January 6-10, 2007

Obituary Archive

Mason City

Globe Gazette
Box 271
Mason City, Iowa
50402

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The Mason City Globe Gazette year 2007 archive

PUBLISHED Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007

Agnes Othelia Muhlenbruck

LATIMER — Agnes Othelia Muhlenbruck, 97, of Latimer, passed away Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Franklin General Nursing Facility in Hampton.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Coulter with Pastor Mary Peterson officiating. Burial will be held at the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, 320 East St. in Latimer, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Agnes Othelia Muhlenbruck was born Sept. 11, 1909, on the family homestead in Effington, S.D., the daughter of Anton and Ingaborg (Brodalen) Arneson.

Agnes came to Latimer to work in her Uncle Andy Brodales’s restaurant and meat market. While in Latimer, she met and married Elmer Muhlenbruck in 1929. To this union was born one son, Gary. Agnes owned and operated Elm’s Café in Latimer for 41 years along with the help of her sister, Bernice.

Agnes is survived by her son, Gary, and his wife, RoseMary Muhlenbruck, of Thornton; a sister, Mabel, 99, of Rosholt, S.D.; three grandchildren, Pamela Suntken and her husband, Wayne, of Havelock, Bradley Muhlenbruck and his wife, Gretchen, of Coralville, and Elizabeth Deiter and her husband, Michael, of Ankeny; three great-grandsons, Joshua Suntken and his wife Dana of Bondurant, Zachary Suntken, and Andrew Deiter; two great-great-granddaughters, Taylor Sue and Emily Rose, of Bondurant; a niece and three nephews.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 1951; three brothers, Alvin, Oscar and Hjalmer; and four sisters, Myrtle, Alma, Alice and Bernice.

Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, (641) 579-6278.

Melvin Frank Kriz

WATERLOO — Melvin Frank Kriz, 79, of Waterloo, died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at Cedar Valley Hospice Home of natural causes.

He was born Oct. 4, 1927, in Clutier, the son of Joseph and Christina Kadmus Kriz. He married Donna Leake Mott on Jan. 16, 1971, in Mason City.

Mr. Kriz was employed as a construction worker for 49 years, retiring in November 1989.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army.

He is survived by his wife of Waterloo; a stepson, Rick (Peggy) Mott, of Waterloo; a stepdaughter, Deborah (Allen) Wolf, of Cedar Falls; five grandchildren, Joshua (Sara) Wolf, Andrew Wolf, Jennifer (Troy) Oliver, C.J. Mott and Joseph Mott; seven great-grandchildren, Dilan Mott, Miara Oliver, Tiani Oliver, Chance Mott, Aiden Mott, Kirayla Mott and Noah Wolf; two sisters, Evelyn Carlson of Chelsea and Martha Breja of Vining; and three brothers, Ludwig, Alfred and Franklin (Marcella), all of Clutier.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joseph (Betty) and an infant brother; a sister, Pauline, at age 2; and two brothers-in-laws, Donald Carlson and James Breja.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Waterloo with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Public visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street in Waterloo where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary and 5 p.m. vigil. Visitation also one hour prior to services Monday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Norma Mae Kuker

CHARLES CITY — Norma Mae Kuker, 84, of Charles City, died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at Mercy Medical Center-New Hampton in New Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Charles City with Pastor Alan Schulz officiating. Interment will in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main in Charles City, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323. www.hauserfh.com

LaRue Mae Meier

SWALEDALE — LaRue Mae Meier, 67, of 110 Douglas Ave., died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Swaledale.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.

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

Cecelia ‘Cece’ Shaw

CLEAR LAKE — Cecelia “Cece” M. Shaw, 62, of 903 Ninth Ave. S. in Clear Lake, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at Heritage Care Center in Mason City.

Her wishes were to donate her body to the University of Iowa Anatomy Department.

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

Marlene K. Calvert

MASON CITY — Marlene K. Calvert, 68, of Mason City, died Wednesday (Jan. 3, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church WAYside Chapel, 119 S. Georgia Ave., with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Inurnment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be given to the Marlene Calvert Memorial Fund.

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

Edith Kaduce

MESERVEY — Edith Kaduce, 79, of Meservey, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home in Meservey.

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

Marjorie Green

OSAGE — Marjorie Green, 95, of Osage, died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage with the Rev. John Moser officiating. Inurnment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in New Haven.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with a rosary at 3:30 p.m.

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

Florence Mahn

ROCKWELL — Florence Mahn, 100, a former resident of Sheffield, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home in Sheffield.

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

Rose Hegland

ST. ANSGAR — Rose Hegland, 98, of St. Ansgar, died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at the United Methodist Church in St. Ansgar. Burial will be in the St. Ansgar Cemetery.

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

PUBLISHED Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007

Iner ‘Ray’ Bakke

LAKE MILLS — Iner “Ray” Bakke, age 86, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile, Iowa, with Mr. David Halverson officiating. Burial will take place at Brush Point Cemetery, rural Fertile, with military honors conducted by the Clear Lake VFW.

Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main St. in Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Iner Raymond Bakke was born Oct. 27, 1920, to Torborn (Tom) and Lena (Eggen) Bakke, at Callendar, Iowa, in Webster County. The family lived there until Ray was 7 years old, and then moved to the Forest City area. He finished eighth grade and went to work for area farmers to help his family out. After farming for some time, Ray went to work for Eddie Knutson at Leland in the produce business. In December 1942, Ray was drafted and served in the armed forces until February 1946. He spent most of his time in Newberry, England. When he was discharged, Ray came back to Fertile to drive a lime truck for the quarry.

On Aug. 3, 1947, Ray was united in marriage with Lorraine Gilbertson at Concordia Lutheran Church in rural Joice.

