NORA SPRINGS - Loyal Burnet Coates, 84, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Nora Springs Care Center, Nora Springs.

A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday March 7, 2009, at the Nora Springs United Methodist Church, 202 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs, with the Rev. Jim Turner officiating and family friend Hue Whitesell sharing reflections. Inurnment will be in Rock Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs, with military honors conducted by members for the American Legion H.D.S. Post 449.

Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. today, March 6, 2009, at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 641-749-2210. www.colonialchapels.com
 

ROCKFORD -Helen Coffey, 89, formerly of Rockford, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main Ave., in Rockford, with Pastor Patricia Shaw, officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church.

Those wishing to share their thoughts, condolences and stories may do so on the funeral home Web site at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 W. Main, Rockford, 641-756-3311. www.fullertonfh.com
 

NORTHWOOD - Doris Clara Fedge, 96, of Northwood, died Thursday (March 5, 2009) at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, U.S. Highway 65 S. Northwood, with the Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Burial will take place at the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Sunday at the funeral home.
Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 641-324-1121.
 

BUFFALO CENTER -Marie Haisman, 94, of Buffalo Center, died on Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Buffalo Center, with Father Brian Dellart officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Algona.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Winter Funeral Home, 414 First St. N.W. Buffalo Center.

Online tributes or personal e-mails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com.
Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 641-562-2858.

 www.winterfuneralhome.com
 

BURT - Albert Hasse, 87, of Burt, died on Wednesday (March 5, 2009) at the Good Samaritan Society, Algona.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Burt, with the Rev. Jason Peterson officiating. Burial will be in Burt Township Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Carter-Stott VFW Post No. 5236 of Burt.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Lentz Funeral Home in Burt.

Condolences may be left at www.lentzfuneralhome.com
Lentz Funeral Home, 515-295-2622.
 

LAKE MILLS -Terry W. Holtan, 61, of Lake Mills, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor David E. Jordon officiating. Burial will take place at Salem Memorial Cemetery in Lake Mills.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, March 6, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., in Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Terry Wayne Holtan was born on May 25, 1947, to Wayne and DeElda (Martinson) Holtan in Forest City. He grew up on a farm near Lake Mills. Terry attended and graduated from Lake Mills High School.

On Oct. 8, 1971, Terry was united in marriage with Nancy Juveland at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. They had two children, Donald and Jason and lived in Lake Mills their entire married lives.

Terry worked for Winnebago County Secondary Roads from June 1969 to December 2003.

In his past time Terry enjoyed farming and fishing trips. Terry was happiest when he was sitting in his shed surrounded by his children, grandchildren, family members and friends that stopped by to visit.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, and grandchildren, Donald and Kelly Holtan (Kaylie Adams, Alyssa and Chelsey Holtan) of Lake Mills, Jason (Kirby) and Abby Holtan (Madison and Becca) of Lake Mills; four sisters, Lonna Wright of Mason City, Sandra (Orin) Liljedahl of Northwood, Janell (the late Jon) Iverson of Northwood, Beth (Joel) Dahle of Lake Mills; father-in-law, Donovan Juveland, of Lake Mills; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and DeElda Holtan; wife, Nancy Juveland Holtan; brothers-in-law Jon Iverson and Chuck Wright; nephew Mike Wright; and a niece, Amy Liljedahl.

You can contact the family with online condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.
Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 641-592-0221.
 

ST. ANSGAR - Earl A. Kirchgatter, 87, of St. Ansgar, passed away on Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at his home in rural St. Ansgar.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at St. Ansgar United Methodist Church, St. Ansgar, with the Rev. Peter Chang officiating. Burial will be in Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle, Minn. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to services.

Earl was born on April 1, 1921, in Newburg Township, Mitchell County, the second son of Richard and Amanda (Bowers) Kirchgatter. Earl graduated from St. Ansgar Schools and played on the high school basketball team. He married Doris Louise Greiner of Meltonville, on Oct. 29, 1941. Earl honorably served his country in the Army during WWII. When he returned home from the war, he worked in construction for August Reuchel.

In 1953, Earl and Louise and their family moved to the Kirchgatter family farm, just west and north of town. He raised his children working the farm, raising livestock as well as working for the St. Ansgar Elevator until 1983, when health issues forced him to retire.

Earl enjoyed having family and friends around. It was not unusual for there to be a house full on Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons with potluck dinners with brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. Saturday night was often card night with neighbors and friends. He also loved basketball - both playing it and watching it. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

He enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports during their high school days. He never missed a Saints basketball or baseball game when his grandsons were playing.

The love of his life was his wife Louise. They were inseparable. They did everything together, right down to the end. He loved her dearly and she adored him. They were a good team.

He was an active member of the United Methodist church in St. Ansgar and the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his son Keith; sister, Freida Lillibridge; brother, Ellery; sister, Bernice Edgar; and brother Karl.

Earl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Louise of St. Ansgar; son, Gary of St. Ansgar; daughter, Shirley Kirchgatter Waddle of Waterloo; son, Kevin (Mary Lynn) of St. Ansgar; grandsons, Todd (Sandy) Kirchgatter, of Apple Valley, Minn.; John Kirchgatter, of Fort Dodge, Brian (Allison) Kirchgatter, of Coralville; Jason (Elizabeth) Kirchgatter of St. Ansgar; great-grandchildren, Kaela, Karly of Apple Valley, Minn., and Ethan and Jaxon of St. Ansgar.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 641-713-4920.
 

