CLEAR LAKE - Roger Earl Beck, 69, of 1200 10th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Tuesday (March 18, 2008) at the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City.

Due to his wishes he was cremated, graveside services will be held at a later time at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Arrangements are with Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapels, 641-357-2193. www.colonialchapels.com
 

ALGONA - Marita A. Bestenlehner, 91, of Omaha, Neb., formerly of Algona, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at Brookestone Village, Omaha, Neb.

Arrangements are incomplete at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona. 515-295-3731. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

THOMPSON - Ruth Bolie, 75, of Thompson, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Arrangements are incomplete at the Winter Funeral Home, 245 Harrison St., in Thompson.

Online tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 641-584-2520. www.winterfuneralhome.com
 

HAMPTON - Lorna Brown, 78, of Hampton, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at her home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. 641-456-3232.
 

WOODBURY, Minn. -Bonna B. Christensen, 91, of Woodbury, Minn., formerly of Mason City, died Saturday (March 15, 2008) at the Woodbury Health Care Center in Woodbury, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to the church service.

Memorials may be directed to the Bonna Christensen Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 641-423-0924. www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

OSAGE - Gladys L. Hobkirk, 91, of Osage, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Hospice Room in Osage.

Gladys was born April 27, 1916, at the family farm, 7 miles west of Osage, the daughter of Ernest "Ray" and Ina Vietta ( Jeffries ) Carter. She was the middle child of five that included three brothers and a sister.

She attended 8 years of country school at Rock No.1 and graduated from Osage High School in 1934. This was during the depression and she was very happy to be able to attend high school and stayed at her grandparents in Osage during the week so she was able to walk to school. Gladys went on to teach school for three and a half years, one year at Cedar No. 4 then off a year to help at home as her father was ill and then two and a half years at Union No.1.

Gladys was united in marriage to Lee Hobkirk on Feb. 19, 1939, at the First Baptist Church Parsonage in Osage. They moved to and worked as farmhands in Lohrville for nine months before returning to Osage.

They farmed in the Osage area until 1973 when they retired and moved to Osage. During this time they worked as farmhands for others before renting and starting to crop and dairy farm on their own. In Osage they bought and lived in the house that Gladys' great-grandpa Clark built.

Gladys enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, knitting, crocheting, and attending the activities of her great-grandchildren. Gladys was awarded a 4-H plaque in 2007 for a lifetime achievement and was a leader for several years.

She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Osage. She was enrolled in the Cradle Roll at birth and baptized at age 14. Gladys was also a member of the V.F.W. auxiliary in Osage.

Gladys had a last piece of advice for all. "Grieve until the shock is past then be glad that I am home with the Lord and loved ones. All pain is past."

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made in honor of Gladys to Hospice of North Iowa or 4-H clubs of Mitchell County.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with the Rev. Dennis Hanson and the Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial is at the Osage Cemetery.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Gladys is survived by her two sons: Robert (Jeannie) Hobkirk, of Ft. Jennings, Ohio; and Donald (Eunice) Hobkirk of Gainesville, Texas; her brother, Ernest Carter, Mission, Texas; seven grandchildren: Lisa (Kirk) Emerson and their children, Sara, Amy, and Alex of Osage; LaVonne (Patrick) Wolf and their children, Samantha and Jessica of Floyd; Julie (Todd) Stokes and their children, Carter and Kennedy of Krum, Texas; Micheal (Suzie) Hobkirk and their children, Adria, Rachel and Joshua of Stacyville; Tim (Heidi) Hobkirk of Princeton, Iowa; Mark Hobkirk, of Stacyville and T. J. Mathew of Ft. Jennings, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Frederick and Earl; her sister, Lula Shoger; and her husband, Lee, in October of 2004.

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

HIAWATHA - Elda Motland, 72, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

According to her wishes, her body was cremated, and no public services will be held. A private family burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Arrangements are with the Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.
 

CLEAR LAKE - Howard M. Oehlert, 86, of Clear Lake, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 Second Ave. N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Interment will be held at the Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery, Rural Swaledale. Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

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 one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.

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

LAKE MILLS - Ronald A. Rasmusson, 67, formerly of Emmons, Minn., of Lake Mills, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor David E. Jordon officiating. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Emmons, Minn., with military rites performed by Emmons Louis/Tviete Post No. 317.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, March 21, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., in Lake Mills and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the place of your choice or to Hospice of North Iowa or the Humane Society.

You can contact the family with online condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 641-592-0221.
 

LAUGHLIN, Nev. - Patricia R. Rissler, 70, of Laughlin, Nev., and of Charles City, died Tuesday (March 18, 2008) at the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead, Ariz.

A funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City, with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main in Charles City, with a vigil Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. followed by the reciting of the rosary. Visitation will continue an hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Scleroderma Foundation, Nevada Chapter Vegas TV Building 6760 Surrey St. Las Vegas, NV 89119.

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

GARNER - Lydia Schneider, 100, of Garner died Monday (March 17, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arizona.

Visititation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St., with a Rosary Society rosary at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Cataldo Funeral Home, 641-923-2841. www.cataldofuneralhome.com
 

MASON CITY - Francis "Butch" James Weaver Jr., 73, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs.

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

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 641-423-0924; www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 

ALLISON - Ethel Irene Wilhelm, 96, of Allison, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Allison Health Care Center in Allison.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Church of Christ in Allison, with the Rev. Ralph Wedeking officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Allison Cemetery in Allison.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Allison.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, 641-456-3232. www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com
 

ALGONA - Marita A. Bestenlehner, 91, of Omaha, Neb., formerly of Algona, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at Brookestone Village, Omaha, Neb.

A funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona with Father Paul Eisele officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Algona.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of Mass Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are with Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona, 515-295-3731. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

THOMPSON - Ruth Bolie, 75, of Thompson, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Her funeral ceremony will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Methodist Church in Thompson with Pastor Shannon Pascual officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon at 4 p.m. at Buffalo Township Cemetery, south of Titonka.

Visitation hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Winter Funeral Home, 245 Harrison St. in Thompson.

Ruth Ann Bolie was born on April 5, 1932, to Fim and Etna (Sifert) Krull in Algona. She was raised on farms near Cylinder and in Portland Township, Kossuth County. She graduated from high school in Burt. After graduation from high school, she attended Hamilton Business School in Mason City.

Ruth married David Bolie at Algona United Methodist Church on Jan. 13, 1952. This union was blessed with five children: Dana, Renee, Douglas, David Jr., and Calvin.

Ruth and David first farmed her father's farm in Kossuth County and later continued farming in Winnebago County. In 1992, they retired to their home in Thompson.

Ruth was very active in the Thompson United Methodist Church. She was a part of the county Democratic Party and was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary in Buffalo Center. She had been part of the Winnebago County Pork Producers. She was also active with Young at Heart and the Senior Citizen Center.

Ruth enjoyed sewing, quilting, and handcrafts. In addition she enjoyed doing word puzzles and watching NASCAR on TV. She enjoyed gardening and was a prize-winning cook.

