Kay Bollinger

April 6, 2011

Kathleen W. Bollinger, age 75, of Osage, died on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Emergency Room in Osage.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, April 8, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. John Moser officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a scripture wake service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Mitchell County Memorial Foundation.

Kay was born on April 10, 1935 in Morris, Manitoba, Canada, the daughter of Frederick and Melita (Rossnagel) Mazolleck. Kay was united in marriage to Bill Bollinger on May 11, 1957 in Winnipeg, Canada. They moved to Osage in December 1961. Kay was a stay at home mom until all her children were school age. She was employed at Super Valu and then Fox River Mills, retiring in 1998.

Kay enjoyed making holiday decorations, knitting, sewing, gardening, watching and feeding birds, and caring for her pets. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Kay especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Bill of Osage; three daughters, Deb (Glen) Preston of Bancroft, Sandi (Dwayne) Anderson of Riceville and Karen (Scott) Slagle of Virginia Beach, Virginia; a son, Bill (Jan) Bollinger of Montclair, New Jersey; 10 grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys (Jarring) Timmerman of Winnipeg, Canada and Joyce (Clifford) Savage of Wingdale, New York.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Renn and Alan Mazolleck.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Jeanette Schilling

April 12, 2011

Jeanette Schilling, 78, of Charles City, passed away on Friday morning, April 8, 2011, with family at her side. She was under the impressive and tender care, of the Floyd County Medical Center along with the North Iowa Hospice for the past ten days. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday morning, at 10:30 a.m., on April 13, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Charles City. Father Carl Ries will preside over the Mass. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 12. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. and a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service will follow at 7:30. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at the church.

Jeanette Agnes Scheer, was born in Fresenden, North Dakota, daughter of Elmer and Johanna (Jordan) Scheer. She grew up in Stacyville, Iowa, where she met and later married "J.A". Jean Anthony Schilling. They were married in June of 1952 at a US Naval Base in Ventura, California, and would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this summer. They raised their family of eight, largely in Charles City where Jeanette practiced as an LPN for nearly 30 years. She worked at various Chautauqua nursing homes and the Floyd County Hospital. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and St. Teresa Circle.

Over the years, Jeanette's amazing gardens adorned various streets in town and gardening was her favorite hobby. She enjoyed blackjack, bridge, traveling, country music and her girlfriends. She loved baking and cooking and is famous for her orange rolls. Above all, Jeanette adored her family and their gatherings. She was a lover of life and passed this on to all her children and their children.

She is survived by her husband, Jean Schilling and their eight children, Debra and Jon Rompf, Kathryn and Steve Block, both from California, Rebecca Schilling of Iowa, Steven Schilling of Michigan, Laurie Schilling of Minnesota, Thomas Schilling of Iowa, Ann Brooks and Jennifer Schilling, both of Charles City; fifteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Donald and Jean Scheer of Denver.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Kay Hatten; and a brother, Jerry Scheer.Ja

She was loved dearly by all of her family and will remain with us in spirit always.

The Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City, is in charge of the arrangements.

Lester G. Decker

April 12, 2011

Lester George Decker, age 84, of Osage, died on Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 13, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Osage American Legion Post 278. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Lester was born on September 19, 1926 in Stacyville, the son of Bert George and Grace (Haugen) Decker. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1943. He joined the Navy at the age of 17, in October of 1944, and was discharged in June of 1946. After the Navy, he started his carpentry career with his grandfather, Oliver Haugen. On May 17, 1950, he married Joanne Ruth Hartwig at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage. To this union was born two children, a son Dana Lee and a daughter Shelley Kay. Lester's carpentry career included many skills from cement work, shingling, home construction, and home remodeling, to his craftsmanship in bathroom and kitchen remodeling with custom built cabinets. His fine craftsmanship is seen all over Osage and surrounding communities. He passed his love of woodworking on to his son Dan.