MARLOW, Okla. - Rich E. Knapper, 49, of Marlow, Okla., died on Sunday (March 1, 2009) in Morgantown, W. Va. where he was working.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Thompson, with Pastor Boyd Longshore officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 6, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St. in Forest City and an hour prior to service at the church.

Rich E. Knapper was born in Iowa City, Iowa Feb. 5, 1960, son of Jerry and Emma Knapper. He was baptized and confirmed at Forest Evangelical Lutheran Church, Forest City.

He attended school in Forest City and was a graduate of Forest City High School. He worked for Ward North American Van Lines and Superior Well Service in Marlow, Okla. He loved playing basketball and lots of games with his children.
He passed away at a hospital in West Virginia on March 1, 2009.
He will be fondly remembered by his children and mother, family and friends: sons, Matthew J., Scott E., Stephen, and Jerry; daughter Amy L.; his mother Emma Knapper; sisters, Carol (Joe) Townsend and Vicki (Mike) Nielson; niece, Holly and her son Kane; nephew Chad; and godson Joseph Knipp.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Knapper; and many aunts and uncles.
Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 641-585-2685. www.petersenlundfh.com
 

KANAWHA - Wilma Phyllis (Beenken) Luppen left her earthly home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2009. She passed away in the Hospice Room at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt surrounded by her family, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Funeral services for Wilma Luppen will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating. Burial will be in Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 6, 2009, at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center St. W. in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at church.
Wilma was the second child of Henry and Vergie (Kardoes) Beenken. She was born on Aug. 4, 1937, on her parent's farm near Woden. She has four siblings who are Merlin (Marlis) Beenken, Wayne (Luming) Beenken, Sharon (Dennis) Heinen and Daryl (Nancy) Beenken.
She attended the Ramsey Reformed and Woden Christian Reformed Churches when growing up. She was both a baptized and confirmed member of the Christian faith.
When she was a young girl, Wilma stayed with her Grandpa and Grandma Kardoes on a farm near Buffalo Center quite often where she helped take care of them and do household chores. She attended and graduated from the Woden Community Schools where she participated in basketball and speech. She was also active in 4-H.
On Feb. 10, 1956, Wilma married the love of her life, Philip D. Luppen of Kanawha. They were married at the Woden Christian Reformed Church by the Rev. Julius VandenHoek. They made their home together with their children three miles north of Kanawha.
She and Phil are members of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church. Here they were blessed with seven children: Donna (Leroy) Senne, LuAnn (Nick) Studer, Brenda (Chuck) Schmidt, Paul (Cheryl) Luppen, Charlotte (Mike) Hrubes, Julene (Randy) Weiland and Allan (Linda) Luppen. Their children in turn blessed them with 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who are: Matthew Senne, Jason Senne, Andrew Senne, Adam Senne, Shawn (Tiffany) Studer and their children Madison, Tate, and Emrie; Gregory (Theresa) Studer and their children Dawson and Savanah; Troy Studer, Jacki Studer, Kacie Schmidt, Jamie Schmidt, Cody Schmidt, MaKayla Luppen, Tierra Luppen, Lacey (Tony) Kelley and their children Amara and Coewhan; Joshua Hrubes, Brandi Hrubes, Cole Weiland, Seth Weiland, Ethan Luppen, Eric Luppen, and her angel Alyssa Luppen.
Wilma was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker. Her grandchildren were very important to her. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, baking and spending time outdoors. She worked at the Kanawha Community Nursing Home and Team Sports in Kanawha, Interstate Traveller in Belmond, and helped her husband of 53 years farm and raise their children.
Wilma is also survived by her sister-in-law, Birdene (Howard) Jutting, many nieces and nephews, and stepsiblings, Sharon (Dewey) Valentine, Clinton (Cherann) Eden and Ardith (Gary) Thorson.
Wilma was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, Henry and Virgie Beenken; her parents-in-law, Peter and Edith Luppen; and her stepmother, Ella Beenken.
Ewing Funeral Home, 641-843-3839.
 

ALGONA - Emma Elizabeth Medin, 90, of Algona, formerly of Whittemore, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Algona Manor Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the First Baptist Church, Algona, with the Rev. Dr. Kevin Hollinger officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, 515-295-3731. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

LAKE MILLS -Jennie M. Piersol, 92, of Lake Mills, died Monday (March 2, 2009) at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. today, March 6, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with Pastor Mark Decker officiating.

Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn.

Jennie Margaret Piersol was born on Nov. 5, 1916, in Thompson, the daughter of Theodore and Hannah (Opsal) Hovda. Jennie attended rural schools in the Thompson area. The family moved to Rake in 1928. Following graduation from Rake High School she attended Waldorf College and was employed at several stores in Forest City.

Jennie was united in marriage to Colonel M. Piersol on Aug. 12, 1943, in Medford, Ore. Following Colonel's discharge from the Army in 1945, they moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where Colonel was employed as a machinist. They returned to Thompson, Iowa, in 1948 and resided there until June, 2002, when they moved to Lake Mills.

Jennie was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church.

She loved plants and flowers and seemed to be able to make anything grow. She enjoyed quilting with the ladies of the church as well as on her own.
Jennie was a proud Norwegian and was fluent in the language. She enjoyed sharing Norwegian delicacies with family and friends.

But the most important thing to Jennie was her family. Her greatest joy was in being a wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma "Jenna".

Jennie is survived by her son, Bruce (Ann) of Red Lake Falls, Minn.; daughter, Linda, of Minnetonka, Minn.; grandson, Brett (Mindy), of Red Lake Falls, Minn.; granddaughter, Heather (Patrick) Thibert, of East Grand Forks, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Courtney Piersol and Vanessa and Livia Thibert; sister, Esther Shivers, of St. Paul, Minn.; sister-in-law, Helen Marie Hovda, of Mesa, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Andrew Larsen, of Sun City, Ariz., along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Sidney, and Ernest; sisters, Helen Hovda and Gladys Larsen; and great-granddaughter, Rebecca Ann Thibert.

You can contact the family with online condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com
Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 641-592-0221.
 

MASON CITY - Ashley Ann Rewerts, infant daughter of Traci and Jason Rewerts, of Mason City, died Tuesday (March 3, 2009) at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Steve Hansen, of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 9, at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Ashley Ann Rewerts Memorial Fund.

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

MASON CITY -Stanton Rodberg, 86, of Mason City, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Pastor Kathy Graves, of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with full military honors by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 6, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, with a Moose service at 6:30 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the Stanton Rodberg Memorial Fund.

Stanton was born March 26, 1922, in Fertile, the son of Edward and Alta Mae (Jones) Rodberg. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1940.

Stanton proudly served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. He served overseas in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations for 31 months with a combat infantry unit. He was in charge of 30 enlisted men supervising their activities both in and out of combat. During combat, he assigned duties and positions to men and was responsible for the deployment of the platoon.

He was thoroughly familiar with the use of all infantry weapons and had participated in three major battle campaigns and was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in action.

Stanton was employed by "Leo Ilthom" in Fertile, from 1939 to 1942. He drove a 1-ton truck hauling lumber, coal, and lime. He also worked for Northwestern Cement as a heavy equipment operator for 39 years before retiring in 1984.

Stanton married Leona Mix in June of 1945 and from that union came three daughters: Judy Rose, Barbara Juhl and Rhonda Bohn. Leona passed away May 24, 1963.

He married Bonnie Olsen on Aug. 24, 1965, in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He was a member of the American Legion for 65 years, the Moose Lodge for 50 years, and a lifetime member of the VFW.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, golf, cribbage, horseshoes, and spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie Rodberg, of Mason City; his children: Connie Ubben (Kenneth), of Sheffield, Judy Rose and special friend Darvin, of Mason City, Barbara Juhl (James "Duff"), of Mason City, Bob Olson Jr. (Melody), of Lansing, Penny Havig (Michael), of Clear Lake, Rhonda Bohn (Charlie), of Ventura, Cathy Vorland (Gene), of Clear Lake, and Sherri Murphy and special friend Scott, of Mason City; 39 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Lu Hodenfield, of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; one sister, Cora Kofoot; two brothers-in-aw, Merle Kofoot and Earl Hodenfield; son-in-law, Walter "Skip" Rose. He was also preceded in death by his dog, Moe.

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

CLEAR LAKE - Pamela Kay (Mostrom) Smith, 53, of 717 N. 12th St., Clear Lake, died Tuesday (March 3, 2009) at her home after battling diabetes for more than 51 years.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. Fourth St. Clear Lake, with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Interment will be in Elk Creek Cemetery, Kensett.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. Clear Lake and then one hour before the service at the church.

Family suggests memorials to Pam Smith Memorial Fund.

Pam was born July 15, 1955, in Mason City, the daughter of Dean A. and Donna M. (Olsen) Mostrom. She attended Ventura High School and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1973.

Pam married Paul Smith Dec. 30, 1972, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.

She attended North Iowa Area Community College, where she obtained her medical assistant degree. She worked for General Medicine in Clear Lake for 18 years. She later was a bartender in Clear Lake and in 2001 she and her sister owned and operated The Main Cafe in Clear Lake. She has been working at Target in Mason City.

Pam enjoyed reading, swimming, going on motorcycle rides and traveling, especially her recent trip to Hawaii.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Ryan Smith, of Fargo, N.D.; mother, Donna Mostrom, of Clear Lake; two brothers, Daryl and Douglas Mostrom, of Clear Lake; sister, Linda (Terry) Seifert, of Clear Lake; nephew, Nick Mostrom (Allison Roe), of Mason City; and great-nephew Kale Mostrom, of Mason City.

She was preceded in death by her father; and grandparents.

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

SHEFFIELD -Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield, with the Rev. Arthur J. Zewert officiating. Burial will be in the Zion Reformed Church Cemetery in rural Sheffield.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Fandelene Bertha (Stadtlander) VanHorn, 90, of Sheffield, passed away March 4, 2009, at the Sheffield Care Center in Sheffield.

Fandelene, the daughter of Bertus and Katie (Meinderts) Stadtlander was born on Sept. 25, 1918, on a farm northwest of Meservey, in Hancock County. She graduated from Meservey High School in 1936. Following graduation from High School, Fandelene attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.
On Jan. 25, 1940, Fandelene was united in marriage to John F. VanHorn at the Meservey Reformed Church parsonage. The couple made their home on a farm north of Latimer, and in 1978 they retired to their home in Sheffield. To this union three sons were born, Myron, Duane and Vernon.

Fandelene loved living on a farm and enjoyed having a large garden and tending to many chickens. Also, she enjoyed embroidery and making quilts and laprobes from cut-out squares. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Birthdays and holidays were a very important part of her life.

She was a member of the Zion Reformed Church of rural Sheffield, where she was active in the Women of Zion.

Fandelene is survived by her children: Myron and his wife, Jan VanHorn, of Sheffield; Duane and his wife, Dixie VanHorn, of West Des Moines; Vernon and his wife, Audrey VanHorn, of Latimer.

Grandchildren: Terri and her husband, Perry Holtkamp; Brian and his wife, Amanda VanHorn; Robert and his wife, Barbara VanHorn; Darwin and his wife, Koreen VanHorn; Bradley and his wife, Brenda VanHorn; Justin and his wife, Jennifer VanHorn; Jalene and her husband, Steve West; Ryan and his wife, Jennifer Koenen.

Great-grandchildren: Brandon Holtkamp, Dillon Holtkamp, Ben VanHorn, Melanie VanHorn, Jacob VanHorn, Jonah VanHorn, Alex VanHorn, Jordan VanHorn, Sam VanHorn, Jackson VanHorn, Zac and Eva West, Kolton and Kendal Koenen.

Fandelene was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 2000; grandson, Brenton VanHorn; daughter-in-law, Lyla VanHorn; her parents and two brothers, Harvey Stadtlander and Clarence Stadtlander; and two sisters, Irene Stadtlander and Caroline Schmidt.

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

Posted on 03/06/2009 by Thomas Manning

NORA SPRINGS - Loyal Burnet Coates, 84, died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. today, Saturday, March 7, at the Nora Springs United Methodist Church, 202 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs, with the Rev. Jim Turner officiating and family friend, Hugh Whitesell, sharing reflections. Inurnment will be in Rock Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs.

Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Loyal Burnet Coates was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Nashua, the son of Loyal Dale and Myrtle B. (Bennett) Coates. He graduated from Nashua High School in the class of 1942. Loyal served in the Navy during World War II as a radioman gunner in torpedo planes flying off the USS Bunker Hill in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged Dec. 11, 1945.

Loyal was united in marriage to Dorothy Warye on Dec. 16, 1944. In 1946, he started working at the Nora Springs Creamery and Locker, later becoming owner and operator. After selling the creamery in 1966, he worked as a surveyor for the Department of Transportation; retiring in 1986.

Loyal loved woodworking, crafting gemstone jewelry and stone artwork, taking care of the "woods" and spending time with his family and friends. He also served on the Rock Grove Cemetery Board.

Loyal is survived by his wife, Dorothy Coates, of Nora Springs; and children, Kim (Pat) Coates of Elkhart, Ind., and Kathy (Dewey) Koch of Nora Springs; grandchildren, Aaron (Kimberly) Coates, Ryan (Kate) Coates, Brian (Tricia) Koch and Heather (Ben) Hucka; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marlys Graham of Surrey, British Columbia, and Marilyn Myall of Thousand Oaks, Calif., along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Loyal is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 641-749-2210. www.colonialchapels.com
 

MASON CITY -Cornelius "Connie" John Doocy, 72, of Mason City died Tuesday (March 3, 2009) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral mass for Connie will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Jon Seda officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Monday at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Bancroft.

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

The family has suggested, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City in Connie's memory.

Cornelius John Doocy was born on July 18, 1936, in Swea City, the son of John and Margaret (Sennett) Doocy. He grew up and attended school in Swea City.

Connie moved to Mason City in 1952, where he worked as a farmhand for a local farmer and for the Cerro Gordo County Farm.

After several years as a resident at the Cerro Gordo County Care Center he moved to Shalom Towers where he lived until his death.

Connie enjoyed visiting and sharing activities with the residents. His favorite pastime was riding his motorized scooter uptown to the mall. His frequent smiles and greetings were welcomed by many.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Dolly Kirchner, of Decorah; nieces and nephews, Glenda (Paul) Moen of Hudson, Wis., Steven (Tessa) Kirchner of Vail, Colo., Kaleen (Bruce) Hanson of Waukon, David (Laura) Kirchner of Decorah, and Michael (Wendy) Kirchner of Chatfield, Minn.; great-nieces and nephews, Aaron Moen, Mackenzie Moen, Madeline Moen, Canon Kirchner, Berit Kirchner, Bode Kirchner, Kylie Hanson, Brixen Hanson, Paige Kirchner, Ashton Kirchner, Patrick Kirchner, Annika Kirchner and Sean Kirchner; a very special friend, Bonnie Vician of Mason City; as well as other dear friends of Mason City.

Connie was preceded in death by his parents; and infant brother, Larry Joseph Doocy; his brother, Armond Doocy; and a brother-in-law; Glenn Kirchner.

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

NORTHWOOD - Doris Clara Fedge, 96, of Northwood died Thursday (March 5, 2009) at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

The funeral service for Mrs. Fedge will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Highway 65 S., Northwood, with the Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Burial will take place at the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

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

Doris Clara Fedge was born Jan. 9, 1913, in Freeborn County, Minn., to Gustov and Sophie (Buth) Buntrock. Growing up she lived on a farm in Freeborn County, Minn., and also went to school in Minnesota. She moved to Northwood in March 1945. She worked at the Paramount Cafe and Applequist grocery before retiring from the Ben Franklin store.

She married Lloyd Fedge on Nov. 2, 1963.

She liked to do handy work, gardening, lawn work and always kept up her own home. Her nieces will miss her homemade dill pickles, sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls.

Doris lived in her own home until three and a half years ago when she went into the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lloyd; and two sisters, Ardella and Glady.

Survivors include her three nieces, Sharon Nelson and husband, Tom, of Albert Lea, Minn., Barb Trenhaile and husband, Wayne, and Linda Banik and husband, David. Also surviving are several great-nieces and nephews and friends and neighbors.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home is assisting the Doris Fedge family with the arrangements.

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

ALGONA - Louise M. Preuschl, 95, of Algona died Friday (March 6, 2009) at the Good Samaritan Society-Algona.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Algona, with Father Edward Girre officiating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery.

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

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, 515-295-3731. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

MASON CITY - Ashley Ann Rewerts, infant daughter of Jason and Traci Rewerts (McCloskey) of Mason City, entered the gates of Heaven Tuesday (March 3, 2009) at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Steve Hansen of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

There will be a gathering of friends and family from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 9, at Major Erickson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to the Ashley Ann Rewerts Memorial Fund.

Ashley is survived by her parents, Jason and Traci Rewerts, of Mason City; brothers, Kenyon Morrison of San Antonio, Texas, Darrion and Dean Rewerts of Mason City; her grandparents, Connie Rewerts of Mason City and Tom and Lisa McCloskey of Des Moines; aunt Julie of Brainard, Minn.; great-grandma Rose Ann Miller of Rudd; many aunts and uncles, cousins, and a special uncle, Steve Thompson, of Mason City.

She is preceded in death by her grandpa, Tom Rewerts; great-uncle, Richard; great-grandparents, Hank Rewerts, William (Mac) and Margaret McCloskey; aunt Dee Dee Wood; and Billy, Shirley and Casie McCloskey.

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

ALGONA - Debbi Subject, 53, of Algona died Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona with Pastor Steve Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Algona.

Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, 515-295-3731. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

CEDAR RAPIDS -Scott Collins TerVeer, 49, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Mason City, died in Houston, Texas, while he was working.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Harrison Mortician Services in Baytown, Texas, provided services to the family, 866-700-4467.
 

Posted on 03/07/2009 by Thomas Manning

WILTON - Pat A. Arganbright, 80, of Wilton died Thursday (March 5, 2009) at her home.

Arrangements are pending with Major Erickson Funeral Home, 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

HAMPTON - Maxine Alene Hahn, 87, of Hampton died (March 6, 2009) at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Baptist Church in Hampton. Burial will be in the Allison Cemetery. Pastor Brian K. Haynes will be officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home, 641-456-3232.

www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com
 

SHEFFIELD - Esther Humburg, 95, of Sheffield, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at the Sheffield Care Center.

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

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

GARNER - Bernice A. Koerner, 99, of the Concord Care Center, Garner, formerly of Klemme, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at the Concord Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are pending with the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, 641-587-2510.
 

Algona - Louise Marie Preuschl, age 95, of Algona, joined her beloved husband John in eternal life in the early hours of Friday (March 6, 2009) with her family by her side at the Good Samaritan Society, Algona.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Cecelia Catholic Church with Father Edward Girres officiating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the discretion of the family.

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

Louise Marie Preuschl was born Jan. 11, 1914, in St. Benedict, the daughter of John and Victoria (Studer) Arend. She attended St. Benedict Catholic School.

On May 7, 1935, Louise was united in marriage to John (Hans) Preuschl. Together they farmed and raised their family near St. Benedict. After their retirement from farming John and Louise moved to Algona. Louise suffered a stroke in May 2008, and shortly after became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona.

Louise enjoyed working on the farm, gardening, tending to her flowers, cooking and playing cards. She was a member of several card clubs, a past member of St. Benedict Catholic Daughters of America and a member of St. Cecelia Parish.

Louise is survived by her children, LeRoy (Teresa) Preuschl of Garner, Donald Preuschl and friend, Carol, of Wesley, Dorene (Gene) Jakoubek of Britt, Julie (Gerald) Goodman of Rochester, Minn., and Stella (Stanley) Huber of Urbandale; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Wilma Arndorfer, Helen DeFrance, Norene Erpelding and Rosie Dangelser.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; son, Gerald; granddaughter, Barbara Selken; her parents; daughter-in-law, Judy Preuschl; siblings, Ruth Ann Arend, Rita Muller, Roman, Edward and James Arend.

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

www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
 

MASON CITY - Lois M. Donaldson Tracy, 94, of Mason City died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at Heritage Care Center in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., with the Monsignor Joseph Slepicka and the Rev. Craig E. Steimel officiating.

There will be no visitation. Lois has donated her body to science.

Inurnment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

SHEFFIELD - Funeral services were held Saturday at Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield with the Rev. Arthur J. Zewert officiating. Burial was in the Zion Reformed Church Cemetery in rural Sheffield.

Visitation was Friday at Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton.

Fandelene Bertha (Stadtlander) VanHorn, 90, of Sheffield, passed away Wednesday (March 4, 2009) at the Sheffield Care Center.

Fandelene, the daughter of Bertus and Katie (Meinderts) Stadtlander, was born on Sept. 25, 1918, on a farm northwest of Meservey in Hancock County. She graduated from Meservey High School in 1936. After graduation from high school, Fandelene attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.

On Jan. 25, 1940, Fandelene was united in marriage to John F. VanHorn at the Meservey Reformed Church parsonage. The couple made their home on a farm north of Latimer, and in 1978 they retired to their home in Sheffield. To this union three sons were born, Myron, Duane and Vernon.

Fandelene loved living on a farm and enjoyed having a large garden and tending to many chickens. Also, she enjoyed embroidery and making quilts and lap robes from cutout squares. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Birthdays and holidays were a very important part of her life.

She was a member of Zion Reformed Church of rural Sheffield, where she was active in the Women of Zion.

Fandelene is survived by her children, Myron and his wife, Jan VanHorn, of Sheffield, Duane and his wife, Dixie VanHorn, of West Des Moines, and Vernon and his wife, Audrey VanHorn, of Latimer.

Grandchildren: Terri and her husband, Perry Holtkamp; Brian and his wife, Amanda VanHorn; Robert and his wife, Barbara VanHorn; Darwin and his wife, Koreen VanHorn; Bradley and his wife, Brenda VanHorn; Justin and his wife, Jennifer VanHorn; Jalene and her husband, Steve West; Ryan and his wife, Jennifer Koenen.

Great-grandchildren: Brandon Holtkamp, Dillon Holtkamp, Ben VanHorn, Melanie VanHorn, Jacob VanHorn, Jonah VanHorn, Alex VanHorn, Jordan VanHorn, Sam VanHorn, Jackson VanHorn, Zac and Eva West, Kolton and Kendal Koenen.

Fandelene was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2000; grandson, Brenton VanHorn; daughter-in-law, Lyla VanHorn; her parents and two brothers, Harvey Stadtlander and Clarence Stadtlander; and two sisters, Irene Stadtlander and Caroline Schmidt.

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

www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com
 

Posted on 03/08/2009 by Thomas Manning

WILTON - Patricia A. Arganbright, 80, of Wilton, died Thursday (March 6, 2009) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Daird Korth of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to Children's Miracle Network, Iowa City.

Major Erickson Funeral Home, 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 

Robert Eugene Bennett

Published in the Globe Gazette on 3/9/2009

Clear Lake - Kathryn Ann Denney, 94, of 908 Fifth Ave. S., Clear Lake, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at her home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, 641-357-2193.
 

Sheffield - Esther Humburg, 95, of Sheffield, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at the Sheffield Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, with the Rev. John Gannett of Zion St. John Lutheran Church presiding. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Sheffield.

Visitation will start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, concluding at the time of service at the funeral home.

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

COLWELL - Cindy Pitz, 51, of Colwell, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at her home.

Funeral services for Cindy Pitz will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Debra Lincoln, of the Colwell United Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be in Beckwith Cemetery, rural Colwell.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will continue Wednesday an hour prior to the service.

The Hauser Funeral Home, Charles City, 641-228-2323.

www.hauserfh.com.
 

MASON CITY - Vicki (Kiefer) Stutzman, 52, of Mason City, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at her home.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. with pastor Tom Healey, Chaplain for Hospice of North Iowa, officiating.

There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to the Vicki Benson Memorial Fund.

Major Erickson Funeral Home, 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

Posted on 03/09/2009/ by Thomas Manning

WILTON - Patricia A. Arganbright, 80, of Wilton, died Thursday (March 5, 2009) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Daird Korth of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Children's Miracle Network, Iowa City, Iowa.

Pat was born on June 7, 1928 in Mason City, the daughter of Lester and Rose (Lansing) Watts. Lynn Gallup was her first husband. He died during World War II. She married Donald L. Arganbright on March 3, 1950, in Forest City.

She worked for Daylight Donut in Huron, S.D. Pat spent 47 years of her life in Mason City, 20 years of her life in Huron, S.D. and has lived in Wilton, Iowa, since 1995.

Pat was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. She enjoyed making quilts, sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, shopping and gambling.

She is survived by her children: Rosella "Rockie" Bunting and her husband Dwight, of Wilton, Don Arganbright Jr. and wife Valerie, of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Les Arganbright and wife Michele, of Bowman, Ga., Lee Arganbright and wife Terri, of St. Paul Park, Minn., Bill Arganbright and wife Phyllis of Huron, S.D.; 13 grandchildren: Dawn Marie Briggs and husband Mark, Andrew Beidelman, Kent Arganbright and wife Jodie, Curtis Arganbright and wife Michelle, Craig Arganbright, Chad Arganbright and wife Amanda, Danny Arganbright and wife Brandy, Melissa Smith and husband Shane, Dannielle, Katie, Jordan, Kelly, and Jessie Arganbright; great-grandchildren: Tanner, Trevor, Courtney, Caitlin, Destiney, Emily, Bryson Arganbright, and Kelsey Smith, Mallory, Abigail and Rebecca Biggs; one sister: Marilyn Nuehring, of Clear Lake; one brother: Lester A. Watts and wife Judy, of Des Moines. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Lynn in 1944; her second husband Donald in 1995; and one sister: Jacqueline; her brother-in-law: Wilbert Nuehring.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 

KANAWHA - Stella Baker, 92, of Kanawha, died Monday (March 9, 2009) at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Ewing Funeral Home, 118 E. Second St. in Kanawha. 641-762-3211.
 

CHARLES CITY -Bernice M. Behnke, 89, of Charles City, died Monday, March 9, 2009, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. Pastor David Werges will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main in Charles City. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St. Charles City, IA 50616.

Hauser Funeral Home, 641-228-2323.

www.hauserfh.com.
 

KIMBALL, Neb. - Gary A. Chapin, 63, of Kimball, died on Friday (March 6, 2009) at his home in Kimball.

Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Cantrell Funeral Home, 609 S. Walnut in Kimball, Neb., with Pastor Mel Daves officiating. Burial will be held in the Kimball Cemetery.

Those wishing to pay their respects did so one hour prior to services on Monday, March 9, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to either Festival of Hope or MHC Hospice.

Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Gary A. Chapin was born in Grafton, Iowa, on May 18, 1945, the son of Kenneth and Pauline (Scarrow) Chapin. He was raised and attended school in Iowa. Gary worked on a dairy farm in Clear Lake, until he was married to Mary Ann Tagesen on Feb. 22, 1964, in Mason City.

They lived in various places in Iowa while working on dairy farms. Gary went to work for International Harvester in August of 1968 as a mechanic and continued working for them for the next 37 years. The family moved to Kimball in 2003 and Gary worked for Kimball County and then later for Hoovestol, Inc., which was a trucking company for the U.S. Postal Service.

Gary enjoyed working in his garage, which was a space for various family activities including darts, movies, music and a place to just hang out. He loved his children and grandchildren and spending time with his family and friends was always very important in his life. He attended the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife Mary Ann of Kimball; daughters, Jodi (Gil) Williams of Loveland, Colo., and Julie ( Rick) Wynne of Kimball, Neb.; son, Joe (Kelly) Chapin of Atoka, Okla.; brothers Lynn, James, David and Daryl; sisters Charlotte O'Donnell, Iola Tesch, Sandra Hitchcock, Debbie Kleveland and Julie Austin, Nancy Cutler, Connie Lamfers, Penny Lappe and Dixie Lane; grandchildren, Caitlin (Dustin) Tabor, Faithin and Jailynn Williams, Melissa and Madison Wynne and Garrett and Trevor Chapin; great-grandchildren, Lily and Dylan Tabor; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, one niece and both sets of grandparents.

Cantrell Funeral Home, 308-235-3712.
 

NORTHWOOD - Virginia Lenore (Mellem) Evenson, 94, of 700 10th Street N., Northwood, died Sunday (March 8, 2009) at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Arrangements are incomplete with the Connor Colonial Chapel, 641-324-1543; www.colonialchapels.com.
 

ALTA VISTA - Marie Gebel, 95, of Alta Vista, Iowa, died on Saturday (March 7, 2009) at Colonial Manor in Elma.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2009, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista and burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Alta Vista.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, with a Scriptural wake service at 5 p.m. and a rosary to follow. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Elma.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are with Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home of Elma, 641-393-2461.
 

SHEFFIELD - Esther A. Humburg, 95, of Sheffield, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at the Sheffield Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, with the Rev. John Gannett of Zion St. John Lutheran Church presiding. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery east of Sheffield.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of services today at the funeral home.

Esther A. Humburg was born on Jan. 29, 1914, on the family farm southeast of Sheffield, a daughter of Henry and Ida (Schaefer) Humburg. Esther was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church. She attended country school.

Esther was a farmer who farmed with her family on the family farm most of her life. She lived on the family farm with a brother and three sisters each being responsible for a specific part of the operation. Esther milked the cows and worked the crops. After her brother's death, the ladies moved into Sheffield. For the past seven years Esther lived at the Sheffield Care Center.

Esther was a lifetime member of Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield and was pleased to be the oldest member of the congregation. She had truly enjoyed her life on the farm and fishing. She read every word of the Sheffield Press each week and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and word searches.

Esther is survived by nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and five brothers: Albert, Art, Henry, Rolland, and Edward; and four sisters: Sophie, Emma, Alma and Ann.

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

BELMOND -Minnie L. Johnson, 83, of Belmond, died Sunday (March 8, 2009) from injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Blairsburg.

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

Dugger Funeral Homes, 641-444-3248.
 

Paula Ann Johnson

BELMOND - Paula Ann Johnson, 53, of Belmond, died Sunday (March 8, 2009).

