels.com



Opal Bernice Browning

MASON CITY — Opal Bernice Browning, 82, of Crystal, Minn., formerly of Mason City, passed away on Thursday (Sept. 29, 2005) at her residence, Heather’s Assisted Living Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. James Grabitske of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Mason City, and the Rev. David Russow of the King of Grace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, Minn., officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn., or the Allina Hospice Foundation.

Opal Bernice was born in Vinje, Iowa, on July 17, 1923, to Maynard and Jennie Maakestad. She was baptized on July 22, 1923, and confirmed on May 1, 1938, at Center Lutheran Church, Scarville, Iowa.

Opal attended Leland High School, graduating in May 1942. After graduation, she attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, where she earned her teaching degree. Her first teaching job was at Fertile School in Fertile, Iowa, where she taught for two years. She then accepted a position at Belmond Elementary School in Belmond, Iowa, leaving after one year to be married.

On June 21, 1947, Opal married Raymond Browning. Their marriage was blessed with two sons and one daughter.

The family moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, in 1949, where Ray and his brother bought a plumbing business which Opal helped to manage until 1958. In 1958, the family moved to Forest City, Iowa, when Ray began work for Plumb Supply of Mason City. They resided there until 1963 when Ray and the family moved to Mason City, where Opal was a substitute teacher. After Ray’s death in 1974, she accepted a full-time position at NIACC. She retired from NIACC in 1989.

Opal enjoyed her retirement with golfing, playing Bridge and “500,” traveling and gardening — especially her roses. She later moved to Crystal, Minn., to be close to her family and continued to enjoy family celebrations and visits.

Opal is survived by sons, Daniel and wife, Linda, of Minnetonka, Minn., Timothy and wife, Jane,     of Baxter, Minn.; daughter, Rebecca and husband, Dr. Greg Lecy, of Marshall, Minn.; 10 grandchildren: Kathryn and husband, Scott Roeber, Jacob Browning and wife, Jennifer, Alexander Browning, Dr. Joseph Browning and wife, Rana, Adam Browning, Ryan Browning, Ross Lecy, Andrew Lecy, Abigail Lecy and Kirstin Lecy; and three great-grandchildren: Gavin Browning, Scott Browning and Harrison Browning; sister, Adoline and husband, Dale Martinson, of Radcliffe; brother, Duane and wife, Jean Maakested, of Fairmont, Minn.; numerous nieces and nephews; and brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Elvira Browning, of Galt, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Pauline Browning-Blevins of the Seattle area.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard and Jennie Maakestad; loving husband, Raymond Browning; brother, Merle; sisters, Mertie (Mrs. Arnold Tweeten), Olina (Mrs. Eldon Willis) and Irene (Mrs. Maynard Wacholz).

Opal’s family would like to thank hospice nurse, Lila Chryst and the Allina Hospice for their comfort and kindness, and the staff at Heather’s Manor-Intrepid Assisted Living Facility for their exceptional care.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Gynith ‘Gynie’ Hoff

MANLY — Gynith “Gynie” Hoff, 81, of Manly died Thursday (Sept. 29, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bethel United Methodist Church, Highway 9 East in Manly, with the Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time on Sunday at the church.

Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St. in Manly, is in charge of local arrangements.

Funeral services will also be held 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Baptist Church in Reedsburg, Wis. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church. Burial will be in the Butterfield Cemetery in Reedsburg, Wis.

Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg, Wis., is in charge of those arrangements.

Gynith was born on March 16, 1924, in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wis., the daughter of Samuel William and Nora Estelle (Davis) Abbs. Her earliest memories were of helping her father in his business at their grocery store. Gynith excelled at the local rural schools and later Reedsburg High School and had a lifelong passion for learning.

She was united in marriage to Adelbert “Dell” Hoff on Oct. 25, 1941, in the Kahoka Evangelical Church in Kahoka, Mo. After their marriage, they operated the family dairy farm near Reedsburg, Wis., until 1953. They also owned and operated a service station in Reedsburg and later in Clear Lake. In 1958, they moved to their present home in Manly.

Gynith and Adelbert loved to travel. The trips that they took were spontaneous and adventuresome. Throughout their married life they would camp, picnic, hike and sightsee throughout most of the United States, often spending the winter months in Arizona.

Gynith loved to garden, quilting, bake, sew, and spend time with her family. She loved to read, do puzzles, write, and constantly sought out intellectual challenges. She was very involved with her children and grandchildren’s education from pre-school through college. One of her favorite pastimes was to watch her grandchildren-playing ball. She enjoyed people and always found the goodness in everyone. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly.

Gynith touched the lives of many people. She was a beautiful, devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend.

She will be fondly remembered whenever we smell the aroma of fresh baked bread, taste a delicious apple pie, hear a gentle laugh, see a beautiful handmade quilt, and feel the hug of a caring friend.

Those of us who were privileged to share in her life include two daughters, Charlene (Dennis) Hauser of Manly and Geraldine (Frank) Gallagher of Cherokee, Iowa; three sons: David (Becky) Hoff of Chicago, Ill., Daniel (Lanetta) Hoff of Denver, Colo., and Dale Hoff of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren: Richard, Robert (Janean) and Ronald Hauser, Jason, Andrea and Amelinda Hoff, Isaac (Heather) Hoff, Shawn (Angela) Gallagher, and Schaine (Jennifer), Tehran (Stephanie) and Chelsay Keck; 10 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Shelby, Olivia and Ethan Hoff, Christian, Tyler, Johnathan and Schianne Keck and Tad and Mandi Fair; sisters-in-law, Helen Hoff and Florence Abbs of Reedsburg, Wis.; sisters, Beatrice (Ernie) Reda of Tacoma, Wash., and Elizabeth (Normenta) Klang of McFarland, Wis.; as well as many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

The loved ones who have gone before her are her husband, Adelbert, who died on May 16, 1999; her parents Samuel William and Nora Abbs; six brothers: Bernard Abbs, Hank Michel, Harold Michel, Virgil Abbs, and Samuel Abbs and step-brother, Leonard Mick; and two sisters, Margaret Marczuk and Leatha Winge; and dear sisters and brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

Bride Colonial Chapel, (641) 454-2242.

www.colonialchapels.com

Merle L. Trousdale

ROCKWELL — Merle L. Trousdale, 76, of 517 First St. S. in Rockwell, died Thursday morning (Sept. 29, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell, 303 E. Monroe St., Rockwell, with the Rev. Bruce E. Wittern officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Rockwell-Gallagher American Legion Post No. 208 during Merle’s service at the church. Private family inurnment will be in the Rockwell Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Merle Leon Trousdale was born Jan. 7, 1929, in Alden to H.G. and Otsie (Walton) Trousdale. He attended schools in Alden and graduated from Iowa Falls High School, class of 1947.