She is survived by her children, Dana Bolie and special friend, Lynne Lord, of Mason City, Renee Struecker and husband, Gary, of Burt, Douglas Bolie and wife, Mary Beth, of Algona, David Bolie Jr. and wife, Cari, of Forest City, and Calvin Bolie of Thompson; her grandchildren, Troy Haayer of Coal Grove, Ohio, Jeremy Bolie and wife, Molly, of San Diego, Calif., David Bolie III and Brittany Bolie of Buffalo Center; her step-grandchildren, Shelby, Shaelyn and Shayne Hoeft of Forest City; her sister, Joan Koestler and husband, Vern, of Burt; her brothers-in-law, Wayne Bolie of Albuquerque, N.M., and Paul and wife, Shirley, of Brea, Calif.; her sisters-in-law, June Krull of Clear Lake, Rose of Lamoni, Violet Bolie of Orange City and Mary Jean Bolie of Cherokee; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David, on July 13, 2007; sister, Leona Krull; sister, Fern and husband, Richard Tiggeman; brother, Lou Krull; three brothers-in-law: Faye, Weldon and Kenneth; two sisters-in-law, Donna and her husband, Marreld Millard, and Erleen Bolie; and her beloved granddaughter, Sarah Bolie.

Online tributes or personal emails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 641-584-2520.

www.winterfuneralhome.com
 

Ruth Bolie

Published in the Globe Gazette on 3/22/2008.

HAMPTON - Harry Richard Brandt, 73, of Hampton, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, at Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield with Pastor Art Zewert officiating. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. in the Dumont Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 320 East St. in Latimer, and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.

Dugger Funeral Homes, 641-579-6278.
 

HAMPTON - Lorna M. Brown, 78, of Hampton, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at home.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton with the Rev. Karl Bollhagen and Vicar David Lingard officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery in Latimer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton.

Arrangements are with the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton, 641-456-3232. www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com
 

MASON CITY - Doris Viola Burns-Steenblock, 62, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

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

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

WOODBURY, Minn. - Bonna B. Christensen, 91, of Woodbury, Minn., formerly of Mason City, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday (March 15, 2008) at Woodbury Health Care Center in Woodbury, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City, with the Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to the church service.

Memorials may be directed to the Bonna Christensen Memorial Fund.

Bonna Christensen was born April 17, 1916, in Buffalo Center, to Charles and Mary (Johnson) Beyer. She graduated from Buffalo Center High School. In 1934 she married Soren Christensen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.

Bonna was a true homemaker. She was an excellent cook and loved cooking for her entire family. She also enjoyed sewing and crafting. She taught rug braiding classes at the YWCA. For many years she and Soren had an antique shop in their home in Nora Springs.

They spent their summers at their cabin on Lake Vermilion in Cook, Minn. Bonna was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her children, Gary Christensen and wife, Mary, of Bloomington, Minn., Carol Hansen and husband, Volney "Zip," of Woodbury, Minn., Jon Christensen and wife, Fita, of Monarch Beach, Calif.; 13 grandchildren, Kent and Ann-Marie Christensen, Kevin Christensen, Kimberly and Phil Finanger, Kyle and Lisa Christensen, Cathy and Rick Storey, Russ and Tammy Hansen, Christine and Matt Francis, Mindy and Jim Nelson, Tamara and Mario Commandatore, Shelly Christensen, Jamie and Janette McMillin, Jill and David Meitzler and Maria Elena McMillin; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Soren C. in 1999; one sister, two brothers, and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 641-423-0924. www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

FOREST CITY - Kenneth H. Hagen, 89, of Forest City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Scarville, with military honors by the Otto Chose Post No. 235, Lake Mills.

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

Kenneth Harold Hagen was born on April 22, 1918, to Thomas and Hilda (Knudtson) Hagen at Leland. He was baptized on June 30, 1918, at Winnebago Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, and later confirmed in the Christian faith affirming Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Kenneth graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1936 and worked on the farm until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942. During the following three years and five months, he participated in the battles of Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Algeria, French Morocco, Ardennes and Central Europe. Kenneth received seven Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and was entitled to wear the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre campaign ribbon and five overseas bars. He was honorably discharged from the Army on Oct. 11, 1945. After his return home, Kenneth was active for many years in the VFW, especially enjoying being part of the honor guard.

Kenneth married Marjorie Amundson on Oct. 28, 1949, at Forest City. Together they dairy farmed near Scarville until they retired in 1980 and moved to a home near Forest City. Kenneth was a devoted and faithful husband to Marjorie for 57 years.

He also was a faithful and dedicated member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, where he actively served in many areas of ministry, especially the church council and choir. He also enjoyed singing in barber shop quartets and was active in the Christian Businessmen's prayer group in Forest City.

Kenneth always enjoyed farming, especially his dairy herd and tractor driving. Visiting friends and family was also special to Kenneth as well. He enjoyed meeting people as he walked in the Forest City auditorium, he kept in touch with relatives locally, and visited friends and relatives in Norway on seven occasions.

Kenneth is survived by his brother, Elvin Hagen; and sister, Myrtle Hagen, both of Scarville; along with cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Marjorie.

You can contact the family with online condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 641-592-0221.
 

HAMPTON - Margaret Ann "Peggy" Holze, 69, of Hampton, died Friday (March 21, 2008) at Hampton Health Care Center in Hampton.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Church of Christ in Hampton, with Pastor Rocky Woolery officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home, 641-456-3232. www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com
 

LAUREL, Mont. - Jerry Dale Linahon, 58, of Laurel, Mont., passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday (March 19, 2008) after a long courageous battle.

Jerry was born Sept. 19, 1949, in Mason City, to William Dale and Fern (Gifford) Linahon. Jerry grew up in Iowa working on the farm with his uncles and driving truck from a young age. His career spanned hundreds of thousands of miles logged as a long haul truck driver and later as dispatcher for Wind River Trucking in Park City.

Jerry's passions were his family, hunting, fishing, camping, raising cattle, dogs, cooking, canning; having coffee with his friends and telling the many stories and jokes he was famous for as only he could.

Many will miss his unique laugh and wonderful sense of humor.

He is survived by the love of his life for the last 22 years, Melba Ganoe of Laurel, Mont.; daughters, Kristal (Rick) Hodges of Redmond, Ore., Nicole (Albert) Herrera and grandson, Chance Eastlick, of Wichita, Kan.; son, Matthew Linahon and daughter, Michelle Rodriguez, of Redmond, Ore., grandson, Kody Plymesser of Titonka; sisters, Marlene (Jack) Smith of Klemme and Sandy (Mike) Bailey of Kalispell, Mont.; and numerous nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and numerous close friends.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 24, at the Smith Funeral Chapel, 315 E. Third St. in Laurel, Mont., with a reception at the Park City Civic Center following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jerry's name to Rocky Mountain Hospice or the American Heart Association.
 

BELMOND - DeLoris Ethel Lowenberg, 73, of Belmond, died Wednesday (March 20, 2008) at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond with Chris Podhasky officiating. Burial will be at in the St. Francis Cemetery in Belmond.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane S. in Belmond, where a rosary will be said at 5 p.m. and a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Dugger Funeral Homes, 641-444-3248.
 

HIAWATHA - Elda Motland, 72, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

According to her wishes, her body was cremated and no public services will be held. A private family burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Elda was born on Aug. 14, 1935, on a farm west of Garner, the daughter of Alfred and Elfrieda (Zeitz) Woiwod. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Garner, and graduated from Ventura High School in 1953.

