Inez Jeannette Christianson

July 10, 2002

Inez Jeannette Christianson, age 78, of Mankato, Minnesota and formerly of the Osage area died on Monday, July 1, 2002, at the Immanuel St. Joseph Mayo Health System in Mankato.

Funeral services were held at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, rural Osage, Iowa, on Friday, July 5, 2002. The Reverend R. Dawson Tornes officiated. Interment was in the Rock Creek Cemetery.

Inez was the eldest daughter of Theodore and Mary (Nelson) Christianson. She was born on September 27, 1923 in rural Osage. She attended the Cedar No. 7 and Rock No. 7 rural schools and graduated from the Osage High School with the class of 1940. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa for one year and then taught in area schools for four years. Inez was an intelligent lady who loved to read and study so she entered St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1949. She felt the need to help her parents so she stayed with them until they passed away in 1964.

Inez was very involved with her church, Rock Creek Lutheran in rural Osage. She taught Sunday School for 28 years. Inez moved to Mankato, to be near her sister and family and attended Mankato State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree and later a Master of Science Degree in 1977. This was done while she taught school in Mankato Schools for 17 years.

Christianson was preceded in death by her parents.

Inez's survivors include a sister, Arlene Rudolph of Janesville, Minnesota; a nephew, Darold Rudolph of Dallas, Texas; a niece, Colleen (Rudolph) and her husband, Ed Tucker and their children, Nicholas and Natalie of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; and several cousins in California and Iowa.

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

Clayton Bill

July 10, 2002

Clayton "Buff" Bill, 44, of Morristown, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at his residence after an extended illness.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 6, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Riceville, Iowa. The Reverend Ray E. Atwood officiated. Military rites were conducted by the American Legion-Roy Gue Post 244. Burial was in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Charles City.

Clayton Dean Bill, son of Harvey and Dorothy Chambers Bill, was born on September 25, 1957 in Charles City, Iowa. He married Debra Renae Morrell on January 3, 1991 in Cresco, Iowa. He was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict. He was a mechanic.

Preceding him in death were his father; and two brothers, David and Jesse.

Survivors of Clayton are his wife, Debra of Morristown; two sons, Anthony Bill of Burnsville, Minnesota and Harvey Bill of Morristown; a daughter, Amy Bill of Houston, Texas; a step-daughter, Randi and husband, Russell Bill of Morristown; his mother, Dorothy Bill of Riceville, Iowa; eight sisters, Nancy Grimm and husband, Ronald of Riceville, Judy McMaster and her husband, Thomas also of Riceville, Janice Runnion and husband, Virgil of Spencer, West Virginia, Mary Olson and husband, Wayne of Cresco, Tammy Loecher and husband, John of Adams, Minnesota, Sandy Runde and husband, Dean of LeRoy, Minnesota, Vickie Roethler and husband, Lowell of Algona and Linda Levorson and husband, Keith of Riceville; four brothers, Larry Bill and wife, Dorothy of Hampton, Kenneth Bill and wife, Diane of LeRoy, Minnesota, Roy Bill and wife, Joyce of Charles City and Russell Bill and wife, Randi of Morristown.

The Lindstrom Funeral Home of Riceville, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Jessie Adams

July 10, 2002

Jessie Adams, 93, of Webster City, died on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at the Crestview Manor in Webster City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 6, at the Foster Funeral Home. Reverend Doug Tiffany officiated. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery.

Jessie Ruth Sonberg, was the daughter of Herman and Alice Rowland Sonberg. She was born on October 22, 1908, on a farm near St. Ansgar, Iowa and attended rural schools as well as the St. Ansgar High School. Jessie graduated in the Normal Training Program from the Osage High School in 1926.

On November 16, 1926, she married Cecil Glen Adams of Austin, Minnesota. They resided on the Adams family farm near St. Ansgar until 1934, when they moved to a farm they purchased in Cass Township near Webster City. They retired from farming in 1969 and moved to Webster City. Mr. Adams died on December 28, 1991. Mrs. Adams had made her home at the Crestview Manor since 1996. She attended the Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City.

