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

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Janet A. Spitz

January 4, 2011

Janet A. Spitz, age 42, of Osage, died on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center Hospice Unit in Osage.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 6, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. John Moser officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a scripture wake service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 8-10:00 a.m., on Thursday, at the funeral home.

Janet was born on April 29, 1968 in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Marlys G. (Kreimeyer) Kuehne. She graduated from the Osage Community High School in 1986, NIACC in 1988, and the Mercy Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in Mason City in 1993. Janet married Robert Spitz on September 11, 1993, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. To this union, two children were born, Nathen and Taylor. She had worked at Southbridge Insurance Agency, Principal Financial, Mason City Clinic, and was most recently employed at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City as an ultrasound technologist.

Janet was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, fishing and spending time in the outdoors. Janet especially enjoyed going to her children's sporting events and spending time with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Spitz Children's Education Fund.

Janet is survived by her husband, Robert Spitz; her children, Nathen and Taylor of Osage; her parents, Richard and Marlys Kuehne of Orchard; her brothers, Jay Kuehne and Doug (Deb) Kuehne, both of Osage; and her mother-in-law, Belle Spitz of Osage.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Bernard Spitz; her paternal grandparents, Robert and Florence Kuehne; and her maternal grandparents, Otto and Grace Kreimeyer.

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



Mabel Lee Roby Voshell

January 11, 2011

Mabel Lee Roby Voshell, age 100, of Osage, died on Monday, January 10, 2011, at the Faith Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, January 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, with Rev. Anna Blaedel officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Mabel was born on February 24, 1910 in Moorfield, West Virginia, the daughter of Henry C. and Bessie (Kuykendall) Roby. She attended school thru eighth grade at Burr Oak in rural Mitchell County. Mabel worked hard on the family farm and as a secretary for her father's car business. She married Claude Voshell at the age of 70, in 1980 and he died in 1984.

Mabel loved to dance, where in 1990 she met her special companion, Clyde Martin. She loved to care for her home and yard and have great friends and neighbors. Mabel was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osage and the Methodist Women's Circle.

Mabel is survived by her special companion, Clyde Martin of Osage; a nephew, Gary Roby of Osage; step-daughters, Minerva (Paul) Wagner of Osage and Beverly McNealy of Osage; and step-son, Robert (Joye) Voshell of Raleigh, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude Voshell in 1984; and two brothers, Garrett and Ralph Roby.

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



Arthur William Janzow

January 18, 2011

Arthur William Janzow, of Saint Ansgar, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2011, of lung cancer. He died peacefully at his home in St. Ansgar surrounded by his children.

Art Janzow, was born on April 25, 1920, the sixth of seven children to August and Elizabeth (Wiegner) Janzow of St. Ansgar, Iowa. He attended public school and graduated from the St. Ansgar High School in 1938. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, and furthered his education specializing in engineering while stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. Art served his country on board a destroyer repair ship named the Altaire, as a Special Articifer Optical First Class. Following his four years of service to his country, he returned to St. Ansgar and joined his father, August, in the construction business. This partnership changed the course of the business from mainly agricultural and residential construction to commercial building.

In 1953, he married Dorothy Tiemann and to them were born three children. He was active in the community for many years serving on The Chamber of Commerce, Lion's Club, City Council and many other capacities. Art treasured his time with family and friends. His interests included music, business, travel, politics, religion, world affairs, golf and community service.

Art lovingly served his Lord and Savior in a variety ways at his home church of Immanuel Lutheran in St. Ansgar. He especially enjoyed teaching Bible Class with young adults in his home. Art was a strong Witness of his Christian Faith throughout his entire life. He continued this even through his final illness, eloquently professing the saving grace of Jesus Christ to his health care providers, family and friends.

Arthur is survived by his three children, Judy Bader and her husband, Pat of Agoura Hills, California, Jeanne Houchins and her husband, Mike of Spencer and Ted Janzow and his wife, Denise of Rochester, Minnesota. His spirit lives on through his four grandchildren, Teddy Bader, Mitchell Houchins and Lauren and Steven Janzow. He is also survived by his sisters, Adele Dieterich of St. Ansgar, Clara Meyerhoff of Davis, California; brothers, Bert Janzow of Yorba Linda, California and Richard Janzow of Chicago, Illinois; as well as the congregation of fellow believers in Christ.