After his retirement he continued his love of woodworking with many projects for his family and friends. His latest woodworking love was his handcrafted canes. Lester enjoyed "sitting on his stump" in his driveway watching the neighborhood activities. Many people, young and old alike would stop by and chat. He also enjoyed hand feeding walnuts to the squirrels in his back yard. Lester was a long time member of the Osage American Legion Post 278 and the Osage VFW Post 7920 as well as the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Lester is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joanne Decker of Osage; his son, Dan Decker of Rosemount, Minnesota; daughter-in-law, Holly DeVogt of Wayzata, Minnesota; his daughter, Shelley (Brad) Mueller of Greenfield and their sons, Jonah and Caleb; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Darrell; and his sister, Marye.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert D. Mark

April 12, 2011

Robert Duane Mark, age 88, of Osage, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage, where he was a long-time resident. The care and friendship he received from the staff and residents was indeed exceptional. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 14, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with Pastor Paul Brown of the First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation is from 1-2:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Osage American Legion Post 278. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Residents' Fund at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Bob was born on the family farm southeast of Osage on April 11, 1922, the son of Adam and Ada (Lewis) Mark. He graduated from the Orchard Schools and served as an aircraft mechanic in the U. S. Navy during WW II. On March 6, 1947, Bob married Marjorie June Saline of Osage and together they raised their family on their Century Farm near Orchard. Bob also enjoyed working as a property assessor and had a passion for horses and ponies, raising exotic birds and collecting.

Robert is survived by his children, Mary Brelsford of Kellogg, Minnesota, William (Mary Kay) Mark of Faribault, Minnesota, John Mark of Osage and  Ann (Robert) Heise of Rochester, Minnesota; a sister-in-law, Helen Mark of Muskegon, Michigan; six grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Marjorie; sisters, Marian Fink and Dorothy Lack; and a brother, Donald Mark.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Elda Madsen

April 12, 2011

Elda Madsen, 90, of St. Ansgar, died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial will be in the St. Ansgar Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Elda was born on May 17, 1920, to Emil and Amelia (Viergutz) Feldt in St. Ansgar. She attended school in St. Ansgar, graduating from the St. Ansgar High School. Elda, as well as Howard, were confirmed by Rev. Brammer at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar. Elda married Howard Madsen on February 23, 1941, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. They farmed on the family farm west of St. Ansgar, where they raised three children, Lester, Arthur and Sarah. Elda was a devoted wife and mother as well as a faithful member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Leland Feldt; and sister-in-law, Carol Feldt.

Elda is survived by her husband of 70 years, Howard; sons, Lester of St. Ansgar and Arthur (Judy) of Faribault: daughter, Sarah (Gary) Moore of Riceville; five grandchildren, Bryan (Becky) Madsen, Emily (Matt) Smalley, Tim (Diana) Moore, Kelly Moore and Jeff Moore: four great-grandchildren, Gordon and Hunter Madsen, Caroline Smalley and Andrew Moore.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.

Lambert Winkels

April 12, 2011

Lambert Winkels, 91, of Meyer, died on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home, Stacyville, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, at the Sacred Heart Oratory in Meyer, with Rev. John Moser officiating and Military Honors by the Stacyville American Legion Post #569. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meyer. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Church, with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m., and a Scripture Service at 6:15 p.m.

Lambert was born on December 29, 1919 near Meyer, Iowa. the son of Nicholas and Katie (Theobald) Winkels. He attended grade school and high school at McIntire. He helped on the family farm up until he entered the Army in December 1942. He served overseas 14 months in Burma and India and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in February 1946. On October 16, 1946, he married Dorothy Snyder at the All Saints Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. He farmed the family homestead up until his retirement. He later became custodian of the Sacred Heart Church at Meyer. He married Ila Brandt on November 7, 1974, at the Sacred Heart Church at Meyer. He enjoyed gardening and working in his shop. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

In recent years Lambert was a resident of the Adams Health Care Nursing Home and the Stacyville Community Nursing Home. He really appreciated all the loving care he received from everyone.

Lambert is survived by his son, Keith and Jennifer (Roland) Winkels; three daughters Katherine Williams and special friend, Tom, Ginny Boerjan and Linda (Lloyd) Taylor; six grandkids and six step-grandkids; and many great step-grandkids, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Dorothy and Ila; two brothers; one sister; one son-in-law; and one nephew.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mark A. Gauger

April 12, 2011

Mark A. Gauger, 55, of Forest City, died on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City, with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Mark Allen Gauger, the middle child of Harlan and Irene (Goddard) Gauger, was born on September 2, 1955 in Osage. He attended school in Fort Dodge and graduated from the Osage High School in 1974. After graduation he worked at Winnebago Industries in the metal stamp area until January of 2010 when his eye sight started to worsen. Mark met his future bride-to-be, Kathy Street while talking on the C.B. They spent many happy hours chasing each other around Osage trying to find each other from the frequency of the C.B. On October 9, 1977, they became engaged and on July 28, 1978 were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. They lived in Forest City, where they raised their daughter, Amy Lynn. 