Just prior to and for a short time after his marriage, he ran a restaurant in Fertile, but was always a farmer at heart. In 1950, he and Lorraine started farming southwest of Fertile and farmed for 11 years. In 1961, they purchased the feed mill in Fertile which they ran until he started working in the RV industry. Ray first worked at Kayot Forrester, then at Winnebago Industries until his first retirement in 1987. Not one to be idle, he started a lawn and garden service twice.

He was a past commander of the VFW in Clear Lake, and also served as treasurer for Fertile Lutheran Church, which included the building fund.

In 1992, Ray and Lorraine moved to Lake Mills where Ray kept busy taking soil samples part time and coffeeing full time, thoroughly enjoying his coffee buddies. He entered the Lake Mills Care Center in late August 2006.

Ray never met a stranger, always friendly with a humorous wit. Who can forget his Victor Borge readings with punctuation, or the laughter, many times at his own expense? In his younger years, he sang in a quartet and always enjoyed music. As an accomplished dancer, he and Lorraine taught ballroom dancing for many years.

Ray always loved children, which led to many years of playing Santa Claus in the Fertile/Forest City area.

Having only an eighth-grade education, education was very important to Ray. He lived to see all six grandchildren graduate from college, four of which he attended personally. He was happiest when all of his family could be together. The last time was in early September when the entire family gathered to celebrate Lorraine’s 80th birthday.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, of Lake Mills; three children, Steven R. Bakke and his wife, Anne, of Forest City, Craig L. Bakke and his wife, Judy, of Bucklin, Mo., and Carolyn Swanson and her husband, Allan, of Lake Mills; grandchildren, Aaron Bakke and his fiancee, Keiru Mbah, of Evanston, Ill., Laura Bakke of Minneapolis, Minn., Dr. Ryan Bakke and his wife, Jana, of Newton, Rachel Holmberg and her husband, Trent, of Adel, Dr. Tim Colby of Des Moines, and Katy Blomgren and her husband, Jim, of Cumming; great-grandchildren, Alayna and Ashlyn Bakke, Bennett Holmberg, Aidan and Keaton Colby, and Hunter Blomgren; sisters-and brothers-in-law, Gretchen Bakke of Lebanon, Mo., Shirley Sheimo of Garner, Darlene Ziesmer of Garner, and James and Judy Gilbertson of Ackley; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Lena; two sisters, Blanche Helland and Agnes Ryerson Robinson; two brothers, Alvin and Truman Bakke; three nieces, Kathy, Joann, and Sandra; and three nephews, Jerome, Ron, and Richard.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home and Cremation, Lake Mills, (641) 592-0221.

Dale E. Larson

MASON CITY — Dale E. Larson, 78, of 510 First St. N.E., died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Steve Palo of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be at Clear Lake Cemetery with veterans’ rites performed by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Dale Larson Memorial Fund.

Dale was born on April 13, 1928, in rural Clear Lake, to Donald and Opal (Beal) Larson. He attended school in Clear Lake until 1945, at which time he enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served his country in World War II until 1949. After returning from the war, he met his future wife, Helen Jean Hertel, at the Surf Ballroom. In 1950, they were united in marriage at the Clear Lake Zion Lutheran Church. Later in life he received his GED and continued his education graduating from Minneapolis Community College. He was a long-time member of the Carpenters Millwright Union No. 1313. Dale enjoyed going to auctions looking for antiques and furniture to refinish. He was quite fond of socializing with his friends, hunting, fishing and listening to country western music. An avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, he enjoyed watching them no matter what the outcome.

Family was extremely important to Dale and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved referring to his great-grandchildren as his “circle of life.”

Dale is survived by his children, David (Trish) Larson of Kalona, Jane (Joe) Shultz of Mason City, and Jill (Gerald) Symonds of Rockwell; twin sister, Gayle (Harlan) Fleming, of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Lindy, Jared and Kaylin Larson, all of Minneapolis, Minn., Abby Stransky of Kalona, Andrew (Kama) Shultz, Megan and Michael Shultz of Mason City, Quinn Symonds of Mason City, Elizabeth (David) Haag of Mason City, William and Tony Symonds of Rockwell; great-grandchildren, Brayden and Aubrey Haag, and Allison Snow; special friend, Diane Murphy, and her children, Colleen and Kevin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Richard and Donald Larson.

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

LaRue Mae Meier

SWALEDALE — LaRue Mae Meier, 67, of 110 Douglas Ave., Swaledale, died Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, after complications of pneumonia.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale.

Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

Memorials may be directed to the LaRue Mae Meier Memorial Fund.

LaRue Mae Roney was born July 22, 1939, in Mason City, the daughter of Grant and Irene (Benzing) Roney. LaRue graduated from Swaledale Consolidated High School in 1957, later graduating from Hamilton Business College, Mason City, in 1959. After graduation, she worked for the First State Bank, Thornton, as a bookkeeper for many years.

LaRue was united in marriage to Clarence Pedersen. After his death, she was united in marriage to Richard Meier on Oct. 29, 1966, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake. Richard and LaRue made their home on the farm in rural Swaledale.

LaRue loved sewing, antiquing, quilting, antique doll collecting, gardening, and helping with the farm work. Her greatest love was spending time with family, friends and her many pets.

LaRue is survived by her brothe, Loren J. Roney, Swaledale; brother-in-law, Martin (Lois) Meier, Swaledale; sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Cecil) Ditsworth, Mason City; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Irene Roney; Clarence Pedersen; husband, Richard Meier, on Sept. 4, 2006; and sister-in-law, Dorthea (Pals) Sargent.

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

www.colonialchapels.com

Marjorie Green

OSAGE — Marjorie Green, 95, of Osage, passed away Thursday (Jan. 4, 2007) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage with the Rev. John Moser officiating. Inurnment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in New Haven. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with a rosary at 3:30 p.m.

