North Central Iowa
Genealogical Society
Box 237
Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Mitchell County

Includes Osage, St. Ansgar and surrounding areas
Osage-Mitchell County Press News
112 N. 6th. Street
Osage, IA 50461-1202


St Ansgar Enterprise Journal

 204 East 4th Street, Box 310  
St. Ansgar, Iowa
50472
-9606

Published Saturdays
staej@iowatelecom.net

First Citizens National Bank
First Citizens National Bank, Mason City, is honored to participate as a corporate underwriter of this important north central Iowa community project.


Keystroke Ctrl F is a page search tool
Ideas to help you power search this obituary archive

The NCIGS Mitchell County archive



Loren Keith "Smokey" Enfield

March 10, 2009

Loren Keith "Smokey" Enfield, age 84 of Austin, died at his home on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, March 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Austin, with Rev. Dennis Tamke and Rev. David Simersen officiating. Interment was in the LeRoy Lutheran Cemetery, with military rites by the American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216.

He was born on November 22, 1924, to Elga and Ellen (Cummings) Enfield in Osage, Iowa, where he grew up and after completing his education, he moved to Austin to work at the Geo. A. Hormel & Company. In 1942, he entered the US Army, serving in the Ranger Unit in Europe as a tank driver. Awarded two purple hearts, he served as a Prisoner of War. After his discharge, he returned to Hormel's, working in the flavor seal warehouse driving a fork lift. He married Wanda Beth Harden in November, 1946. Loren and Wanda later divorced. He retired from Hormel Foods in 1986 and was a rural carrier for the Minneapolis Tribune.

A member of the First United Methodist Church, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and the VFW, Loren enjoyed hunting, fishing, softball, photography, cooking and snowmobiles. He was able to fix everything. He operated snowmobile dealerships for Polaris, Rupp and Brute. Loren was a gunsmith and owned and operated Smokey's Gun Shop for many years.

Survivors include sons, Larry (Gwen) Enfield of Ely, Michael (Cindy) Enfield of Austin, Tom (Lisa Sanders) Enfield of Austin, David (Ginny) Enfield of Brooklyn Park and Dan Enfield of Austin; daughter, Penny (Randy) Deters of Brownsdale; daughter-in-law, Dianna Enfield of Rochester; 15 grandchildren; 15 great- grandchildren; sisters, Margaret (Ray) Jacobson of LeRoy and Dorothy Bergan of LeRoy; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his son, Steven on October 6, 2005; and a brother, Geraldean "Dean".
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Donald A. Christensen

March 10, 2009

Donald A. Christensen, age 88, of Blue Earth, formerly of Osage, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at his home in Blue Earth.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 12, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hope United Methodist Church, Blue Earth, with Rev. Wane Souhrada & Rev. Vic Vriesen officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth and one hour prior to the services at the church.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Edwin W. Steinberg

March 10, 2009

ST. ANSGAR, Iowa-Edwin W. Steinberg, 92, died on Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 14, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery, Rock Township, Osage. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Edwin was born on April 5, 1916, at the family farm home, son of Emil Frank & Selma (Wilde) Steinberg. He attended country school 1 mile south of his house. On June 4, 1939, he married Evelyn Kruger. To this union 2 children were born, Frederick Dean and Carol Ann. Evelyn passed away on May 18, 1953. On June 7, 1958, he married Maxine (Greiner) Nelson. To this union 1 son was born, David.

He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar. Edwin enjoyed farming, playing cards and spending time with his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Maxine; sons, Frederick (Karen) Steinberg and David (Elaine) Steinberg; daughter, Carol (Buck) Jones; grandchildren, Brian (Tori) Steinberg, Bruce (Meagan) Steinberg, Steven (Toby) Jones, Jason (Rosemary) Jones, Jessica, Jeremiah, Joshua and Jackson Steinberg; great-grandchildren, Gregory, Kayley, Riley Steinberg and Alianna Jones; step-great-grandchildren, Christian, Haley and Madison; sister-in-law, Vanita (Robert) Wilson; brother-in-law, Bud Greiner; and nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Evelyn; sister, Laurina Perau; 4 brothers-in-law; and 2 nieces.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Ingeborg Katherine Knudsen

March 11, 2009

Ingeborg Katherine Knudsen, age 103, of Lyle, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 15, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle, with Pastor Barbara Finley-Shea officiating. Friends may call one hour before the services at church. Interment is in the Six Mile Grove Cemetery, rural Lyle. Memorials are preferred to the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle.

She was born on June 19, 1905, the youngest of five girls, to Knute and Carolyn Kallison in Koling, Denmark, where she grew up and married Anders Knudsen on March 31, 1926. They left the old country to begin their married life in America, arriving in Albert Lea, Minnesota in May of 1926. On November 6, 1937 a son, Thomas LeRoy was born. Ingeborg became an American citizen on September 18, 1939, a very proud moment for her. For four years they worked at the American Gas Company, after which they rented a farm near London for eight years.

Ingeborg enjoyed working on the farm with her husband and she especially liked working with the horses. In 1941 they moved to a farm in the Lyle area. Anders passed away in 1961. An active member of the Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church and then Our Savior's Lutheran in Lyle, Ingeborg also belonged to the Jewish Mission Society, WCTU, Sudan Missions and she enjoyed traveling. She will be remembered for the wonderful lunches she served to family and friends.

Survivors include son, Thomas (Elta) Knudsen; grandsons, Anders (Cynthia) Knudsen and James (Kim) Knudsen; granddaughter, Ruth (Joseph) Smillie; 11 great-grandchildren all of St. Ansgar, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sisters; and two daughters-in-law.

The Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Ardis Lorraine Christianson

March 18, 2009

Ardis Lorraine Christianson, age 90, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died early Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2009, at the Manly Care Center in Manly, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 14, at the LeSueur River Lutheran Church, rural New Richland, with Pastor Glenn Monson officiating. Visitation was one hour before the service. Interment was in the LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to donors' choice.

She was born on December 1, 1918, to Martin and Nina (Miller) Reese in Waseca County, Minnesota. She was confirmed at the Hartland Lutheran Church. She married Norman Christianson on August 25, 1940 in Ellendale. They made their home in the New Richland area until 1955, when they moved to Austin. Ardis was a talented seamstress, often making clothes without a pattern and learned to do upholstery work.

As a young woman she loved being outdoors, riding her horse, dancing and going for walks. A very gentle, thoughtful person, she was very happy and considerate of others. Ardis loved being a mom and was always there for her family. Her baked goods, especially her bread, were part of the warm, loving environment she provided for them. Norman passed away on April 5, 2001. In later years Ardis received loving care while living at Comforcare in Austin, Good Samaritan in Albert Lea and the Manly Nursing and Rehab in Manly, Iowa.

Survivors include two daughters, Diane (Jim) Oldenburger of Osage and Norma (Gary) Nelson of Lyle; two sons, Dale Christianson of Waseca and Dean (Deb) Christianson of Watertown, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald (Adeline) Reese of New Richland and Martin "Junior" (Beatrice) Reese of Grand Prairie, Texas; three sisters, Ardella Olson (her twin) of New Richland, Doris Voigt of Mason City and Maxine Hanson of Albert Lea.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman in 2001; a son, Daniel; a brother, Merle Reese; and two sisters, Bernice Hendrickson and Viola Hemingway.

The Worlein Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Aubrey "Al" Virgil Estal

March 23, 2009

Aubrey "Al" Virgil Estal, went to higher ground with his Good Shepherd on Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a long illness.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m., at the New Heart Community Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado and graveside was in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Aubrey was born on May 21, 1937, to Eugene and Leona (Huset) Estal on the family farm near Osage, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Lenore Laughlin on July 15, 1959. They later divorced. He married Sandra Silva on March 18, 1985 in Monument, Colorado. Aubrey had served in the army and was a retired machinist, who enjoyed camping, hunting, woodworking, car racing and laughing with his grandchildren.

His passion for God's Word was evident in everything he did and his faith was a great comfort.

Aubrey was preceded in death by his parents: his brother, Gerald Estal; his brother-in-law, Russell Milton; and a step-son, Michael Silva.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his brother, Larry (LaDonna) Estal of Missouri; his sister, Gloria (Tommy) Thomas of Osage, Iowa: two sons, Jeff (Melanie) Estal of Tennessee and Jerry (Ann Wendl) Estal of Colorado; three step-children; sixteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Clemens Duane Lovik

March 18, 2009

Clemens Duane Lovik, age 83, of Mitchell, died on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, from a lengthy chronic illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 19, at the Faith Lutheran Church, in Mitchell, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson and Irmgard Ellingson, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell, with military honors conducted by the Osage VFW Post 7920. Visitation is from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Champion- Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and will continue one hour before the services at the church.

Clem was born on June 16, 1925 at Forest City, the son of Henry and Mayme (Winterton) Lovik. He was educated in a one-room schoolhouse thru the 8th grade. Clem grew up in the Wapsi area and Floyd County. He helped his father on the family farm, where they raised cattle, poultry and crops. He picked corn in Nebraska at the age of 19. At the age of 20 in 1946, he was confirmed into the Lutheran Church in Lime Springs. Clem served in the United States Navy during World War II, from March 8, 1946 until December 24, 1947, as Seaman First Class, Company 117, in Saipan, Mariana's Islands, Guam and Tinion. He was presented with honorary medals, awards and pins at the VFW Post 7920, on June 9, 2007, sixty years after his discharge from the Navy, at a ceremony attended by Rep. Mark Kuhn.

Clem was united in marriage to Kathryn I. Black on June 22, 1957. He has resided in Mitchell, with his former wife, Kathryn from 1999 to the present. Clem worked at the Oliver Tractor Plant and White Farm in Charles City for 37 and 1/2 years until his retirement in 1981. He also worked at John Deere in Dubuque and at the Sugar Beet Plant in Mason City.

Clem enjoyed food, reading, fishing, hunting, dancing, cars, movies, scenic car rides, his children and family. He was very proud of his German and Norwegian heritage. Clem was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell, the American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW. He will be greatly missed, "our sweet little humble, tender-hearted Dad".

Clem is survived by Kathryn Lovik of Mitchell; a daughter, Julie Lovik Lynch of Rochester, Minnesota; two sons, David (Jan) Lovik of Charles City and Scott (Mary) Lovik of Rudd; grandchildren, Lee, Katie, Matthew, Justin, Caden and Morgan; and great-grandchild, Jack Henry; 2 sisters, Ethel Holcomb of Des Moines and Dorothy Harris of Floyd; and 2 brothers, Harley Lovik of Sherrill, Iowa and Wayne (Virginia) Lovik of Floyd.

He was preceded by his parents; brother, Howard Lovik; and son-in-law, Jeff Lynch.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Stanley Carl Moser

March 23, 2009

Stanley Carl Moser, of Elkader, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the Elkader Care Center in Elkader, Iowa, following a brief battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 23, at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader. Celebrant was Rev. John Moser with Rev. Paul R. Peters and other priests as concelebrants. Interment with Military Honors followed in the church cemetery.

Survivors include his five children, Daniel (Sue) Moser of Omaha, Nebraska, Richard Moser of Elkader, Michael (Cinda) Moser of Elkader, Joyce (Harlan) Patrick of Elkader and Rev. John Moser of Osage; six grandchildren, Bryan (Mely) Moser of Walnut Creek, California, Emily Moser of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary Moser of Tacoma, Washington, Karinda (Chad) Wahls of Postville, Dessa (Jeremy) Caya of Eastman, Wisconsin and David Hemby of Garnavillo; four great-grandchildren, Madysen and Cayden Wahls, Izaiah and Bryonna Caya; one sister, Margaret Baer of Lincoln, California; one brother, Charles Moser of Postville; sisters-in-law, Alo Moser of Guttenberg, Dorothy Schmelzer of Dubuque, Nell Preuss of Castalia, Mary (Walt) Hampton of Glen Haven, Wisconsin, Rita (John) Lansing of Farley and Theresa Huinker of Dubuque; brothers-in-law, Joe (Anna) Wille of Garnavillo, Ray (Laura) Wille of Guttenberg and Ed (Agnes) Wille of Holy Cross; and many nieces and nephews.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara; one sister, Florence Froelich; one brother, Glendor Moser; two sisters-in-law, Sr. Josanne Wille and Bernice Phillipp; and three brothers-in-law, Burdett "Shorty" Froelich, Chuck Baer and Keith Schmelzer.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Gertrude (Norby) Crowell

March 23, 2009

Gertrude (Norby) Crowell, age 93, of Osage, died on Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, Osage, with Rev. R. Dawson Tornes officiating. Interment will be in the Rock Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, and will continue one hour before the services at the church.

The family expresses their gratitude to the staff of the Faith Lutheran Home, especially the nurses and nursing assistants. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

Gertrude was born on December 27, 1915 in rural Osage, the daughter of Hjalmer and Matilda (Olsen) Norby. She graduated from the Osage High School and was also a graduate of Hamilton Business College in Mason City. She was united in marriage to Glenn Crowell on June 18, 1939, at the Osage Lutheran Church.

She was a lifetime member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Gertrude enjoyed making quilts, giving away hundreds of quilts to the Lutheran World Relief, Faith Lutheran Home, various other organizations and family and friends. She was a member of the "Sewing Club," which was a social and work group of eight couples, who farmed and raised families together since the 1940's.

Gertrude is survived by two daughters, Judy Winegar of Davenport and Carolyn Crowell of Iowa City; one brother, Harvey (Phyllis) Norby of St. Ansgar; one sister, Lorraine (Richard) Creager of Sumner; two sisters-in-law, Jean Crowell of Mason City and Norma Lines of Farmington, Minnesota; and two granddaughters, Amy and Emily Winegar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn Crowell in 1994; and a son-in-law, Mark Winegar.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Clarence E. Kobliska

March 25, 2009

Clarence E. Kobliska, age 66, of Alta Vista, Iowa, died on Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 26, at the St Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista, with Fr. Ray Atwood as celebrant. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 25, with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m., at the Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the services on Thursday

Clarence Edward Kobliska, was born on January 23, 1943, to Edward and Rita (Kuehn) Kobliska in Elma, Iowa. He attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Elma. Clarence worked on the family farm until he joined the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Leone Kacher at the Assumption Catholic Church in Little Turkey in 1968 and to this marriage two sons were born, Ricky and Bobby. Clarence worked for Pritchards as a farm hand. He later worked for Wallace Wright near Riceville. He then purchased his own truck which began Kobliska Trucking.

He was united in marriage to Vickey Hockenson on August 11, 1979, at The Little Brown Church In The Vale at Nashua and to this marriage two sons were born, Roger and Darron. In 1981, they renewed their vows at the St. Bernard's Catholic Church. He later leased his trucks to the Michaelsen Truck Line in Mason City before leasing to Decker Truck Line in Fort Dodge. He also enjoyed spending time in his shed refurbishing pallets.

Clarence loved fishing, boating, hunting and family gatherings. He loved his dog D.K. who was his right hand pup. Clarence was characterized by his love for his family, his faith in God, his hard work ethic, infinite wisdom and defining laugh. He was a member of the St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Alta Vista. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

Clarence is survived by wife, Vickey of Alta Vista; three sons, Ricky and Bobby Kobliska of Alta Vista, Roger (Amber) Kobliska of Davenport; three grandchildren, Tylor, Josie and Kaden Kobliska; his mother, Rita Kobliska of Alta Vista; four sisters, Dorothy (Greg) Holder of Tampa, Florida, Lucille (Pete) Curtis of Evansdale, Iowa, Alice (Pat) O'Tool of Nora Springs, Iowa and Joan Kobliska of Alta Vista; four brothers, Raymond (Marlys) Kobliska of Elma, Leonard (Dorothy) Kobliska of Raymond, John (Judy) Kobliska of Elma and Vincent Kobliska of Waterloo; and numerous nieces and nephews. Clarence also guided and loved Renee Perry and Andy Folkers as if they were his very own.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward; and son, Darron.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home, Elma, Iowa.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



William F. Stearns

March 26, 2009

William F. Stearns, age 97, of Iowa City and formerly of Osage, died on Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, March 27, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with Pastor Ruth Moerdyk officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-6:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and will continue one hour before the services at the church.

Mr. Stearns was born in Osage on August 10, 1911, the son of Fred and Zadie (Tupper) Stearns. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1927. He graduated from Iowa State University in Ceramics Engineering and was a manager of the wrestling team and member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1935. On March 28, 1936, he married Leora Cornell in Grand Rapids. His company, Kelvinator Corp., began producing armor plate during World War II. He later worked for A.B. Stoves in Battle Creek, Michigan, producing airplane parts for the war effort. In 1949, he moved to Osage, becoming a partner in the Burns Insurance Agency. A year later, its name was changed to Stearns Insurance Agency and he became President of the Home Savings and Loan Association. He was President of the Iowa Savings and Loan League in 1965-66. Mr. Stearns retired in 1976. In 2002, he moved to Iowa City to live with his daughter, Anne Tanner.

Mr. Stearns was active in the United Church of Christ in Osage and the Congregational Church of Christ in Iowa City. He belonged to the Rotary Club and Masonic organizations. He also helped to establish the Hamlin Garland Homes and was instrumental in the effort to build the new Osage Library. For many years he was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and he enjoyed gardening and golfing at the Sunny Brae Golf Club.

Mr. Stearns is survived by his daughter, Anne Tanner of Iowa City; a son, Frederic William (Linda) Stearns of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Gillian Lind Stearns of Seattle, Washington and Victoria Cornell Stearns of New York City; a sister, Helen French of Stacyville; and three nieces, Nan (Jerry) Danforth of Cedar Rapids, Jean (Lars) Larson of Fairfax, Virginia and Sally (Bob) Miller of New Haven.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Leora Stearns on May 11, 1982; two sisters, Mazie Stearns and Bee Bradford; and a brother, Dr. Frederic T. Stearns.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press



Ernest R. Carter, Jr.

April 14, 2009

Ernest Ray Carter, Jr., 87, a former Osage resident, died on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at the VA hospital in San Antonio, Texas, from cancer.

A graveside service will be held in the Osage cemetery.

He was the son of Ernest Ray and Ina Vietta (Jeffries) Carter, Sr. and was born on January 9, 1922, on his parent's Rock Township farm, located seven miles west of Osage. He grew up on this farm and attended country school, Rock # 1 and graduated from the Osage High School in 1939. Ernest served in the United States Marine Corps during WW II, enlisting at Des Moines, Iowa on December 11, 1942. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California as a Telephone Electrician Field Lineman. He was honorably discharged from the service on January 27, 1944 and returned to Iowa to help his father farm.

On May 21, 1944, Ernest was joined in marriage to Mathilda Tesch in Osage. They divorced in 1974. Three sons were born to them, Ronald, Curtis and Bryan.

Ernest farmed for over thirty years. The first five years, he farmed west of Osage in Rock Township. The next three years, he farmed near Plymouth, Iowa and farmed a year between St. Ansgar and Carpenter, Iowa. He farmed near Adams, Minnesota for five years and sixteen years near Otranto, Iowa. In 1974, he moved to Austin, Minnesota, where he worked until he retired in 1987. He then moved to Mission, Texas, where he resided until his death.

Ernest is survived by his sons, Ronald (Josie) Carter of Yuma, Arizona, Curtis (Ann) Carter of Des Moines and Bryan Carter of Hollywood, Florida; four grandchildren, Rodrigo Manga, Jeffrey Carter, Nicole Carter and Donna Carter; six great-grandchildren; four nephews; five nieces; and many great and great-great-nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Fred and Earl Carter; two sisters, Lulu Shoger and Gladys Hobkirk; and one grandson, James Carter.
© 2009 Mitchell County Press

 

Community Project:

Volunteers maintain this archive by posting directly to the web from their home computers.