Mark enjoyed camping and sitting on the deck watching his squirrels, birds and traffic. He also enjoyed his many cell phone calls to his siblings and coffee time at Hardee's with "the boys". He loved taking  his grandkids  around his lawn in a wagon pulled by his garden tractor. The light of his life were his  two grandsons, Dominic and Landon Murphy. Mark spoiled them all the time and they loved the attention. 

Mark is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Kathy of Forest City; daughter, Amy Lowe and husband, Frank of Austin, Minnesota and her two sons, Dominic and Landon and his three children, Asher, Vash and Aria; his mother, Irene Gauger of St. Ansgar; two brothers, Harlan, Jr. "Gene" Gauger and wife, Lee  of Jamestown, North Carolina and  Gary Gauger and wife, Teresa of Omaha, Nebraska; two sisters, Nancy Chitwood of St. Ansgar and Kathy Squier and husband, Jim of St. Ansgar; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harlan, Sr. 

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara "June" Davis

April 12, 2011

Barbara "June" Davis, age 88, a resident of the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City, and formerly of Osage, died on Monday, April 11, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, with Rev. Anna Blaedel officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation is from 6-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

June was born on June 30, 1922, at the farm home of her family near Fayette, the daughter of William and Ellen (Payne) Barnes. She graduated from the Maynard Consolidated School in 1939 and from Cook's Secretarial School in Oelwein in 1941. June was married to Warren G. Davis in 1945. They were later divorced. June worked in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Oelwein before coming to Osage. From 1960 to 1969, June worked in the Mitchell County Recorder's office, first as deputy and then serving as County Recorder. She left public service to manage the Mitchell County Abstract Company from 1969 until her retirement in 1989. After retiring, she worked as a foster grandparent in the elementary schools in Osage for two years and then for seven years as secretary of the First United Methodist Church in Osage.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Hope Circle and the Wa Tan Ye Club.

June is survived by two daughters, Karen (Clinton) Sutton of Hastings, Minnesota and Ruth (Fred) Lehmann of Mason City; one son, Paul (Brenda) Davis of Mountain View, Arkansas; a son-in-law, Paul Frascht of Grinnell; 11 grandchildren, Jason Frascht of Lawton, Oklahoma, Joel Frascht of Oskaloosa, Dale (Tina) Frascht of Grinnell, Deanna Frascht of Grinnell, Cassie (John) Jacobsen of Rockford, Kyra (Alan) Gaylor of Hastings, Minnesota, Kelly (Christopher Clemens) Sutton of Newport, Minnesota, Stacy (Kevin) White of Waterloo, Kari Kubicek of Rochester, Minnesota, Kane Kubicek of Des Moines, Jennifer (Mike Adams) Blaha of Osage; three step-grandchildren, Charles, Jonathan and Angela Lewis of Arkansas; and 25 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Cheryl Frascht; grandson, David Sutton and great-grandson, Anthony Rialtos; brother, Louis Barnes; and sisters, Doris Schatz, Carrie Hoth, Eleanor Coleman and Mary Lou Tubbs.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Allen G. Koethke

April 19, 2011

Allen G. Koethke, 79, of St. Ansgar, died on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 20, at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, Iowa, with Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea officiating. Burial will be in the St. Peter Cemetery, Toeterville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Allen George Koethke, was born on January 5, 1932, the son of Elmer and Lydia (Schroeder) Koethke. Baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, he attended church there all his life serving as a deacon and on the cemetery committee. Allen attended the Drown Country School through 8th grade and graduated from the St. Ansgar High School. He was active in FFA, 4-H, and rural youth group. Allen lived on the family century farm most of his life. He was a grain and livestock farmer, raising Guernsey cows and hogs. On July 19, 1981, he married Karen (Newton) Bruggeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lydia Koethke; sister, Viola Holstad; and brother, Glen Koethke.

Allen is survived by his wife, Karen Koethke of St. Ansgar; two stepchildren, Jim Bruggeman of Clear Lake and Robin (Doug) Bless of Toeterville; five grandchildren, Amanda (Cory) Ransom, Samantha Bruggeman, Jonathon and Lizzie (Fusilier) Bless, Jacob and Jesse Bless; two great-grandchildren, Dayne and Ruby Rose Ransom; two nieces, Vicki Suhl of Worcester, Massachusetts and Nancy (Scott) Anderson of Hartsel, Colorado; brother-in-lawm Arnold Holstad of Mason City; and sister-in-law, Noreen Fink of Osage. 

