Edmund Anderson

March 4, 2008

Edmund Anderson, 92, of Riceville, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center.

A Mass of Resurrection was held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 4, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville, with Rev. Ray E. Atwood officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery in Riceville. Friends called at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville, on Monday, March 3 and there was a Rosary at 4:30 and a Scripture Service at 5:30 p.m.

Edmund, son of Andrew John and Anna Diederich Anderson, was born on January 30, 1916 in Mitchell County, Iowa. He graduated from the Riceville High School in 1933. He was united in marriage to Agnes Wagner on October 27, 1941 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville. Edmund chose the family farm and dairy herds as his life's work.

Edmund was noted for his arrowhead collection, over 110 of them, found on his farm. He built bluebird houses for the area, and maintained the bike trail that passed through his farm. He enjoyed bicycling in later years, as well as cutting wood, cross-country skiing, golfing, playing cards and seeing the countryside and crops. Edmund was a retired farmer.

Survivors include three sons, Robert and Ruth Anderson of Englewood, Colorado, Joe and Barbara Anderson of Bloomington, Indiana and Tom and Judy Anderson of Sterling, Illinois; three daughters, Mary and Mark Hittner of New Bern, North Carolina, Doris and Jerome Gacke of Central City, Nebraska and Jane and Stephen Dratz of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; 15 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Agnes in 1999; four brothers, Carl, John, Pete and William; and two sisters, Helen Minnis and Margaret Swan.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

William "Billy" Wilcox

March 4, 2008

William "Billy" Wilcox, age 44, of LeRoy, died of natural causes on Saturday evening, March 1, 2008, at home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 5, at the LeRoy Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Tom Kolden officiating. Burial will be in the Spring. Friends may call at the Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy, from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

William was born on June 6, 1963 in Spring Valley, Minnesota. He attended the Riceville Schools and graduated from the University of Austin, Texas. He also attended Austin Vo-Tech for Industrial Welding Technology. He was currently working at the GMT Corporation in Nashua, Iowa. On September 14, 1985, William was united in marriage to Lisa Winkels at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa and to this union four sons were born.

Billy enjoyed fishing, camping, motorcycles and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Laurene Wilcox; step-sister, Deb Gansen; step-mother, Lillian Wilcox; and maternal and paternal grandparents

He is survived by his wife, Lisa of LeRoy; sons, Cole of Camp Pendleton, California and Jake, Sam and Bobby all at home; parents, Robert Wilcox of Riceville and mother, Loma Roske and step-dad, Floyd of Osage; one sister, Julie (Gary) Lucas of Mason City; step-sisters, Sharon (Larry) Lovelace, Nancy (Russ) Wolthoff, Connie Fox, Wendy (Les) Gibbs, Susan (Tom) Miller and Jill (Steve) Johnson; step-brothers, Russ (Rowie) Roske and Kevin (Julie) Roske; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Neil A. Anderson

March 6, 2008

Plymouth, Iowa-Neil A. Anderson, 67, of Plymouth, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m., at the Plymouth United Methodist Church in Plymouth, with Pastors Jim Turner and Wendy Johannasen officiating. Visitation will be at the Bride Colonial Chapel, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church.

Neil was born on September 9, 1940, the son of Nels and Alma (DeMaris) Anderson. He attended the Carpenter Schools and married Dianna, his wife on March 4, 1966, at the Nora Springs Methodist Church.

Neil loved to rebuild classic cars, especially mustangs. His most recent car that he rebuilt was a 1935 Ford. He loved to ride his motorcycles, fish for trout and spend time with his four sons. Neil was a dog lover that liked to keep busy and spend time at his cabin.

He is survived by his wife, Dianna of Plymouth; 4 sons, Scott (Wendy) Anderson of California, Lonnie Anderson of Portland, Iowa, Shane (Tina) Anderson of Manly and Rusty (Kelly) Anderson of Manly; 8 grandchildren, Jenny, Angie, Garrett, Dylan, Bree, Derek, Morgan and Willow Rose; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Alta Van Hooser of Osage and Doris (Bob) Pfleger; and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Smith of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; one sister; and his friend, Dick Johnson.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Clara Kloose

March 11, 2008

Clara Margaret Ethlin Kloose, 88, of Northwood, died on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral service was held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 8, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, with Reverend Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial was in the Newberg Cemetery in Carpenter. The family of Clara Kloose has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Mitchell County Care Facility in Osage in her memory.

