George M. Oakland

February 13, 2002

George Milton Oakland, age 74, of rural St. Ansgar, died on Friday, February 8, 2002, very unexpectedly from heart failure at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 12, at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter. Rev. Kathy Larson officiated and burial was in the Deer Creek Cemetery. The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

George was born on May 29, 1927 in Twin Lakes, Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Inga (Thompson) and Jacob Oakland. He was baptized on June 26, 1927 at the Lunder Lutheran Church, Glenville, Minnesota. George was confirmed on September 13, 1942 at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, Gordonsville, Minnesota.

George grew up as the seventh of ten children of Lawrence (Doaks), Eleanor, Ingebor, Norman, Walter (Wally), Kenneth, Elaine (Sis), Idella (Babe) and Robert (Bobby). They lived on farms in the Gordonsville, Minnesota area. He received his 8th grade diploma on June 27, 1941 from School District #59 in Freeborn County. In his early years, he worked for several farmers in the area, worked at a creamery in Myrtle, Minnesota and also worked on a turkey farm near Otranto, Iowa.

George married Marvyl Louise Hulshizer on August 7, 1949, at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, Iowa. He resided on the same farm north of Carpenter all of his married life. George and Marvyl raised two children, Judy and Gary.

He was a faithful member of the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, for over 50 years. He served many years on the church council and cemetery board. He was also active in the Carpenter Community Club and was currently on the board of directors of the Northwood Retirement Home, Northwood.

He was a farmer all of his life and milked cows, raised crops, cattle, pigs and sheep. He also enjoyed being a seed corn dealer for many years which led to many lifelong friendships. He enjoyed his four grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Sadie and Jenna.

George enjoyed John Deere tractors all of his life and recently purchased a 630 John Deere which was delivered the day he died. He told Marvyl he really wanted to have a Johnny Popper!

Preceding him in death were his mother, Inga and father, Jacob; his brothers, Walter, Lawrence and Kenneth Oakland.

Those that survive him include his wife, Marvyl of 52 1/2 years; daughter, Judy Shirley of Hudson, Iowa; son, Gary Oakland and daughter-in-law, Julie of St. Ansgar; four grandchildren, Jacob and Sadie Oakland of St. Ansgar, Joshua and Jenna Shirley of Hudson; mother-in-law, Gladys Hulshizer of Northwood; four sisters, Eleanor Buchanan of Gordonsville, Minnesota, Ingebor Broitzman of Northwood, Elaine Hill and husband, Jim of Northwood and Idella Hinds of Albert Lea, Minnesota; two brothers, Norman Oakland and Robert Oakland and wife, Donna, all of Albert Lea, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Marvin Hulshizer and wife, Sandy of Georgetown, Texas; and aunts, uncles, many nieces and nephews; cousins, friends and neighbors.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Barbara Oxenford

February 13, 2002

Mrs. John (Barbara) Oxenford, age 74, of Rifle, Colorado, died on Saturday, February 9, 2002. Inurnment will be in the Osage Cemetery at a later date.

She was born on January 25, 1927, to Charles R. and Ruth (Forward) Burtch of Osage.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents.

Those that survive her include her husband, John; three children, John Thomas, Robert and Deborah Ruth; fourteen grandchildren; two sisters, Beth Lothringer and husband, Jim of LaMesa, California and Dorothy Anderson and husband, Robert of Williams, Arizona; and a cousin, Maurine Hudson of Osage.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Robert B. Winkels

February 13, 2002

Robert Bernard Winkels, age 86, of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Sunday, February 10, 2002, at the St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 16, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Rochester. Rev. Dale Tupper will officiate. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Austin, Minnesota, at 2:30 p.m., with military honors at the grave. Visitation is from 5-8:00 p.m., on Friday evening at the Ranfranz Funeral Home, Rochester, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the services at the church.

Robert was born on November 6, 1915 in Meyer, Iowa. He was raised on a farm and graduated from the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Meyer. Robert continued to live and work on the family farm until he moved to Rochester and worked for the St. Mary’s Hospital Farms as a grounds keeper at the hospital.