Jessie was preceded in death by her husband; and sisters, Doris Coonradt, Mae Dahlen and Laura Adams; and brothers, Henry and Ralph Sonberg.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Keith Bahrenfuss of Webster City; grandsons and wives, Kevin and Trish Bahrenfuss, Kent Bahrenfuss and fiancée, Diane Keane, all of Webster City, Kyle and Deb Bahrenfuss of Kamrar; great-grandchildren, Cory, Tracy and Chad Bahrenfuss of Kamrar, Robyn, Kelsey, Ben and Erin Bahrenfuss of Webster City; and several nieces and nephews.

The Foster Funeral Home of Webster City was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Marvel A. Lesch

July 10, 2002

Marvel A. Lesch, 87, of Osage and Waterloo, died on Thursday, July 4, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 8, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage. Reverend Dennis Hanson officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

She was born on November 15, 1914, on the family farm south of Osage, the daughter of Alfred Henry and Louise Carolyn (Troge) Lesch. She attended the Cedar #1 rural school and graduated with the class of 1932 from the Osage High School. She took Normal Training in high school and then taught in rural schools in Mitchell and Floyd Counties. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then taught for various schools including Thor, Zwingle, Fairfield and for many years in the Waterloo School System.

She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage and the Martha Circle there, numerous gem and mineral clubs and numerous Audubon Society Clubs.

Marvel was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ralph and W. Francis Lesch; a brother-in-law, John Feldpouch; and sister-in-law, Margie Lesch.

Survivors include one sister, Irva Feldpouch of Osage and Waterloo; a niece, Kay Johnson of Charles City; and numerous cousins.

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

Santana Blair Field

July 17, 2002

Santana Blair Field, 15, of Heflin, Alabama, died on Thursday, July 4, 2002, from an automobile accident.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, at the Cornerstone Worship Center with the Reverends Micheal Cox and Chad Pesnell officiating. Burial was in the Hepsabah Cemetery. She was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County and attended the Cleburne County High School. She was a member of the Cornerstone Worship Center and the Cleburne County High School dance line.

Survivors include her father and step-mother, Chet and Amy Tousley Field of Nora Springs; her mother and step-father, Billy and Bobby Langley of Heflin; two sisters, Samantha Brandenstein of Heflin and Hollie Field of Nora Springs; three brothers, Chad and Dallas Field of Nora Springs and Steven Brandenstein of Heflin; her grandparents, Billy and Barbara Turley and Jim and Lorraine Richardson, all of Heflin and Dennis and Sharon Field of Nora Springs; step-grandparents, Lynn and Jeannie Tousley of Greene; great-grandparents are Rosie Jacobsen of Osage and Bert Field of Rudd; step great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Dale Bruns and Mr. and Mrs. Roy DeVries, all of Greene.

The family requests all donations be made to the Cleburne County High School Band Boosters Club at Heflin.

The Dreplen Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Lynne Ellen (Brady) Neuhaus

August 21, 2002

Lynne Ellen (Brady) Neuhaus, age 55, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on Thursday, July 4, 2002, at her home following a long illness with brain cancer.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 8, at First Congregational Church, Cedar Rapids. Rev. Matt Noftke officiated and the Teahen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lynne was born on October 23, 1946, to Geroge and Bertha Alice Skuster in Osage. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1972, she graduated from the Drake University Law School and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Upon graduation, she worked as an assistant city attorney until she was appointed to the district associate bench in 1973. In 1985, she became a district judge in the Sixth Judicial District. She retired from her office on July 3, 2002.

On September 3, 1983, she married Theodore "Thomas" Neuhaus at the First Congregation Church. Lynne was a member of the National Association of Woman Judges, past president of Discovery Living, chair of the Women and Minorities Study Committee, foundation fellow of the Iowa State Bar Association and governor on the Iowa State Bar Association Board of Governors.

Lynne was awarded the Iowa Judge's Association Award of Merit in August 2001. This award is the highest given by the association in recognition of outstanding dedication and contributions to the judiciary. Lynne was instrumental in establishing and supporting the Sixth Judicial District's family law mediation program and served on the district mediation oversight committee since its inception.

In addition to her outstanding commitment and service to the citizens of the Sixth District, she was a loving daughter and wife and will be missed by all.

Those that survive her include her husband, Theodore "Thomas" Neuhaus of Cedar Rapids; her mother, Bertha Alice Skuster of Osage; a daughter, Robin Brady of West Des Moines; a sister, Liz Dickson of Oakland, California; and a brother, Mark Skuster of Victorville, California.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Additional Information.