Clara Margaret Ethlin Kloose, was born on May 17, 1919, the daughter of Otto and Emeila (Hanson) Kloose, on a farm west of Grafton. She was baptized by Pastor Landdick at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. She later moved with her family east of Lyle, Minnesota. At the age of 15, she moved to Woodward, Iowa, and moved to the Mitchell County Care Facility in Osage at the age of 40. When her health began to fail she moved to the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Clara especially loved jewelry and music.

Left to cherish her memory is her brother, Martin (Shirley) Kloose of Sacramento, California; sister, Hazel Kloose of the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.

Those preceding her in death are her parents; three brothers, Art, Carl and Rienold; and two sisters, Laura Wright and Esther Gentz; and two brothers-in-law, Walter Wright and William Gentz.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Conner Colonial Chapel.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Roberta "Bobby" Olsen

March 11, 2008

Roberta "Bobby" Olsen 70, died on Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. Private family graveside services will be held in the Liberty Cemetery, Little Cedar.

Roberta Hanson was born on July 28, 1937 in Armstrong, Iowa, the daughter of Verle and Mary (Lester) Hanson. She attended the Armstrong Community Schools. Bobby worked for the Hanford Hotel, Jefferson Elementary School in food service and Carroll George Co.

She enjoyed fishing, music; going to concerts, dancing, cooking and spending time with her family. She enjoyed card club and attending the Methodist Church in Osage.

She is survived by her children, Brad (Patti) Peterson of Mason City, Shane (Karry) Graney of Mason City; daughter-in-law, Lee Peterson of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Matthew, Abbey and Whitney Peterson, Zachary and Madison Graney and Andrew Peterson; sister, Norma Laughery of Lone Rock, Wisconsin; companion, Mike Weipert of Osage; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Verle and Mary Hanson; son, Steven Peterson; and husbands, Mike "Mick" Penney and Jon Olsen.

The Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Maurine Baldner

March 11, 2008

La Crosse, Wisconsin-Maurine Baldner, 94, of La Cross, Wisconsin, formerly of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died on Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the Hillview Nursing Home in La Crosse.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 15, at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, with Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial will be in the St. Peter Cemetery, Toeterville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.

Nelsine Maurine Nelson was born on July 31, 1913, to Nels and Christine (Richsmann) Nelson in Mitchell County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church in Osage. She graduated from the Osage High School in 1932 and received training in the Normal School for two years.

She married Arthur L. Baldner on May 1, 1938 in Osage. In 1941 they purchased their farm northeast of Toeterville and lived there until 1973 when they retired and moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa. After moving to town Maurine served as a Mitchell County homemaker for five years. She was a member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Toeterville, Iowa and served as president of Ladies Aid and held several offices in her circle. Maurine was a 4-H Leader for several years, served on the Mitchell County Extension and was involved in the Mitchell County Cancer Society. In 2000 they moved to La Crosse.

Maurine and Art spent 17 winters in Mesa, Arizona, where they went on lots of sightseeing trips and enjoyed the warm weather and making new friends. She loved traveling to visit and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Audrey (Ron) Clausen of Rochester Minnesota and Carol (Jack) Jones of Gilbert, Arizona; a son, Gerald (Betty) Baldner of LaCrescent Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Becky Stewart of Gilbert, Arizona, Kristie (Eldon) Anderson of Stewartville, Minnesota, Bonnie (Tim Jewell of Queen Creek Arizona, Bruce ( Colleen) Clausen of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Brad (Sheila) Nagle of Mesa, Arizona, Tami (Jeff) Nabor of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jody (Craig) Lyon of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Leslie Baldner of Elk Grove, California, Jason (Lynzi) Baldner of Onalaska, Wisconsin; 16 great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandson; sister-in-law, Iva Nelson; and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Nels Nelson; and son-in-law, Andy Payant.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Edna Grace Rush

March 12, 2008

Edna Grace Rush, age 94, of St. Ansgar, died on Monday, March 10, 2008, at the Mitchell County Regional Healthcare Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, March 14, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, with Reverend Hillmore Williams officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to the service. Interment is in the Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle.