Marjorie was born June 4, 1911, to John and Susan Weinschenk at St. Donatus, Iowa. She graduated from St. Mary’s in New Haven, Iowa. Marjorie worked at the Marr Knitting Mill and the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital. After retiring, she enjoyed babysitting, crocheting and spending time with her family.

Marjorie spent the last four years at the Stacyville Nursing Home and the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center where she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

Marjorie is survived by three daughters, Dona (Pete) Kubicek, Sue (Chic) Gouchee of Cedar Rapids, Helen (Allan) Rogers; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Green; a sister, Ardella Olson; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul Green; two brothers; two sisters; two sons, Marshall and Bill Green; a daughter-in-law, Helen Green; a grandson, Kent Kubicek; and a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rogers.

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

Marlene K. Calvert

MASON CITY — Marlene K. Calvert, 68, of Mason City, died Wednesday (Jan. 3, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church WAYside Chapel, 119 S. Georgia Ave., with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Inurnment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be given to the Marlene Calvert Memorial Fund.

Marlene was born July 22, 1938, in Mason City, the daughter of Virgil L. and Helen M. (Kreutzbender) Miltenberger. She graduated from Rock Falls High School. Marlene married Earl Calvert on May 2, 1959, in Rock Falls. She worked as a nurse’s aide for Heritage Care Center and Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Marlene is survived by her son, Richard Calvert, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughter, Linda Blakely, of Mason City; grandchildren, Kady, Marshall, Bethanee, Michael and Lacie; mother, Helen M. Miltenberger, of Mason City; uncle, Ronald “Butch” Miltenberger, of Mason City and aunt, Lola Mendon, of Independence, Ky.

Marlene is preceded in death by her father, Virgil; husband, Earl and grandson, Dalton Blakely.

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

Robert J. Fink

OSAGE — Memorial services for Robert J. Fink were held Thursday, (Dec. 28, 2006) at the First Baptist Church in Osage with Pastor Doug Brown officiating.

Robert died Thursday, Dec. 21, at his home in Brainerd, Minn.

Robert was born June 7, 1943, in Osage, the son of Dale and Mildred (Flynn) Fink. He attended Orchard and Nora Springs schools, graduating from Nora Springs in 1961. He was united in marriage to Noreen Newton in 1962 at the First Baptist Church in Osage. They made their home in Osage and Brainerd.

Robert worked at White Farm Equipment (previously Oliver) in Charles City for more than 20 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Osage.

Robert loved the lakes and woods and enjoyed wildlife and fishing. His passion was his 1967 Corvette and he enjoyed taking it to car shows.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jim.

Robert is survived by Noreen Fink of Osage, two sons, Steven Fink of Valley Center, Kan., and David (Shirley) Fink of Cleveland, Tenn., and their four sons, Matthew, Aaron, Andrew and Mason; his daughter, Alyssa, and his daughter, Kylee, and her son, Caleb; and stepdaughter, Heather Francel, of San Diego, Calif.

Welden ‘Tiny’ R. Peterson

IOWA FALLS — Welden R. “Tiny” Peterson, 82, of Iowa Falls, passed away Friday, (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Trinity Regional Hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Funeral services for Tiny Peterson will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Iowa Falls, with the Rev. Brian King officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Linn’s Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel. Burial will be at the Lawn Cemetery, Boxholm, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family c/o his daughter: Larita Myers, 1202 S. 21st Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

Linn’s Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel, (641) 648-2560.

Louise Scheidecker

CLARKSVILLE — Louise Scheidecker, 83, of rural Clarksville, died Saturday, (Jan. 6, 2007) at the Community Nursing Home in Clarksville.

Funeral services for Louise Scheidecker will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Charles City Assembly, 708 Ninth St., Charles City. Mr. Steve Faulkner will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua.

Friends may call at the Charles City Assembly from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will continue Wednesday an hour prior to the service.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Florence Mahn

SHEFFIELD — Florence Mahn, 100, a former resident of Sheffield, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2006) at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, with the Rev. R. Karl Watkins presiding. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, 203 Maple St., Sheffield.

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

Edith Kaduce

MESERVEY — Edith Kaduce, 79, of Meservey, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Belmond Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thornton, with Pastor Milton D. Johnson presiding. Interment will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, 201 Ohio St., Meservey.

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

William ‘Lavern’ Sigler

FLOYD — William “Lavern” (Buck) Sigler, 90, of Floyd, died Saturday, (Jan. 6, 2007) at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services for Lavern Sigler will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Floyd Grace United Methodist Church in Floyd. The Rev. LaVonne Kaasa will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Loretta Holthaus

CLARION — Loretta Holthaus, 82, of Des Moines, formerly of Clarion, passed away Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007) at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

Funeral services for Loretta Holthaus are pending at Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion.

Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home

602 N. Main St., Clarion, Iowa, (515) 532-2233.

PUBLISHED Monday, Jan. 8, 2007

Florence I. Mahn

SHEFFIELD — Florence I. Mahn, 100, former Sheffield resident, died Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 9 at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield under the leadership of the Rev. R. Karl Watkins of First United Methodist Church of Sheffield. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Florence I. Mahn, a daughter of Elwood and Ethel (Morehouse) Walker, was born on Dec. 13, 1906 in West Fork Township, Franklin County, Iowa. She attended various area schools and graduated from Chapin High School in 1925.

On June 20, 1927, Florence was united in marriage with Earl A. Mahn in Hampton. They worked as tenant farmers in the Sheffield area until moving to Sheffield, where they lived the rest of their lives. Florence was employed as a cook/waitress at several restaurants and later employed by Sheffield Produce, from which she retired. She enjoyed the many fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada with family and friends.