He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed during World War II in the Aleutian Islands off Kodiak, Alaska. While in the service, he married Frances Robran on August 12, 1944, at Camp Hood in Belton, Texas.

Following the war, Robert farmed and had his own construction company. In 1960, he graduated from Commercial School in Wisconsin and received his journeyman carpenters license. In 1966, he joined the Winkels Construction Company in Austin, Minnesota and returned to farming in Brownsdale, Minnesota.

In 1976, he retired from the construction business and joined the Mayo Clinic evening maintenance crew. In 1978, he was forced to retire due to a farm accident that left him partially paralyzed. In 1990, he sold the farm and retired to Austin. In 1998, he had open heart-heart surgery and moved to Maple Manor Homes in Rochester.

He was Commander of the American Legion Post in Stacyville, member of the Stacyville Commercial Club, volunteer fireman in Stacyville, member of the Knights of Columbus, Eagles Club, President of the Golden Age Seniors Club in Austin and was active in Catholic Churches.

Preceding him in death were his wife; his parents; two sisters; and two brothers.

Those that survive him include daughters, Charlotta (Wilbur) Simon of Stacyville, Jane (David) Cummiskey of Waterville, Minnesota, Mary (Rick) Iverson of Kasson, Minnesota and Master Sergeant Linda M. Winkels, U.S. Army, Fort Lewis, Washington; sons, Robert (Gloria) Winkels of Rochester, Minnesota and Tom (Roxanne) Winkels of Osh Kosh, Wisconsin; 11 grandchikldren; and five great-grandchildren.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Cheryl Ann Barker Duda

February 20, 2002

Cheryl Ann Barker-Duda of Effie, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, February 12, 2002.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, February 16, at the Bigfork Lutheran Church in Bigfork, Minnesota. Arrangements were handled by the Carroll Funeral Home, Bigfork, Minnesota.

Cheryl was born on September 9, 1950. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Kent Barker; and her brother, Ronald Barker.

Those that survive her include her husband, Bob; mother, Frances Schroeder; brothers, Merrill, William, Russell and Cletus Barker; children, Jennifer, Jessica, Daniel and Robert; and grandchildren, Griffin, Hunter and Malcolm.

Memorials may be directed to the Bigfork Lutheran Church, Bigfork, Minnesota, in Cheryl’s name.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Margaret K. “Peggy” Claassen

February 20, 2002

Margaret K. “Peggy” Claassen, age 87, of Osage, died on Sunday, February 17, 2002, at her home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 20, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. Philip Recker officiating. Visitation is from 2-4:00 p.m., on Tuesday evening, February 19, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, with a Rosary at 3:45 p.m. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Margaret was born on December 19, 1914 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Katherina (Frank) Kloberdanz. She moved to Osage with her family at a young age. Later she moved to the Waterloo area where she met and married her husband, LeeRoy Claassen. She worked at Rath Meat Packing in Waterloo for many years.

Following LeeRoy’s death she moved back to Osage. Margaret was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Osage.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, LeeRoy; three sisters, Christina, Elizabeth and an infant sister, Regina; five brothers, Joseph, Peter, Jacob and John A. and an infant brother, John.

Those that survive her include her two sisters, Anna Schwab and Magdalene Wagner and husband, Eugene, all of Osage; one brother, George Kloberdanz and wife, Luella of Waterloo; three sisters-in-law, Elsie Kloberdanz of Waterloo, Gertrude Kloberdanz of Cannon City, Colorado and Lou Kloberdanz of Austin, Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Dora Conrad

February 20, 2002

Dora Conrad, age 91, formerly of Little Cedar, died on Sunday, February 17, 2002, at the Riceville Community Nursing Home in Riceville.

Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, February 20, at 10:30 a.m., at the Little Cedar Methodist Church. Rev. Jay Amundson will officiate. Interment will be in the Liberty Cemetery, Little Cedar. Visitation is from 6-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage and will continue one hour before the services at the church.