District Court Judge, Lynne E. Brady: District 6

Judge Brady, Cedar Rapids, was appointed to the district associate bench in 1973 and the district court bench in 1985. She was born in rural Osage, Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa. After earning her bachelor's degree in 1968, she attended the Drake University Law School. She graduated in 1972 and worked as assistant city attorney. Judge Brady is married.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Jackie Jean Johanns

July 10, 2002

Jackie Jean Johanns, age 17, of Osage, died on Friday, July 5, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, of injuries she received in an auto accident.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 9, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. The Reverend Philip Recker officiated. Interment was in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in New Haven.

Jackie was born in Osage on March 13, 1985, the daughter of Tim Johanns and Nancy (Brooker) Milbrandt. She was a student at the Osage High School. Jackie enjoyed music, writing poems and being with her friends.

Jackie was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Leonard Johanns; paternal great-great-grandfather, Paul Johanns; paternal great-grandmother, Arlene Boyer; maternal great-grandparents, Jesse and Marjorie Brooker; and maternal great-grandparents, Leo and Charlotte Comisky.

Jackie is survived by her father, Tim Johanns of Osage; mother, Nancy Milbrandt and her husband, Mark of Osage; sister, Jessie Johanns of Osage; two brothers, Jeremie Johanns of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Taylor Johanns of Russell, Iowa; paternal grandmother, Bonnie Johanns of Charles City; paternal great-grandfather, Lyle Boyer of Charles City; paternal great-grandmother, Elizabeth Johanns of Osage; maternal grandparents, Dean and Maureen Brooker of Osage; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

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

Vivian Hockens

July 17, 2002

Vivian Hockens, age 77, of McIntire, died on Friday, July 5, 2002, at her home in McIntire. 

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 8, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville, with burial in the Wayne Cemetery in McIntire. Reverend Ray Atwood presided.

Vivian Catherine Hockens, was born on September 26, 1924 at Adams, Minnesota, the daughter of Joe Jr. and Rosa (Krebsbach) Koenigs. She grew up in the Adams area and attended the Sacred Heart School in Adams. On February 16, 1946, she was united in marriage to Perry Lorraine Hockens at the Immaculate Conception Church in Riceville. They started their married life in Bailey, Iowa, running a restaurant. After a few years, they lived in the McIntire area, finally settling in the town of McIntire. Vivian was employed at the Fox River Mills in Osage for the past 30 plus years. The last four years, she worked part time at LeRoy Products.

Vivian was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and its Altar and Rosary Societies. She liked playing cards and loved to have family and friends around. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Perry on March 30, 1978; one daughter, Sandy Kozak on February 2, 1993; two brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include three daughters, Ida Rowe of LeRoy, Minnesota, Brenda (Ben) Stevenson of McIntire and Julie (Rod) Jacobs of Minnetonka, Minnesota; one son, James (Bonnie) Hockens of Rochester, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ernest Koenigs of California and Edmund Koenigs of Michigan; four sisters, Helen Mullenbach of Adams, Minnesota, Dorothy Gunsallus of McIntire, Millie Barnes of Grand Meadow, Minnesota and Margaret Kohel of Wisconsin.

The Conway Funeral Home in Riceville assisted with the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Janyce Kollman

July 17, 2002

Janyce Kollman, age 64, died on Thursday, July 11, 2002, at the Adams Medical Clinic in Adams, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 15, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage. The Reverend Karen Nichols Dungan officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Janyce Kollman, was born on October 30, 1937 in Brookings, South Dakota, the daughter of Bernard and Vera (Hotchkiss) Allstot. She attended schools in St. Ansgar and Osage and completed her schooling at NIACC in Mason City. She was united in marriage to Ronald Kollman on October 30, 1954, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage. Janyce worked at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, which she really enjoyed.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, camping with her two dogs and loved to travel. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osage and the Osage American Legion Auxiliary.

Janyce was preceded in death by her parents; one son, David Kollman in 2000; and one sister in infancy.