She was united in marriage to Herb Fuller Jr. on Sept. 6, 1953, and they made their home in rural Clear Lake, where together they had two children, Rodney and Nancy. They later were divorced and in 1979 she moved to Cedar Rapids. She started working at Midwest Metal Products in 1982, where she remained until her retirement in 2001.

Elda enjoyed dancing and baking, and took great joy in making goodies to share that not only tasted wonderful, but were also decorated to perfection. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, but her pride and joy were her grandkids. Elda touched many lives, and will be greatly missed and forever cherished by those who loved her.

Elda is survived by her son, Rodney Fuller and his wife, Cecile, of Clear Lake; and her daughter, Nancy Gates and her husband, Rick, of Clear Lake; her four grandchildren, Brian Gates, Jessica Fuller, Erin Gates and Jennifer Fuller; her sister-in-law, Kathy Zeitz of Welcome, Minn.; her nieces, Liz (Mark) Waddingham of Garner and Susie (Dwight) Steege of Waverly; and her nephew, Neal Woiwod, of Garner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ina Mae Woiwod; and her brother, Arlo Woiwod.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com

Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements, 319-362-8837.
 

CLEAR LAKE - Howard M. Oehlert, 86, of Clear Lake, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 Second Ave. N. in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Interment will be held at the Mount Vernon Township Cemetery, rural Swaledale. Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake VFW.

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 one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.

Howard was born Nov. 29, 1921, the son of Julius C and Leila (King) Oehlert, southwest Meservey, Franklin County. In 1922, his parents moved from Meservey area to farm south of Clear Lake. Howard attended eight years of country schools, Mount Vernon No. 4 and then graduating from Clear Lake High School in the spring of 1939. Early 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served four years in the 20th Air Force. He was discharged from the service Feb. 14, 1946.

Howard was married to Verna E. Davis March 7, 1943, while home on furlough. Four children were born to them, Margaret Ann, stillborn in 1944, Rich C. in 1947, David in 1949 and Garry in 1958.

Howard and Verna started farming in the spring of 1946 south of Clear Lake. In the spring of 1971 Verna and Howard moved to their present address of 106 Fairway Drive, Clear Lake. While he was engaged in farming for 57 crop years, Howard was a populist person in life with his thoughts and ideas.

He served in many civic affairs during his lifetime. He served 14 years and was secretary/treasurer of the Cerro Gordo Association of Farmers, elected committeeman four years in the Club of Union Township, served 11 years as chairman of Cerro Gordo County Land Taxpayers Association and was vice chairman of the Iowa Property Taxpayers Association, he served three years on the Cerro Gordo county F.H.A. Board. And after he moved to town, was elected to two terms as Cerro Gordo County Supervisor. He was a member of 4868 VFW Post and a past commander of 4868 VFW, a member of All Vets and American Legion of Clear Lake. Howard was a member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

Howard is survived by three sons, Richard C. Oehlert and his wife, Cherie Lee, David Oehlert and Garry Oehlert, all of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Angie Powell and her husband, Roy, of Port Orchard, Wash., Brooke Oehlert of Asheville, N.C., Grant Oehlert of Long Beach, N.C., Syreeta Groves and her husband, Josh, of Forest City, Andy Monson and his wife, Bethany, of Clear Lake, and Jonathan Shear; four great-grandchildren, Trenton Andrews, Blake Groves, Riley Groves and Jayce Groves; and brother-in-law, Oscar Davis, of Clear Lake; and sister-in-law, Arlene Welsh of Waukon.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Verna (March 2, 1997); and infant daughter, Margaret Ann.

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

www.colonialchapels.com
 

LAKE MILLS - Ronald A. Rasmusson, 67, formerly of Emmons, Minn., died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at his home in Lake Mills.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today, March 22, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with Pastor David E. Jordon officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Emmons. Military rites will be performed by Emmons Louis/Tviete Post No. 317.

Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the place of your choice or to Hospice of North Iowa or the Humane Society.

Ronald Allen Rasmusson was born on March 12, 1941, to Thea (Bolstad) and Kenneth Rasmusson in Albert Lea, Minn. Ronnie lived most of his life in Emmons, graduating from Emmons High School in 1959. He married Karen Maurstad at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills on Dec. 11, 1965. They lived in Emmons for 20 years and for the last 22 years in Lake Mills. Ronnie worked for the Graphic Publishing Co. in Lake Mills for years as an offset pressman. For the last years he was purchasing manager for Stoyles Graphic Services in Mason City. Ronnie retired in the summer of 2006.

Ronnie served in the U.S. Army from April 17, 1962 until April 16, 1964. He served during the Vietnam conflict and was stationed in Oakland, Calif., at Presidio Army Base.

He was a member of the Emmons American Legion and Emmons Fire Department and served on the church council there. He and Karen are presently members of Salem Lutheran Church where they have been very active in numerous activities and committees over the years.

Ronnie had many interests including woodworking, golfing, hunting and anxiously awaited his flock of Martins in the spring which he faithfully attended to and watched all summer.

Grateful of sharing in Ronnie's life are his loving wife of 42 years, Karen Rasmusson, of Lake Mills; her sons, Jeff Haaf and Pat Haaf, both of Mason City; his sister, Ruth (David) Christenson of Emmons, Minn.; brothers, Jerry (Garnice) Rasmusson of Albert Lea, Minn., and Larry (Linda) Rasmusson of Emmons, Minn.; nieces, Lori (Clark) Erickson of Glenville, Minn., and her daughter, Kara Honsey, Jodi Kilborn of Northwood and her children, Ryan and Brianne, Lisa (Tim) Abrahamson of Waukee and their children, Elsa, Ian and Maia; nephews, Mike Rasmusson of Iowa City, Mark (Renae) Rasmusson and their children, Caleb, Elijah, Isaac and Miranda, of Deer River, Minn., Eirik Rasmusson of Spring Lake Park, Minn., Danny (Heidi) Christenson and their children, Nathan, Scott and Morgan, of Emmons, Minn., and Matt Rasmusson of Mobridge, S.D.; aunts, Olive (Bolstad) Knutson of Emmons, Minn., and Clarice (Bolstad) Martinson of Gaylord, Minn.; sister-in-law, Viola Bendickson of Bella Vista, Ark.; and special people in Ron and Karen's life, Matt, Krista and Katherine Strum of Mankato, Minn.; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Thea Rasmusson; niece, Laura, infant daughter of Larry and Linda Rasmusson; and mother-in-law, Mathilda (Tillie) Peterson.

You can contact the family with online condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 641-592-0221.
 

JOICE - Deloris Irene Schmidt, 91, of Joice, died Monday (March 17, 2008) at Fulton County Hospital, Salem, Ark.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 301 S. Main St. in Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Interment will be held 2 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery, Dows.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday March 24, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake.

Memorials may be given to the Deloris I. Schmidt Memorial Fund.

Deloris was born Oct. 20, 1916, in Dows, the daughter of Henry L. and Charlotte Olivia (Maryhew) Olson. She married Joseph Dietrich Sept. 1, 1938, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, and they farmed near Popejoy. He died in February 1950. She worked at the Marcon Ballroom in Iowa Falls where she met and danced with friend, Lawrence Welk.

Deloris married Richard Schmidt Dec. 2, 1954, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura. Richard, with Deloris, farmed in rural Joice, with a blended household of seven children. Deloris met her husband Richard at a dance at the Surf Ballroom. They continued to dance the rest of her life.