Dora was born on January 22, 1911 in Stacyville, the daughter of George and Anna (Seeley) Bird. She married Carl Conrad at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. Dora was a cook for the Little Cedar School for many years. She enjoyed gardening, baking and her family.

She was a member of the Little Cedar United Methodist Church and the United Methodist women.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Carl; her parents; and two sisters.

Those that survive her include her two daughters, Mary Ann Schnell and husband, Roger of Osage and Sandra Vitek and her husband, Don of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; two sons, Galen “Bub” Conrad and wife, Frances of Riceville and Dennis Conrad and wife, Debra of Little Cedar; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

John C. Hackenmiller

February 20, 2002

John C. Hackenmiller, 65, of Woodward and formerly of Meyer, died on Monday, February 18, 2002, at the Woodward Resource Center of natural causes.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, February 21, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Meyer. Rev. Joseph Schneider will officiate and interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Meyer. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, at the church. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

John C. Hackenmiller, was born on November 10, 1936 in Meyer, the son of Alfred and Cecilia (Klinkhammer) Hackenmiller.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Cecilia Hackenmiller on January 30, 1990; and one brother, Eugene Hackenmiller on May 22, 1986.

He is survived by his father, Alfred Hackenmiller of Stacyville; sister, Betty Retterath and husband, Barney of Meyer; four brothers, Leon Hackenmiller and wife, Theresa of Stacyville, Paul Hackenmiller and wife, Rita of St. Ansgar, Kenneth Hackenmiller of Meyer and Charles Hackenmiller and wife, Shirley of Austin, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Jo Hackenmiller Popp of Osage; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Susan Lynn Kline

February 27, 2002

Susan Lynn Kline, age 53, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died on Sunday, February 24, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, February 27, at the United Methodist Church, St. Ansgar, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Jay Amundson officiated. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar. The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements.

Susan Lynn Kline, was born on October 6, 1948, the daughter of Claire and Dorothy Brasch. She lived the majority of her life in St. Ansgar, graduating from the St. Ansgar High School before attending Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and later graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in education.

She married Jerry Kline of St. Ansgar at her parents home on July 6, 1971. They spent two years in Dubuque, before returning to St. Ansgar where her children, Tara Thorson and Eric Kline were born.

She worked rearing her children and later returned to teaching, most recently in Lyle, Minnesota. She was an integral part of the community in St. Ansgar, which will feel her absence deeply. She will be remembered for her smile, good word and caring heart. By her family, she will be remembered as the one to aspire to. Her legacy lives in her children, Tara and Eric and in the memories of her many friends. We will miss her dearly and none more than her husband, Jerry of 31 years.

Preceding her in death were her maternal and paternal grandparents; her brothers-in-law, Jack and Jim Kline; her mother-in-law, Agnes Heimer and fathers-in-law, Bill Kline and Wilmer “Buddy” Heimer.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; two children, Tara Thorson and husband, Cory of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Eric Kline of Chicago, Illinois; parents, Claire and Dorothy Brasch of St. Ansgar; sisters, Sally Poulos of Mason City and Barbara Ray and husband, Rex of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Bob Brasch and wife, Dawn of Chanhassen, Minnesota.

On the Kline side, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Diane and Roger Zuehl of Racine, Wisconsin, Nancy and Donald Salisbury of Osage, Janet and Bob Bruesewitz of Rochester, Minnesota, Sonja and Tom Yahnke of Allen, Texas, Linda Currens of St. Ansgar, Carol Kline of London, Minnesota and Donella Kline of St. Ansgar. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Matie A. Torney

February 27, 2002

Matie A. Torney, age 92, of Osage, died on Sunday, February 24, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home, Osage.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m., at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiated. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Matie was born on April 5, 1909 in Union Township, Mitchell County, near Toeterville, the daughter of Otto E. and Mathilda (Groth) Tesch. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Toeterville. Matie married Leslie Torney on February 14, 1933 in Osage. They lived on the Torney farm west of Osage and then farmed near Stacyville until 1948, when they moved to Osage. They spent many winters in Texas.