Art was preceded in death by the love of his life, Dorothy Janzow (Tiemann); as well as his brother, Ludwig Janzow of San Leandro, California and Frieda Crouch also of St. Ansgar.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Rev. Northwick, Rev. Porisch and Rev. Heidorn, along with a host of friends and family who supported Art and his family in his final days and throughout his long life. We also want to thank his health care providers and especially the Good Samaritan Center and Mercy Hospice for their kind patience in supporting Art with dignity and respect throughout his brief illness.

These selfless acts of kindness are an enormous source of strength and comfort. Art enjoyed teaching young people throughout his life and continued this after death by donating his body to Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota. Internment will commence later this year upon return of his remains to St. Ansgar.

The visitation for Arthur was held on Sunday, January 16, at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in St. Ansgar, from 2-4:00 p.m. The memorial service was held on Monday, January 17, at Immanuel Lutheran in St. Ansgar at 11:00 a.m. Memorials will be made to The Lutheran Hour Ministries, Lutheran Seminarian sponsorship, Lutherans for Life, Iowa District East and The American Legion.



John E. Harms

January 25, 2011

John E. Harms, 81, of Osage, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 22, at 10:30 a.m., at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage. Visitation was held from 9:30 a.m., until the service time on Saturday at the Church. Visitation was also held on Saturday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wellsburg, from 1-2:00 p.m., with a committal service following in the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wellsburg. Rev. Roy Ott officiated at the service. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton, was in charge of the arrangements.

John was born on June 16, 1929 in Wellsburg, Iowa, to John J. and Kate (Hoodjer) Harms. John received his Bachelors Degree at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He served his Country in the United States Air Force, where he was Airman of the month several times. John taught school in various Iowa schools for thirteen years and then was a walking mail carrier in Osage for twenty one years. He was active and associated with many Lutheran Churches.

John is survived by his sisters, Deloris (Orrin) Cunningham of Hansell, Caroline (Willie) Kruse of Lone Rock, Imogene (Dale) Furman of Bradford and Sharon Aalfs of Coulter; brothers, Gene (Shirley) Harms of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Wendell Harms of Anaheim, California and Roger (Diane) Harms of New Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane E. Harms; and brother-in-law, John Aalfs.



Paul Nicholson

January 25, 2011

Paul R. Nicholson, age 89, of Osage, died on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 26, at the First Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Orchard, with Pastor Jan Tjaden officiating. Inurnment will be in the Little Cedar Cemetery in Little Cedar, with military honors at the grave by the Orchard American Legion Post 641. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 6-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Paul was born on May 2, 1921 in Little Cedar, Iowa, the son of George and Cora (Bird) Nicholson. He attended school at Little Cedar. Paul served in the U.S. Army during W.W. II in the Pacific Theater. He married Clarise (Brown) Gosselin on June 16, 1946, in New Hampton. Paul was employed by Oliver in Charles City, Frudden Lumber Company in Floyd, the Orchard Elevator and the Mitchell County Highway Department.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Osage and was later a member of the First Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Orchard. Paul served as the mayor of Orchard for several years. He enjoyed babysitting his grandchildren, collecting old cars, tinkering in the garage, gardening, traveling and rock collecting.

Paul is survived by his wife, Clarise Nicholson of Osage; children, Michael (Susan) Nicholson of Osage, Theresa Martin of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Allen Gosselin of Stillwater, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-grandson, Cody Martin; a great-granddaughter, Anna Kleckner; a son-in-law, Steven Martin; brothers, Franklin, Clifford, George and Glen Nicholson; and sisters, Alice Dunn, Esther Squier, Lillian Bakkum, Ruby Taber and Clara Bessman.