Florence was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sheffield, and the Rebekah Lodge.

She is survived by one son, Dale (Dora) Mahn, Mason City; daughter-in-law, Merle Mahn, Lake City, Minn.; six grandchildren: Robert (Nancy) Boehlje, Shingle Springs, Calif.; Donna (Mike) Echelberger, Rockwell; John (Susan) Mahn, Red Wing, Minn.; David (Jennifer) Mahn, Lake City, Minn.; Patricia (Tim) Rodemeyer, Hampton; Gary (Mary Ellen Stone) Mahn, Sammamish, Wash.; seventeen great-grandchildren: Tim (Heather) Boehlje, Linda Enos, Todd (Cameo) and Michelle Echelberger, Eric Mahn, Elizabeth and Sam Mahn, Holly (Kelly) Taylor, Joseph and Megan Mahn, Elliot, Madeleine, Chrisjon and Sophia Mahn, Melissa (Thai) Nguyen, Sara and Courtney Rodemeyer; ten great-great-grandchildren: Payton and Seneca Echelberger, Joshua and Zachary Boehlje, Chloe and Alex Enos, Duane and Stella Taylor, Kayla and Kara Welsher; two sisters: Kathern Foell, Portland, and Wilma (Bud) Scholl, Rockwell.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Bob; one daughter, Helen Boehlje; three grandsons: Tom, Rick and Gene Mahn and four sisters: Clare Alden, Frances Brown, Cleone Miller and Prudence Walker.

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

William J. ‘Bill’ Garrison

KLEMME — William J. “Bill” Garrison, 52, of Klemme, died Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007) at his home near Klemme.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond, (641) 444-3248.

Curtis R. Peterson

FOREST CITY — Curtis R. Peterson, 90, of Britt, formerly of Forest City, died Sunday (Jan 7, 2007) at his home in Britt.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City, (641) 585-2685.

Bonna Woodwick

RAKE — Bonna Woodwick, 78, of Rake, Iowa, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea, Minn.

Services are pending with Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Buffalo Center, (641) 562-2858.

www.winterfuneralhome.com

Edith Kaduce

MESERVEY — Edith Francis (Brown) Kaduce, 79, of Meservey passed away on Friday (Jan. 5, 2007) at the Belmond Health Care Center in Belmond, Iowa.

Funeral services for Edith will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thornton with Pastor Milton D. Johnson presiding. Interment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. today at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Meservey, and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Edith Kaduce, daughter of Ellis and Pearl (Nowning) Brown, was born on Dec. 4, 1927, at home in Mason City. Following her high school graduation in Granger, Mo., in 1945, Edith worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in Mason City. She met her husband, Louie Kaduce, at the Surf Ballroom. The two were united in marriage on Dec. 1, 1951, and together they had six children.

Edith was passionate about reading, assembling puzzles and recording family stories. She loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchild and the children whom she babysat.

Genealogy was an important hobby to Edith. She had ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1912, the Civil War and some who were founding fathers of Mason City. Last but not least, Edith loved her cats.

Edith was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thornton where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Edith is survived by her husband, Louie; daughter, Jacqueline Faye (Bruce) Abbe, Stillwater, Minn.; son, Jeffrey Louis (Dawn), Ventura; daughter, Janet Louise (John) Haugen, Thompson; daughter, Jennifer Edith Stadtlander (Scott Brown), Meservey; son, Jonathan Lulof, Meservey; seven grandchildren: Joshua Stadtlander, Meservey; Leah Abbe (Micheal) Bloem, Woodbury, Minn; Jeremy Sveen, Leland; Amy Kaduce, Mason City; Rebecca Stadtlander (Billy McLemore), Meservey; Ryan Kaduce, Iowa City; Christopher Kaduce, Meservey; great-grandson, Zander McLemore; sister, Ileta Krieger, Onslow, Iowa; sister-in-law, Helen Caywood, Mason City; son-in-law, Richard Stadtlander, Meservey.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her son, Lynn Ellis.

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

William J. ‘Billy’ Woolery

MASON CITY — William J. “Billy” Woolery, 86 of 703 15th St., S.E., Mason City, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City, (641) 423-8676.

www.fullertonfh.com

LaVerne Russell Olsen

OSAGE — LaVerne Russell Olsen, age 75, of Osage, died Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007) at Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, 3269 Foothill Avenue, Osage, with the Rev. R. Dawson Tornes officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Creek Cemetery with a flag presentation by the American Legion Post 278.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and will continue one hour before services at the church.

LaVerne was born on March 10, 1931, in Meroa, Iowa, to parents Lawrence and Clarice (Williams) Olsen. LaVerne graduated from Osage High School. He was united in marriage to Daisie Ann Ketelsen on June 3, 1951.

LaVerne served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. LaVerne and Daisie bought the farm from his father’s estate in 1970. They were also the custodians for the Rock Creek Lutheran Church for 30 years. He was a member of the Osage American Legion Post 278 and the Osage VFW Post 7920.

LaVerne is survived by two daughters: Deidre (Bernie) Badker of New Hartford; Danell Johnson of Osage; two sons: Lon (Laurie) Olsen of Manly; Lance Olsen of Osage; one brother, Lowell Olsen of Osage; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Daisie in1990; one sister, Beatrice (Mrs. Clyndon Gast).

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

James W. Gourley

MASON CITY — James William “Jim” Gourley, 79, of Mason City formerly of Corwith, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Corwith United Methodist Church, Corwith. Burial will be in the Corwith Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Elmer Wilson American Legion Post No. 229.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Other arrangements are incomplete.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith, (515) 583-2469.

www.oackrestfuneralservices.com

Oscar Floy

THORNTON — Oscar M. Floy, 85, of Thornton, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Sheffield Care Center.