Merle furthered his education attending Ellsworth College. Merle was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War. Merle served as an advance scout during the war, which involved him traveling 20 miles or more behind enemy lines and bringing back information for his unit.

He received the Bronze Star and the Korean Medal of Honor. After honorably and faithfully serving his country, Merle attended the Colorado School of Trade, specializing in the gunsmithing school.

Merle was united in marriage to Darlene Marie Benson on Dec. 4, 1954, in Mason City. The couple had lived in Osage and rural Grand Rapids, Minn., before making their home in the Rockwell area where they have resided for the last 46 years. He had been employed most recently as a driver with the Cartersville Co-op Elevator in Cartersville.

Some of Merle’s interest and leisure activities included fishing, woodworking, golfing, reading and duck hunting. He enjoyed figuring out how things work, he was considered a jack-of-all trades and could fix anything. Merle will be best remembered as a kind, gentle and caring man who never said a bad word about anyone, had a wonderful way of always looking on the bright side and having a terrific sense of humor. Merle took great pride in providing for his family, being family oriented and truly enjoyed family get togethers.

Merle will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends who have shared in his life.

Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in Merle’s life are his loving wife, Darlene M. Trousdale of Rockwell; his three children: Kandice M. (Karl) Nedved of Mason City, William E. (Sharon) Trousdale of rural Mason City and Gina A. (Antonio) Muñiz of Waterloo; nine grandchildren: Matt, Ben, Jordan and Reid Nedved, Cory, Kyle and Ryan Trousdale and Elena and A.J. Muñiz; three great-grandchildren: Trevor and Serena Trousdale and Emma Dorseth; two brothers, Max W. (Ardith) Trousdale of Iowa Falls and G. Faye (Elaine) Trousdale of Alden.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, H.G. and Otsie Trousdale; and an infant sister.

Fullerton Funeral Home, 120 Third St. S. in Rockwell, is in charge of arrangements.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 822-3191.

www.fullertonfh.com

Linda D. Maulsby

CLEAR LAKE — Linda D. Maulsby, 56, of 1006 N. Eighth St. W., died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at her home after a long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St., Charles City, with the Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time of services on Tuesday at the church.

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

www.colonialchapels.com

Joanne G. Johnson

NORTHWOOD — Joanne G. Johnson, 74, of Northwood died Thursday (Sept. 29, 2005) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Highway 65 S. in Northwood, with the Rev. Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Schroeder & Sites Funeral home in Northwood.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, (641) 324-1121.

Mary Jean Vulk

LAKE MILLS — Mary Jean Vulk, 83, of Lake Mills and formerly of Osage, died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, (641) 732-3706.

Published Sunday, October 2, 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.

Linda D. Maulsby

CLEAR LAKE — Linda D. Maulsby, 56, of 1006 N. Eighth St. W., Clear Lake, died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at her home after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St., Charles City, with the Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials may be direct-ed to the Linda D. Maulsby Memorial Fund.

Linda Diane Tibbitts was born March 20, 1949, in Charles City, the daughter of Melvin G. and Verda I. (Hennick) Tibbitts.

Linda graduated from Charles City High School in 1967. She was united in marriage to Tom F. Maulsby on Nov. 25, 1967 in Charles City. To this union two children were born, Kim and Amanda. Linda and Tom moved to Clear Lake in 1995. Linda received her X-ray tech certification and worked for Dr. Peter Vidal as a dental assistant.

Linda loved spending time with her family and friends, they were very special to her. She especially enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren. She loved to attend their sporting events and dance recitals. She enjoyed shopping, reading, crocheting and going to the movies. She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City.

Linda is survived by her husband, Tom Maulsby of Clear Lake; daughters, Kim (Kalen) Schlader of Charles City and Amanda (Jim) Ewing of Norwalk; grandchildren, Alex, Makaila, Karli, and Noah Schlader and Benjamin Ewing; brother, Roger (Dee) Tibbitts; brother-in-law, Mike (Janice) Maulsby; sister-in-law, Pat (Jim) Stephenson; sister-in-law, Tammy (Mark) Mowrer; brother-in-law, Tom (Kris) Maulsby; along with several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Tibbitts and Verda Cowan; step-father, Sam Cowan; sisters, Bonnie Randall and Patti Sickman; brothers, Merlin Tibbitts and Murl Tibbitts; sister-in-law, Marian Tibbitts; father-in-law, Cliff Maulsby; mother-in-law, Doris Maulsby; step-mother-in-law, Sharon Maulsby; and sister-in-law, Teri Gabriel.

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

www.colonialchapels.com



Mary Jean Vulk

LAKE MILLS — Mary Jean Vulk, 83, of Lake Mills and formerly of Mitchell, died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Mary Jean was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, on June 25, 1922, to Mato and Anna (Slaichert) Saraga. She married Lewis Vulk Jr. in 1940, and they lived in Chicago for six years, where they were employed in a defense plant. They moved back to Mitchell County in 1948, where they resided until the death of her husband in 1990. Mary Jean moved to Osage and later to Lake Mills.

She was a member of Mitchell Faith Lutheran Church since 1954, where she was very active in Circle, World Relief and council. She was also a member of Lodge Velehrad of Mason City. Her hobbies included flower and vegetable gardening, Czech pastries, reading, concerts, movies and especially football.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and will continue one hour before services at the church on Tuesday.

