H. Victor Fox

December 4, 2002

H. Victor Fox, age 75, of Osage, died on Sunday, December 1, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven. Rev. Ray E. Atwood will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Vic's body was donated to Mayo Clinic for medical research. A gathering of family and friends will be from 4-8:00 p.m., on Friday, December 6, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, with a Forester Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Vic was born on September 19, 1927, on his parent's farm southwest of New Haven, the son of Henry A. and Eva (Dynes) Fox. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1945. In 1950, Vic was united in marriage to Deloris Jean "Sally" Johanns at the St. Peter's Catholic Church, New Haven. To this union seven children were born. Vic farmed all of his life southeast of New Haven. He also had a part ownership of Custom Ag in Riceville, from 1973 to 1991.

Vic enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed farming, reading, golfing, fishing, traveling, visiting and telling jokes. He was a member of the St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry and Eva Fox; two daughters, Judy Ellen Fox in September 1979 and Kathryn Marie Orth in April 2002; and one brother, Dale Fox.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Fox of Osage; two sons, Kenneth Henry Fox and his wife, Patricia of Waverly and their two children, Nicole Mae Fox and Matthew Victor Fox; Donald Steven Fox and his wife, Jacqueline of Osage and their three children, Devin Christopher Fox, Colin Hale Fox and Aislinn Rose Fox; three daughters, Barbara Jean Zimmerman and her husband, Karl of Tucson, Colleen Ann Fox of Osage and Linda Louise Fett and her husband, Jim of Waseca, Minnesota and their son, James Henry Fett; a son-in-law, David Orth of Kansas City, Missouri and his two children, Megan Lee Buckler and her husband, Jeremy and Connor Andrew Orth; three brothers, Jerry Fox and wife, Madonna of Elma, Larry Fox and wife, Karen of Riceville and Curtis Fox and wife, Arlene of Elma; and one sister, Doris Kulage and her husband, George of St. Charles, Missouri.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Rosella A. Nack

December 11, 2002

Rosella A. Nack, age 71, of Osage, died on Monday, December 2, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Hospice Unit in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 5, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage. Rev. Christian F. Gugel officiated and interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

She was born on December 28, 1930, in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnessota, the daughter of Harold and Delia (Andersen) Weber. She graduated from high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rosella was united in marriage to Dean Nack on March 25, 1950, at the Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They lived most of their married life in Osage.

Rosella was employed at 1st Citizens National Bank for approximately 25 years, retiring as assistant cashier. She was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity LWML and Aid Association for Lutherans. She enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her perennial garden, reading, needlepoint and mowing lawn.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and a son, Daniel in 1979.

She is survived by her husband, Dean of Osage; two daughters, Sue Johnson of Osage and Carol Popp and husband, Kevin of Osage; one son, Bill Nack of Rudd; two sisters, Carol Ross of St. Paul, Minnesota and June Loehr and husband, Duane of St. Paul; three brothers, Charles Weber and wife, Mary Lou of Becker, Minnesota, Le Roy Weber and wife, Alyce of St. Paul and Roland Weber and wife, Ginny also of St. Paul; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven nieces; 14 nephews; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lester Rowe and wife, Dallas of Osage.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Ralph Leonard Grimm

December 11, 2002

Ralph Leonard Grimm, 52, of Osage, died on Tuesday, December 3, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 6, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Osage, with the Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Osage VFW Post 7920 and Osage American Legion Post 278. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Ralph was born in Charles City on January 25, 1950, the son of Jim and Annabelle (Koebrick) Grimm and was baptized at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Charles City in 1952. He was a 1969 graduate of the Osage High School. Ralph served in the US Army in Vietnam, and was united in marriage to Carol Jeanne Schoenborn in June 1970 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Following his service in the Army the couple returned to Osage where they farmed. He was employed at the Spahn & Rose Lumber Company for the past 30 years.

He was a member of the Osage VFW and Osage American Legion. Ralph was an avid wrestling fan and participated in the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament. His passion for the sport had a great influence on his sons wrestling careers. He was well known in the area for his lawn work with his Ford 8N tractors which he collected. Ralph was well known for his generosity and his willingness to help anyone at anytime.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and other relatives.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Grimm of Osage; one daughter, Vicki Fox and fiancée, Kenny Low of Osage and his children, Stephanie, Allison and Ryan; two sons, Heath Grimm and his wife, Angela of Fayette and Chris Grimm of Osage; his parents, Jim and Annabelle Grimm of rural New Haven; five sisters, Beverly (Bob) Friend of Charles City, Jeanne (Jim) Loomer of Greene, Kathy (Kevin) Kimm of Charles City, Julie (Lawrence) Foth of Osage and Janelle (Bill) Nuehring of Rockwell; four brothers, Roger (Judy) Grimm of Elma, LeRoy (Sue) Grimm of Independence, Richard (Theresa) Grimm of Osage, Robert (Shelley) Grimm of New Haven; father and mother-in-law, Don and Claire Schoenborn of Osage; brother and sister-in-law, Dar and Geri Thompson of St. Ansgar; sister-in-law, Mary Kay Schoenborn and special friend, Mike of Clear Lake; brother and sister-in-law, Ed (Janna) Schoenborn of Santee, California; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed by his extended family of friends.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Joyce Evelyn (Horton) Beisswenger

December 18, 2002

Joyce Evelyn (Horton) Beisswenger, age 72, departed this life peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2002.