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mildred O. Byrd

April 19, 2011

Mildred O. Byrd, age 93, of Rochester and formerly of McIntire, Iowa, died on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at the Seasons Hospice in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 20, at the Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy, with the Rev Pam Kranzler of the United Methodist Church of McIntire officiating. Burial will be in the Wayne Cemetery near McIntire. Visitation will be held from 11:30 until the time of the services at the funeral home in LeRoy.

Mildred Okey Wentworth, was born on February 4, 1918, on a farm north east of McIntire, Iowa. She was the only daughter of Jess and Inez Wentworth. Mildred lived in the McIntire area for 60 years before moving to Osage, living there for 23 years and then moving to Rochester, Minnesota, to the Shorewood Independent Living Complex.

On September 4, 1935, she was united in marriage to Kersey Byrd and to this union one son was born. They farmed in the McIntire area for almost 41 years.

She is survived by one son, James (Jan) Byrd of Lexington, Kentucky; 4 grandchildren, Dan Byrd of Newton, Greg Byrd of Lakewood Ranch, Forida, Mary Harrison of Boston, Massachusetts and Kimberly Dyer of Monroe, Georgia; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; 1 brother, Charles (Jacquie) Wentworth of Minneapolis; 1 sister, Dorothy (Jim) Nelson of Blaine, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Chuck Ferguson of Austin, Minnesota; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Wentworth of Rochester, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother; her husband, Kersey in 1976; 2 brothers, Richard and John; a sister, Shirley Ann; and an infant grandson, Michael Byrd.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Seasons Hospice in Rochester or to the Riceville-McIntire United Methodist Church.

Margaret Leonard

April 19, 2011

Margaret Lydia Leonard, age 98, longtime resident of Osage, died on Monday, April, 18, 2011, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Emergency Room in Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 28, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, with Rev. Anna Blaedel officiating. Inurnment will be in the Osage Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Margaret was born on January 1, 1913 in Sheldon, Iowa, the oldest of ten children born to Ernest and Maude (Elliott) Barrick. Margaret will be remembered as an owner of Leonards' Hatchery and from 1961-1978 as the nice librarian at the Osage Public Library. She was also an active member of the United Methodist Church.  

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Peggy Leonard of Osage; sons, Don of Pahoa, Hawaii, David (Diane) of Waukee, Jim (Judy) of Iowa City, Carl (Dawn) of Osage; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by one brother, William Barrick of Abilene, Texas; three sisters, Cathryn Stubbe of Phoenix, Arizona, Dorothy (Ted) Dodds of Tempe, Arizona and Charlotte Parrack of Norman, Oklahoma; her brother-in-law, William Gilbert of Iowa Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Joe Leonard; two brothers; and three sisters.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

April 26, 2011

Faye (Christopherson) Dohrmann, 85, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2011, at the Nora Springs Care Center.  

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 26, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 25, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home in Rockford.

Faye was born on April 4, 1926 in rural Allison, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Minnie (Schoeneman) Christopherson. As a child, she moved with her family to various farms around Butler County. Prior to being married, she worked at the Earl Ferris Nursery and Hampton Coffee Shop. She was united in marriage to Floyd Dohrmann on February 7, 1951, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple farmed their land near Aredale and then in 1964, they purchased a farm near Rockford. Floyd and Faye worked side-by-side on their grain and livestock farms during their entire marriage. Floyd passed away on July 10, 2009.

Faye attended the Aredale Gospel Hall, was a member of the Rockford Women's Club, Farm Bureau, Helping Hands Study Club and the Owen Sewing Circle. She also was a member of their neighborhood card club and morning coffee group. She enjoyed reading, ceramics, gardening, canning and created baby quilts for each of her grandchildren. Most of all, Faye loved her family and looked forward to attending their activities, concerts and plays.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; brothers, Roger and Harvey Dean Christopherson; and sister-in-law, Ruth Hadwiger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Connie (Steve) Jensen of Osage and Carol (Dennis) Nauman of Rudd; grandchildren, Brad (Jessica) Jensen of Mitchell, Stacy (Dan) Skinner of Janesville and Scott and Brent Nauman of Rudd; great-grandchild, Reece Jensen; sister, Maxine Naber of Houston, Minnesota; brother, Howard (Dixie) Christopherson of Rockford; and sisters-in-law, Lucy Christopherson and Sharon (Herman) Kruse, all of Allison.

The Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Rockford, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.