Mary Jean is survived by a son, Gregory Vulk and wife Julie (Niess) Vulk of Decorah; a daughter, Francine Vulk of Lake Mills; grandchildren, Theone (Steve) Quattlebaum of Spencer, Jason and wife Jody (Surber) Vulk of Saylorville, Ryan Vulk and girlfriend, Dana Fredrich, of San Francisco, Calif.; and Elizabeth Vulk of Osage, mother of Theone, Jason, and Ryan; two great-granddaughters, Mary Beth and Malarie Quattlebaum; a great-grandson, Lewis Hurschel Vulk. Also three granddaughters: Tanya Root, Tiffany Smith and Torey Keck; great-grandchildren, Jamison, Sophia, and Whitaker Root, Cole Smith, Austin, Josephine and Ira James Keck. Also surviving are her brothers, Stanley Setka and wife, Ruth, of Riceville, Mato Frank Saraga Jr. of San Clemente, Calif.; two sisters, Lily Pollock and husband, Bruce, of Springfield, Ohio; Betty Klee of Green Bay, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lewis Vulk, Jr.; her parents; her sister, Anne (Setka) Billy; her brother, John Saraga Sr.; an infant son, Lewis Allen Vulk; a great-grandson, Devon Lars Vulk.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, (641) 732-3706.

David Hoeft

CHARLES CITY — David Hoeft, 67, of Charles City died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at his residence.

A funeral Mass for David Hoeft will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

The Rev. Carl Ries will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, where the rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. and the vigil Scriptural wake service will be at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the Mass.

David Charles Hoeft was born March 15, 1938, to Walter and Devora (Hobert) Hoeft in Charles City. He was raised and educated in the area, attending and graduating from Colwell High School. Following his schooling, he worked on a cattle farm in Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Army, serving at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. Following his discharge, he farmed and began working for White Farm Equipment in assembly.

David was united in marriage to Mary Burgart on April 27, 1968, at St. Boniface in Ionia. The couple made their home in rural Charles City. Following the closing of White Farm in 1993, he worked for Fort Dodge Animal Health before retiring in 2003.

David was a past 4-H leader and member of the Floyd County Cattlemen and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. He enjoyed showing cattle and collecting and restoring Farmall toy tractors. He was an avid NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt fan and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Living relatives include his wife, Mary, Charles City; one daughter, Amy (Dave) Shannon, Webster City; three sons: Steve Hoeft and Jen Wiltse, Andrew (Kris) Hoeft, and Matt (Tina) Hoeft, all of Charles City; nine grandchildren: Morgan, Connor and Trey Shannon and Cole, Austin, Zachery, Emma, Sophie and Ashlyn Hoeft; and father-in-law, Hubert “Hoop” Burgart. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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

www.hauserfh.com

Ellabelle Godfrey

NORTHWOOD — Ellabelle Godfrey, 92, of 203 Eighth St. N., died Friday (Sept. 30, 2005) at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S., Northwood.

Conner Colonial Chapel (641) 324-1543.

www.colonialchapels.com

Dennis Madson

MASON CITY — Dennis Madson, 58, of Mason City died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Lake Mills Care Center, Lake Mills.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Mason City, (641) 423-0924.

Rosie Ficken

MASON CITY — Rosie Ficken, 83, of Mason City died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at her home.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City, (641) 423-0924.


PUBLISHED Monday, October 3, 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.

Rosie Ficken

MASON CITY — Rosie Ficken, 83, of 14137 Spruce Avenue in Mason City, passed away Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at her home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 North Delaware in Mason City with the Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Rosie was born on Dec. 20, 1921, in rural Kanawha, the daughter of Christian J. and Katherine (Groh) Heimbuch. Rosie attended rural school and graduated from Mason City High School in 1939, and Mason City Junior College in 1941, and also took extension classes from Drake University.

She married Edwin W. Ficken on June 20, 1943, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. To this marriage two children were born, Linda, and Edwin L.

She taught in rural schools in Cerro Gordo County for three years before her marriage and then taught in the Nora Springs-Rock Falls School District for 19 years, teaching second grade for eleven years and third grade for eight years.

She was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Elizabeth Circle, Board of Education for Bethlehem, Fellowship Club, church choir, taught Sunday School for many years, and was active in Vacation Bible School for 20 years.

She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association, and former member of the Pleasant Ridge Club, Pleasant Ridge Womens Club, Ladies 500 Card Club and the LUGA Card Club.

Rosie enjoyed family and home, church activities, reading, traveling, growing and tending flowers and teaching school.

Rosie is survived by her husband, Edwin; daughter, Linda Koopman, and husband, Garold, of Mason City; son, Edwin L. Ficken of San Dimas, Calif.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hughes and husband, Stephen, of Roanoke, Va., and Philip Koopman of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchild, Ethan Edwin Hughes; sister, Frieda Udelhofen of Mason City; sisters-in-law, Martha Heimbuch of Mason City, Gertrude Stevens and husband, Edward, of Mason City; brothers-in-law, Gilbert Luker of Mason City and Arthur Ficken and wife, Dorothy Jo, of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Victor and Robert Heimbuch; three sisters, Ella Eden, Emma Green, and Lydia Luker.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Hospice for their kindness and care and also to Emily Pearce for her help in care giving over the past year.

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements, (641)423-0924.



Sam Spilman

CLEAR LAKE — Sam Spilman, 84, of Clear Lake, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Services are pending at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake.

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

Patricia Mennen

MASON CITY — Patricia Mennen, 76, of Mason City, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Services are pending at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel in Mason City.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, (641) 423-2372.

Keith D. Neuroth

WESLEY — Keith Duane Neuroth, 62, passed away peacefully at his home in Wesley after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley with Father Randy Schon officiatiating. Interment will be in St Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wesley.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Wesley.

Keith Duane Neuroth was born on June 9, 1943, at Wesley, Iowa, to Urban and Rosella Hildman Neuroth.

He received his education at the St. Joseph Catholic School in Wesley.

Keith was married to Janice Elsbecker at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. The couple lived in Wesley, where they raised their family and where Keith owned and operated the Neuroth Sawmill for the last 10 years.

Keith was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing, but his greatest joy in life was spending time with all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he was very proud of them all.