Arrangements are incomplete at the Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center St. W. in Britt; 641-843-3839.
 

MASON CITY - Evelyn Peterson, 80, of 689 16th St. S.E., died Sunday (March 8, 2009) at her home.

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

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

www.colonial chapels.com.
 

ROCKWELL - Velma Severe, 83, of 917 First St. S., Rockwell, died Monday (March 9, 2009) at her winter residence in Mesa, Ariz.

Arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Funeral Home 120 S. Third St. in Rockwell.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 641-423-8676; www.Fullertonfh.com.
 

GOLDFIELD - Conwell Don "Dunnie" Sorensen, the son of Hans Christian and Mildred (Halgrim) Sorensen, was born on the family farm one mile south of Goldfield on Oct. 13, 1934. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth and graduated from Goldfield High School in 1953.

Dunnie was united in marriage to Jill (Sadie) Sorensen at the United Methodist Church in Goldfield on Nov. 5, 1965.

Dunnie worked for Jerry Hunt and eventually started Sorensen Livestock, buying and selling livestock for over 40 years. He purchased a slaughter- house from Howard Stevenson. Dunnie's job was his hobby.

He belonged to the Wright County Cattleman's Association, Wright County Pork Producers and the Iowa Cattleman's Association, was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield and belonged to Oak Ridge Golf Course.

Dunnie passed away on Sunday (March 8, 2009) at Westview Care Center in Britt at the age of 74 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Kent; and sister, Karen.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2009, at the Goldfield United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield, with the Rev. Jim Seibert, officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Foust Funeral Home, 602 N. Washington, Goldfield.

Survivors include his wife, Jill "Sadie" Sorensen; sons, Todd Sorensen and Joella, of Clarion, Kelly Sorensen and Karrie, of Eagle Grove; grandchildren, Brian, Trenton and Jaydan; step-grandchildren, Taylor, Michael, Jessica, Nathanial and Chelsea; brother, Bud Sorensen and wife Joy, of Goldfield; twin sister, Dee Halverson and husband Carl, of Eagle Grove; sisters, Vicki Reyna and husband Rich, of Higginsville, Mo., and Holly Upchurch and husband Brent, of Ankeny; sister-in-law, Arlis Sorensen, of Goldfield; and other relatives and many friends.
 

MASON CITY - Vicki Stutzman (nee Kiefer), 52, of Mason City, died Saturday (March 7, 2009) at her home.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. with pastor Tom Healey, chaplain, Hospice of North Iowa officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be directed to the Vicki Benson Memorial Fund.

Vicki was born on Dec. 16, 1956, in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of Curtis and Sylvia (Gardner) Kiefer.

Vicki enjoyed spending time with her family and playing with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed listening to music, fishing, playing bingo, camping, crocheting, and playing video games.

Vicki is survived by her partner, Lloyd Maine of Mason City; her children: Lisa Kiefer, of St. Paul, Minn., Miranda Stutzman, of Mason City, Brett Stutzman, of Mason City; three grandchildren: Michael, Dayna, and Maximus; her siblings: Josephine Valera, of St. Paul, Julie Kiefer, of Mason City, Alen Kiefer, of St. Paul, Kim Kiefer and husband Doug Cramer, of Mason City, Ken Kiefer of Albert Lea, Minn. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Sandra Nelson.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 

GARNER - LaRue D. Taylor, 92, of Garner, died Sunday (March 8, 2009) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in Clarion, Pa. There will be no visitation. Her body was cremated.

Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cataldo Funeral Home, 641-923-2841.

www.cataldofuneralhome.com.
 

CEDAR RAPIDS -Scott Collins TerVeer, 49 of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Mason City, Iowa, died in Houston, Texas, where he was working.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Harrison Mortician Services in Baytown, Texas provided services to the family; 866-700-4467.
 

ALBERT LEA, Minn. -Memorial services for Janet K. Warner will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Albert Lea, with Billy Foster, brother of Janet, officiating.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Janet died on Saturday evening (March 7, 2009) at her home in Albert Lea. She was 67 years of age.

Janet was born on Nov. 30, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of John and Helen (Rheingans) Ubben. She attended Catholic School in Mason City, Iowa. On Jan. 16, 1977, she was united in marriage to George Warner in Mason City.

Janet attended the Pentecostal Church in Albert Lea and had been employed as a nurse's aide at St. John's Lutheran Home. She also worked for a short time at Wal-Mart.

In her free time, she enjoyed watching the Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. She loved listening to Christian music and the Gatlin Brothers.

Janet is survived by her husband, George, of Albert Lea, Minn.; children, John Herman, Ted (Laurie) Herman and Jay Wessels, all of Albert Lea, Minn. ; grandchildren: Zach, Jessica, Janet and Taysha Herman; one great-grandson, Josiah Herman. One brother survives, Billy (Norma) Foster, of Wayzata, Minn.; niece, Cara (Jarett) Bowen; and nephew, Ed Foster and his children, Danette and Mason. Katy the cat will also miss her.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; aunt Enid Rheingans; and uncle Bill (Alberta) Rheingans.
 

                              Posted on 03/10/2009 by Thomas Manning