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

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, (641) 998-2311.

PUBLISHED Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Oscar Floy

THORNTON — Oscar Floy, 85, of Thornton, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Sheffield Care Center.

A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thornton, with Pastor Milton D. Johnson presiding. Interment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton.

Oscar’s family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today (Jan. 9) at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Thornton.

Oscar Marius Floy was born Sept. 4, 1921, son of Christian and Anna (Schmale) Floy, on their farm near Thornton. Oscar worked with his family on the farm and completed high school with the class of 1942 in Thornton.

In 1952, Oscar was united in marriage with the love of his life, Juliette Carlson. They continued to farm and raise their family, living on “Floy Road.” Juliette passed away in 1970.

Oscar was a lifetime member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thornton. He was very active in the North Iowa Ham Radio Club and through his conversations traveled all over the world. He also shared his hobby with his family and helped many young people become involved with ham radio clubs.

Oscar was innovative in his farming operations; he took pride in his early work with sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. He worked in his workshop every day and invented or improved many items. His very practical approach to improving items led his family and friends to label items as “Oscar-rigged” when he had improved them.

He was proud to be a lifelong Democrat. He had a passion for reading and read two newspapers daily to keep current with the news.

Oscar was very close to his brother, Delbert. They spent a great amount of time together and were frequently seen dining at Bonanza. He spent many winters with his daughter in California and made many friends there. In recent years, Oscar lived at the Sheffield Care Center, where he enjoyed and appreciated the staff for their wonderful, friendly care.

Oscar passed away Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at the Sheffield Care Center at 85 years of age.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Paul Willis, and wife, Phyllis, Thornton; daughter, Ann Floy Costello, and fiancé, John Lovell; and grandson, Casey Oscar Costello, Brisbane, Calif.; granddaughters, Ann Willis Happel and husband, Charles, Des Moines, Sarah Westcott Willis and her daughter, Sophia Westcott Willis, Thornton; and nephew and nieces, Chris, Stephanie, Regina, Pam and Nancy.

Oscar is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Juliette; and brother, Delbert.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Thornton, (641) 998-2311.

James A. Holder Sr.

MASON CITY— James A. Holder Sr., 37, of Mason City, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2006) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City.

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

www.colonialchapels.com

Dorothy M. Cary

FORT MADISON — Dorothy M. Cary, 87, of Fort Madison and formerly of Mason City, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) in Fort Madison.

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

James William ‘Jim’ Gourley

MASON CITY — James William “Jim” Gourley, 79, of Mason City and formerly of Corwith, died Sunday at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Corwith United Methodist Church, Corwith. Burial will be in the Corwith Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Elmer Wilson American Legion Post No. 229.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today (Jan. 9, 2007) at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith, and will continue one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

James William Gourley was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Britt, Iowa, son of Seth and Rose (Denzel) Gourley. Jim grew up near Hutchins, where he attended country school. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy. Jim was married to Naomi Rasmuson and to this union three sons were born, Rick, Rusty and Tracy.

Jim farmed all his life until 1985, when he moved to Mason City and worked at the Stueland Recovery House for five years. He then ran Gourley Stump Removal and Gourley Tree Service with his sons. James loved grinding stumps and traveled all over the United States doing it. He was proud to travel to South Carolina, helping after Hurricane Hugo.

James had a deep faith for God and he attended Grace Evangelical Free Church in Mason City. While in Corwith, he was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Corwith Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and cribbage.

He is survived by a son, Tracy Gourley, and his wife, Penny, of Mason City, and their two children, Katie and Kelly; a son, Rusty Gourley, of Blue Earth, Minn., and his daughters, Brittany and Stephanie; and a son, Michael Kennedy, and his wife, Donna, of Hanlontown, and their children, Kelly and Jeromy; and by his granddaughters, Shannon, Lindsay and Alicia from his son, Richard, who passed away. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Andrea, Emily, Dalton, Cassie, Arianna, Katie, Seth and Preston; a sister, Lavonn Rinnels, and her husband, Marvin, of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rick, on July 16, 2000; two brothers, Dale Gourley and Tom Gourley; and a sister, Beverly Kalvig.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith, (515) 583-2469.

www.oackrestfuneralservices.com

Bonna Woodwick

RAKE — Bonna Woodwick, 78, of Rake, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea, Minn.

Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake with Pastor Larry Rehlander presiding. Burial will be at West Cemetery, Rake.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center.

Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center is assisting the family.

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

www.winterfuneralhome.com

Ruth Swyter

BRITT — Ruth Swyter, 91, of Britt, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, Britt, (641) 843-3839.

Josephine Miller

MASON CITY — Josephine Miller passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord on Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City following a courageous battle against complications from cancer surgery, with her hand held by her devoted husband, Alfred (Shorty), and surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today (Jan. 9, 2007) at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Josephine Miller memorial fund.

Jo was born on June 4, 1919, in Cicero, N.Y., to the late Durward and Edna (Witchie) Gillette. She has two sisters, Ruth Rogers, of Brewerton, N.Y., and the late Marjorie Woods, and one brother, the late Norman Gillette.

Jo was preceded in death by her first husband, Milo Strahorn, father of Saundra. She was also preceded in death by Marvin Skoglund, father of Mark and Paul, with whom she came to Mason City in 1954. Jo found immense happiness again with Alfred Miller, whom she married on July 17, 1964, and to whom she remained a dedicated and constant loving companion until her last day.