Keith is survived by his loving wife, Janice, of Wesley; and his daughters: Sheila Troxel, Forest City, Lori Patterson, Nebraska City, Neb., and Amy Schutjer and husband, Greg, Titonka. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren: Victoria, Tabetha, Tenijha, Tanisha, Hunter, McKaila, Gwendolyn, Alandra; and two great-grandchildren, Jerome and Pashia.

Keith is also survived by sisters, Marlene Rowe and husband, Norman, Harrison, Ark., and Elaine Hoffman and husband, Kenneth, Marshalltown; and brothers, Michael Neuroth and wife, Connie, Seven Points, Texas, and David Neuroth and wife, Lou Ann, Wesley.

Keith was preceded in death by his infant son, Duane; his parents, Urban and Rosella Neuroth; and his step-mother, Beatrice Neuroth.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 679-4453.

Lewis Bowcock

MASON CITY — Lewis Bowcock, 89, of Mason City died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First Street N.E. in Mason City with the Rev. Patti Aurand officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave., in Mason City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army, Mason City Men’s Garden Club or First Congregational United Church of Christ.

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

Dallas L. Burmester

HAMPTON — Dallas L. Burmester, 75, of Hampton, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at Grandview Heights Nursing Home, in Marshalltown.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m Wednesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton with the Rev. Karl Bollhagen officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery, Hampton.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, 306 Central Avenue East in Hampton.

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

Maurine A. Hudson

OSAGE — Maurine Adelia Hudson, 97, of Osage, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with the Rev. Robert Melhorn officiating. Inurnment will be in the Osage Cemetery.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home (641) 732-3706.

William (Bill) Cory

MASON CITY— William (Bill) Cory of Mason City died Sunday, 82, (Oct. 2, 2005) at Good Shepard Health Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory.

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

Wilma Gobeli

MESERVEY — Wilma Gobeli, 80, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Salem United Methodist Church, Meservey, with the Rev. Rose Calderon-Kahn presiding. Interment will be at Meservey Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Meservey.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, (641) 358-6105.

LeRoy J. Jones

ALGONA — LeRoy J. Jones, 89, of Algona, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at Kossuth Regional Healthcare Center, Algona.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, 218 South Moore Street, Algona, with the the Rev. Robert Conner of the United Methodist Church in LuVerne officiating. Burial will be in the LuVerne Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and will continue prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

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

www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.

Donald Thomas

LUVERNE — Donald Thomas, 88, of LuVerne, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, LuVerne.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 882-3322.

www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.


PUBLISHED Tuesday, October 4, 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.

Sammy ‘Sam’ Spilman

CLEAR LAKE — Sammy “Sam” Spilman, 84, of 15351 Dodge Ave., Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa-Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Tom Christian officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and then one hour before the service on Thursday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials, in lieu of flowers, to the Clear Lake V.F.W. or the Sammy Spilman Memorial Fund.

Sam was born on Sept. 26, 1921, on the family farm in rural Clear Lake, the son of Daniel and Alphena (Thompson) Spilman Jr.

He attended rural Eden Independent school. He farmed with his father. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operation with the 127th Regiment, 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division. He received the Purple Heart.

Following the service he returned to Clear Lake and farmed with his father and three brothers.

Sam married Alice Eichmeier on June 12, 1948, in Mason City, Iowa. He retired from farming in 1977.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, hunting, taking nature photos, and shooting pool. He was a member of Ventura Gun Club and lifetime member of the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Sam is survived by his daughter, Donna Spilman, Iowa City, Iowa; three sisters Helen Duregger and her husband Fred, Newport News, Va.; Thelma Duregger and Betty Thomas, both of Clear Lake; one brother Danny Spilman, Clear Lake, Iowa; three sisters-in-law Audrey Spilman, Alma Spilman and Phyllis Spilman, all of Clear Lake, and two brothers-in-law, George Eichmeier, Ventura, and Bob Eichmeier, Las Vegas, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Allen, and three brothers, Dale, Orval and Wayne Spilman.

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

www.colonialchapels.com.



Katherine Amundson

NORTHWOOD — Katherine Amundson, 95, of Northwood, formerly of Forest City and the Swaledale areas, died Monday, (Oct. 3, 2005) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home (641) 892-4241.

Gladys A. Butz

GARNER — Gladys A. Butz, 95, of Garner, died Monday (Oct. 3, 2005) at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral serves are incomplete at Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner.

Cataldo Funeral Home (641) 923-2841

www.cataldofuneralhome.com.

Frank W. Bescher

CLEAR LAKE — Frank William Bescher, 65, 15124 Dove Circle, Clear Lake, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) of cancer, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 Second Avenue N., with the Rev. Jan Burnett and the Rev. Jerrold Swinton officiating. Frank donated his body to the University of Iowa Anatomical Donor Program. Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery, at a later date.

Visitation will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 Second Avenue N., and one hour prior to the service Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, KUNI Radio, or Iowa Public Television.

Frank was born April 16, 1940, in Dubuque, son of Frank and Mary (Lahrman) Bescher. He married Jill Loehndorf and they were later divorced. He married Susan Wells Mehlin in Waterloo, on July 21, 1979.

Frank graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1958, and Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis. He worked for Briggs Trucking firm as Terminal Manager in Chicago, Des Moines, and Waterloo.

He then worked for Waterloo Industries as Director of Materials until retiring in 2002. Following retirement he worked as a consultant for Ditzfeld Transfer, Sedalia, Mo.

From childhood Frank took pride in problem-solving in the community, his work, and personal life. Before moving to Clear Lake in 2002, he served as past chair and member of the Waterloo Metropolitan Bus Board of Directors for many years, helped in planning and developing ‘‘for kids’’ The Sunrise Exchange Club Animal Petting Zoo, he served First United Methodist Church in many ways, including taking youth on mission trips and as past chair of trustees.

In Clear Lake, he was a member of the Evening Lions Club and chaired Bell Harbor Home Owners Association. Frank loved working with wood and metal, both restoring and designing. His backyard caboose testifies to his huge imagination.

Frank’s family and many friends will lovingly recall him, the special things he created for them, and great fun they had together. He traveled the world in his work and for pleasure but was never happier than at home “creating.” Whispering Oaks, and their dream home there, is Frank’s final big accomplishment.

