IOWA FALLS - Beth Jennings Bolton, 52, of Iowa Falls died Monday (Oct. 19, 2009) at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital, Iowa Falls.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the First United Methodist Church, 619 Main St., Iowa Falls. Burial will be at the Northlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, Iowa Falls.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Linn's Funeral Home, 1521 Washington Ave., Iowa Falls.
Memorials may be directed to the family in care of her mother at 2414 Timberedge Road, Iowa Falls, IA 50126.
The Linn's Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
 

CHARLES CITY - Orpha Ellefson, 99, of Charles City died Friday (Oct. 16, 2009) at Cedar Health in Charles City.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 24, 2009) at Messiah Lutheran Church, 705 Third Ave. in Charles City, with the Rev. Jane Keel officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in the Osage Cemetery.
Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home Web site at www.Fullertonfh.com. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, 641-228-4211.
 

HANLONTOWN - Orain A. Hegney, 86, Hanlontown, died Tuesday (Oct. 20, 2009) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
A funeral service will be held for Orain at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at the Grace Lutheran Church, 302 E. Fourth St., Hanlontown, with Pastor Linda Johnson-Prestholt officiating. Burial will be in Brush Point Cemetery, rural Hanlontown, with military honors conducted by members of the Edward-Tosel American Legion Post 110 of Manly.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly.
Memorials may be directed to the Orain A. Hegney Memorial.
Orain Artill Hegney was born Sept. 21, 1923, in Hanlontown, the son of John and Julia (Thovson) Hegney. He graduated from Hanlontown High School and attended college while in the military. Orain was drafted into the United States Air Force and was later honorably discharged.
Orain was united in marriage to Betty Kennedy on April 1, 1961, and they had four children. He worked many years for the Mason City Millwork.
Orain enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, gardening, reading and woodworking. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, Hanlontown.
Orain is survived by his children, Mike (Donna) Kennedy, Hanlontown, Cheryl (Roger) Tietjens, Mason City, Julie (Kevin) Losee, Hanlontown, and Barbara Suby (Dan Kramer), Stacyville; grandchildren, Jeromy Kennedy, Kelly Kennedy, Amy (Josh) Pilcher, Andrew (Angela) Tietjens, Mallory (Adam) Oppermann, Selena Losee, and Ethan Losee; 15 great- grandchildren; one sister, Jeanette Holm, Glenwood, Minn., along with several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty; and one grandson, Aaron Tietjens.
Bride Colonial Chapel 110 E. Spring St., Manly, 641-454-2242
www.colonialchapels.com
 

LUSBY, Md. - Virginia "Ginny" E. Mennenga, 66, formerly of Clear Lake, died Sunday (Sept. 13, 2009) at her daughter's home.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. According to her wishes, her body has been donated to Anatomy Gifts Registry, Glen Burnie, Md.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Virginia E. Mennenga Memorial Fund in care of Eva Burns, 416 Round Up Road, Lusby, MD 20657.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, 641-357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com
 

BELMOND - Jesus (Jay) Negrete, 80, of Belmond, passed away Wednesday (Oct. 14, 2009) at his home in Belmond.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. The Rev. Monsignor John Hemann and deacon Nick Schmit will officiate. Burial will take place in the St. Francis Cemetery near Belmond.
Visitation for Jesus (Jay) Negrete will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane S. in Belmond. A scriptural wake service and parish rosary will be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be no visitation at the church on Thursday.
Jesus, the son of Simon and Angelina Hernanadez Negrete, was born Dec. 1, 1928, in Leon, Wanawato, Mexico. Jay was baptized into the Catholic faith while still living in Mexico. At the age of 5 months his family moved to the United States, eventually settling in Belmond.
Jesus attended schools in Belmond and graduated from Belmond High School in 1947.
Jay worked at General Mills, which later became Central Soya. Due to an industrial accident, Jay was forced to retire in 1985. He was a friendly person who enjoyed in engaging in conversation with anyone and everyone.
Jesus is survived by his sisters, Jean Schwartz of Belmond, Conie (Cecil) Swanson of Des Moines, Mary Negrete of San Fransisco, Calif., Isabel Negrete of San Diego, Calif., Nellie (Marvin) Fleming of Omaha, Neb., Ruth (Tom) Matthews of Neptune Beach, Fla., Stella (George) Bangous of Mio, Mich.; and brothers Simon Jr. (Rose) of Salt Lake City, Utah and Robert of Spirit Lake.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Rose and brothers Joseph and John.
Dugger Funeral Home, Belmond.
 

MASON CITY -Charles E. "Chuck" Westendorf, 71, of Clear Lake died Monday (Oct. 19, 2009) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday (Oct. 23, 2009) at The Salvation Army, 747 Village Green Drive S.W., Mason City, with pastor Clyde Harvey and the Rev. Dwayne Bull officiating. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m. today (Oct. 22, 2009) at the First Assembly of God Church, 1301 N. Carolina Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Charles "Chuck" Westendorf Memorial Fund in care of the family.
Chuck was born May 3, 1938, in Buffalo Center, the son of Charles T. and Irma (Kraft) Westendorf-Whitnable. He attended school in Mason City and graduated in 1957.
Chuck was married to LaVonne Bull on Aug. 18, 1957, at the First Assembly of God Church in Mason City. He continued his education at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn., graduating in 1963. Chuck entered the ministry and lead Assembly of God Congregations in Ellendale, Minn., New Sharon, Louisville, Ky., and Clinton, Ill., before coming to Mason City where he was currently on the staff of The First Assembly of God church in Mason City. He also worked in insurance sales as a regional director for Prudential Insurance. Chuck touched many lives with his pulpit ministry through Iowa. He was a natural leader. He was always pulling people together, taking charge and setting things in order. Chuck had a giving heart for people, local organizations/congregations and missions.
In his free time he enjoyed fishing anywhere, including many trips to Canada and deep sea fishing in the South Seas of China. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and enjoyed the camaraderie with his friends and family while hunting and fishing. Family was important to Chuck and he cherished the time he spent with them and the memories they shared. He was a "dad" not only to his own children but to any that needed him. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Chuck was survived by his wife, LaVonne; children, John (Rhonda) Westendorf of Sheffield, Jean (Jeff) Jurgens of Clear Lake and Jewell Ressler of Mason City; grandchildren, Taylor Jurgens, Justin Jurgens, Lauren Jurgens, Brandon Westendorf, Trent Ressler and Tarra Ressler; siblings, Robert (Jan) of Mason City, Roger (Audrey) of Worthington, Minn., and Shirley Marlow of Phoenix, Ariz.
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
 

OXFORD, England - Funeral arrangements are incomplete for Donald S. Boyle, 88, of Oxford, England, formerly of Dougherty, who died Monday (Oct. 19, 2009) in Oxford.
Funeral services and burial will be in England.
 

CLEAR LAKE - Ruth Louise Toppin, 90, Clear Lake, died Wednesday (Oct. 21, 2009) at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A celebration of life for Ruth will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover of the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake officiating. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 18 West, Mason City.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Friday at the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Ruth Toppin has requested that those wishing to give a memorial may wish to consider Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City, or to the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake in her memory.
Ruth Louise Toppin was born on Feb. 12, 1919, on a farm near New Sharon, the daughter of Emery Andrew and Eva Arminta (Hockenberry) Toppin. Welcoming her home were her brothers, Maurice, Harlan and Paul, and sisters, Mildred, Helen, Gertrude and Esther. At one year of age the family moved to a farm near Blue Earth, Minn., and in 1920, they moved to a farm near Winnebago, Minn. The family moved to a farm near Clear Lake in 1934 before moving to Montezuma in 1939. Ruth received her education in the Winnebago Public Schools and also graduated from the Paris Academy of Beauty School in Cedar Rapids in 1940. Ruth began her beauty shop career by managing a shop in Montezuma and then purchased the shop and operated it until 1947. In 1947, she and her mother moved to Clear Lake where Ruth owned and operated the Unique Beauty Shop until she retired in 1987.
Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, WA-TAN-Ye and the Rebecca Lodge.
Ruth made a loving home for her mother and was an excellent caregiver. Ruth was a fun loving person who enjoyed traveling, family and friends. Ruth was loved by her brothers, sisters and family and will be sadly missed.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother in 1960; her father in 1947; four brothers, Emery in 1910, Paul and Maurice in 1979, and Harlan in 2002; also preceding her in death are her five sisters, an infant sister in 1921, Mildred Duncanson in 1933, Helen Wright in 1992, Esther Doolittle in 2002, and Gertrude Clemons in 2007.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 641-357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com
 