Deloris loved gardening, bullhead fishing, swimming and golfing. She also loved knitting, playing games and especially caring for her children and grandchildren.

In the last 40 years, Deloris and Richard spent their winters as snowbirds in Arizona and then later after 1999 in Arkansas.

Deloris is survived by her husband, Richard B. Schmidt, of Joice; son, Larry (Janie) Dietrich of Ava, Mo.; daughter, Kathryn (Tony) Miller of Mason City; stepchildren, Mavis Schmidt of Northwood, Janelle (Marvin) Dryden of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Joe (Joanna) Schmidt of Kensett; 16 grandchildren, Charles Gooch, Anthony (Tanya) Miller, Amanda (Bruce) Waddington, Jenny (Stefan) Miller, Chris (Dan) Dietrich, Jody (Erich) Muehlegger, Emily (Matt) Montgomery, Jermery (FuCun) Schmidt, Jacque (Frank) Mosher, Melody Schmidt, Joe Dietrich, Jeff (Pim) Schmidt, Cindy Lavin, Jordan Schmidt, Jasmym Schmidt and Jenna Schmidt; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Deloris was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph Dietrich; one sister, Margaret Barz; infant brother, stepson, Lynn Schmidt; stepson, Richard B. Schmidt Jr.; and granddaughter, Julie Schmidt.

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

MASON CITY - Francis "Butch" James Weaver Jr., 73, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City.

Memorials may be directed to the Francis Weaver Memorial Fund.

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

CLEAR LAKE - Gertrude Albers, 91, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at the Stewartville Care Center, Stewartville, Minn.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

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

www.colonialchapels.com
 

HAMPTON - Harry Richard Brandt, 73, of Hampton, passed away Thursday (March 20, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services for Harry Brandt will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, at Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield with Pastor Art Zewert officiating. Burial will be in the Dumont Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Visitation for Harry Brandt will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Dugger Funeral Home in Latimer and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Harry Richard Brandt, the son of Louis and Paulina (Ammerman) Brandt, was born Oct. 4, 1934, in Hampton. His education began in the Alexander School District and later the CAL Community Schools, graduating in 1953.

Harry and Eunice (Benson) Brandt were married Feb. 2, 1958, in the Dumont United Brethren Church with the Rev. Lloyd Mitchell officiating. They lived northwest of Hampton their first year of marriage, moving to Hampton for the next 20 years until 1978. At that time they returned to their acreage in the country for the next 23 years. They moved back into Hampton in 2000.

Harry worked in different occupations, beginning with the Hampton Creamery hauling can milk from the farmers. He also worked at Murphey's Gas Station, Aldingers Eggs, Floor Krafters for 20 years and for the Iowa DOT for 22 years until his retirement in 1988.

Harry had a variety of hobbies from fishing, to his old tractors - especially Fords and John Deere. Time spent with Callie and Sam, his best canine and feline friends, was an important part of his life as well.

Harry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Eunice; sisters-in-law, Helen Brandt, Helen Brandt, Bonnie (Alan) Marken; brothers-in-law, Floyd Benson, Frank (Norma) Benson, Robert (Linda) Benson, Dale Smuck and Dale Baily; numerous nieces and nephews and special people, Mel, Howard, Fran and Bob.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Paulina (Ammerman) Brandt; brothers, Willard and Harold Brandt; sisters-in-law, Henrietta Benson, Janice Bailey, Vivian Ringleb, and Dorothy Smuck; and brother-in-law, Laverne Ringleb.

Dugger Funeral Homes, 320 East St., Latimer.
 

MASON CITY - Doris Viola Burns-Steenblock, 62, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services for Doris will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Craig Pinley of the First Covenant Church in Mason City officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 18 West, Mason City. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Thursday at the chapel.

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

www.colonialchapels.com
 

WAYLAND, Mo. - Gary A. Frank, 56, of Wayland, Mo., formerly of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Ill.

Friends, family, and anyone who knew him, are invited to attend a celebration of life at a carry-in dinner on Friday, April 4, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Ivor Fowler Community Building in Montrose, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Arrangements were handled by Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.timeformemory.com/wilsonfh.
 

VENTURA - Charles M. Glidden, 67, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

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

www.colonialchapels.com
 

LENEXA, Kan. - Arval DeVere Hoisington, 79, of Lenexa, Kan., died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at Brighton Gardens, Prairie Village, Kan.

Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel. Visitation will begin at 6:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Overland Park Baptist Church, 7910 W. 75th St., Overland Park, KS 66204. Memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers .com.

Arval was born Sept. 22, 1928, in Floyd County, the son of Vere Guy Hoisington and Merna Eliza Rowley Hoisington. His early life was spent in Floyd and Mitchell counties. He attended rural school and graduated May 1947 from Floyd High School. Arval attended Colorado School of Floral Design, Denver, Colo., receiving his diploma in October 1947 and then went to work at the Osage Greenhouse. In 1952 he went to Paducah, Ken., and worked for Cherry the Florist until December 1959. Arval then went to work at Motts Flower Shop in Ottumwa. In 1961 he bought the Higginsville Greenhouse, Higginsville, Mo. He sold the greenhouse in 1977. He then moved to Waterloo, working for Aubrey's Flowers until 1979. He worked at Teefey's Flowers from 1979 until retiring in 1995.

He married Sandra McManus June 20, 1956. On Feb. 17, 1958 she gave birth to their son, Bradley G. Hoisington. Arval was a member of North Overland Park Baptist Church, Overland Park, Kan.

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

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Hoisington, of the home; son, Brad Hoisington, and his wife, Audrey; two granddaughters and two great-grandsons; a brother, Kenneth Hoisington, Sandwich, Ill., and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangement by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204, 913-648-6224.
 

MASON CITY - Gus James Kantaris, 83, died Friday (March 21, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 Second St., S.W., Mason City, with Father Joseph Mirowski officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with full military honors conducted by members of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E. in Mason City, with a Trisagion service at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Gus James Kantaris was born on May 28, 1924, to Dimitri and Kalliope (Karamalangos) Kantaris in Mason City. Gus was one of 15 children. His birthplace was on Powder Street in Mason City upstairs from the family laundry business. Gus attended Mason City Schools and later joined his father to work at the Mason City Laundry and Cleaners. Gus was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army.

Gus married Mary Jordan in 1951 in Clear Lake. To this union, four children were born.

Gus was a successful Mason City businessman, well known for his straightforward demeanor. He started his career working with his father at the Mason City Laundry and Cleaners which was a family business that was owned for seventy-four years. Gus took the laundry from a small family run business and built it into a successful business until selling the laundry in 1983. His motto in the early days was "Don't cuss, call Gus. Wash your troubles in our bubbles."

Gus's greatest passion in life was food and cooking, his lifelong dream was to open a restaurant. In 1973, Gus opened the Athenian Supper Club and Lounge which he owned until 1987. He also owned Gus's Rib House. He was well known for his special Greek seasoning and Greek cooking. During the years Gus owned his businesses, he could always be found hosting a morning coffee club. Gus was also well known for his rough exterior and his heart of gold.

Perhaps Gus's greatest pleasure in life was the time he spent with his grandchildren, children and friends. Gus was also proud of his Greek heritage. It was said that Gus was the type that should never retire, as he often said he missed his businesses. During retirement, Gus kept busy cooking, traveling and spending time with his wife, Sharon, and his dog, Costie.