A memorial service, followed by a reception for sharing with family and friends, was held on Saturday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m., at the Edgehill United Methodist Church. Rev. Bill Barnes officiated. Her body was donated to the Meharry Medical College.

A native of Osage, Iowa, Joyce graduated in 1948 from the Osage High School and was elected band queen. She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa, where she founded a program of hospitality for international students that continues today. She earned a Masters of Religious Studies from the Yale Divinity School and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She worked in the social work field for many years in Nashville, including positions with Planned Parenthood, Scarritt College, the YWCA and Matthew 25.

At the YWCA she developed and directed the Displaced Homemakers Program, and the New Start Program for women ex-offenders. She co-founded with her husband in 1983 the Penuel Ridge Contemplative Retreat Center in Cheatham Co., Tennessee.

Joyce was a long-time member of the Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville. She is remembered for her generous spirit, her piano playing and her tireless devotion to her family, to promoting civil rights and to helping persons in need.

Joyce's survivors include her husband, Donald Beisswenger; six children: son, Siram of Berkeley, California; son Drew, daughter-in-law, Lisa Langston and granddaughter, Helen of Springfield, Missouri; son, Tom, daughter-in-law, Mary and granddaughter, Sara of Athens, Georgia; son, Philip, daughter-in-law, Bacilia and grandsons, Daniel and Matthew of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter, Suzanne Ross, son-in-law, Jim and grandchildren, Emily and Parker of Simpsonville, South Carolina; daughter, Rebecca Duvall, son-in-law, Rick and grandchildren, Dylan and Rachel of Franklin, Tennessee; brothers, Phil Horton and Bob Horton; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. She helped raise eight foster children.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to the Penuel Ridge Contemplative Retreat Center, endowment fund or building fund, Ashland City, Tennessee.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Frankie Phearman

December 11, 2002

Frankie Phearman, age 93, of Osage, died on Monday, December 9, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 12, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with the Rev. Robert Melhorn officiating. Interment will be in the Osage Cemetery in Osage.

Frankie Phearman, was born on October 27, 1909 in Marion County, the daughter of Grover and Jessie (McCoy) Carter. She graduated from the Runnells High School in Runnells, Iowa in 1927. Frankie then received her teaching degree from Simpson College in 1932. She was united in marriage to Roy Phearman on August 30, 1932, at the home of her grandparents in Marion County, who raised her after the age of eight.

Frankie started teaching in rural country schools in Iowa, then taught in Rudd, and retired from the Osage Community Schools where she taught for several years. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Osage, Rebekah's, Wa tan ye, Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary, Floyd County Retired Teachers and UCT in Mason City. Frankie's family was very important to her and especially her grandchildren. She also liked tatting, quilting and sewing.

Preceding Frankie in death were her parents; grandparents; husband, Roy in 1974; and one sister, Hazel Allene Rhinehart.

Her survivors include two sons, Larry Phearman and wife, Catherine of Mason City and Lee Phearman and his wife, Sharon of Charles City; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

James C. "Jim" Jahnel

December 18, 2002

James Casper Jahnel, age 76, of rural New Haven, died on Monday, December 9, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 14, 2002, at the St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven. Father Ray E. Atwood officiated. Military rites were conducted by the Osage American Legion Post 278. Inurnment will be at a later date in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in New Haven.

Jim was born on August 26, 1926 in Osage, the son of Ed and Carrie (Toelle) Jahnel. When he was three months old, his mother passed away, so Jim went to live with his Aunt and Uncle, Winnie and Herman Jahnel. He attended the St. Mary's School in New Haven for eight years and then graduated from the Osage High School in 1945. He entered the United States Army in 1945 and was sent to the Philippines and was discharged in 1946. Jim was united in marriage to June Havig on June 7, 1947, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. They lived and farmed in the New Haven area until he retired.

He was a member of the St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Osage American Legion Post 278 and the Osage VFW Post 7920. Jim enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers, Richard, Kenneth and Bob Jahnel; his aunt and uncle who raised him, Winnie and Herman Jahnel; and one grandson, Brian Jahnel.