Jo is survived by her husband, Shorty, and three loving children who gave her life’s greatest joys: daughter, Saundra (Gary) Nyhus, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mark (Lori) Skoglund, of the West Bend area of Iowa; and Paul (Mary) Skoglund of Superior, Mont.; her grandchildren, Chad (Rebecca) Nyhus, Jason Nyhus, Ben Skoglund, Krissa Skoglund, Molly (Barry) Fehr, Ned Skoglund, Michelle (Matt) Billingsley and Michael Skoglund; and her great-grandchildren, Micah Billingsley, Jason Billingsley, Calvin Fehr and Troy Fehr. Jo is also survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews and members of her extended and ever-growing family.

Jo’s greatest treasure was her family, to whom she was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, (641) 423-2372.

www.colonialchapels.com

William J. ‘Bill’ Woolery

MASON CITY — William J. “Bill” Woolery, 86, of Mason City, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave. in Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with military respects provided by the Mason City Memorial Association.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, and will continue one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may wish to direct them to the William J. Woolery Memorial Fund.

Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services of N.I., Mason City, (641) 423-8676.

www.fullertonfh.com

Loretta Holthaus

CLARION — Loretta Holthaus, 82, of West Des Moines and formerly of Clarion, died Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007) at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be at at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion with Father Chris Podhajsky officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, 602 N. Main St. in Clarion.

Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, Clarion, (515) 532-2233.

Curtis R. Peterson

FOREST CITY — Curtis R. Peterson, 90, formerly of Forest City and presently residing in Britt, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at his home in Britt.

The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Barb Spaulding officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.

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

www.petersenlundfh.com

William (Bill) Garrison Jr.

KLEMME — William (Bill) Garrison Jr., 52, of Klemme, died Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007).

Private family funeral services will be held Thursday with military rites by the Belmond Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane S. in Belmond.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Bill Garrison’s name.

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

Francis ‘Slim’ Sheirbon

BURT — Francis “Slim” Sheirbon, 80, of Burt, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at his home in Burt.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Algona, (515) 295-3731.

PUBLISHED Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Viola G. Kollasch

LAKOTA — Viola G. Kollasch, 82, of Lakota, died Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Arrangements are incomplete at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Bancroft. (515) 885-2521.

Paul Gratias

OSAGE — Paul Gratias, 85, of Osage, died Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2007) at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. (641) 732-3706.

Caitlin Mackenzie Query

TREYNOR — Caitlin Mackenzie Query, 9 months, of Treynor, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at the Omaha Children’s Hospital-Omaha, Neb., of natural causes. Caitlin was born April 14, 2006, to Jason Howard (formerly of Mason City) and Sarah Leile Query, in Orlando, Fla.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Cutler O’Neill Funeral Home in Council Bluffs.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Cutler O’Neill Funeral Home, 545 Willow Ave. A private burial will be held at the Zion Congregational Church in Treynor, Iowa.

Funeral arrangements for burial are being coordinated by Cutler O’Neill Funeral Home, 545 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs.

Margaret Nadeen Gardner

CLARION — Margaret Nadeen Gardner, 71, of Clarion, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion with Pastor Curt Miner officiating. Burial will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion, and continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, (515) 532-2233.

Francis ‘Slim’ Sheirbon

BURT — Francis “Slim” Sheirbon, 80, of Burt, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Presbyterian Church in Burt, with the Rev. Glenn Wilson officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery in Algona.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona. (515) 295-3731.

Harold J. Gerhart

STACYVILLE — Harold J. Gerhart, 89, of Sioux City, and formerly of Stacyville, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2006) at Northern Hills Assisted Living in Sioux City.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with the Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial will be in Union Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Stacyville.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday before services at the funeral home.

The family suggests that memorials may be given to the United Presbyterian Cemetery Association, in care of Dona Ziegler, P.O. Box 233, Lyle, MN 55953.

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

Janice L. Walter

MASON CITY — Janice L. Walter, 79, of 934 13th St. S.E., died Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Arrangements are incomplete with Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City.

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

Jerrold Joseph Deninger

“Everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings.”

— Stage Manager in “Our Town,” by Thorton Wilder

BRANSON WEST, Mo. — Jerrold Joseph Deninger, 72, of Branson West and a Manly, Iowa, native, died peacefully Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007) at Mercy St. John’s Medical Center in Springfield, Mo., from complications of lung cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson. A second memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Bride Colonial Chapel in Manly.

Jerry’s final wishes were to be cremated. Before he was cremated, Jerry gave the gift of life and donated his blue eyes so that others could see.

Jerrold Joseph Deninger was born Jan. 27, 1934, in Manly, to Joseph Paul and Justine Marie Deninger.

He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School and Manly High School and graduated in May 1952. During his school years, Jerry was a stand-out athlete, and was selected to the 1951 Corn Bowl All-Conference Football Team as a center.

Jerry also participated in several school plays, and was the stage manager in the school’s 1949 production of “Our Town.”

After high school, Jerry earned his private pilot’s license. He trained in a Piper J-3 and made his first solo flight on Sept. 10, 1953. According to his logbook, he enjoyed flying over familiar North Iowa terrain and seeing it from a unique vantage point.

Decades later, he would enjoy a similar view, riding the rails along the farms, fields and communities of north central Iowa. He also enjoyed spotting deer, fox, wild turkey, bald eagles and other wildlife along the Shell Rock River.

Jerry came from a railroading family that dates back to the 1870s, nearly all of whose men worked for the Rock Island Railroad.

In high school, Jerry began working on a Rock Island mail car from Manly to Cedar Rapids. After graduation, he continued the family tradition by following his father and several uncles into the railroading life.

He signed on to the Rock Island as a brakeman in fall 1952 and began working from Manly to Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

In 1956, Jerry was inducted into the United States Army and served in Korea with the 1st Engineering Battalion, rebuilding roads and canals in the war-torn country. He received an honorable discharge in 1960.

Jerry worked for the Rock Island as a brakeman and conductor for 28 years and he, with many other Manly residents, mourned the Rock Island’s demise in 1980.