Gus is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Kantaris, Mason City; his daughters, Kym (Randy) Sutton of Taylorville, Ill., Jami Anne Kantaris and Dena Hahn of Mason City; his grandchildren, Mary (Brian) DeZiel of Houston, Texas, Caroline (Matthew) Bennett of Mason City, Katherine Sutton of Taylorville, Ill., Natalie Morel and Kristofer Hahn of Mason City; great-grandchildren, Alexander DeZiel of Houston, Texas, and Austin, Ashton and Ryan Bennett of Mason City. Gus is also "Uncle Gus" to many nieces and nephews.

Gus was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Kantaris and wife, Mary Kantaris.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 641-423-2372

www.colonialchapels.com
 

DENISON - Ryan Patrick Loftus, 28, of Denison, passed away Thursday (March 20, 2008) at his home in Denison.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Ryan Patrick Loftus was born July 27, 1979, at Mason City. He was raised and educated at Garner and graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1998. Following his education, Ryan moved to Chicago where he worked for the Chicago Board of Trade. In 2000, he returned to Iowa making his home at Clear Lake where he was employed by Gerard of Iowa until a back injury. He then went to work for Job Corps and made his home with his father, Steve, and Jill Loftus at Denison until his death.

Ryan enjoyed studying military history, the outdoors, golfing and snowmobiling. He especially enjoyed his annual fishing trips with his dad, brother, and uncles. An avid hunter, Ryan enjoyed hunting pheasants, deer, geese and ducks.

Ryan is survived by his mother, Marilyn (Mark) Schoeller of Clear Lake; father, Steve (Jill) Loftus of Denison; brother, Steve (Heather) Loftus of North Salem, N.Y.; sister, Susan (Todd) Munnik of Cedar Falls; grandfather, Richard Blomker of Humboldt; nieces and nephews, Lilly and Mason Munnik, and Luke and Sawyer Loftus.

Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home, Humboldt, 515-332-1321.
 

BELMOND - DeLoris E. Lowenberg, 81, of Belmond, died peacefully Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Father Chris Podhasky officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Cemetery in Belmond.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane S. in Belmond, where a Rosary will be said at 5 p.m. and a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Deloris, the daughter of Fred and Irene Wieland, was born March 9, 1927, in Kanawha. She grew up in Kanawha where she attended school. DeLoris graduated from Kanawha High School in 1944.

DeLoris was united in marriage to Merlin Lowenberg on Feb. 14, 1948. The couple made their home in Belmond where she worked for the telephone company. They later moved to an acreage north of Belmond that she and her family farmed. She worked for Acco Seed Co. and PSI for many years.

DeLoris was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She enjoyed crocheting, reading and spending time with friends and the Kensington Group.

DeLoris is survived by three daughters: Cynthia Lind and husband, Buster, and children, Peter and Carmen, and great-granddaughter, Jasmine, of Lakeville, Minn.; Marsha Gerten and children, Amy and Will, and great-granddaughter, Jayden, of Hugo, Minn.; Jolene Dirks and son, Chad, with his wife, Lesley, of Belmond; sister, Maryls Peterson and husband, Jerry, of Britt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Marilyn; and one brother, Vernon.

Dugger Funeral Homes, Belmond, 641-444-3248.
 

BEDFORD, N.H. - A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon, Wednesday, March 26, at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Minneapolis, Minn., for Marvin D. McKee.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Joseph S. Klecatsky & Sons Funeral Home, 1580 Century Point (Yankee Doodle Road at Coachman) Eagan, Minn., and also one hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights. Memorials preferred to the Basilica of St. Mary, Michael O'Connell Endowment Fund or The Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford, NH 03110.

Father, grandfather and long-time Twin Cities funeral director, Marvin McKee, passed away peacefully on St. Patrick's Day surrounded by his loving family and dogs in Bedford, N.H.

Marvin was born on Feb. 26, 1923, to Sidney A. and Velma (Gildner) McKee in Rock Falls, Iowa. He was raised in the area and graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served as a pharmacist mate. After World War II he returned to school at the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, Mo., and received his degree in 1947. He returned to the north Iowa area and was employed at the Bride Funeral Home in Manly. In 1951 he purchased the Colonial Funeral Home in Mason City (now Hogan-Bremer Moore) and operated it as the Hogan-McKee Funeral Home until 1967.

Marvin married Margaret J. Hogan in 1952 and they made their home in Mason City, raising three daughters. He also was a summer resident of Clear Lake with a cottage on its North Shore for over 20 years. In 1967 the family moved to St. Paul, Minn., where he was employed by Welander-Quist Funeral Home of Minneapolis and J.S. Klecatsky & Sons Funeral Home in Eagan, retiring in 2003 after 20 years of service. He was a 50-year member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association and helped countless families during their time of loss.

After retiring, he enjoyed spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and many friends both in Minnesota and New Hampshire. He moved to Bedford, N.H., in the summer of 2007 and spent time meeting the 2008 presidential candidates, "offering them advice." His passions included fishing, growing vegetables, pheasant hunting in Iowa, Democratic politics, spring breaks on Marco Island, Fla., all animals (especially his grand-dogs), his daughters, eight grandchildren and many dear friends and colleagues. He loved his family deeply and will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret (1983), and survived by daughters, Kathleen "Katie" of St. Paul, Erin (Mike) Merrigan of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Conor, Bridget, Colin, Michael and Joe and Mary "Meg" (John) Lehman of Bedford, N.H., and their children, Colleen, Molly and Caitlin; sister-in-law, Mary Scanlon of Minnetonka, Minn.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

J.S. Klecatsky & Sons Funeral Home, 651-454-9488.
 

RAKE - Cathren Olsen, 88, of Rake, died Friday (March 21, 2008) at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Services are pending with Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center.

Online tributes or personal emails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

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

www.winterfuneralhome.com
 

BUFFALO CENTER -Elvera Hanson, Olsen, 88, of Buffalo Center, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Services are pending with Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center.

Online tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

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

www.winterfuneralhome.com
 

GARNER - Lydia Schneider, 100, of Garner, died Monday (March 17, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Father Brian Dellaert officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arizona.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St., with a Rosary Society rosary at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Lydia Louisa Schneider, the daughter of Fred and Henrietta (Schmidt) Meyer, was born Feb. 1, 1908, in Garner. She attended the rural schools south of Garner. Lydia helped her family on the farm and also took care of a sister who was disabled.

On Oct. 6, 1926, she married William Victor Schneider at the family farm south of Garner. They farmed east of Garner for two years and 11 years southeast of Garner and then purchased their own farm south of Garner. In 1950, they moved to Clear Lake in a home William built for Lydia. In 1957, they moved to Tucson, Ariz., for health reasons.

After her husband's death in 1973, Lydia stayed in Tucson where she worked as an LPN, caring for people in their own homes. Later, she worked as a receptionist at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Tucson. Due to ill health, she moved to Garner to be near her family. She enjoyed making quilts from donated fabrics which she supplied for missions in Mexico. She also baked countless cookies, which she sent along with the quilts.

She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rosary Society, CD of A and Country Birthday Club east of Garner.