She was a member of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Martha Circle. Also she was an active member of the Senior Citizens of Osage for many years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Leslie; her parents; one brother, Elvin; three sisters, Betty Rohne, Agnes Decklever and Margaret Murphy; two brothers who died at birth, John and Wilmer; three brothers-in-law, Melvin Rohne, Lloyd Decklever and Lawrence Decklever; and two sisters-in-law, Irma Tesch and Virginia Tesch.

Those that survive her include two sisters, Elsie Decklever of Osage and Mathilda Olson and husband, Jim of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas; two brothers, Otto H. Tesch of St. Ansgar and Rudolph “Rudy” Tesch and wife, Arlene of St. Ansgar; a brother-in-law, Vernon Murphy of St. Ansgar; and many nieces and nephews and many friends.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Joseph “Joe” Vulk, Sr.

February 27, 2002

Joseph “Joe” Vulk, Sr., age 88, of Osage, passed away with his family at his side, on Sunday, February 24, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center after a lengthy illness.

A Scripture Memorial Service was held at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 27, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage. Rev. Philip Recker officiated. His body was cremated and a private burial will take place at a later date.

Joe was born on September 6, 1913 in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest child of Lewis and Frances (Kucera) Vulk. The family moved to the Osage area when he was two. Joe grew up in the Osage area and graduated from the Osage Community High School. After graduation, he moved back to Chicago and worked in a defense plant during the war. There he married his longtime sweetheart Mary Kordes of Mitchell, Iowa. Together, they moved back to Osage in 1949.

Joe worked at White Farm Equipment, then known as Oliver in Charles City until retiring in 1976. After retirement, he spent many years as an avid fisherman and hunting for lost golf balls at the Sunny Brae Golf Course. He was well known as “Golf Ball Joe.”

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Lewis; and sister, Beatrice and her husband, Bill Wanless.

Those that survive him include his wife of 64 years, Mary; two children, Joseph Vulk Jr. and wife, Beverly of Osage and Darlene Gruis and her husband, John of Rockford; four grandchildren, Scott Gruis and wife, Cheryl of Rockford, Julie Salisbury and her husband, Doug of Nora Springs, Mike Vulk and his fiancée, Nikki Papouchis of Mason City and Ruth Krones and her husband, Gary of Osage; 8 great-grandchildren, Byrce Rosel, Spenser Gruis, Nicholas, Kayee and Sawyer Salisbury, Teri Birdsall, Kaitlyn and Mackenzie Krones; a brother, Frank Vulk and his wife, Ruth of Richmond, Virginia; sister-in-law, Mary Jean Vulk of Lake Mills; four nieces; and three nephews.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Keith J. Dunlay

March 6, 2002

Keith J. Dunlay, age 76, of Waterloo, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the Covenant Medical Center emergency room of natural causes.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 1, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo. Burial was in the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Sacred Heart Schools.

Keith J. Dunlay, was born on June 6, 1925 in Riceville, the son of Vincent J. and Mathilda Kleckner Dunlay. He married Ruth C. Byrnes on October 30, 1948, at St. Mary’s Chapel, New Haven.

Mr. Dunlay was a machinist and assembler for John Deere for 36 years, retiring on August 31, 1983.

Preceding him in death were his two brothers, Vincent E. and Rex; and a sister, Kate Zobeck.

Those that survive him include his wife; nine sons, Tim of Ames, Danny, Mike, Pat, Dennis, Tom and John, all of Waterloo, Terry of Cedar Rapids and Brian of Olathe, Kansas; three daughters, Colleen Hansen of Hudson, Susie Billerbeck of Reinbeck and Nancy Wolter of Shoreview, Minnesota; 33 grandchildren; two brothers, Jim of Garner and Terry of Bloomington, Minnesota; and a sister, Dorothy “Dottie” Fox of Orchard.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Ben Halverson

March 6, 2002

Bentley A. Halverson, age 93, of Osage, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home, Osage.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 2, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Osage. Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Bentley A. Halverson, was born on August 21, 1908 near St. Ansgar, the son of Carl and Sedsel (Evenson) Halverson. He graduated from the Osage High School and worked at various jobs until starting farming near Orchard in 1932.