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



William "Bill"  Scharper

February 1, 2011

William "Bill"  Scharper, age 84, of Osage, died on Monday, January 24, 2011, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 29, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Rock Township.

Bill was born on August 19, 1926 in Mitchell, the son of Christian and Flossie (Moore) Scharper. He grew up and attended school in Mitchell. Bill served in the U.S. Army in the Philippine Islands and Japan during W.W. II. He was united in marriage to Lucille R. Hartwig on August 16, 1953, at the St. John's Lutheran Church. Bill worked for the Iowa State Department of Transportation for 35 years, retiring in 1988. He also worked for Wilmer R. Rachut in the produce fields near Fertile and did seasonal farm work for Bud Funk. 

Bill enjoyed music and played drums for the Rhythm Rascals band. He also enjoyed woodworking, working in his garden and was an avid Twins fan. 

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucille Scharper of Osage; a daughter, Mary Jean (Dave) Olson and their children, Dan (Valerie) Olson and Nicholas Olson of Mason City; a son, Kevin (Jill) Scharper and their children, Haleigh, Carly, Riley and Russell of Forest City; a sister-in-law, Lucile M. Scharper of Osage; a sister-in-law, Lois (Lee) Dutcher of Manly; an aunt, Hazel Moore of St. Paul, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Briggs and Evelyn Fletcher; a brother, Robert Scharper; and a nephew.

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



Ken Daly

March 2, 2011

Ken Daly, 81, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2011, at the Dominican Hospital.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, February 6, at the United Presbyterian Church in Watsonville. Burial took place in the Rock Creek Cemetery in Osage.

Born in Charles City, Ken lived in Santa Cruz County for the past 35 years after moving to the area from the Los Angeles area. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and later worked in the accounting department of the T.J. Lipton Co. in Santa Cruz.

Ken was an accomplished pianist and organist and performed for many churches in the county. He was one of few musicians in the area that could play a three manual keyboard.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Watsonville, where he played the organ for Sunday services and sang and played in numerous choral groups, including Irvin M. Smith's Chapel of the Four Seasons Boys Choir.

Ken is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carrie J. Daly of Watsonville; children, Peter (Margaret) Daly (Klemesrud) and Robin (Joe) Martinez of Colorado; brother, Robert Klemesrud of Osage; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.



Cornelia M. Backman

February 1, 2011

Cornelia Maurine Backman, age 96, of Osage, died on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, February 4, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial will be in the Whalan Lutheran Cemetery in Whalan, Minnesota, at a later date. Visitation will be from 9-10:45 a.m., on Friday, at the church.

Cornelia Maurine Backman, born on December 20, 1914, was the first of five children born to Oscar S. and Jessie O. (Askegaard) Reitan. Following her graduation from the Comstock (Minnesota) High School, she went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she graduated in 1935 with degrees in education, music and English. Her first two teaching jobs were in small high schools in northern Minnesota. She then moved to Brockton, Montana, where she taught high school on the Indian reservation. While in Brockton, she was the church organist and choir director. It was there that she met Pastor Arden H. Backman. They were married on August 9, 1942, at the Hoff Lutheran Church, in rural Moorhead, Minnesota. Arden and Cornelia served congregations in Brockton, Bainville and Culbertson, Montana, Whitefish, Montana, Circle, Montana, Wykoff, Minnesota, Lime Springs, Iowa and Carpenter, Iowa. They retired to Osage in 1978, where they were active members of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Cornelia loved music and was involved as organist or choir director in numerous churches. Upon retirement, she maintained her love of music by performing organ and piano duets at church. She was active in the Sons of Norway, taking great pride in her Norwegian heritage. Never afraid to express her opinions, her constant energy, ideas, and genuine curiosity will be greatly missed. "We love you, Mom."

Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Arden; her brother, Pernell; her sister, Evelyn Holth; an infant sister; and a nephew, David Holth.