Survivors include his wife, Susan, of Clear Lake; son Dane (Janet), Mechanicsville, Iowa; daughters, Ruth (Jerry) Christiansen, LeMars, and Wendy (Michael) Perez, San Fernando, Calif.; step-daughters: Elin (Perry) Hersleff, Forest City, Sara (Kevin) McCary, Wayzata, Minn, and Emily Mehlin, Sioux City; grandchildren: Lindsay and Collin Christiansen, Viviana and Clarabella Perez, Lucas Petrullo, Isabella McCary, and Aurora Hersleff.

Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joan Wallis; and infant grandson, Larry.

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

Patricia Mennen

MASON CITY — Patricia “Pat” A. Mennen, 76, of 42 25th Street S.W., Mason City, died Sunday, (Oct. 2, 2005), at Mercy Medical Center — North Iowa, Mason City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City, with Father Kenneth Gehling officiating. Interment will be at the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hogan- Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, with a rosary, followed by a scripture wake service starting at 7 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

Patricia “Pat” Mennen was born on March 14, 1929, in Mason City, daughter of Earl and Rosetta (O’Donnell) Cornelius. She graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Mason City.

Pat married Gordon C. Mennen on May 28, 1949, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mason City.

She enjoyed playing bingo, traveling, and golf. Pat loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pat was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and was in the St. Leo-Rose Circle and a R.C.I.A. sponsor.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, Gordon Mennen; seven children, Gary (Nancy) Mennen, Monica (David) Barnes, Loretta (Jim) Ellsworth, Terry (Valerie) Mennen, Gordon (Vickie) Mennen, Douglas (Kendra) Mennen, and James (Kris) Mennen; nineteen grandchildren, John (Christy) Mennen; Amy (Tony O’Connell), Dave (Kristina Harnish), and Matthew (Kassie Banken) Barnes; Chris (Brea), Brian, Andrew, Erin Ellsworth; Justin and Brent Mennen; Mike and Robby Mennen; Nick, Ben, Elizabeth, Heather Mennen; Zach, Luke, and Brooke Mennen; four great-grandchildren, Haley Mennen, Mya Barnes, Leah Barnes, and LeAnne Barnes; two sisters, Betty Smith and Mary Scholl; and one brother, Earl Cornelius.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Doris Schultz, two brothers, Ed and Dick Cornelius, and one grandson, Jason Mennen.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. N.E., Mason City: 641-423-2372

www.colonialchapels.com.

Maurine A. Hudson

OSAGE — Maurine Adelia Hudson, 97, of Osage, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, in Osage, with the Rev. Robert Melhorn officiating. Inurnment will be in the Osage Cemetery.

Maurine was born on May 2, 1908, the daughter of Ray E. and Mary (Burtch) Hudson. She grew up in Burr Oak Township, northeast of Osage, and attended May School, a rural school near her home. She graduated from Osage High School in 1926 and from Grinnell College in 1932.

For further study, Maurine attended the University of Iowa, Marycrest College (Davenport) and the University of Chicago.

Forty-three years of her life were spent as a classroom teacher. Miss Hudson taught in Mitchell County rural schools (Burr Oak Township), in Baxter, in New Hampton, at J.B. Young Junior High School in Davenport, Iowa, (25 years), and Osage Community Schools.

Maurine was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 69 years. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary teachers’ sorority, and she was a life member of Iowa State Teachers’ Association.

She enjoyed reading, poetry, nature, and recalling happenings from bygone days.

Maurine is survived by Burtch, Markham, and Hudson cousins; and by beloved friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray E. Hudson, in 1961; her mother, Mary B. Hudson, in 1980; an infant brother, Hubert; and her brother, Eugene Hudson, in 1993.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, (641) 732-3706.

Wilma Gobeli

MESERVEY — Wilma Gobeli, of Meservey, died Sunday, (October 2, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at Salem United Methodist Church, Meservey with the Rev. Rose Calderon-Kahn presiding. Interment will be at Meservey Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, 201 Ohio Street, Meservey.

Wilma Fern Hurd Gobeli was born on June 11, 1925, on a farm in Hardin County, Iowa, to Howard and Nellie (Manning) Hurd. She started school in Williams, Iowa, in 1930. In 1941, Wilma moved with her family to a farm near Meservey. She graduated from Meservey High School in 1943.

On August 18, 1944, she was united in marriage with Dean Gobeli at the Methodist Parsonage in Meservey. To this union four children were born: Linda, Michael, Steven and Cynthia.

Wilma was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Meservey where she served on the board. She was a member of the Meservey American Legion Auxiliary Post 171 where she had served in local and county offices and also served as a precinct election official the past few years.

After they quit farming, Wilma and Dean drove truck, hauling livestock for Bonner Truck Line in many states and Canada for 25 years. They also ran the Meservey Grocery story for 13 months.

Wilma enjoyed spending time with her family and loved attending the grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ school events, being in her garden and taking trips to the casino.

Wilma is survived by her children: Linda (Kenneth) Shaw, Meservey; Michael (Pam) Gobeli, Meservey; Steven (Jan) Gobeli, Hamilton, Ohio, and Cynthia (Ron) Abel of Knoxville; grandchildren: Michelle (Rob) Duff, Kendra (Scot) Wilson, Chad (Ranae) Shaw, Cory, Cara and Crystal Gifford, Lucas Gobeli and Jeremy Gobeli; great-grandchildren: Amber, Kyle and Hailey Duff, Sadie and Seth Wilson and Spencer, Conner and Jared Shaw; sister: Lavonne Friar and brother-in-law Vern (Jan) Gobeli.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, in 1993, parents, two sisters and one brother.

Her family would like to express a special thanks to the staff on 4 East for their kindness and care of Wilma.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, (641) 358-6105.

William (Bill) Cory

MASON CITY — William A. (Bill) Cory, 82, of Mason City, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Paul C. Nelson, of St. James Lutheran Church, officiating.

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

Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

The family requests memorials be made to the William A. Cory Memorial Fund.

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

Lewis T. Bowcock

MASON CITY — Lewis T. Bowcock, 89, of Mason City, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services for Lewis will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 First Street N.E., with the Rev. Patti Aurand officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veteran’s Memorial Association.