Lydia is survived by six children, Ardella (John) Hanson of Klemme, Ardeen Hansen of Mason City, William R. (Edie) Schneider of Tucson, Ariz., Larry (Geri) Schneider of Glendale, Ariz., Bernie (Laura) Schneider of Kalama, Wash., and Roger (Mary) Schneider of Tucson, Ariz.; 22 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and many great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William; son, Fred Schneider in 1967; son, Tom Schneider in 2006; her parents; and a grandson, Rich Hanson in 2005.

Cataldo Funeral Home, 641-923-2841.

www.cataldofuneralhome.com
 

MASON CITY - Francis "Butch" James Weaver Jr., 73, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 23, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Francis Weaver Memorial Fund.

Francis was born on Oct. 21, 1934, in Cartersville, the son of Francis and Margaret (Hammond) Weaver. He was raised in Cartersville.

In 1947 Francis moved to Mason City and graduated from Mason City High School in 1954. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1959.

On Sept. 3, 1966, he married Jane Borchardt in Osage. He worked as a repairman for Lehigh Portland Cement for 38 years until retirement in 2000.

Francis really enjoyed his part-time jobs: driving truck for FDI and working at the Nicholas Farms in the spring and fall. Francis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Boiler Makers Union and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed working on small engines, hunting, fishing and especially bow hunting. He also liked the Iowa Hawkeyes, but most important was watching his son and grandson playing sports.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jane, of Mason City; two children, Jennifer Jo Kinyaiya of Mason City and Brent Weaver and wife, Julia, of Crosby, Texas; three grandchildren, Manuel DeRay Weaver, La Quetta DeNae Clark and Ciara Marie Weaver; one sister, Mary Quam and husband, Robert, of Plymouth; and one brother, Charles E. Weaver Sr. and wife, Le Ann, of Mason City. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Rosemary Borchardt, of Osage; his sister-in-law, Bette Jo Nelson and husband, Tom, of Osage, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Mason City, 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

MASON CITY - Doris Viola Burns-Steenblock, 62, of Mason City, died Thursday (March 20, 2008) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, following a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services for Doris will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Craig Pinley of the First Covenant Church in Mason City officiating.

Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 18 West, Mason City.

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

Doris Viola Burns-Steenblock was born on March 31, 1945, in Des Moines, and was later adopted by David and Viola Johanson, and welcomed by her older brother Marvin who she dearly loved and cherished throughout her life. She attended rural Prospect school, and graduated from Olds High School near Mount Pleasant. Doris worked for various restaurants as a waitress and short-order cook, and also as a maid.

After becoming a mother, Doris enjoyed staying at home with her children, and helping her husband, Earl Peterson, at his wood-working business, painting, staining and detailing hobby horses. Doris enjoyed being with her family, especially around the holidays and birthdays.

Doris was elated to meet her adopted daughter, Cheryl, in 1996, and her joy was doubled meeting her biological mother, Delores, in 2002.

Doris and her children attended Mount Zion Baptist Gospel Church, when she lived in Nashville, Tenn.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Cheryl (Bradley) Veenstra of Pella, Sherri (Tim) Mann of Manly, and Aaron Burns of Mason City; eight grandchildren; Savannah, Amanda, Jake, and Nathan Veenstra, Ryan, Toby, Maraina, and Markoda Mann; her brother, Marvin (Margaret) Johanson of Mount Pleasant; and a great-nephew, Taylor Combs of Des Moines, as well as other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Earl Peterson, and Donald Steenblock, her adopted parents, David and Viola Johanson, and her birth mother, Delores Corpron.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, 641-423-2372.

www.colonialchapels.com.
 

HAMPTON - Shirley DeVries, 72, of Hampton, died Sunday (March 23, 2008) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services are pending at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.
 

WAYLAND, Mo. - Gary A. Frank, age 56, of Wayland, Mo., died suddenly on Thursday (March 20, 2008) after three years of failing health at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill., where he had been a patient the past four and one-half weeks.

Friends, family, and anyone who knew him, are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at a carry-in dinner on Friday, April 4, 2008, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Ivor Fowler Community Building in Montrose, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Gary Frank was born on July 4, 1951, at Mason City, a son of Joe and Joann Davies Frank.

He and Deborah Burke Kramer were married on March 22, 1990, at Keokuk. He had a tremendous love for his kids and grandkids, but was crazy about "Deb" and his best times were those spent with her, particularly the past three years.

Gary graduated from high school in Mason City. He worked for Dial Corp., transferring from Mason City to Fort Madison and later retiring due to a past injury. One of his greatest privileges in life was transporting Amish, who became some of his closest friends. He loved coyote hunting with his friends who knew him as "Bigun" also fishing, especially with Deb and the kids. He had spent time as a commercial fisherman on the Mississippi which he considered "home." He was an avid euchre player, a die- hard, hardcore Yankee fan and a lover of Harley- Davidson's since he first owned one in high school. One of the hardest things for him to do was give up his Harley due to his health. He passed this love on to Jake.

He and Deb cherished the last three years and the time spent together. They both considered their children and grandchildren their greatest treasures in life and his brightest moments in life was the time spent with them. More important, was his quiet love he had for the Lord. This love reached out through his generous nature and his love of giving. Gary was, in most parts, generous to a fault. He couldn't help it. If it was in his pocket, he gave it. This was a true example of the love he had for the Lord and a legacy for his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah Frank, of Wayland, Mo.; three sons, Joey (Michelle) Frank, Jake (Karyn) Kramer and Jedidiah Kramer (Tara Anderson), all of Keokuk; one daughter, Tanya Jo (Adam) Worley of Fort Madison; nine grandchildren: Austin, Josie, Henry, Dalton, Kegan, Adrian, Julian, Brooklynn and Caleb; three brothers: Jim (Deb) Frank of Sacramento, Calif., and Jackie (Kim) Frank and Donnie Frank, both of Mason City; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; and a son, Joshua Kramer.

Arrangements were handled by Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka, 660-727-2117.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www. timeformemory.com/wilsonfh.
 

WODEN - Karen Sue Giddings, 59, of Woden, died Sunday (March 23, 2008) at her home near Woden.

Funeral services for Karen Giddings will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Algona with Pastor Ed Harp presiding. Burial will be in Ringham Township Cemetery, Woden.

Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. today at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Titonka.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Titonka, 515-928-2735.

www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.
 

NORA SPRINGS - Floyd L. Harms, 60, of Ponderosa Court in Nora Springs, died Saturday (March 22 2008) at his residence in Nora Springs.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St., S.E. in Mason City, 641-423-8676.

www.fullertonfh.com.
 

CLEAR LAKE - Wayne W. Howard, 70, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, 641-357-2193.

www.colonialchapels.com.
 

MASON CITY - Lenore O. Kollman, 86, of Mason City, died on Saturday (March 22, 2008) at the Heritage Center.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave, with the Rev. Steve Palo officiating.

A private family burial was held in the Rudd Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, with Pastor Tom Healey (chaplain for Hospice of North Iowa) as the officiate.

Memorials may be directed to the Lenore Kollman Memorial Fund.

Major Erickson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 641-423-0924.
 

IOWA FALLS - Franklin O. McCord, 82, of Iowa Falls, died Sunday (March 23, 2008) at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Funeral services for Franklin O. McCord will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Iowa Falls, with the Rev. Mary Stonebraker officiating.

A time of visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Linn's Funeral Home, Iowa Falls.

Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Falls Historical Society, Post Office Box 364, Iowa Falls IA 50126.