She is survived by four children, Dwight of Sparta, Wisconsin, Charles of Osage, Afton (Russell) Duenow of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Stephen of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Bradley Backman, Bjorn Backman, Lt. Col. Corbin Backman, Bryan Duenow and Lt. Victor Duenow. She also enjoyed her great-grandchildren, Gunnar and Kai Backman, Colton and Kennedy Anne Backman, Elsa Rane Backman and was looking forward to the birth of another in the summer. She is also survived by her sister, Marcelle Horton of Breckenridge, Minnesota.

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



Wayne Herman Duenow

February 1, 2011

Wayne Herman Duenow, 94, formerly of New Bloomfield, died on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Summit Villa Lifecare in Holts Summit.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 4, at the Faith Lutheran Church, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Tony Alter officiating. Interment will follow in the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

Wayne was born on April 3, 1916 near St. Ansgar, Iowa, a son of Carl August and Edna Susan (Koster) Duenow. He attended the Spring Valley Elementary School and was a 1933 graduate of the St. Ansgar High School, both in St. Ansgar. On March 4, 1938, Wayne was united in marriage in Osage, Iowa, to Dorothy Shoars, who preceded him in death on February 5, 2009. Wayne farmed in Iowa until 1956, when the family moved to New Bloomfield. He was employed at Harbison-Walker Refractories in Fulton until his retirement in 1978. After retirement, Wayne and Dorothy traveled the United States extensively.

Survivors include five daughters, Sherry Repper and husband, Tom, Constance Rumbaugh and husband, Jeffrey, Pamela S. Baxter, Debra Goldammer and husband, Sam, Jacquelyn Berry and husband, Douglas; five sons, Robert Duenow and wife, Betty, David Duenow and wife, Vickie, Michael Duenow and wife, Nancy, Philip Duenow, James Duenow and wife, Carol; three sisters, Shirley Markham of Osage, Eleanor Tracy of St. Ansgar, Margaret Runtsch and husband, Lawrence; three brothers, Kenneth Duenow of St. Ansgar, Merlyn Duenow, John Duenow and wife, Sally; 27 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great- grandchildren.

Wayne was also preceded in death by his parents; three grandsons; and one brother, Carl of Osage.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Faith Memorial Fund, in care of the Faith Lutheran Church.

The Millard Family Chapels, Jefferson City, Missouri, was in charge of the arrangements.



Russel N. Shaw

February 1, 2011

Russel N. Shaw of Brainerd, Minnesota, died on Sunday, January 30, 2011, at Essentia Health's-St. Joseph's Medical Center. 

A memorial service officiated by Pastor David Holte will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 5, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with a luncheon to follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #255 Color Guard. Visitation will be from 5-7:00, p.m., on Friday, at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd and continue the hour before services on Saturday at the church. Memorials can be given to Brainerd Lakes H.A.R.T. in lieu of flowers.

Rusel was born in Melrose, Minnesota on August 6, 1926, to Charles Russell Shaw and Emma Adelaide (Holmberg) Shaw. Russ attended schools in LaPorte and Park Rapids. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. Russel was very proud of serving his country from 1944-1947. After being honorably discharged, Russ started college at Brainerd Junior College and then transferred to Gustavus Adolphus where he completed his degree in Business Education. He taught in Elkart, Orchard and Mitchell, Iowa. While in Mitchell where he taught business and coached high school boys and girls basketball, he met and married Mary Alice Houghtaling on May 22, 1955. Russ and Mary moved to Brainerd in 1957 so that Russ could continue his teaching career at Pillager High School. Russ taught in Pillager for 30 years until his retirement in 1988.

During the summers between school years, Russ single handedly built a lake home on Pelican Lake where he and his family enjoyed many fun times together.

Russ was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #255 and the Royal Order of the Brainerd Elks. Russ was an animal lover, especially his dog Buddy.

Russ is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Kimberly (Jeff) Johnson, Kay Rineck and Karen (Dan) Wyman; son, Charles (Elizabeth) Shaw; grandchildren, Peter (Kara) Shaw, Ben Shaw, Jane Shaw, Katherine Johnson, Mary Alice Johnson, Madeline Maier; sister, Beverly (William) Fawcett; sister-in-law, Lois (Joseph) Mostek; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.

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