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

Our dad and husband, Lewis T. Bowcock, died peacefully on Oct. 1, 2005, surrounded by his family. He was born Aug, 18, 1916, in Brooklyn, N. Y., the son of Frank and Annie (Jones) Bowcock.

He worked at the Brooklyn Naval Yard prior to entering the service. He entered the service on Feb. 14, 1941, and served in World War II. He was discharged honorably as a master sergeant on Dec. 24, 1945, at Ft. Dix, N.J.

He married Frankie Holt on April 22, 1946. He was a loving father to Dan, Ted, Chris, and Linda. A very considerate and thoughtful person, he would always put others’ needs before his own. He worked very hard to make sure his children had a better childhood than he. He was a member of the First Congregational Church and the North Iowa Men’s Garden Club.

For over 40 years he worked as an electric motor rewinder, mostly at Zack Brothers in Mason City. For a short time he was co-owner of C & L Electric in Garner. He was a self-taught historian, a lover of the classics and classical music. He enjoyed working in his basement workshop, collecting coins, building models, and oil painting. Dad wasn’t done with a project until it was done right.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Dan, in 1969; his parents; a sister, Isabelle; and many cherished pets.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Frankie; sons, Ted of Clear Lake and fiancée, Susan Leithold, Chris, of Palm City Fla. and his wife, Raelynn; a daughter, Linda Bowcock of Mason City; sisters, Mildred Ferry and Alice Baburchak, both of Binghamton, N.Y.; and his loyal pets, Snoopy and Peppy.

Dad was always concerned he’d have nothing to leave his family, but he gave us the best inheritance of all, with a legacy of a life of love and integrity.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either Hospice of North Iowa, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Mason City Men’s Garden Club or the Salvation Army of Mason City.

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

Dwayne Johnson

NORTHWOOD — Dwayne Johnson, 87, of Northwood, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Avenue South, Northwood.

Conner Colonial Chapel, (641) 324-1543.

www.colonialchapels.com.

Donald E. Thomas

LUVERNE — Donald Everett Thomas, 88, of LuVerne, died Sunday, (Oct. 2, 2005) at his home in LuVerne.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the LuVerne Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Conner officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Ernest Merkle Post No. 664 of LuVerne.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in LuVerne.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 882-3322.

www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.

Robert E. Grimm

DAVENPORT — Robert E. Grimm, 72, of Davenport, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, (Oct. 1, 2005) at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, Davenport.

He was born April 1, 1933, in Manning, Iowa, the son of Edwin and Helen (Schmidt) Grimm. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Mr. Grimm had been employed as an equipment supervisor for the Milwaukee, Soo Line, and Canadian Pacific railroads, prior to his retirement. Following that, he currently was employed as a truck driver for K&B in Omaha.

He was a member of the Moose and Elks Lodges, VFW, American Legion, and enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include his wife Arlene; children Rich, Rhonda, and Renita; stepchildren, Sherry Lutgen, of Waunakee, Wis.; Steve Tripkosh, of Davenport, and Sue Leutwyler of Jefferson City, Mo.; two stepgrandchildren Wade Lutgen, of San Diego, Calif., and Amy Lutgen, of Jeffersonville, Ind., and sisters Virgene Burright of Barling, Ark., Janette Miller of Chehalis, Wash., and Sylvia Ridgely.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Renee.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today in the Runge Mortuary Chapel.

Visitation will be from 1-2:30 p.m. today at the mortuary.

Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.

Gary L. Smith

MASON CITY — Gary L. Smith, 61, of Mason City, died Monday (Oct. 3, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second Street S.E. in Mason City.

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

www.fullertonfh.com

Ofelia R. Ramirez

HAMPTON — Ofelia R. Ramirez, 76, of Hampton, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at Franklin General Hospital, Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Hampton, with the Rev. Bernard Grady officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, Hampton.

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

Harry W. Peters

BRITT — Harry W. Peters, 86, of Britt, passed away Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at the Muse Norse Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services for Harry W. Peters will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt with Pastor Stan Johnson officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt, Iowa.

Visitation for Harry W. Peters will be held 6 to 8 p.m. today from at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt, and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.

Harry Ward Peters, the son of Okko and Mary Ward Peters, was born on Nov. 18, 1918, on a farm north of Wesley. The family moved to Warsaw, Ill., when Harry was five years old. In 1936, they moved to Traer, Iowa, where Okko was pastor in a rural church. Harry graduated from Traer High School in 1937.

Harry was united in marriage to Leona Harringa on Nov. 24, 1950, in Hope, Mo. The couple farmed near Wesley and Harry worked for Winnebago Industries in Forest City. He retired from Winnebago after 14 years and from farming in 1992. Harry and Leona then moved into Britt.

Harry enjoyed going to auctions. He also loved welding and fixing machinery.

Harry attended the Evangelical Free Church in Britt.

Harry is survived by his wife, Leona; three children: Gloria (Rick) Sobek of Kanawha, Donna (Glen) Flanigan of Wilmore, Ky., and Gary (Darla) Peters of Wesley; nine grandchildren: Scott Sobek, Stacy Langfitt, Stephanie Schisel, and Shery Steenblock all of Kanawha, Alex Peters, Taylor Peters, and Tony Peters all of Wesley, and Erin Flanigan and Neil Flanigan both of Wilmore, Ky.; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Harley, of Cedar Falls; three sisters: Verna Limkemann, Imogene Cooper, and Virginia Kaupert.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Murray; and two sisters: Helen Swaim and Mildred Luder.

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


PUBLISHED Wednesday, October 5, 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.

Dwayne G. Johnson

NORTHWOOD — Dwayne Gaylord Johnson, 87, of Northwood, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Avenue South, Northwood, with the Reverend Allan J. Stoa officiating.

According to Dwayne’s wishes, his body was cremated.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Saturday at the chapel.

The family of Dwayne Gaylord Johnson has requested that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.

Dwayne Gaylord Johnson was born in Scarville, Iowa, the son of Oscar Casper Gunner and Laura (Thompson) Johnson.

He attended schools in Scarville, Lake Mills, and Mason City. After completing his schooling he worked on farms and construction in the Mason City area.