Posted on 22 October 2009 by Marie Thompson

MASON CITY - Julie Broers, 51, of Mason City, died Wednesday (Oct. 21, 2009) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Graveside services will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 24, 2009) at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with Pastor Jeni Bohls of St. James Lutheran Church officiating.

There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Julie Broers Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Julie was born on April 5, 1958, in Mason City, the daughter of Ben and Dorothy (Meckel) Smidt. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1976.

Julie was married to Bardelt Broers on June 6, 1976, in Mason City. Julie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchild, Chloe. She also enjoyed shopping for farm d�cor, which she liked to refurbish, decorating in country themes, sitting on her front porch watching the dogs play, and taking care of her flowers.

Julie is survived by her children, Brad Broers and wife, Chris, of Mason City, Daniel Broers and wife, Kristin, of West Des Moines, and Brandon Broers and fianc�e, Amber Lichman, of Mason City; her granddaughter, Chloe Broers, of Mason City; her mother, Dorothy Smidt, of Mason City; one step-brother, Jerry Smidt and wife, Ann, of Britt. She is also survived by one uncle, several aunts, and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bardelt, in 1992; her son, Derrick, in 2005; her father, Ben; one brother, Ben Jr., and one sister, Helen May.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Mildred Gerard, 99, of Jefferson City, Mo., formerly of Mason City, died Thursday (Sept. 22, 2009) at the Summit Villa in Holts Summit, Mo.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

MASON CITY - Martha Heimbuch, 90, of Mason City, died Wednesday, (Oct. 21, 2009) at the Troy Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Mich.

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

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
 

GALESBURG, ILL. - Charles F. Hines, 84, of 973 Dudley St., Galesburg, Ill., died Monday (Oct. 19, 2009) at his home in Galesburg.

He was born on Feb. 3, 1925, in Mason City, the son of Henry C. and Mildred L. "Ruth" Littler Hines.

Charles married Jeanne F. Gladfelter on July 5, 1947, in Galesburg, Ill. She survives in Galesburg.

Also surviving are two daughters, Cynthia Lynn Hines of Washington, D.C., and Cathleen L. (Tate) Chambers, of Morton, Ill.; one son, Charles F. Hines, Jr., of Naples, Fla.; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, William Hines, of Mason City; and two sisters, Mildred Hines, of Illinois and Caroline Maloney, of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marilyn Clancey.

He was raised and educated in Mason City. He attended the University of Illinois for two years and received an accounting degree. He served in the United States Army from June 25, 1943, until Jan. 30, 1946. He received several medals including the World War II Victory Medal, Bronze Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.

He and his wife owned and operated Midwest Builders in Galesburg, Ill. They spent their winter months in Naples, Fla.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

Private family services will be held at a later date in Naples, Fla. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice.

Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory in Knoxville, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
 

SHEFFIELD - Roseann Humburg Midlang, 89, formerly of Mason City, passed away Thursday, (Oct. 22, 2009) at the Sheffield Care Center.

Funeral services will be held 11:15 a.m. Monday at Retz Funeral Home, Sheffield with the Rev. James Dubert of Sacred Heart Catholic Church presiding. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a Scripture wake service and rosary service at 5 p.m.

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

Posted on 23 October 2009 by Marie Thompson