Inurnment will be at a later date.

The Linn's Funeral Homes, Iowa Falls Chapel, is in charge of arrangements; 641-648-2569.
 

HAMPTON - Shirley Ann DeVries, 72, of Hampton, died Sunday (March 23, 2008) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton with the Rev. Karl Bollhagen and Vicar David Lingard, officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m.Wednesday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

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

VENTURA - Charles "Chuck" Glidden, 67, of Ventura, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake. Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake VFW.

Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. today, Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.

Memorials may be made out to the family.

Chuck was born the son of Thomas and Helen Gertrude (Putt) Glidden on Oct. 16, 1940, in Windom, Minn. He graduated from Spencer High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 until 1965. Chuck married Nancy Kimball on Sept. 8, 1978 at MacIntosh Woods in Ventura.

Chuck formerly owned the Ventura Meat Locker, and retired as the bakery manager of Hy-Vee in Rochester, Minn. He was a member of the Clear Lake VFW, and a past member of the Lions. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and camping, along with playing cards at the VFW, and vacationing with his family.

Charles is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Ventura; his children, Nathan Glidden, of Ventura, Justin Glidden, of Ventura, Kris Rons, of Spencer, Travis (Theresa) Glidden, of Garner, Matthew Glidden, of Mason City, Mark Glidden, of Clear Lake; several grandchildren, his brother, Bob (Bonnie) Glidden, of Clear Lake; mother and father-in-law, Bob (Nettie) Kimball, of Ventura; sister-in-law, Clarice Glidden, of Denison; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bev (Wayne) Kozisek, of Clear Lake, and Bonnie (Darrell) Bullington, of Minneapolis; many special nieces and nephews and his dog, Spanky.

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

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

www.colonialchapels.com.
 

BUFFALO CENTER - Elvera Hanson, 88, of Buffalo Center, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church with Pastor Bill Peake, officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center.

The visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.

On line tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

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

www.winterfuneralhome.
 

NORA SPRINGS - Floyd L. Harms, 60, of Ponderosa Court in Nora Springs, died Saturday (March 22, 2008) at his residence in Nora Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with the Rev. Chris Clarkson officiating. Following the service, cremation will take place in the care of Fullerton Funeral Home.

Inurnment will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2008, in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will be held from noon until time of services on Thursday at Fullerton Funeral Home.

Those wishing to extend a memorial may direct them to the Floyd L. Harms 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 North Iowa, 641-423-8676.

www.fullertonfh.com.
 

CLEAR LAKE - Wayne W. Howard, 70, 608 Eighth Ave. N., Clear Lake, passed away Saturday (March 22, 2008) of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake, officiated by the Rev. Dennis Ganz.

Burial will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors provided by the Clear Lake VFW.

Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, and then one hour preceding the service.

Memorials may be given to the Wayne Howard Memorial Fund.

Wayne was born on Feb. 12, 1938, in Waukon, to George and Iowa (Barth) Howard. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Wayne made his home in Eagle Grove, where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Flatebo, on March 15, 1958.

To this union four children were born: Ricky, Penny, Kim and Stacy. Wayne worked most of his life in heating, air condition and the sheet metal trade. In 1987, he purchased the Town Pump in Clear Lake. He then decided to add a grill and became well- known for his noon specials and one-third pound hamburgers, thus coining the phrase "Hamburger Heaven." His wife Mary and daughter Kim owned and operated the business, with him selling in 1997. He then went to work at Monson Plumbing and Heating, then Martin Marietta until ill heath forced him to retire.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and wintering in Texas. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He was a charter member of the Clear Lake Evening Lions and a member of the Clear Lake VFW.

He is survived by his wife, of 50 years, Mary; son, Rick of Minneapolis, Minn.; daughters, Penny Howard of Ardmore, Okla., Kim (Bill) Lundgren, of Ventura, and Stacy Howard and fianc� Kevin Rucker of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Jacob Bonner, Kyle Lundgren, Derrick and Detra Hinton and Journey Rucker; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Bailey Bonner; two brothers Alan (Debra) Howard, Colfax, and Dennis (Linda) Howard, Des Moines; sister, Georgia (Wally) Black, Des Moines; brothers-in-law, Bob (Nancy) Flatebo, of Rockford, Ill, Carrol (Judy) Flatebo, Eagle Grove; sisters-in-law, Joanne (Mark) Howe, Beloit, Wis. and Donna Howard, Des Moines, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, three brothers, Frank, Larry and Dale, and many aunts and Uncles.

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

www.colonialchapels.com.
 

MASON CITY - Lenore O. Kollman, 86, of Mason City, passed away on Saturday (March 22, 2008) at the Heritage Center.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Steve Palo officiating. A private family burial was held in the Rudd Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, with Pastor Tom Healey (Chaplain-Hospice of North Iowa) officiating.

Memorials may be directed to the Lenore Kollman Memorial Fund.

Lenore was born on Nov. 19, 1921, the daughter of Carl and Tille (Thompson) Ogaard. Lenore married Kenneth Kollman on Aug. 16, 1942. Lenore and Kenneth had two sons, Jerry and Larry.

Lenore attended schools in Plymouth and Mason City. Following her marriage to Kenneth, they lived in Rudd up until the time of Kenneth's death in June 1961. After which Lenore and the boys moved to Mason City where she lived until the time of her death.

Lenore worked initially for Jacob Decker and Sons and was retired from the Kmart Corporation, having worked initially for S.S. Kresge.

Lenore will be remembered for her baking and needlework talents. She was a baptized member of the Lutheran Church. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, where she continued to be a member at the time of her death. She was active in church circles until her aging years prevented her from participating.

She is survived by her two sons, Jerry Kollman (Sharon), and Larry Kollman; three sisters, Iola Wood and husband Leo, Delores Moorehead and husband Mike, and Bonnie Ogaard; one brother, Gordon Ogaard and wife Rose; one brother-in-law, Dean Miller. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth; and three siblings, Clarine Timm, Gilbert Ogaard and Norma Miller.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory; 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 

MASON CITY - Hazel Lilleskau, 93, of 34 S. Pierce Ave., Mason City, died Monday (March 24, 2008) at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.

Arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City. 641-423-8676.

www.Fullertonfh.com.
 

HIAWATHA - Elda Motland, 72, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

According to her wishes, her body was cremated, and no public services will be held. A private family burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Elda was born on Aug. 14, 1935, on a farm west of Garner, the daughter of Alfred and Elfrieda (Zeitz) Woiwod. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Garner, and graduated from Ventura High School in 1953.

She was united in marriage to Herb Fuller Jr. on Sept. 6, 1953, and they made their home in rural Clear Lake, where together they had two children, Rodney and Nancy. They later were divorced, and in 1979, she moved to Cedar Rapids. She started working at Midwest Metal Products in 1982, where she remained until her retirement in 2001.

Elda enjoyed dancing and baking, and took great joy in making goodies to share that not only tasted wonderful, but were also decorated to perfection. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, but her pride and joy were her grandkids. Elda touched many lives, and will be greatly missed and forever cherished by those who loved her.