He was united in marriage to Dorothy Marie Mohr on April 19, 1937, in Mason City. She preceded him in death on March 20, 2003.

During the war, Dwayne joined the Army Corps of Engineers and worked in Canada and Alaska building the Al-Can Highway.

Dwayne spent many years in Kenai, Ala., as a commercial salmon fisher and port engineer.

Dwayne came back to the North Iowa area, living in Mason City where he began his building construction career, building homes and other projects in North Iowa until the spring of 1955 when the family moved to Florida where he continued with construction work.

Dwayne and Dorothy traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally.

He enjoyed working on cars, both mechanically and doing body work, hunting, and traveling — especially in Alaska.

He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mason City and also attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett and First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Larry Johnson and his wife, Maureen, of Dumont, Karen Bruggeman and her husband, Earl, of Rockford, Ill., Gloria DeVlieger of Northwood, LeAnn Renner and her husband, Richard, of Manson, Wash., Sheryll Mondahl of Des Moines, Darrell Johnson of Arlington, Wash., and Donna Cornish and her husband, Christian, of Toddville, Iowa; 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jean LaFave and her husband, Raymond, of Anoka, Minn., and Bonnie Sonnenfeld and her husband, Gene, of Coon Rapids, Minn.; as well as several nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.

Besides his wife Dorothy, Dwayne was also preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; a granddaughter, KaCindra Boroff; two sisters, Maybel Schinnow, and Marian Schaack; and three brothers, Claire Johnson Sr., Quinten Johnson, and Donald L. Johnson

Conner Colonial Chapel: (641) 324-1543.

www.colonialchapels.com.



Anna Tjelle

RENWICK — Anna Tjelle, 95, formerly of Renwick, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) in Gower, Mo.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Lake Lutheran Church in rural Renwick with Pastor Truman Larson officiating. Burial will be at Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Renwick.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Renwick.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, (515) 824-3465.

Gary L. Smith

MASON CITY — Gary L. Smith, 61, of 627 Eighth Street S.E., Apt. No. 1, in Mason City, died Monday afternoon (Oct. 3, 2005) at Mercy Medical Center -North Iowa, in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 6, 2005) at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second Street S.E. in Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City following the service.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Fullerton Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Gary L. Smith Memorial Fund. Thoughts, stories, and condolences may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Gary Lee Smith was born Aug. 19, 1944, in Mason City to George B. and Clara M. (Arndt) Smith. He was the sixth of nine children born to his parents.

As a youngster, Gary moved to Manly and attended school at a one-room country school near Manly.

Some of Gary’s interests in his teen and early adult years included roller-skating in Clear Lake, bowling, riding horses, and cruising and wrenching on cars.

On April 1, 1967, Gary was united in marriage to Linda Ryan of Mason City at the First United Methodist Church in Mason City. The couple later separated, however, they maintained a mutual respect and remained active in regards to securing the best interests of their children.

Gary was devoted to his family and always held them as his greatest joy and priority.

His family recalls that he was extremely protective, feisty, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was known to openly express his views.

He treasured being included in family gatherings, attending his children and grandchildren’s activities and collecting clowns and miniature clocks.

His grandchildren will fondly cherish the memory of spending time with their Grandpa, going for rides and being the recipient of his teasing and joking nature.

Gary enjoyed watching sports, especially baseball games and football games, cheering for the Vikings.

He was content to drive around Mason City, “just checking on what’s going on”. Gary looked forward to the various holidays. He was personally faithful to paying his repects to his past family members and friends on Memorial Day, traveling to various cemeteries to visit their graves.

Gary was employed at Decker Meat Packing (Armour and ConAgra) for 19 years.

He had also formerly worked at Heinz Ketchup in Muscatine and Iron Workers Local No. 67. In the past few years,

Gary was content to assist his nephews with cement work and promoting customer services and was willing to help anyone at any time with odds and end jobs.

Gary will be dearly missed by his family and friends who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his daughter, Lori Smith and fiancé, Tom Rattay, of Mason City; his two sons, Mike Smith and special friend, Lisa Smith, of Mason City, and Kelly Waslick and special friend, Jenny Gordon, of Mason City; his two sisters, Shirley (Bill) Paulsen of Green Isle, Minn., and Sandra Crotty of Mason City; his two brothers, Dennis (Twila) Smith of Mason City, and Jerry Smith of Newton; his former wife, Linda Smith, of Northwood; and his God-daughter, Dawn (Froning) Miller of Nora Springs.

He will also be sadly missed by his seven grandchildren, Joshua Smith, Jessie Smith, Jenna Smith, Savannah Burt, Chase Burt, Dillon Waslick and Dalton Waslick; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents, George and Clara Smith; his brothers, Donald Smith, George (Oley) Smith, and Gordon Smith; his sister, Dixie Paulsen; and his special friend, Bart Froning.

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

www.fullertonfh.com.

Robert ‘Red’ K. Oxley

KANAWHA — Robert “Red” K. Oxley, 79, of Kanawha, died Monday (Oct. 3, 2005) at the Muse Norris Hospice Center in Mason City after a long illness. 

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. Inurnment will follow the luncheon at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Corwith with military rites by American Legion Post No. 229.

The family will greet friends at 9:30 a.m., at the church, prior to the service.

Robert was born on Sunday, June 6, 1926, to Glen and Ruth (Gondon) Oxley in Corwith. He attended Corwith High School where he played first base on the 1943 State Championship Team.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre.

He married Phyllis Hauptmann on Jan. 3, 1948, in Corwith. He farmed for many years.

Robert received a certificate of 50 continuous years of membership from the American Legion in 2004.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing northern Minnesota. He enjoyed bowling and helped his team win the Iowa Bowling Tournament in 1968.

Robert is survived by his wife Phyllis (Hauptmann); two daughters, Sher Elkin of New York Mills, Minn., and Angela Oxley of Burt; and a son, Mark Oxley, of Iowa City.  Also surviving are two brothers, Richard and Jerald Oxley; and three sisters: Glennis Green, Theresa Garry, and Mary Oxley. Two grandchildren, Jack Elkin and Kyp Oxley also survive Robert.

He is preceded in death by a son, Mathew; a sister, Margaret; and his parents.

The Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

William A. ‘Bill’ Cory

MASON CITY — William Ardie “Bill” Cory, 82, of Mason City died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, with Pastor Paul C. Nelson of St. James Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the funeral home on Thursday.

Memorials may be directed the William A. Cory Memorial Fund.

William Cory was born on Jan. 3, 1923, in Mason City, the son of Basil and Lena (Lucas) Cory, the second of ten children. Bill attended school in Mason City. He was employed by the City of Mason City Street Department for 28 years.

Bill never had any children of his own. He loved music and was very good at playing the accordion and harmonica. Bill enjoyed listening to his brother, Ruben, and his band sing. He enjoyed playing his many records and watching Tiger Woods play golf on TV. Bill was an avid gardener and many people came to buy his home-grown potatoes. He also enjoyed camping.

Bill will be sadly missed by all of his family.

Survivors include his brother, Ernest Cory, and wife, Darlene, of Mason City; three sisters: Stella Jensen and husband, Earl, of Morristown, Tenn., Elberta Crowe and husband, John, of Mason City, and Marge Wright and husband, Charlie, of Fairfield Bay, Ark.; a special niece, Betty Hoffman; and many other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Basil Cory and Lena Cory; wives, Waneta and Murleane Cory; four brothers: Herman “Skeeter”, Henry “Hank”, Ruben, and Oscar; one sister, Bertha Schaer.

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

Stanley ‘Stan’ Bolding

LOGANVILLE, Ga . — Stanley (Stan) Norman Bolding, age 75, of Loganville, Ga., passed away on Monday (Oct. 3, 2005).

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at Eternal Hills Chapel, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, Ga., with Pastor Matthew Henning officiating. Interment is at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at Eternal Hills Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Community of Grace Lutheran Church, 1200 Athens Highway, Grayson, GA 30017.

Stanley was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Olivia, Minn., to Clarence Cecil Bolding and Anna Henrietta Nelson Bolding.

Stan retired after over 38 years with International Harvester and was a retired U.S. Air Force staff sergeant. He also ran a landscaping and painting business after retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, Loganville, Ga.; sons, Loren Bolding, Winder, Ga., and Lee Alcorn, Loganville, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Doug Walter, Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Karen Bolding, Plymouth, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by both his parents; his first wife, Virginia Blaine Bolding; and two brothers, Howard and Verlyn Bolding.

Eternal Hills Funeral Home, (770) 972-3155.

Katherine Amundson

NORTHWOOD — Katherine (Peters) Amundson, 95, of Northwood, formerly of Forest City and Swaledale, died Monday (Oct. 3, 2005) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home in Sheffield with the Rev. Al Stoa presiding. Interment will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday.

In leiu of flowers, her family requests that a donation be made to your favorite charity in memory of Katherine.

Katherine Louise Amundson was born on Sept. 10, 1910, on the family farm near Sheffield, a daughter of Harm and Mary (Kruggel) Peters.

She attended country school in Pleasant Valley Township and then graduated from the first consolidated school in Iowa at Swaledale. Following school she worked on the family farm.

Katherine was united in marriage with Arthur Amundson in Rockwell on June 26, 1932. They made their home in Thornton and various towns, following Art’s work as a butter maker.

In 1957 they settled in Forest City where she was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Katherine greatly enjoyed offering hospitality to her visitors; she always prepared a large meal for her guests. Her cooking was tremendous — especially her cookies. Special times for Katherine included spending time with her grandchildren and their families and her nieces, nephews, and their families.

Katherine in survived by her sons: Arthur (Nancy) Amundson, Northwood; Donnie Dean (Gea) Amundson, Le Center, Minn.; grandchildren: Chamaine (Loren) Snell and their children, Reid and Brycen of Cedar Rapids; Erik Amundson and wife, Callie Chenault, of St. Paul, Minn., Eileen (Tim) Ocel and daughter, Evelyn, of Zimmerman, Minn., Heather (Jacob) Musich and their children, Max and Gwen, Andrea Amundson and husband, Tim Kjensrud, and Paul Amundson and fiancé, Dana McJunkin, of Indian Hills, Colo.; sisters-in-law: Reva Peters, Swaledale, and Edna Peters, Rockwell; special cousin, Minnie Busch, Ventura; she was also very close to her many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; two brothers, Leo and Louie; and a sister in infancy, Mathilda.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, (641) 892-4241.

Gladys A. Butz

GARNER — Gladys A. Butz, 95, of Garner died Monday (October 3, 2005) at Concord Care Center, Garner.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner with Rev. David Wagner as officiating. Inurnment will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Gladys Amelia Butz, the daughter of Willie Carl and Maude Mae (Hatt) Maxson, was born July 24, 1910, at Clear Lake. She attended school at Clear Lake and Mason City and then graduated from LaJames School of Cosmetology in Mason City in 1934.

On July 19, 1937, she was married to Vern Ivan Butz in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1941 they moved to Garner where they made their home the rest of their lives.

She enjoyed bowling and gardening. Gladys was a member of the United Methodist Church, the UMW, and the Rebekah’s Lodge.

Survivors include two sons, Will A. (Linda) Butz of Middleburg, Va., and Jack L. (Sandie) Butz of Garner; five grandchildren: Dena (Myron) Clemens of Ogden, Dan (Angela) Butz of Denver, Colo., Debbie Butz of Bethesda, Md., Stephanie (Derek) Bower of Leesburg, Va., and Anne Butz of Fredricksburg, Va.; five great-grandchildren: Nathan T. Sorenson, Aaron M. Clemens, Emma Bower, Sophia Bower, and Dominic Bower.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vern Butz, March 7, 1994; her father in 1933; and her mother in 1994.

Cataldo Funeral Home, (641) 923-2841.

www.cataldofuneralhome.com.

Roberta J. Norby

NORA SPRINGS — Roberta J. Norby, 76, of Nora Springs, died Tuesday (Oct. 4, 2005) at the Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, (641) 749-2210.

David Griffin

ALGONA — David Griffin, 83, of Algona, died Sunday (Oct. 2, 2005) at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Algona.

Services are pending at Wilson Funeral Homes, 403 East McGregor in Algona.

Wilson Funeral Homes, (515) 295-2622.