His survivors include his wife, June of rural New Haven; seven children, David Jahnel and wife, Kay of Robins, Iowa, Bill Jahnel and wife, Gloria of Toddville, Iowa, Barb Berg and husband, Larry of St. Paul, Minnesota, Dennis Jahnel and friend, Diane of North Liberty, Iowa, Mark Jahnel and wife, Cheryl of Orchard, Kevin Jahnel of New Haven and Carolyn Palsic and husband, Kelvin of Osage; 16 grandchildren, Chad Jahnel, Michelle Kitterman, Kyle Jahnel, Keely Davenport, Allison Davenport, Tina Serra, Tally Stanley, Tom Berg, Tim Berg, Erin Dyson, Jeff Jahnel, Lisa Jahnel, Brad Jahnel, Monica Jahnel, Michael Palsic and Casey Palsic; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Geraldine Fox of Riceville; and several nieces and nephews.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Robert W. Hemann

December 18, 2002

Robert W. Hemann, age 76, of Osage, died at the Faith Home in Osage, on Thursday, December 12, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 16, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. Reverend Philip Recker officiated. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, with Military Honors by the VFW Post 7920.

Robert was born on September 8, 1926 in McIntire, the son of Joseph and Dorothy (Smith) Hemann. He attended the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Meyer. He served with the Army of Occupation in Italy from 1945 to 1947. Robert married Norraine Weisensel at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville on August 24. 1949. He worked various jobs including 19 years at Oliver/White Farm in Charles City.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, VFW and Knights of Columbus.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother, Cletus.

Robert is survived by his wife, Norraine Hemann of Osage; two daughters, Carol Hansen and her husband, Wayne of Danube, Minnesota and Sandy Hemann of Burnsville, Minnesota; three step-grandchildren, Brett, Rachel and Kyle; four step-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Raymond (Beatrice) Hemann of Adams, Minnesota, John (Joan) Hemann of Saratoga, Art (Darlene) Hemann of Osage and Kenneth (Ann) Hemann of St. Ansgar; three sisters, Sister Mary Kenneth, OSF of Okalona, Mississippi, Angela (Herb) Werner of Osage and Theresa (George) Theis of Plymouth; three sisters-in law, Kathleen Hemann of Osage, Della (Dale) Attig of Austin, Minnesota and Sister Catherine Weisensel, OSF of Dubuque; two brothers-in-law, Jim Larson of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Marvin (Joan) Weisensel of Racine, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Dr. Philip Starr Horton

December 25, 2002

Dr. Philip Starr Horton, 80, died in the early morning of Wednesday, December 18, 2002, of cancer, at his home in Iowa City.

His life and faith was celebrated at Lensing Oak Hill on Saturday, December 21, with the Rev. Kenneth Royar officiating. Graveside services were in the Osage Cemetery, followed by a memorial gathering of friends at the First Baptist Church in Osage.

Dr. Horton was born on December 26, 1921 in Osage, to Guy Lewis and Fern Starr Horton. Philip attended the Osage Community High School where he graduated in 1940. He attended Cornell College before enlisting in the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. He was united in marriage to LaVonn Gordon on September 1, 1946 at Barnum, Iowa.

After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1950 he practiced with his father in Osage for 20 years. Upon completion of his Master's Degree, he taught at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology and retired as a Professor Emeritus in 1989.

He was a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Dental Radiology and was active in the Iowa City Noon Rotary and Rotary International. He and his wife lived in Iowa City for 25 years prior to living in Fairfield from 1995-2000, where they were members of the First United Methodist Church.

Philip served as a volunteer missionary dentist for three to four month periods in Thailand, Hong Kong and Africa, over the course of 10 years under the auspices of Rotary International.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Margaret Horton Keller and Joyce Horton Beisswenger.

He is survived by his wife, LaVonn; his children, Dr. Douglas Horton of Cedar Rapids and children, Ben and Susy; John and Tammy Horton of Topeka, Kansas and children, Jenna, Sarah, and Christopher; Jeannine Wiegert of Iowa City and children, Katie and Krista; Steve and Merrilee Horton of St. Paul, Minnesota; brother, Robert of Santa Barbara, California; as well as 21 nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to the Iowa City Hospice, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in care of the University of Iowa Foundation or the Rotary International Foundation.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Dolores F. Henderson

January 1, 2003

Dolores F. Henderson, 67, died following a lengthy illness, on Friday, December 20, 2002, at the Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, December 23, at the United Methodist Church, Hawkeye, Iowa. Reverend Roger White officiated.

Dolores Fern, daughter of Verlyn and Fern Bond Kerns, was born on August 2, 1935 at Macksburg, in Madison County, Iowa. She graduated from the Macksburg Orient High School in 1953. On November 15, 1954, she was united in marriage with Harold Henderson at Bethany, Missouri. The couple farmed in the Hawkeye and Alpha areas for many years. Mr. Henderson died on November 3, 1984.

Dolores was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hawkeye.