Jerome Adams

May 3, 2011

Jerome Adams, age 72, of Meyer, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 28, 2011.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, May 2, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Oratory, Meyer, with Rev John Moser officiating. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meyer. Visitation was held on Sunday, May 1, from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Sacred Heart Oratory with a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m.

Jerry was born on August 2, 1938 in Meyer, Iowa, the son of the late Edmund and Madeline (Kirtz) Adams. Jerry attended Catholic school at the Meyer Academy and later attended high school at Visitation Schools. While not much of a dancer, Jerry met his beloved wife Barbara (Deyo) Adams at a dance at the Terp Ballroom and the couple later married on July 28, 1962 at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota. The early years of their marriage were spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Jerry working as a mechanic on SAAB automobiles for Borton Motors. During this time, Jerry became involved with ice racing and developed a lifelong love of stock car racing.

Jerry moved back to the Meyer area and worked at, and later owned and operated, Meyer Garage-SAAB Imports. Awards for customer satisfaction and an interview on the Today Show were a tribute to the pride he had in his dealership. "The Shop" was always a social hub in Meyer where many of his friends would gather each evening to review the days events. He was also part owner of Adams Racing Supplies and the Adams Racing Team and loved to attend racing events.

Following a stroke in 1996, Jerry was cared for at home by Barb and spent much of his time taking rides in the van, scratching lottery tickets, and enjoying his growing group of grandchildren, before eventually moving to the Stacyville Nursing Home where he kept track of the comings and goings of all.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara of Stacyville; his sons, Marty (Annette) Adams of Meyer, Chris Adams of Stacyville and Ed (Tiffany) Adams of Sumner; ten grandchildren, Michael Adams, Amanda Adams, Melanie Adams, Clint Huemann, Blake Adams, Megan Adams, Kylie Adams, Dylan Adams, Amber Fox and Bryce Adams; brothers and sisters, Mary Ellen Miller of Cedar Rapids, Bob (Jodi) Adams of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Bill (Karen) Adams of Cascade, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Madeline Adams; his in-laws, Ray and Lois Deyo & Gerhard and Jean Hellen; brother-in-law, Leo Miller and sister-in-law, Joanne Adams.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.

Evelyn McNutt

May 3, 2011

Evelyn McNutt, 90, of St. Ansgar, died on Friday, April 29, 2011, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Society Center.

Family will greet friends on Saturday, May 14, from 1-3:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Evelyn, the daughter of Earl and Elsie (Farnsworth) Portextor was born on November 24, 1920 in Sanborn, Iowa. She received her training from devoted parents, excellent rural and Sanborn High school teachers, the Sanborn Presbyterian Church and the American Institute of Business. She was married to the love of her life, Wayne McNutt on Easter Sunday, 1940. Wayne and Evelyn were blessed with two daughters, Mary Jane and Marilyn Joy. Together they shared the farm duties and joys of the era...making their home for a short time on the McNutt farm residence near Sheldon, Iowa and later (39 years) near St. Ansgar, Iowa. During those years the family was active in the St. Ansgar United Methodist Church. Evelyn worked with the county 4-H programs as well as supporting the family's interest in caring for and showing Shorthorn cattle.

The scene changed due to college, marriages, grandchildren and Wayne's sudden death. Evelyn moved in to St. Ansgar and continued with her work at the St. Ansgar State Bank. Through the years she served as teller, trust office, cashier and director as well as secretary of the St. Ansgar State Bancorporation. She enjoyed her work and found the challenges left hardly enough time to take care of her yard and flowers.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Wayne McNutt in 1979; daughter, Marilyn Joy McNutt in 2001; father, Earl Protextor in 1940; mother, Elsie Protextor in 1978; and sister, Doris Larson.

Survivors include daughter, Mary Jane Miller and husband, Charles of Gilbert, Arizona; granddaughter, Sarah M. Hamrock and husband, Jason and great-grandsons, Charles James and Mitchell Jason of Gilbert, Arizona; grandson, Michael Miller and wife, Shari and great-grandsons, Nicholas Wayne and Kellen Michael of Polk City, Iowa; and niece, Cheryl Benesh and family of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

From her scrapbook: "What all my work shall be, I do not know that either, every hour being a stranger to you until you live it. I want a busy life, a just life, a just mind and a timely death."  

--Zora Neale Hurston

In respect for her personal requests her body has been cremated and private graveside services will be held at a later date. In lieu of a memorial service she requests that you remember her family with your prayers. Memorials are designated for Dollars for Scholars.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements.