Dale "Pete" Kubicek

May 11, 2010

Dale D. "Pete" Kubicek, 83, of Osage, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Faith Lutheran Home.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m., at the New Haven Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon in honor of Pete at the American Legion Hall at 11:00.

Pete was the son of John and Mary Kubicek. He was born on March 13, 1927 in McIntire, Iowa. He joined the Marines at the age of 17 and served two years for our country during World War II. On April 15, 1950, Pete was united in marriage to Dona Green at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. To this union, three children were born. In 1954, Pete started a drywall and painting business that he operated until his retirement in 1992.

He enjoyed collecting arrowheads, gardening, hunting mushrooms, jigsaw puzzles and spending time with family.

Dale is survived by his wife, Dona; his children, Clay (Jeanne) Kubicek of Joplin, Missouri and Clare (Richard) Smith of Clovis, California; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Olive Ellis of Charles City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Kubicek; a son, Kent; three brothers; and a sister.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Catherine "Katie" Arickx

May 11, 2010

Catherine "Katie" Arickx, age 93, of Osage, died on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the Faith Home in Osage.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, May 11, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. John Moser officiating. Inurnment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Following the services, there will be a time for lunch and to greet the family at the K.C. Hall in Osage.

Katie was born on January 14, 1917 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of John N. and Rose (Lauer) Kloberdanz. She married Frank Arickx on November 14, 1936. This union was blessed with two children, Beverly and Gregg. They farmed in the Osage area. After Frank's death in 1978, Katie moved into Osage.

She was a life long member of the Sacred Heart Parish and the Sacred Heart Guild. Katie enjoyed raising her family, flower gardening and baking for her family. In her later years, she enjoyed reading, quilting and spending every Sunday with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Katie is survived by her son, Gregg Arickx and special friend, Linda Zimmerman of Osage; grandchildren, Brandon (Katie) Arickx, Jeremy (Lisa) Arickx, Stephanie (Carl) Benttine, Tim (Patty) Machin, Troy (Deanna) Machin, Todd (DeeDee) Machin and Sherry (John) Sutherland; 19 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Leone Niddrie of Osage; and Katie's friend, Phyllis Schallock.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Arickx; her daughter, Beverly (Larsen) Arickx; a granddaughter, Laura Marie Arickx; special niece, Sandy Hawkins; brothers, Wenzel, Peter, John P., Alex and Joe Kloberdanz; and sisters, Peggy Gorrell, Madge Lechman and Rose Marreel.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Laura A. Witt

May 11, 2010

Laura Alida (Nelson) Witt, age 99, of Osage, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Society-St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 11, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Laura was born on May 20, 1910 near Otranto, the daughter of Emil G. and Matilda (Ask) Nelson. She graduated from the Otranto Consolidated School and Hamilton Business College in Mason City. She was employed at the Mitchell County Farm Bureau Office and the American Crystal Sugar Company in Mason City. Laura married Roy Witt on May 20, 1939. They farmed together until 1980.

Laura taught Sunday School at the Plymouth Methodist Church for many years. She was passionate about gardening, baking and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Laura is survived by her son, Jon Roy Witt and wife, Janet of Osage; three grandchildren, Linda Kuehne and special friend, Phil Kolbet of Osage, Julie Fuller and husband, Tim of West Des Moines and Alan Witt and wife, Jill of Osage; and nine great-grandchildren, Bradie Kuehne, Jacey Kuehne, Whitney Fuller, Hannah Fuller, Shea Fuller, Jenna Fuller, Addy Witt, Riley Witt and Regan Witt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Witt in 1992; her parents; four sisters; and three brothers.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Roland Lusk

June 30, 2010

Roland "Ro" Lusk, 64, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, May 10, 2010, at the St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, following a four-month illness.

A celebration of Ro's life was held on Saturday, May 15, at 2:00 p.m., at the Christian Church in St. Ignatius.

Ro was the fourth of five sons born to Edwin and Myrtle Lusk on November 23, 1945 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He graduated from the Osage High School in Osage and enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he proudly served until his honorary medical discharge. Ro married Charlotte Hardy on June 11, 1977, in Osage and the family later moved to St. Ignatius, Montana, where Ro and Char have remained.

Ro had a thirst for learning and had many interests throughout his life. He completed training in electronics and later in Biblical Studies. He helped lead the Alamo Scouts, working with troubled youth, and was a member of the NRA. Ro sang in a Gospel Quartet and was involved in various Church Ministry including music and leading youth groups and served as a Pastor from 1995 until his death. He was an avid reader and had begun teaching himself Biblical Hebrew during the last few weeks of his illness.

Ro was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Lusk, Sr. and Myrtle (Sissel) Lusk Kuenkel; and his step-father, Glenn Kuenkel.

Ro is survived by his wife, Charlotte of St. Ignatius; his son, Jason Lusk of Colorado; his daughters, Mollie Callahan and husband, Robert of Texas and Sarah Parfitt and husband, Stefan of England; grandsons, Matthew, Vincent and Isaac; brothers, Ed Lusk and wife, Nancy, Daniel Lusk and wife, Angela, John Lusk and wife, Betty and Joe Lusk and wife, Linda; and many precious nieces and nephews.

Donations in Ro's memory may be made to The Gideons International, Nashville, Tennessee.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Marvin E. Smith

May 18, 2010

Marvin Eugene Smith, age 80, of West Union and formerly of Nora Springs, died on Friday, May 14, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Center in West Union.

Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, May 17, at the Eden Presbyterian Church, Rudd, with Rev. John Bates officiating. There was a private family burial in the Eden Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation was from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Champion Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Marvin was born on June 24, 1929 in Milo, Iowa, the son of Earl E. and Florence (Woods) Smith. He attended the Warren County Rural Schools and graduated from high school in Indianola, Iowa. Marvin attended William Penn College and graduated from Simpson College in 1952. He served as a medic in Korea with the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. He married Karen Hansen on August 15, 1958 in Iowa Falls. Marvin received his Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota-Vermillion in 1967. He taught School in Archer, Iowa, Remsen-Union Community School, Remsen, Iowa and Nora Springs-Rock Falls Community School, Nora Springs, Iowa and retired from there.

Marvin was an EMT with the Nora Springs Ambulance Service and was a member and past Lieutenant-Governor of Kiwanis International. Marvin was also an Elder, Trustee and Sunday School Teacher at the Eden Presbyterian Church in Rudd. He was a Lay Pastor and served on Presbytery committees. He also served on the board of the OK House in Mason City. Marvin enjoyed gardening and had large vegetable gardens for many years. He also enjoyed wood crafts and photography, especially rural scenes and old barns.

Marvin is survived by his children, Galen (Cindy Ira-Smith) Smith of West Union, Diane (Phil) Jones of Urbandale, Brenda Smith of Bedford, New Hampshire, Laura Fulton of Ankeny, Scott (Teri) Ramsey-Smith of Marshalltown and Jill (Doug Meythaler) Smith of Golden Valley, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; and one brother, Lyle (Edna) Smith of Indianola.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen in 2001; and two brothers, Ival Smith and David Smith.

The Champion–Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Ardella Grace (Hartwig) Hooker

July 28, 2010

Ardella Grace (Hartwig) Hooker, age 92, of Santa Ana, California, died on Sunday, May 16, 2010.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 23, at the Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Santa Ana, California. Inurnment was in the Fairhaven Memorial Park in Tustin, California.

Ardella was born on April 14, 1918 in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Helene (Ruehlow) Hartwig. She was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage and graduated from the Osage High School in 1935. She worked in Osage at the family dairy, City Dairy - C. R. Hartwig & Sons. On April 21, 1946, Ardella married Nathan Hooker of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They eventually moved to Santa Ana, California in 1956.

Ardella was an active member of the Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church where she was involved with Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and Seniors' Club, as well as volunteering for numerous other activities.

Ardella was fortunate to be able to return to Osage over the years to visit with family and friends. She also enjoyed attending family reunions on the 4th of July, her father's birthday.

Ardella is survived by her daughter, Lanell Shirai of Seattle, Washington; sisters-in-law, Mary Hartwig of Osage, Elaine Hartwig of Stewartville, Minnesota and Myrtle Hooker of Milan, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews across the United States.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Nathan in 1990; sister, Evelyn Perrin; and brothers, Harold, Edwin and Harland Hartwig.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Birchard Bower

May 25, 2010

Birchard Bower, age 91, of Osage, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, May 21, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with Pastor Ruth Moerdyk officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Birchard, was born on July 14, 1918 near Mitchell, Iowa, the son of Robert and Tessie (Klar) Bower. He attended school in Mitchell and graduated from the Mitchell Consolidated High School in 1936. On September 19, 1944, he married Ethel Womack. They adopted a son, James and made their home on a farm near Osage. Ethel died in 1984. Birchard married Sandra (Hill) Balsley on March 12, 1991. Birchard farmed his entire life.

Birchard received the Iowa Jaycees Outstanding Young Iowa Farmer Award in May of 1952. He enjoyed sports and loved socializing with family and friends.

Birchard is survived by his wife, Sandra Bower of Osage; his sister, Harriet Heuer of St. Ansgar; six step-children and their families; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ethel Bower; his son, James Bower; a brother, Keith Bower; and a sister, Kathleen Rowe.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Marcella L. "Marcy" Gahm

June 1, 2010

Marcella L. "Marcy" Gahm, 71, of Pearl City, died on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at home with her family at her bedside.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 5, at the St. Paul Baptist Church in Freeport, Illinois, with Rev. Peter F. Williams officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Highland Cemetery in Pearl City. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Friday, June 4, at the Schwarz Park Boulevard Chapel in Freeport, Illinois.

Marcy was born on August 22, 1938, the daughter of Carroll Hugh and Viola (Lorenzen) Neeley in Mason City, Iowa. She attended the St. Ansgar High School and also Hamilton Business College in Mason City. She married Paul Spindler on August 12, 1961. He preceded her in death. Marcy worked at Attorney and Doctor's offices as a secretary, she was a homemaker and farmer's wife. Before her retirement, she worked at the Amity Well Child Clinic and the Swiss Colony.

Marcy married Marlyn M. Gahm of Pearl City on June 13, 1987. Together they founded "Singles in Agriculture", where she enjoyed being President. Marcy enjoyed craft work, reading, canning, flowers and gardening. Marcy loved spending time with her family and friends, going to Branson, Missouri to music shows, and her cat, Angel and her therapy dog, Joy.

Marcy will be dearly missed by her husband, Marlyn; four children, Craig Spindler of Iowa, Becky Spindler of Freeport, Vanessa (John) Huisman of Osage and Darlyne (Paul) Huisman of St. Ansgar; her grandchildren, Lorilee (Tyler) Wise, Amanda, Diana, Matthew, Clarissa, Rachel, Chelsea, and Whitney; her sister, Beverly (Roger) Bartz of Osage; brothers, Keith (Virginia) Neeley and Garry (Julie) Neeley, both of St. Ansgar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Samantha; and her first husband, Paul.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Dr. Richard G. Boeke

May 25, 2010

Dr. Richard G. Boeke, age 82, of Osage, died on Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center-Hospice Unit, in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, May 25, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with Pastor Ruth Moerdyk officiating. Burial was at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, in the Hubbard Cemetery in Hubbard, with a Flag Presentation by the Hubbard American Legion Post 4. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Richard, was born on February 11, 1928 in Hubbard, the son of Elmer and Vera (Jacobs) Boeke. He graduated from the Hubbard High School in 1946. Richard attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Masters Degree in Pharmacy. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Richard was united in marriage to Carol Goodrick on September 21, 1954 in Hubbard. He received his medical degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a doctor, serving in Cresco and Osage, retiring in 1995. Richard was united in marriage to Sharon Selke on September 15, 1990 in Osage.

He was a member of the Osage Kiwanis, Osage American Legion and the Osage V.F.W. He enjoyed flying, riding his motorcycle and telling stories.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sharon Boeke of Osage; his daughter, Gayle Boeke of Farmington, Minnesota; three sons, David Boeke of Ames, Bruce (Carol) Boeke of Ames and James (Kari) Boeke of St. Paul Park, Minnesota; six grandchildren; four step-children, Bobbie Ann (Scott) Griffin of Papillion, Nebraska, Jamie (Kristi) Koenigs of Stacyville, Melissa (Carlos) Thomas of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Andy Koenigs of Osage; and eight step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol in 1987; and two brothers, David and Jack Boeke.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press

Viola Caroline Garrison

June 8, 2010

Viola Caroline Garrison, age 87, of Stanwood, Washington, died on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at home with family.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 1, at the Smokey Point Community Church in Arlington, Washington. Burial will be in Osage, Iowa. A graveside service will be held in Osage, on Friday, July 2, 2010, at 11:00 am.

Viola was born on April 23, 1923 in Osage, Iowa, to Christine and Fred Hubbard. Viola was married to Earl Garrison Sr. on December 26, 1948. Viola was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Viola and Earl were longtime Iowa residents, growing up in the Osage/Riceville areas and operating the Clarksville elevator and produce for many years.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; son, Gary; and daughter, Nancy Lynn.

Viola's memory is honored by her four living children, daughter, Christine Tack and three sons, Larry, David and Walter Garrison; as well as her 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
© 2010 Mitchell County Press