Arthur J. Altick

June 12, 2002

Arthur J. Altick, died on Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at the Faith Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 7, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, with Rev. Karen Dungan officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Arthur Johnson Altick, was born on May 26, 1928 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Arthur T. and Dell (Johnson) Altick. When he was two years old his family moved to Osage. Art was raised in Osage and attended the Osage Schools graduating from the Osage High School in 1946. He attended Upper Iowa University and Iowa State University. Art married Audrey McKee of Riceville on April 1, 1950 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They made their home on a farm south of Osage where they lived, raised their three children and farmed until Art's retirement. They then moved to a home on the River Road west of Osage. After the loss of his first wife, Audrey, Art married a long-time school friend, Jeannine Horn and they established a home together in Osage.

Art was a life-long member of the Osage First United Methodist Church. He served many years on the board of directors of the Osage Farmers National Bank. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and camping. During his farming years he raised purebred Angus cattle. After his retirement, he was happiest traveling the country in their motor home. He was a loving father and grandfather and a good loyal friend. He was caring and kind and helped many in his quiet way.

Preceding him in death were his first wife, Audrey in 1997; his parents; grandparents; and a brother-in-law, Stan Krones.

Survivors include his wife, Jeannine of Osage; a daughter, Diane Muller of Iowa City; two sons, Dennis Altick and his wife, Mary of Osage and David Altick and his wife, Denette of Osage; six grandchildren, Laura Muller and Zachary Muller, Katie Altick and Matt Altick, Heather Altick and Hilary Altick; a brother-in-law, Verle "Bud" McKee and his wife, Uva of Osage; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Krones of Osage; two step-children; and 10 step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; a brother-in-law; plus several nieces, nephews and many friends.

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

Bree Ellen-Jean Rosenberg

June 12, 2002

Bree Ellen-Jean Rosenberg, two-day-old infant daughter of Joseph and Stacey (Bohlen) Rosenberg, died on Wednesday, June 5, 2002, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Bree was born on Monday, June 3, 2002, at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester.

Private graveside services were held on Friday, June 7, at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa. Rev. Rose Marie Nack officiated.

Bree's survivors include her parents, Joseph and Stacy (Bohlen) Rosenberg of St. Ansgar; brother, Remy Rosenberg at home; maternal grandparents, Patricia Hesseltine of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Randall Bohlen of Charles City; paternal grandparents, Richard and Betty Rosenberg of St. Ansgar; great-grandparents, Phyllis Norby of St. Ansgar, Sylvan and Virginia Faas of Mona and Evelyn Spivey of Rockford,

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

Katherine C. "Kay" Isaacs

June 12, 2002

Katherine C. Isaacs, age 86, of Osage, died on Thursday, June 6, 2002, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 10, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home Osage. Rev. Dennis Hanson officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Kay was born on April 26, 1916 in Staples, Minnesota, the daughter of Ralph and Minnie (Koch) Isaacs. She attended Osage Schools and worked as an egg candler at the Cedar Valley Produce in Osage for many years. She later worked at the Farmers Produce in Osage until retirement. Kay was a resident of the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for the past several years. She loved fishing, archery, children, eating at Hardee's and visiting with people.

Isaac was preceded in death by her parents; and step-father, Ted Frank.

Survivors include many cousins; and special friends, Kenneth Counsell and Mary Schallock, both of Osage.

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

Katheryn M. Schmuecker

June 12, 2002

Katheryn M. Schmuecker, 71, of Marion, died on Thursday, June 6, 2002, at her home, following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 8, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. A graveside committal service was held in the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Watkins, at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 8. Rev. Scott Boone officiated. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice in memory of Katheryn.

Katheryn was born on April 11, 1931, the daughter of Harold and Erna (Rogers) Schultheis in Mason City. In May of 1949, she married Richard Lybarger. He died in August of 1970. She then married Melvin Schmuecker on October 7, 1978, at the St. Pius Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Katheryn worked as a secretary at Iowa Electric before retiring in 1990. Katheryn enjoyed traveling with Melvin, photography and being with friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her first husband, Richard; and two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin; children, Michael Lybarger and wife, Anji of Hanover, Pennsylvania, Kenneth Lybarger and wife, Debbie of Palm Harbor, Florida, James Lybarger and wife, Maria of Los Angeles, California, Rose Angell and husband, Merrill of New Port Richey, Florida, Michael J. Schmuecker and wife, Susanne of Watkins, Michelle Koopman and husband, Duane of Newhall and Mark J. Schmuecker of Marion; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her sister, Lorraine Klaes and husband, Ray of Osage; her sisters-in-law, Katherine Byrd and husband, Ivan of Cedar Rapids, Colleen Callan of Cedar Rapids and Virginia Becker and husband, Donald of Van Horne; her brothers-in-law, James A. Schmuecker of Vinton and Ed Schmuecker and wife, Sally of Cedar Rapids.

The Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

William D. "Bill" Markham

June 26, 2002

William D. Markham, 62, formerly of Osage, died at his home in Albuquerque, on Friday, June 7, 2002, after a battle with cancer.

A Memorial Mass was held on Friday, June 14, at the St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with family and friends in attendance. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Lovelace Hospice, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

William D. Markham, the son of Glenn and Shirley (Duenow) Markham, was born on December 18, 1939 in Mitchell County, Iowa. He attended school in Mitchell County and graduated from the Osage High School. After graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving eight years. During that time he met and married his wife of 40 years, Elaine "Dolly."

In 1976 Bill joined the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Career Communications Specialist. After serving for 22 years, he retired and took a position with JAYCOR in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1990.

Preceding Bill in death was his father, Glenn Markham on January 3, 2002; and brother-in-law, Tom Blake.

Survivors include his wife, Dolly; sons, Christopher and wife, Heidi, Craig and wife, Lisa; daughter, Keri and husband, Tony Minter; six grandchildren, Scott, Taylor, Cody, Mikhaila, Rashaun and Tianna Re; mother, Shirley (Duenow) Markham of Osage; four sisters and four brothers, Janice Dempsey and husband, John of Osage, Barbara Markham of Osage, Joan Blake of St. Ansgar, Pat Karau and husband, Roger of Savage, Minnesota, Ronald and wife, Kristine of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, Richard and wife, Marge of Osage, Robert and wife, Kate of Lakeside, California and Keith and wife, Jessica of Gig Harbor, Washington and their families; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The French Mortuary & Crematory in Albuquerque, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Ortwin William Hollatz

June 12, 2002

Ortwin William Hollatz, age 92, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 12, at the St. John's Lutheran Church, south of Osage. Rev. Christian F. Gugel officiated. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery.

Ortwin William Hollatz, the son of Albert and Helena (Erdmann) Hollatz, was born on October 12, 1909 in St. Ansgar, Iowa. He was baptized at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa on October 31, 1909. He was confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, on April 13, 1924. Ortwin was united in Holy Matrimony to Esther Schuttler on March 16, 1937, at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Cedar Township, Mitchell County, Iowa. This marriage was blessed with one son, Robert. They farmed south of Osage until his retirement in 1976, when Ort and Esther moved to town and Bob remained on the farm. In March of 2001, he moved to the Faith Lutheran Home where he had been on the board of directors for many years. He enjoyed living at Faith Home and made many new friends there.

In death, Ort joins those who preceded him to their eternal home, his parents; his wife, Esther in 1989; a daughter-in-law, Lynette in 1991; four brothers, Lawrence, Arthur, Oscar and Earl Hollatz; five sisters, Esther Haupt, Leona Thorson, Edna Muller, Laura Muller and Elsie Dieterich.