Preceding Dolores in death were her husband; two sons, Dennis and James; one grandson, Jody; and three brothers, Jim, Gerald and Russell.

Her survivors include one son, Duane Henderson of Missouri; six daughters, Debbie Henderson of Maynard, Kerry (Chris) Kisling of Van Meter, Iowa, Kristi (George Beyer) Henderson of Mitchell, Iowa, Lori (Kevin) Gossling of Calmar, Kimi Henderson of Hawkeye and Vickie (George) Wendel of Oelwein; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Merle Kerns and Ron Kerns, both of Winterset.

The Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Sumner, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Mitchell County Press

Viola Anne Gutmann

January 1, 2003

Viola Anne Gutmann, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2002, at the Stacyville Nursing Home, Stacyville, Iowa.

Memorial services were held on Monday, December 23, at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, Iowa. The Reverend Byron Northwick officiated. Burial will be at a later date.

Viola was born on June 25, 1904, to George J. and Minna Laura (Riccius) Gutmann of St. Ansgar. The Gutmann family operated the bakery in St. Ansgar for many years and everyone was expected to help out. She attended school in St. Ansgar and was valedictorian of her senior class in 1922. Earlier in 1918 she had been confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Vi decided on teaching as her profession and attended both Iowa State Teachers College and the State University of Iowa. Here she graduated with a BA in 1929. For a few years in between attending each college she had taught math in the Bayard, Iowa Schools for two years. She taught math in Mouton, Iowa for several years. In 1933, she started teaching at Story City, Iowa, where she remained there for 35 years. In 1958, she was presented with a new 1959 Chevy during the half-time of a football game. Graduating classes from her 25 years of teaching there had contributed enough money to make this happen. It was truly the highlight of her teaching career! In 1962 the Story City yearbook was dedicated to her and one quotation sums up her work nicely, ”She was our best teacher ever!” Education was always important to Vi and she also took several advanced courses in math during summer breaks.

After her retirement she returned to St. Ansgar. Keeping in touch with family and friends was very important to Vi and she did this by writing letters and making phone calls. She also enjoyed gardening, mowing her own lawn, driving around in her car and playing cards. She also assisted at the library for several years. She was a faithful member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Her last few years were spent at the Stacyville Nursing Home.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George and Herman; and sisters, Esther Klindt and Harriet Machlan.

Her survivors include two nephews and five nieces; one sister-in-law; and many great-nephews and nieces.
© 2003 Mitchell County Press

Guy C. Williams

January 1, 2003

Guy C. Williams, 87, of Mason City, died on Monday, December 23, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 27, at the First United Methodist Church, Wayside Chapel. The Reverend Jeff Dahlin officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery, Osage.

Guy C. Williams, was born on May 8, 1915 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Lancie and Hazel (Stokes) Williams. He spent his boyhood years in Pierre, South Dakota. In 1933, he graduated from the Osage High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II from 1941 to 1946. On April 10, 1943, Guy married Helen Barrick. They moved to Manly in 1946 where he ran the Manly Hatchery. In 1961, they moved to Osage where he was affiliated with the North Iowa Hatcheries. Mason City became their home in 1969 where he was employed by the MacNider Art Museum.

He loved art, music, drawing, painting, making pottery, weavings and building musical instruments, figurines and furniture. His interests also included bird watching, astronomy, genealogy and growing flowers.

Guy was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents; and brother, Dale.

His survivors include two sons, Gerald Williams and wife, Linda of Missouri and Robert Williams and wife, Mary of Mason City; two daughters, Cathleen and her husband, Dennis Palmini of Wisconsin and Rebecca of Arizona; grandchildren, Jeff, Melissa, Tom, David, Andrew, Bethany, Ryan and Steve; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Merle Carter of Osage.

The Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Mitchell County Press

Ila Mary Winkels

January 8, 2003

Ila Mary Winkels, 79, of Meyer, Iowa, died on Monday, December 30, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 3, 2003, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Meyer. Reverend Mark Reasoner officiated. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meyer.

Ila was born on August 7, 1923 in Wells, Minnesota, to Andrew and Ingeborg (Hermanson) Jensen. She married Lambert Winkels on November 8, 1975.

Preceding her in death were her parents; one sister, Eleanor Musser; and one brother, Don Jensen.

Survivors include her husband, Lambert of Meyer; one daughter, Joan Gasset of Nisswa, Minnesota; three sons, Jerry Brandt of Wells, Minnesota, Bob Brandt of Grand Marais, Minnesota and Steve Brandt, address unknown; four step-children, Katherine Williams of Oskaloosa, Virginia Boerjan of McIntire, Linda Taylor of Birmingham, Iowa and Keith Winkels of Meyer; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rosmund Miller of Wells, Minnesota and Carol Mast of Mason City.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of St. Ansgar, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Mitchell County Press