Elda is survived by her son, Rodney Fuller and his wife, Cecile, of Clear Lake; and her daughter, Nancy Gates and her husband, Rick, of Clear Lake; her four grandchildren, Brian Gates, Jessica Fuller, Erin Gates and Jennifer Fuller; her sister-in-law, Kathy Zeitz, of Welcome, Minn.; her nieces, Liz (Mark) Waddingham, of Garner, and Susie (Dwight) Steege,of Waverly; and her nephew, Neal Woiwod, of Garner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ina Mae Woiwod; and her brother, Arlo Woiwod.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com

Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements; 319-362-8837.
 

DULUTH, Minn. - Edna Elizabeth (Russ) Nesheim died peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital of Duluth, Minn., early on the morning of March 22, 2008, just two months shy of her 92nd birthday. She had lived at the memory-care unit of Lakeshore Home over the past one and a half years, following many good years at Mount Royal Pines III Assisted Living.

Edna was the fourth of six children born to Dr. Jesse and Anna (Ryg) Russ, of Rake. She was a good scholar and musician, and an outstanding youth basketball player. After high school at Rake, she attended Waldorf and Coe colleges, completing her B.A. degree in physical education in 1937.

She married her lifelong neighbor and University of Iowa graduate Martin O. Nesheim, M.D., that same year. They lived happily in Duluth during his internship at St. Luke's Hospital, then settled down in Emmons Minn., which became his lifelong medical practice location. Dr. Nesheim enlisted in the medical corps in 1942, so Edna and sons, John and Paul moved along to San Antonio, Abilene and other towns in Texas during his work as a medical officer, including a stay in Rochester, Minn. They returned from Texas to stay in Rake after he shipped out to the Pacific Theatre for the duration of World War II.

After the war, the Nesheim family returned to Emmons, where Dr. Nesheim continued in solo practice through 1968, although moving the family residence to Albert Lea. Edna was active in church, community and educational affairs in both communities. She taught Sunday School at Emmons, encouraged scouting and neighborhood programs in Albert Lea, and was very active in politics, A.A.U.W. and her local art institute.

She was a prize-winning watercolorist and textured-objects artist, working in a variety of durable media. She pursued an avid interest in nature and natural scenes and representations, and assisted other local artists in their work with exhibitions. She was active and observant, usually to be found outdoors pursuing biking, skating, skiing, walking or - perhaps most often - sketching.

After retirement, Martin and Edna traveled throughout the U.S., settling down for winters in South Padre Island, Texas, and summers in northern Minnesota. They returned permanently to Duluth in 1994, encouraged by their own history and the quality of medical care available here.

After Martin passed on in 1998, Edna remained active with her local family, concert events and arts interests and memberships, including a wide variety of organizations - even doing some elder trail-scouting for the Superior Hiking Trail. She remained a 70-year member of Emmons Lutheran Church but most often attended First Lutheran in Duluth. The pastoral cares and attentiveness of FLC staff were and remain much appreciated during her final years.

Edna Nesheim was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother "Beste" Ryg, her parents and all four of her adult-surviving siblings. She also lost two young grandchildren, Nicole Marie Nesheim and Peter Michael Nesheim.

She is survived by her three sons, John, an attorney, of Houston Texas, Paul (Valerie) also an attorney in Houston, and Robert (Marlys) a physician, of Duluth, Minn. She was also very proud and actively pursued her three grandchildren, Jeff (Sue) Nesheim of Houston, Texas, and Andrew and Matthew Nesheim of Duluth, Minn. Their interests became her new interests.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, in the Bethesda Chapel, First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St, Duluth, Minn., with reviewal one hour prior to service.

All attending are welcome to a noontime lunch with the family.

Interment will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, at West Cemetery in Rake, Iowa, alongside her husband of 61 years and among her ancestral family, brothers and sister.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Emmons Lutheran Church of Emmons or to the First Lutheran Church Foundation of Duluth.

The family expresses sincere and sustained gratitude to all those who welcomed Dr. and Mrs. Nesheim back to Duluth after their absence of 56 years, and especially to those who provided support and assistance to Edna over these last 10 years. The attentiveness of her extended family and relatives, and their very-frequent visits, were of great value and remained a great blessing to her in her later years, as were the many new local friends whom she had come to know.

Arrangements by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home; 800-770-5745.
 

RAKE - Cathren Olson, 88, of Rake, died Friday (March 21, 2008) at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Winter Funeral Home, 414 First St. N.W. in Buffalo Center, with Pastor Ron Wheeler, officiating. Burial will be at West Cemetery, Rake.

Visitation is one hour before the service on Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to Timely Mission Nursing Home, 109 Mission Drive, Buffalo Center, IA 50424.

On line tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com

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

www.winterfuneralhome.com.
 

MASON CITY - Marie Ann Sala, 86, who had been a resident of The Willows in Mason City, died Monday (March 24, 2008) at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

A service of remembrance for Marie will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2008, at The Decker House, 119 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with remembrance prayers by the Rev. Kenneth Gehling. Following the gathering of remembrance, refreshments will be served.

According to her wishes, her body will be cremated.

Marie Ann Sala was born on Jan. 12, 1922, in New Canaan, Conn., the daughter of Costantino and Gesuatta Delallo. She was united in marriage to Albert John Sala on Jan. 16, 1943, in New Canaan, Conn. Marie lived in Norwalk, Conn., for 44 years until moving to Mason City in March 1987. Marie worked at Howe Company folding furniture until retiring in 1986.

Marie loved cooking, and helping those she loved. Marie and her husband loved raising animals, especially a special raccoon named Kylie. Marie also enjoyed reading, watching television, and playing cards.

Survivors include several nieces, nephews and very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Albert John Sala, who died on November 5, 1997, two sisters, and four brothers.

Arrangements are with Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E. in Mason City; 641-423-2372.

www.colonialchapels.com.
 

GARNER - Ina Stille, 91, of Garner, died Monday (March 24, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Dugger Funeral Homes, 111 Luick's Lane S. in Belmond.

Dugger Funeral Homes, 641-444-3248.
 

NEW HAMPTON - Gary C. Sweitzer, 67, of New Hampton, died on Saturday (March 15, 2008) at Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City, Fla.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton, with Pastor Joel Dahlen and Pastor Kevin Frey, officiating. Burial was in the New Hampton Cemetery.

Gary was born on April 20, 1940 to Clyde and Grace (Kenyon) Sweitzer in New Hampton. He graduated from New Hampton High School in 1958. After his graduation, Gary worked at Little Butch's Sudden Service as a cook until he entered the U.S. Army in 1963. After his honorable discharge in 1965, Gary was united in marriage to June Hovick on Dec. 12, 1965, in New Hampton at the United Congregational Church. Gary was employed as a machinist for John Deere for 31 years, retiring in December of 1996.

After his retirement, they wintered in Dade City, Florida and in the summer he would work part-time at various jobs in the New Hampton area.

Gary is survived by his wife, June, of New Hampton; three children, Dennis Sweitzer and girlfriend, Donita, of New Hampton and her children, Trevor, Karch and Judd; John (Beth) Sweitzer, of Mason City, and Carol (David) Hauser and their son, Hayden, of New Hampton; sister, Sharrol Trower, of New Hampton; brother, Ray (Audrey) Sweitzer, of Cedar Falls; several nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Mary (Charles) Zook, of Sioux City, Shirley Sweitzer, of New Hampton and Genny Sweitzer, of New Hampton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Grace; three brothers, Lee, Dick and Veryle; and one sister, Jean.

Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home, 641-394-4331.
 

Posted by Gene Manning