Ben was united in marriage to Helen Mauser on March 6, 1934, at her parent’s home near New Haven. In 1942, they purchased a farm near McIntire where they lived until their retirement in 1972.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Harold Halverson and Conrad Halverson; and two sisters, Olga Halverson and Millie Neuberger.

Those that survive him include his wife, Helen of Osage; three daughters, Nancy Fitpatrick and husband, Terry of Lynnville, Iowa, Bonnie Wagner and husband, Max of Eagan, Minnesota and Kathy Bartels and husband, Jim of Stewartville, Minnesota; one son, Jim Halverson and wife, Linda of Montrose, Iowa; three sisters, Evelyn Brown of Charles City, Marian Smalley of St. Ansgar and Jeanette Halverson of Arlington, Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Gladys Theis-Grube

March 6, 2002

Gladys Theis-Grube, age 95, formerly of New Haven, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the Ninth St. Chautauqua Home in Charles City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 2, at the St. Peter Catholic Church, New Haven. Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek officiated. Interment was in the St. Peter Catholic Cemetery. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Gladys was born on May 7, 1906 in McCallsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Pearl and Olive (Wilden) Womack. She was educated in Howard County. Gladys worked as a midwife in Howard and Mitchell Counties.

On February 14, 1928, she married Gilbert M. Theis at the St. Peter Catholic Church in New Haven, Iowa. They lived their entire married life on a farm east of New Haven until they retired to Osage and later moved to Charles City. On September 1, 1986, Gilbert passed away.

Gladys was united in marriage to John Grube on October 1, 1995 in Charles City, where she continued to live until she moved to the Care Center on October 30, 2001.

She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking and raising chickens. She was active in her church and community. Her biggest joy was her family and grandchildren. Gladys will be remembered for her active involvement in planning family reunions.

Preceding her in death were her first husband, Gilbert M. Theis; her parents; a son, Norbert Theis; son-in-law, Bill Goodale; four brothers; and six sisters.

Those that survive her include her husband, John Paul Grube of Charles City; four children, Mary Jensen and husband, Melvin of Osage, Veronica Goodale of Manly, George Theis and his wife, Theresa of Plymouth and Margaret (Maggie) Weber and her husband, Larry of Charles City; daughter-in-law, Nancy (Theis) Hemann and her husband, Gervase of Riceville; brother, Jim Womack and wife, Gert of Riceville; sister-in-law, Hazel Theis of Lansing, Iowa; 26 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Marie Francis Day

March 6, 2002

Marie Francis Day, age 82, died at the Oak Ridge Care Center, Union Grove, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, February 27, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 1, in Union Grove, Wisconsin, at the Polnasek-Daniel Funeral Home. Interment was in the West Lawn Memorial Park, Racine, Wisconsin.

Marie Francis Day, was born in Riceville, Iowa, on April 5, 1919, to Joseph and Rose (Worpel) Reckner. She spent her early life in Riceville. She married Harlan James Day in Riceville on April 5, 1940. Following her marriage they resided in Union Grove. She enjoyed her retirement in Orange City, Florida, moving there in 1979. She moved back to Riceville, in 1990 and returned to Union Grove, Wisconsin in 1998.

She was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin and was an avid NASCAR fan.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband on May 22, 1990; one sister, Grace Tonn; and one son-in-law, Edward Jacobsen.

Those that survive her include a daughter, Diana Jacobsen of Union Grove; sons, James and Judy Day of Appleton and Jerry and Dee Day of Pace, Florida; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Mildred Evans of Riceville; and many nieces, nephews and friends. 
© 2002 Mitchell County Press