She is survived by her loving husband, Ronald Kollman of Osage; two daughters, Charlotte Carrison and her husband, Clint of Northwood and Teresa Kleckner and her husband, Tracy of Osage; one son, Anthony Kollman and his wife, Chris of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania; one sister, Mary Kay Badker and her husband, Tom of Dover, Minnesota; one brother, Willard Allstot and his wife, Shirley of Farmington, Minnesota; one step-brother, Jon Kinter and his wife, Arlene of Riceville; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer and Julie Carrison, Tara, Tanya and T.A. Kleckner, Nathan Abbing, Kevin and Cheryl Kollman and Nathan and Nicole Kollman; and two great-grandchildren, Elexis Carrison and Lucas Kleckner.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Richard Alan "Al" Maxwell

July 17, 2002

Al Maxwell, age 64, died on Saturday, July 13, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage. Reverend Karen Nichols Dungan officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Al was born on June 10, 1935 at Fairfield, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Mildred (Freshwater) Maxwell. He attended school in Fairfield and graduated from the Fairfield High School in 1953. He attended Parsons College in Fairfield, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He was united in marriage to Shirley Harrison on November 27, 1955, at the First Christian Church in Fairfield.

Al taught school and coached one year at Traer, Iowa and then moved to Osage in 1959, where he taught seventh grade life science and ninth grade physical science along with coaching seventh grade football and boys basketball for a time. Al retired from teaching in 1993.

He loved to golf and spend time with family and friends. Al was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osage.

Maxwell was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Mark Alan Maxwell; and one brother-in-law, Fred “Fritz” Nemgar.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Maxwell of Osage; three daughters, Susan Maxwell of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Shari Wells and her husband, Jay of Marengo, Iowa and their children, Alyssa, Ryan and Scott, Cynthia Johnson and her husband, Tracy of Osage and their children, Steven, Christopher, Courtney and Lindsey James and her husband, Jeremy; and one sister, Carol Nemgar of Eveleth, Minnesota.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Carol Ann (Dempsey) Shannon

July 24, 2002

Carol Ann (Dempsey) Shannon, 42, of Mason City, died on Thursday, July 18, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

A Funeral Mass was held on Monday July 22, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City, with Rev. Carl A. Ries, officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Carol Ann Shannon, was born on April 17, 1960 at Osage, a daughter of John and Janice (Markham) Dempsey. She attended the St. Joseph Catholic Schools and was a 1978 graduate of the Newman High School, in Mason City. She married Daniel A. Shannon on July 24, 1982 at Mason City. Carol was employed at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, Mason City for several years, and for the past six years she worked at the Forest Park Pharmacy.

She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and walks in nature. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City.

Carol is survived by her husband, Daniel Shannon, daughter, Errin Shannon and son, Nate Shannon, all of Mason City; parents, John and Jan Dempsey of Osage; brother, Mark Dempsey and his wife, Coni of Mason City; two sisters, Laura Medlin and her husband, Rick of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Anne Ladner and her husband, Chris of Little Rock, Arkansas; mother-in-law, Marilyn Shannon of Mason City; paternal grandmother, Frances Dempsey of Elma; maternal grandmother, Shirley Markham of Osage; brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas James Shannon and his wife, Marian of Detroit, Michigan, Michael Shannon and his wife, Susan of Mason City, Stephen Shannon and his wife, Sheila of Mason City, Patty Theiss and her husband, David of Clear Lake, Matthew Shannon and his wife, Colleen of Oelwein and Susan Shannon Johnson and her husband, David of St. Paul, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Ronald Dempsey; her maternal grandfather, Glenn Markham; and her father-in-law, James T. Shannon.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Georgia Lievrouw

July 24, 2002

Georgia Ann Arlene Lievrouw, 83, of Mitchell, Iowa, died on Saturday, July 20, 2002, at her daughter's residence in Osage, under Hospice care.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 23, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell, with the Reverend Rose Marie Nack officiating. Interment was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Georgia was born on March 30, 1919 in Northwood, to George and Katheryn (Van Pelt) Scofield. She attended schools in Northwood and Mitchell and graduated from the Mitchell High School. She was united in marriage to Morris Lievrouw on September 2, 1936 in Osage. They were engaged in farming in Mitchell County. Georgia retired after working many years at the Mitchell County Care Facility.

She enjoyed gardening, flowers, rummage sales, cooking, baking and taking her dog Mitzi for rides in the car.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home (6411) 732-3706 was in charge of arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Morris in 1995; two sons, Gary and Morris Jr.; two daughters-in-law, Tammy Lievrouw and Jeannette Sigler.

She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Hanson and husband, Kent of Osage; her son, David Lievrouw of Mitchell and his friend, Pam Trygsted of Mason City; nine grandchildren, Lisa, Spencer, Dustin and Samantha Lievrouw; Jeff and James Freeman; Jennifer Tucke and Shelby and Casey Hanson; two step-grandchildren, Lennie and Cindy Hastings; and five great-grandchildren.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Ellwood Pettitt

July 24, 2002

A memorial service for Ellwood Merle Pettitt, age 64, of Riceville, will be held at the Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville, on Sunday, August 4, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. The Reverend Michael Carey will officiate. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery following the memorial service, where military honors will be performed by the American Legion, Roy Gue Post #244. Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville, on Thursday, July 25, from 3-7:00 p.m.

Pettitt was born on September 22, 1937, in Lyle, Minnesota, to Oliver George and Ila Marie Anderson Pettitt. Ellwood moved to Riceville in 1950 with his parents after having resided in Bolan, Iowa near St. Ansgar. He attended local schools and graduated from the Riceville high school in 1956. In 1957, Ellwood joined the United States Army and served for two years in Germany as a cook. In August of 1961, Ellwood opened Pettitt's Pantry. In March of 1967, he moved to the present location of Pettitt's Cafe. He retired in April of this year.

Ellwood served his community faithfully, having received the Boy Scout Award of Merit, several Jaycee's Awards, the Governor's Volunteers Award and organized many fund raising events. Ellwood was a member of the Riceville Methodist Church, having served as church treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

Pettitt was preceded in death by his mother in 1978; and his father in 1998.

Ellwood's survivors include a sister, Donna Dawson and her husband, Donald of Paullina, Iowa; and a special friend, Judy Waddell of Riceville; three aunts, Audrey Hack of California, Eleanor Olson of Osage and Lila Anderson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and many relatives and friends.

The Lindstrom Funeral Home of Riceville, is in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Margaret Eske

July 31, 2002

Margaret Eske, 89, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center, St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa. on Saturday, July 27. Reverend Rose Marie Nack officiated. Burial was in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

Margaret Eske, was the daughter of George Glenn and Evelyn (Talbot) Bowen. She was born on August 1, 1912 in Searsboro, Iowa. Margaret graduated from William Penn College in 1934 with a teaching degree. She married Roland Eske on April 4, 1937 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Township. She was a church organist for 50 years and was very involved in the music programs at St. John's.

Margaret taught in the St. Ansgar School System for 17 years. She was a farm wife, a wonderful mother and grandmother.

Eske was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Ralph Bowen; and son-in-law, Richard A. Earles.

Margaret's survivors include her daughters, Phyllis Knight and husband, Jerry of Anchorage, Alaska, Clarice Earles of Rochester, Minnesota, Charlotte Billings and her husband, Steve of Rochester, Minnesota and Marilyn Stelter and her husband, Dennis of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of St. Ansgar, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Dorothy Mae Ruehow

July 31, 2002

Dorothy Mae Ruehow, age 89, of Osage, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 26, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage. The Reverend Christian F. Gugel officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

She was born on August 29, 1912 in Kerkhoven, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas and Lillian (Shoars) Beck. She was baptized on November 30, 1917 and was confirmed on June 19, 1927, at the Lutheran Church in Kerkhoven. She graduated in May of 1931 from the Osage High School. On June 14, 1933, Dorothy was united in marriage to Walter Ruehlow at her parents' farm northwest of Osage. They made their home on a farm near Osage, where they farmed for 60 years, until moving to Osage in 1994.

During their retirement, Walt and Dorothy enjoyed spending their winters in Florida. Walter died on August 30, 2001. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage and sang in the church choir for many years. She was treasurer of the May Country School for many years and also was a 4-H Leader.

She enjoyed her hobbies of painting, making afghans, quilting and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 2001; four brothers; and one sister.

Her survivors include a son, Charles Ruehlow and his wife, Lois of Osage and their sons, Darwin, Terry, Steve, Michael and James; a daughter, Janice Duenow of Osage and her daughters, Laura Duenow and Janelle Dokken; and 15 great-grandchildren.

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

Charles L. Weber

July 31, 2002

Charles L. Weber, age 76, of Austin, Minnesota, died on Friday, July 26, 2002, at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home in Stacyville, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, July 29, at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church, with Father William Becker officiating. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery, with military rites by the American Legion Post #91.

Charles L. Weber, was born on September 10, 1925, to Henry and Agatha (Ginder) Weber on the family farm near Cresco, Iowa. He served three years in the United States Army stationed in England. He also worked for many years as a milkman for the Golden Dairy in Austin. For the next 20 years Charles was a truck driver for Cedar Valley Services before retiring. On January 10, 1953, he was united in marriage to Agnes Hemann at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville. They were married for 49 years.

He was a member of the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin for 46 years. Charles enjoyed spending time with his family, walking, riding his bike and working on the farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; and three sisters.

Charles's survivors include his wife, Agnes Weber of Austin; sons, Richard Weber, Austin, Russell and Lynn Weber, of Brownsdale; daughters, Gloria and Harold Bartz of Osage and Linda and Darryl Barth of Austin; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Wilber Weber of LaPorte City, Iowa.

The Mayer Funeral Home of Austin, Minnesota, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Gladys L. Johnson

August 7, 2002

Gladys L. Johnson, age 80, of Osage, formerly of Jefferson and Des Moines, died on Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. 

Graveside services were held on Friday, August 2, at the Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson. Pastor Steve Holt officiated.

Gladys was born on September 27, 1921, in Scranton, the daughter of Judd and Winnie (Jones) Johnson. She attended schools in Jefferson and graduated from the Jefferson High School in 1939. She then received her bachelor's degree/graduate studies from the University of Northern Iowa. Gladys was an elementary school teacher, teaching in Mitchell County, then Churdan and for the Des Moines School District, retiring in 1986.

Gladys was a member of the Central Christian Church in Jefferson and the Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines. She was a member of the Genealogical Society and traveled extensively throughout Europe gathering genealogical information. She was also a member of the Des Moines Camera Club in which she participated in amateur photography competitions. Gladys was an avid collector of souvenir spoons.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Glenn William Johnson who died in World War II and Roger Albert Johnson who died in infancy.

Johnson is survived by a sister, Ruth Johnson Perkins of Lafayette, California; a niece, Elizabeth Perkins Holt and her husband, Pastor Steve Holt of Colorado Springs, Colorado; a nephew, John Perkins and his wife, Jennifer of Danville, California; great-nieces and nephews, Anna, Daniel, Deborah, Isaac, Samuel and Joshua Holt of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Haley, Christian and Hunter Perkins of Danville, California.

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

William E. Owen, MD

August 7, 2002

Dr. William E. Owen, longtime physician and surgeon of the Mitchell County area, died on Sunday, July 28, 2002. His body was willed to the St. Louis University School of Medicine for research.

A memorial Mass was held on Saturday, August 3, at the St. Ansgar Catholic Church. Father Mark Reasoner officiated.

William E. Owen, was born in Manford, North Dakota on October 8, 1918, the son of Dr. Wm. R. Owen and Sadie (Leet) Owen. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1934 and from Cornell College in 1938. He graduated from the Columbia University School of Medicine in February 1942 and he immediately entered the U.S. Navy as a physician. He was discharged in 1947 as a Lieutenant, S.G.

He made three extensive trips to Vietnam as a volunteer civilian physician in 1966, 1969 and 1972. In addition, he made other volunteer medical service trips to various countries. From 1947 until his retirement in 1984, Dr. Owen practiced medicine in St. Ansgar and even after retirement, he remained active. He enjoyed 15 winters in Arizona following retirement.

Preceding William in death were his parents; and one sibling, Mary (Midge) Owen.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 27 years. His first wife, Norma and their three children, Patricia Owen of Buffalo, Minnesota, Dr. William R. and Cynthia Owen of Wausau, Wisconsin and Dr. Richard Owen of Rochester, Minnesota; three step-daughters, Patricia (Bill) Varner of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marie (Robert) Tolsma of Denver, Colorado and Joan Kaas of New York City; five grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press