She was born on August 16, 1913, to John and Stella (Vert) Danner in Bancroft, Iowa, where she grew up and attended school. She married Edward Leo Rush on August 15, 1930 in Marshalltown, Iowa. They made their home in Iowa Falls until 1932 when they moved to Cedar Falls. In 1942 they moved to Minnesota, settling in Lyle and moved to Mona, Iowa in 1946.

A member of Bethel Alliance Church and Women's Christian Mission Temperance Union in Lyle, Edna held all officer positions in Women's Missionary Prayer Fellowship and Christian and Missionary Alliance in Lyle. She served as church treasurer for one year and taught Sunday School and Bible School for 45 years. Ed died on July 23, 1989. Edna moved to the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar in 2002.

Survivors include two sons, Edward G. (Bonnie) Rush of St. Ansgar, Iowa and John E. (Rosalie) Rush of Osage, Iowa; five grandchildren, Richard, Donald and Philip (Paula) Rush; Leeann (Daniel) Mace and Lois (Dean) Knutson; six great grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers; and seven sisters.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, Minnesota.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

William J. Denning Jr.

March 24, 2008

William J. Denning Jr., 84, of Cedar Falls, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2008, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, following a stroke.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 14, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church located in Cedar Falls. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City, Iowa.

William was born on December 20, 1923 in Story City, the son of William J. and Margaret M. Foes Denning. He married Helen June Brown and she died in 1949. On June 24, 1950 he married Doris M. Havig in Nashua. She died on April 9, 2005.

Mr. Denning served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was employed as a machine operator with the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works, retiring in 1987.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Chuck; and three sisters, Margaret Quisenberry, Sally Morrison and Etta Mae.

William is survived by four daughters, Vicki (Tom) Phelan of St. Louis, Missouri, Cynthia (Guy) Sorenson of Gloucester, Virginia, Julie (Rich) Driscoll of Evansdale and LuAnn (Alton) Dempsey of Old Town, Florida; two step-sons, Michael (Sharon) Brunner of Kansas City, Kansas and Richard (Gloria) Brunner of Toeterville; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Alice Gentry and Norma Jean Meehan.

The Richardson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Gladys L. Hobkirk

March 24, 2008

Gladys L. Hobkirk, age 91, of Osage, died on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Hospice Room, in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 22, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Gladys was born on April 27, 1916 at the family farm, 7 miles west of Osage, the daughter of Ernest "Ray" and Ina Vietta (Jeffries) Carter. She was the middle child of 5 that included 3 brothers and a sister. She attended 8 years of country school at Rock #1 and graduated from the Osage High School in 1934. This was during the depression and she was very happy to be able to attend high school and stayed at her grandparents in Osage during the week so she was able to walk to school.

Gladys went on to teach school for 3 1/2 years, 1 year at Cedar #4 then off a year to help at home as her father was ill and then 2 1/2 years at Union #1. Gladys was united in marriage to Lee Hobkirk on February 19, 1939, at the First Baptist Church Parsonage in Osage. They moved to and worked as farmhands in Lohrville for 9 months before returning to Osage. They farmed in the Osage area until 1973 when they retired and moved to Osage. During this time they worked as farmhands for others before renting and starting to crop and dairy farm on their own. In Osage they bought and lived in the house that Gladys' Great Grandpa Clark built.

Gladys enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, knitting, crocheting, and attending the activities of her great-grandchildren. Gladys was awarded a 4-H plaque in 2007 for a lifetime achievement and was a leader for several years. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Osage. She was enrolled in the Cradle Roll at birth and baptized at age 14. Gladys was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Osage.

Gladys had a last piece of advice for all. "Grieve until the shock is past then be glad that I am home with the Lord and loved ones. All pain is past." In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made in honor of Gladys to Hospice of North Iowa or 4-H clubs of Mitchell County.

Gladys is survived by her two sons, Robert (Jeannie) Hobkirk of Ft. Jennings, Ohio and Donald (Eunice) Hobkirk of Gainesville, Texas; her brother, Ernest Carter of Mission, Texas; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Kirk) Emerson and their children, Sara, Amy, and Alex of Osage; LaVonne (Patrick) Wolf and their children, Samantha and Jessica of Floyd; Julie (Todd) Stokes and their children, Carter and Kennedy of Krum, Texas; Micheal (Suzie) Hobkirk and their children, Adria, Rachel and Joshua of Stacyville; Tim (Heidi) Hobkirk of Princeton, Iowa; Mark Hobkirk of Stacyville and T. J. Mathew of Ft. Jennings, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Frederick and Earl; her sister, Lula Shoger and her husband, Lee in October of 2004.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Lester J. Ahrens, Jr.

March 24, 2008

MONROE-Lester J. Ahrens, Jr., age 76, died on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at his home. Per Lester's request no services will be held. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery, Osage, Iowa.

Lester was born on September 29, 1931 in Osage, Iowa, the son of Lester and Mary (Annis) Ahrens, Sr. Lester graduated from the Osage High School and then attended the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona. He married Joanne Hiner on August 16, 1951 in Osage, Iowa. Lester worked for Annis-Ahrens Lumber in Osage, Iowa, Fullerton Lumber Co. Monroe, Montgomery Ward, Zentner Reality and Crandall Tire Co. His last job was working for the City of Monroe in the Assessor's office. He belonged to the Toastmasters, was a former member of the Jaycees and the Optimists. Lester currently served on the Board of Directors with The Home Trust and Savings Bank in Osage, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne of Monroe; three sons, Lester J. (Rochelle) Ahrens III of Palymira, David R. (Stacey) Ahrens of Stoughton and Dennis D. Ahrens of Monroe; a brother, Frank (Bonnie) Ahrens of Clear Lake, Iowa; two grandchildren, Lester J. Ahrens IV and Natasha A. Andrae; and the family dog, Penni.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jere Ahrens; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Ahrens.

Memorials may be given in Lester's name to Monroe Clinic Hospice and Home Care. The Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Alden C. Small

April 1, 2008

Alden C. Small, age 87, of Osage, died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage with Rev. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Alden was born March 31, 1920, near Toeterville, Iowa, the son of William and Cora (Decklever) Small. He graduated from Osage High School. On January 24, 1946, Alden married Irene Hemann at Stacyville. They farmed near Rudd for ten years and then near Lyle, Minnesota for 20 years, moving to Osage in 1978. Alden then drove livestock truck until 1992.

He served on the Toeterville Elevator Board and on the Mower County Farm Bureau Board. Alden was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, and was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Forte-Milers Barbershop Chorus.

Alden enjoyed singing, dancing, and spending time with his family.

Alden is survived by a daughter, Lavonne (Tim) Hornbacher of Helena, Montana; five sons, Ronald Small of Osage, Keith (Julie) Small of Brownsdale, Minnesota, Darwin (Robbin) Small of Lyle, Minnesota, Darrell (Diane) Small of Oak Harbor, Washington, Bruce (Rebecca) Small of Osage; twelve grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene Small in 1994; and a sister, Mildred Heusman.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press

Daniel Wayne Henaman

April 7, 2008

Daniel Wayne Henaman, age 57, of Adams, died on Monday, March 31, 2008, at his residence.

A memorial service was held at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, April 4, at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Chapel, with Father Joe Fogal officiating.

Daniel is survived by his fiancée; children; step-daughters; grandchildren; step-grandchildren; a sister, Sandy Huebsch of Osage; brothers, Philip Henaman and Larry Henaman of Osage, Kevin Hemann, Rick Hemann and Mike Hemann of Stacyville; step-father, Marvin Hemann of Stacyville; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
© 2008 Mitchell County Press