A year later, he signed on with the new Iowa Northern Railroad and worked the old Rock Island lines from Manly to Greene.

During these final two decades of his railroading career, regional newspapers often wrote stories about him and the vanishing railroading life he embodied.

Jerry retired in August 1996 after 44 years working the rails. On his last ride from Manly to Waterloo, Iowa, Jerry’s son traveled with him and chronicled his father’s final trip.

Jerry’s final word when he stepped down from the engine was, simply, “Amen.”

Jerry enjoyed small-town Iowa life and enjoyed the neighborhood parties in Manly where friends would socialize, sing, tell stories and reminisce in his garage and around the backyard fire pit.

In 1996, Jerry moved to the Ozarks, where he rekindled his interest in boating by purchasing a pontoon boat.

He enjoyed visits from family and from long-time North Iowa friends, when he could take them out onto Lake Taneycomo to fish and sightsee.

Jerry also enjoyed woodworking, his friends at Rundy’s Steakhouse and keeping up with current events in his daily newspapers.

Throughout his life, Jerry was a strong and proud man, more loving and sentimental than he cared to let on, but his children, grandchildren, family and friends knew it anyway.

He married Connie Steinbruckner on June 17, 1961, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. They have three children: Lynn (Dennis) Lawson, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Patrick (Jeri) Deninger, of Trempealeau, Wis.; and Mary Beth (Mike) Kritenbrink, of Centennial, Colo.; five grandchildren: Matt, Cassie and TJ Christian of Indianapolis, and Gregory and Maleah Kritenbrink of Centennial.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Wendt, of Manly, and Joanne Froeschle, of Clinton, Iowa; a brother, James (Isolde) Deninger, of Marshalltown, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three infant children: Julie, Jerrold and Joseph; and Bo, the beloved family dog.

The families ask that memorials be given to each donor’s favorite charity.

Stage Manager: “The day’s winding down like a tired clock.”

Raymond M. Hunst

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Raymond M. Hunst, 85, of Westfield, passed away Friday (Jan. 5, 2007).

He was born Sept. 3, 1921, in Belmond, to the late George and Catherine (Johnson) Hunst. Raymond was a farmer for several years prior to becoming a maintenance man and finally a glass technician in the medical field before retiring.

Interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. in the Ventura United Methodist Church in Ventura.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria B. (Gunderson) Hunst; daughters, Patricia A. (Arlan) Johnson and Dr. Penny L. Hunst; a son, Terry P. (Cynthia) Hunst; a sister, Marie I. Schlager; grandchildren, Meridee Scheller, Timothy Hunst, Mesissa Noble, Adam Hunst, Erik Johnson and Scott Johnson.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Stroke Association, Memorials and Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, ILL 60674.

Arrangements are entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Smith Carmel Chapel, (317) 846-2091.

You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may sign the online guest register or leave a personal message.

Dorothy M. Cary

MASON CITY — Dorothy M. Cary, 87, of Fort Madison, formerly of Mason City, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at the Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. James Magelssen of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City.

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

William J. ‘Bill’ Woolery

MASON CITY — William J. “Bill” Woolery, 86, of 703 15th St. S.E., Mason City, died Sunday afternoon (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with military respects provided by the Mason City Memorial Association.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., Mason City. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Bill’s services on Friday at the church.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may wish to direct them to the William J. Woolery Memorial Fund.

Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

William James Edgar Woolery was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Slater, Mo., to William and Sarah Woolery. Since the age of 18 months, Bill lived with his Aunt Bess and called Mason City his home.

On Aug. 28, 1943, Bill was inducted into the United States Army from Camp Dodge, Iowa, and served his country in Europe during World War II. After honorably and faithfully serving his country, Private First Class William J. Woolery was formally discharged from his military duties on Sept. 23, 1945.

Upon his return from the service, Bill was united in marriage to Lilly Anderson on June 22, 1946, in Fort Dodge. The couple became the proud and busy parents of 12 children.

Bill took great pride in providing for his large family. He was employed as a lot man at Central State Auto Auction and retired following over 50 years of tenure. Due to the fact that Bill loved to stay busy, he chose to re-enter the work force and build his own dream business. With the assistance of his family, a vision and much hard work, “Bill’s Auto Recon” was completed and open for business in February of 1995. Bill formally retired six years later.

Some of Bill’s favorite leisure activities included fishing, camping, spending as much time as possible outdoors and driving cars. He was lovingly known by his close relatives and friends as the “Cadillac Man.”

Bill was a talented handyman and devoted family man. His children recall that he loved to barbeque. His specialties were ribs and chicken, always topped with his own special barbeque sauce, a recipe he created and never gave out. His family stated that, “when Bill went to sleep, the food was done and it was time to eat!” Bill graciously welcomed anyone into his home at anytime!

Bill will be dearly missed by all who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Lilly Woolery, of Mason City; his children, William Woolery Jr., of Oakland, Calif.; Thomas Woolery, of Des Moines; Ronald Woolery, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Veronica Harper (Willie) Richmond, of Andover, Minn.; Barbara (Reed) Brown Woolery, of Mason City; Michael (Mattie) Woolery, of Mason City; Robert Woolery, of Parksberg, Pa.; Wallace Woolery, of Mason City; Linda Woolery, of Des Moines; Judy (Greg) Johnson Woolery, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Charles Woolery, of Mason City, and Ernest Woolery, of Mason City. Bill will also be cherished in the hearts of his 35 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Bill in death are his parents, William and Sarah Woolery; his brother, Raymond Campbell Sr. and his Aunt Bess.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services of N.I., (641) 423-8676. www.fullertonfh.com

William ‘Bill’ Garrison Jr.