Those who survive him include his son, Robert and his wife, Colleen of Osage; his grandchildren, Pam Mayer and husband, Nick of Overland Park, Kansas, Mike, Amanda and Erica Hollatz of Osage; and two step-grandchildren, Zack and Hannah Elliott of Osage; as well as many relatives and friends.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Esther C. McClellan

June 19, 2002

Esther C. McClellan, 95, of Mason City, died on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at the USA Healthcare Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 18, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, with Rev. Kenneth Hatland of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of North Iowa or the USA Healthcare Center. The Major Erickson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Clarence Howard Walker

June 19, 2002

Clarence Howard Walker, age 85, of Riceville, died on Thursday, June 13, 2002, at the Riceville Community Rest Home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 17, at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Riceville. Rev. Michael Parris officiated and burial was in the St. Peter's Cemetery, rural Riceville. Military rites were held by the Roy Gue Post 244 of Riceville.

Clarence was born on April 11, 1916 in Esmond, North Dakota, the son of Christopher and Bernice Marlenee Walker. He attended local schools and graduated from high school at Colo, Iowa. He married Gayle Polton on June 22, 1941 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Clarence entered the army in 1942 and served in New Guinea in the East Indies Campaigns and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Clarence and Gayle farmed near State Center, Iowa, when they were first married and then moved to a farm in rural Saratoga, Iowa.

Clarence was an independent truck driver and in later years worked for Mehmert Trucking. His love of trucking never ended.

Clarence and Gayle moved to Riceville in 1964. Clarence was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time with his family fishing, a home cooked meal and was an avid Riceville Wildcats fan.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Gayle in May of 1991; one grandson, Timothy Torney; one granddaughter, Christina Tonn; and one sister, Natalie Suddarth.

Those that survive him include his two sons, Robert and his wife, Kathy Walker of Riceville and Michael and his wife, Brenda Walker of Kaiser, Missouri; four daughters, Evelyn Torney of Eastman, Wisconsin, Nancy Dobbs and her husband, Jack of Osage, Betty Koschmeder and her husband, Fred of Riceville and Kathleen Tonn and her husband, Leland of Britt; fifteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Elaine Stamm and her husband, Ira of Twain Heart, California.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Anton C. Kirkegaard, Jr.

June 26, 2002

Rev. Anton C. Kirkegaard, age 74, died on Monday, June 17, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Hospice Unit in Osage, after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 21, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage. The Rev. Roy Ott officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date in the West Hill Cemetery in Genoa, Nebraska.

Anton was born on January 13, 1928 in Littleton, Colorado, to Anton Sr. and Helen (Jersild) Kirkegaard. He graduated from the William Smith High School in Aurora, Colorado and received a Bachelor's Degree from Dana College, Blair, Nebraska. Anton went on to get a Master of Divinity from Trinity Seminary, also in Blair, Nebraska.

Anton and Charlotte Pearson were married in Lindsay, Nebraska on August 22, 1954. He served as pastor in several parishes in Iowa, Hamlin Lutheran in Hamlin, Underwood Lutheran in Underwood, St. Matthew's Lutheran in Monticello, Bethlehem Lutheran and Our Savior's Lutheran in Inwood, Christ Lutheran in Ft. Dodge and Our Savior's Lutheran in Osage as visitation pastor. After retiring from Christ Lutheran, Anton worked as a pre-need counselor for a number of funeral homes in Iowa and South Dakota. A few highlights of his ministry were the Bethel Bible Series and Evangelism Outreach. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, family and especially being a grandpa.

Preceding Anton in death were his parents; two brothers; and one sister.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Kirkegaard; three children and five grandchildren, son, Scot Kirkegaard of Garland, Texas and his son, Christian; two daughters, Sarah Campbell and husband, Mark of Osage and their children, Simon and Chloe, Sela Gonlubol of Cedar Rapids and husband, Ahmet and their children, Jacob and Maya; one brother, Rev. Walter Kirkegaard of Great Falls, Montana; and four sisters, Dorothy Snyder of Brownsville, Indiana, Irene Jessen of Lexington, Nebraska, Ruth Svinth of Petaluma, California and Ruby Westman of Hastings, Nebraska.

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

Jean Horner Melin

June 26, 2002

Jean Horner Melin, age 95, of Osage, died on Thursday, June 20, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Graveside inurnment services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, June 26, in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell. Reverent Jerry Newland officiated. There was no visitation.

Jean Horner Melin, was born on March 9, 1907 in Charles City, to Daniel and Beulah (Cole) Horner. She spent her first nine and one-half years in the Mitchell School and graduated from the Osage High School in 1925. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls from 1926 to 1928.

Melin was in the first contingent to go to the first WAAC training center at Ft. Des Moines. As a new officer she spent time in New York City and New Jersey recruiting. In January, she and 15 other WAAC's were selected to go to the Command and General Staff School in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Fifteen women were first lieutenants, the 16th, a captain. Never in the history of the school had any male officer qualified under the grade of major and never before had women attended, thereby breaking Army tradition. Jean spent time in the Pentagon selecting women for various assignments, both stateside and overseas. In September she was taken into the regular Army. The WAAC was an auxiliary to the Army, the second "A" was eliminated. The WAC became "The Women's Army Corps." At that time she was promoted to Captain and subsequently assigned to the Army ground forces replacement school command in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was the staff director reporting to the commanding general on women's affairs. Twelve detachments of women across the lower half of the United States replaced men for active duty. She was promoted to major in 1944.

After 22 months in Birmingham she was assigned to Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana, to assist in establishing a school for WAC officers. At the end of WW II she returned to civilian status and worked in the War Assets Administration and in the Pentagon only to be recalled to service as staff director of WAC's in the First Service Command at Governor's Island, New York. She left the Army for the second time in 1948. Later she worked on government contracts for various companies in Buffalo, New York, Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California. Prior to the military, Jean worked in Davenport and Chicago, Illinois. She moved back to Iowa in 1990.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Josephine Schmarzo.

Survivors include two nephews, Gordon Schmarzo and his wife, Donna of Manning and Kenneth Schmarzo of Charles City.

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

Jerry W. Kurina

July 17, 2002

Jerry W. Kurina, age 58, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died on Friday, June 21, 2002, of colon and liver cancer. 

A Funeral Mass was held at the Incarnation Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida, with burial in the Florida National Cemetery with full military honors. 

Jerry was a graduate of the Pacelli High School in Austin, Minnesota and the St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. On July 1, 1988, he retired from the Air Force at the Mac Dill Air Base after 22 years of service and reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. For the past eight years, he taught math at the Hillsborough Community College in Florida. He was an avid runner and had been a regular at the Tampa-area road races.

Those that survive him include his wife, Barbara; two sons, Daniel and Thomas and wife, Erika; a grandson; and his parents, Tony and Dolores Kurina of Austin, Minnesota.

Memorials are suggested to the LifePath Hospice, Tampa, Florida.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press

Peter J. Kloberdanz

July 3, 2002

Peter J. Kloberdanz, age 89, of Osage, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 6, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. Rev. Philip Recker will officiate and inurnment for both Peter and his wife, Margaret, who died in December 2001, will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, July 5, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home with a Rosary Service at 6:30.

Peter J. Kloberdanz, was born on March 9, 1913 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of John Kloberdanz, Sr. and Rose (Lauer) Kloberdanz of German descent from Russia. He was the third oldest of 10 children and the first to be born in America. When he was two years old the family moved to western Kansas and eventually to the Waverly and Waterloo, Iowa areas, where they were engaged in farming. They moved to the Osage area in 1920.

Pete attended the Orchard and Osage Schools. The family moved to Chicago for three years and Pete attended the Lane Tech High School. The family returned to Osage, where Pete worked for several main street retail businesses as a teenager and young man. He became manager of the Corner Grocery on Main Street and oversaw the opening of grocery stores in Calmar, Rockford and Mason City. During the World War II years, Pete purchased and ran the Osage Bowling Alley.

After the war he started the White Way Cleaners, which he operated for 30 years. He also owned and operated the Osage Laundromat, a Laundromat in Decorah and a dairy in Storm Lake. He was an Osage businessman for more than 64 years.

Pete and Margaret (Flowers) were married in 1939. Margaret taught school in Osage for many years. The couple were the parents of three sons, Monte and Murray of Osage and Michael of Las Vegas, Nevada; and a daughter, Mary Margaret who died in infancy in 1973.

Pete and Margaret moved to their beloved cabin on the River Road south of Mitchell in 1973. They remodeled it to become their permanent retirement home. Pete, a lifetime hunter and fisherman enjoyed nature around his home.

He was a member of the Osage Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Osage Bowling Hall of Fame.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his daughter; two brothers; three sisters; and his parents.

Survivors include his three sons; his brothers, John of Osage and Al of Charles City; sisters, Katie Arickx of Osage and Leona Niddrie of Florida; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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

Andrew John Philipp

July 3, 2002

Funeral services were held for Andrew John Philipp, age 27, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, with the Rev. George Hope officiating. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery at Rudd.

Andrew was born to Roland and Brigitte (Schmahl) Philipp of Osage on September 4, 1974. He graduated from the Osage Community High School where he was active in the school band program. Andrew also enjoyed outdoor activities including camping, fishing and hunting. An avid downhill skier, Andrew attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, while working as a ski instructor at the Crested Butte Resort in Colorado. Leaving Gunnison, Andrew moved to Tulsa where he lived with his brother, Douglas and became a master automobile and home audio electronics installer. Andrew achieved national certification for his skill in audio installation and received numerous awards for his work.

He was noted for his outstanding generosity and willingness to help others no matter what.

Andrew leaves behind a host of people who consider themselves blessed to have known him. These people include his parents, Roland and Brigitte Philipp of Osage; his grandfather, John Schmahl of Kamiah, Idaho; his siblings which include Steven of London, England and his wife, Alexis and their children, Peregrin, Benedict and Madeleine; Douglas of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Deborah Randall also of Colorado Springs, Colorado and her husband, Steve; Timothy of Osage and his wife, Cindy and their children, Emily, Joshua, Zachary, Samuel and Grace.

Andrew will be greatly missed because he enriched so many lives. He had a huge heart and it stopped long before it should have.

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

Eleanor H. Gerk

July 10, 2002

Eleanor H. Gerk, 82, of Stacyville, Iowa, died on Saturday, June 29, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 3, at the Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville. Reverend Joseph Schneider officiated. Burial was in the Visitation Cemetery, Stacyville.

Eleanor was born on November 19, 1919 in Stacyville, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Kasel) Thome. She attended school in Stacyville. She married Ervin Gerk on January 28, 1941 in Stacyville. They owned the Home Cafe in Stacyville for many years where Eleanor was the cook making home-cooked meals. When her husband passed away she continued to cook for the business.

She was a member of the Visitation Parish and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Eleanor had a great love for gardening, sewing, quilts, crafts, fishing, traveling and enjoyed spending time with her friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ervin on March 31, 1970; brothers, Gregory, Ray, Clarence and Norbert Thome; and her parents, Frank and Anna Thome.

Survivors include her sons, Richard and his wife, Linda of McHenry, Illinois and Chuck of Stacyville; daughters, Judy Brumm and her husband, Ken of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Bev Schrandt and her husband, Charles of South St. Paul, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

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

Paul William Cook, Sr.

July 10, 2002

Paul William Cook, Sr., 92, of Westland, Michigan, died at the Four Seasons Nursing Home in Westland, on Sunday, June 30, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 5, at the Uht Funeral Home in Westland, Michigan. Reverend David Stewart officiated. Interment was in the Cadillac Memorial Gardens West in Westland.

He was born on October 17, 1909 and was raised in Union, Iowa. He was a production engineer.

Surviving are his wife, Lucy Ann Cook; a daughter, Margaret (Wendell) Zimmerman; two sons, Paul William (Ginger) Cook, Jr. and Clyde Arthur (Phyllis) Cook; a sister, Roberta Munkel; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to the Senior Alliance, Wayne, Michigan.

The Uht Funeral Home in Westland, Michigan, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2002 Mitchell County Press