BELMOND — William (Bill) Garrison Jr., 52, of Klemme, passed away Saturday (Jan. 6, 2007).

Visitation for Bill Garrison will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 10, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane S., Belmond.

Private funeral services for the family will be held on Thursday with military rites being conducted by the Belmond Honor Guard.

Bill was born July 1, 1954, in Rochester, N.Y., to William and Dorothy (Fisher) Garrison.

Bill graduated from CAL Community School in Latimer in 1972. Following graduation, Bill entered the Navy where he served in the United States Quartermaster/Navigation Department until he was honorably discharged in 1974.

Bill then attended NIACC in the pre-electrical engineering and architecture program and the electronics technician program, receiving Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.

Bill married Jeanne Benson and to this union three children were born: Stacey, David and Nicole.

In 1996, Bill married Lona Johnson and became “Dad” to Michael, Allan, Matthew and Kasha. They all enjoyed riding their dirt-bikes on paths they built at their acreage, riding motorcycles together, skiing, bowling and boating. He always looked forward to hosting the annual summer family fireworks party.

For the last 11 years, Bill was employed at Eaton Corp. in Belmond in the maintenance department.

Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife Lona; daughter, Stacey (Travis) Higley, of Swaledale; son, David Garrison and fiancée, Shari Kirschbaum, of Mason City; daughter, Nicole Garrison and fiancé Tony White of Rockwell; son Michael Johnson and fiancée, Melissa Dickenson of Clear Lake; son, Allan Bates; son, Matthew Johnson; daughter, Kasha Garrison, all at home; three grandchildren: Dallas, Blake and Grace; brother, Steven (Bonnie) Garrison, of North Plainfield, N.J.; sister, Kathy (Doug) Bohman, of Elkader; sister, Margo (Ron) Ryan, of Hansell; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy (Garrison) Seely (June 20, 2006); father, William Garrison Sr.; and brother, Tommy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Bill Garrison’s name.

Arrangements are with Dugger Ewing Funeral Home. (641) 444-3248.

Josephine Miller

MASON CITY — Josephine Miller passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord on Monday (Jan. 8, 2007) at Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City following a courageous battle against complications from cancer surgery, with her hand held by her devoted husband, Alfred (Shorty), and surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Jan. 10, 2007, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation was held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, and one hour prior to services today at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Josephine Miller Memorial Fund.

Jo was born on June 4, 1919, in Cicero, N.Y., to the late Durward and Edna (Wichie) Gillette. She has two sisters, Ruth Rogers, of Brewerton, N.Y., and the late Marjorie Woods, and one brother, the late Norman Gillette.

Jo was preceded in death by her first husband, Milo Strahorn, father of Saundra. She was also preceded in death by Marvin Skoglund, father of Mark and Paul, with whom she came to Mason City in 1954. Jo found immense happiness again with Alfred Miller, whom she married on July 17, 1964, and to whom she remained a dedicated and constant loving companion until her last day.

Jo is survived by her husband, Shorty, and three loving children who gave her life’s greatest joys: daughter, Saundra (Gary) Nyhus, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mark (Lori) Skoglund, of the West Bend area of Iowa; and Paul (Mary) Skoglund, of Superior, Mont.; her grandchildren, Chad (Rebecca) Nyhus, Jason Nyhus, Ben Skoglund, Krissa Skoglund, Molly (Barry) Fehr, Ned Skoglund, Michelle (Matt) Billingsley and Michael Skoglund; and her great-grandchildren, Micah Billingsley, Jason Billingsley, Calvin Fehr and Troy Fehr. Jo is also survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews and members of her extended and ever-growing family.

Jo’s greatest treasure was her family, to whom she was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

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

James A. Holder Sr.

MASON CITY — James A. Holder Sr., 37, of Mason City, died Monday (Jan. 8, 2006) at Muse Norris Hospice In-patient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (Jan. 12, 2007) at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Friday at the funeral chapel

Memorials may be given to the James A. Holder Sr. Memorial Fund.

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

Curtis R. Peterson

FOREST CITY — Curtis R. Peterson, 90, formerly of Forest City and presently residing in Britt, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at his home in Britt.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Barb Spaulding officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held an hour prior to service on Thursday at the church.

Curtis R. Peterson was born in Wallingford, Iowa, on Nov. 14, 1916, the son of Peter P. and Josie (Berdahl) Peterson. He attended rural school near his home and began farming at an early age. Curtis loved farming. In 1971 he was awarded the Iowa Soil Conservation Achievement Award for terrace farming.

Curtis was very active in the Forest city community after retiring from farming. He served as an officer in the Kum Along Club, volunteered with the “Toys for Tots” program, drove his pickup to help deliver clothing for the “Country Cousins” outreach program and was involved with starting the Senior Citizens Center.

Curtis received several awards for his volunteer service, from both Gov. Branstad and the Kum Along Club. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and had delivered motor homes for Winnebago Industries. Repairing tricycles & bicycles was another hobby he enjoyed.

Curtis loved to play the accordion and entertain at special events. He took up flying and owned an airplane. Curtis enjoyed being a handyman by helping others in the community. Quite often he volunteered his services without being asked. He was confirmed and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City.

He is survived by two sisters, Judith and Margaret Peterson of Britt; one sister-in-law, Mary Peterson, of Mason City; three nieces and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers: Elmer, Maurice, Eddie, Raymond and Earl.

Arrangements are with Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St, Forest City.

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

Alice M. Bucknell

CHARLES CITY — Alice M. Bucknell, 87, of Charles City, formerly of Carrville, died Sunday (Jan. 7, 2007) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua with Pastor Carol Gailey officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Arrangements are with Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral home in Nashua. (641) 435-4134.

Posted by Gene Manning