Harold James Norby

June 14, 2011

Harold James Norby, 86, of Nora Springs, Iowa, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, June 10, at the First United Methodist Church, Nora Springs, with Rev. Jerry Avise-Rouse officiating. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Rudd with military honors provided by the American Legion H.D.S. Post 449, Nora Springs. Visitation was held on Thursday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, Nora Springs and also take place one hour before the services on Friday at the church. Family suggests memorials to Harold James Norby memorial fund.

Harold was born on January 3, 1925 in Rudd, Iowa, the son of Tillman and Gea (Field) Norby. He attended country school in rural Rudd, graduating from the Rudd High School in 1943. Following high school he entered the U.S. Army Air Force during WW II serving as Staff Sergeant with the 493rd Bombardment Group-15th as a ball turret gunner in B17 bombers based in Italy. He was discharged in 1945 and was awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters and five Bronze Stars. Harold married Roberta Ethington on September 14, 1947 in Bethany, Missouri. They farmed in the rural Osage, Rockford and Nora Springs areas.

An avid horseman, Harold loved raising, training and driving ponies. He and his wife Roberta and their dog Sam were participants in numerous parades in the North Iowa and Southern Minnesota areas. They also hosted an annual spring and fall wagon trains from their Nora Springs acreage to Rock Falls. Last fall, Harold fulfilled a long-time wish and added a miniature horse, Big Bud, to the farm. On Saturday he had just purchased a team of Blue Roan miniature horses and a miniature donkey as well.

Harold also enjoyed spending his time wood working and had built several wagons for his ponies. He loved working on projects for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making each of them a personalized bulletin board, as well as many book cases and toy boxes.

Harold is survived by his three daughters, Linda Streb Hoover and her husband, Ed of Iowa City, Iowa, Deb O'Banion and her husband, Duane of Nora Springs and Robin Wagner of Mason City; five grandchildren, Emily O'Banion, Sarah O'Banion, Matthew O'Banion, Jessica Streb Flannery and Rachel Evenson; five great-grandchildren, Cory Flannery, Liam Flannery, Elleigh Flannery, Devon Wagner and Sierra Evenson; two brothers, John Norby and his wife, Bonnie of Osage and Raymond Norby and his wife, Nancy of Rudd; sister-in-law, Marvelle Ethington Squier of Rudd; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his animal companions, Buddy and Putsy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Roberta; brother, Robert Norby and his wife, Doris; brother-in-laws, Gayle Ethington and Eldon Ethington and sister-in-laws, Shirley Page and Eileene Muller.

The Sheckler Colonial Chapel, Nora Springs, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. colonialchapels.com

George Stang

June 14, 2011

George Stang, age 85, of Osage, died on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, June 15, at the New Covenant Fellowship Church, rural Osage, with Rev. James Shelton officiating. Following services, cremation will take place.

George was born on August 20, 1925 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the son of Herman and Esther (Hills) Stang. He attended school in Osage and worked on his father's farm. He was united in marriage to Arlene Hastings Kappelman on August 10, 1972 in Des Moines. George farmed on his own for a few years before building and starting Stang Farm and Home, where he worked until his retirement in 2007. He also built the New Covenant Fellowship Church where he was a member.

His hobbies included farming, aviation and restoring old planes and cars. He completely rebuilt and restored his G-Beechcraft Staggerwing airplane, one of only six still flying, which he enjoyed piloting. He also completely restored a 1948 Packard convertible which he entered in several car shows and always had the honor of driving the Grand Marshall in the Osage 4th of July parade.

George is survived by his wife, Arlene Stang of Osage; a daughter, Ramona (Jim) Kline of White Salmon, Washington; a sister, Lois (John) Phillips of Bellevue, Colorado; a brother, Dale (Sarah) Stang of Osage; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nephews, Bill (Pam) Rodewald of Fort Dodge, Mark (Marcia) Stang of London, Arkansas, Eric (Elle) Stang of Blue Belle, Pennsylvania and Alan Stang of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces, Lou Ann Soderling and Jean Soderling, both of Fort Collins, Colorado and Jeanne (Gary) Swenson of Ames.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Carolyn Rodewald.

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

Martha C. Schneider

June 14, 2011

Martha Catherine Schneider, 93, of Adams, died on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at the Adams Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, June 16, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Adams. There will be a Rosary on Wednesday, at 5:00 p.m., at the Adams Funeral, where visitation will be on Wednesday, from 5-7:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Casket bearers will be Jim Merten, Haley Merten, Ron Merten, Edward and Tami Schneider, Joan and Brad Meyer

Martha was born on March 1, 1918 in Johnsburg, Minnesota, to Math and Emma (Steiger) Rauen. Martha was married on September 1, 1937, to Leo Schneider at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. The Schneider's lived on a farm southeast of Johnsburg, until moving to Adams in 1970. Leo and Martha celebrated their 70th anniversary on September 1, 2007.

Martha loved the farm and was Leo's partner in farming. She was always beside him picking up rock, planting crops in the spring and harvesting in the fall. Her gardens were always free of weeds. She canned all of their garden vegetable and pickles. Martha raised baby chicks, roosters, ducks and geese every year. Her son-in-law, Duane made special rollaway nests for the eggs, to make egg gathering easier. Martha also cooked at the St. John School in Johnsburg and worked at the Libby Canning factory in Rochester. In their free time Leo and Martha liked to go Bullhead fishing with Louise and Cliff. Martha also liked sewed, quilting, and playing cards. She especially enjoyed getting together with relatives, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo Schneider; granddaughter, Jane Marie Merten; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bernetta and Joe Mullenbach and Isabella and Jake Rothamel; brothers and sisters-in-law, Art and Rose Rauen, John and LaVera Rauen; nephews, Kenneth Rauen and Duane Schneider; and nieces, Miriam Schneider and Bernice King.

Martha is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Duane Merten of Adams, Minnesota; son and daughter-in-law, Clifford and Monica Schneider of St. Clair, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jim Merten and Jill and her children, Sidney and Maddy of Adams, Ron Merten of Adams, Thomas Merten of Adams, Dan and Pam Schneider of Avondale, Arizona, Joan and Brad Meyer of Dodge Center, Minnesota, Edward and Tami Schneider of Byron, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Haley Merten, Jessica Meyer, Adam Meyer and Justine Schneider; sisters and brother-in-law, Margaret and William Schneider of Adams and Ardella Gilles of Austin, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.

Royden Putnam

June 14, 2011

Royden Elliott Putnam, age 90, of Osage, died on Monday, June 13, 2011, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center- Hospice Unit in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, June 17, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7:30 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Royden was born on September 27, 1920 at Arlington, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Edna (Meisgeier) Putnam. He graduated from the Jesup High School in 1939. Royden married Gladys Carrison on January 27, 1944, at the First Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. They farmed near Arlington and in 1953 they purchased and moved to a farm near Little Cedar. In 1991, they moved to Osage.

He was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Royden enjoyed fishing, hunting, the casino, watching baseball, playing cards and spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren.

Royden is survived by his wife, Gladys Putnam of Osage; his children, Kenny (Janet) Putnam of Osage, Kathryn (Michael) Tosel of Mason City, Duane (Alice) Putnam of Warrenton, North Carolina, Derrel (Nancy) Putnam of Ankeny, Darla (Craig) DeForest of Mason City; grandchildren, Melynda (Michael) McKelvey of Mason City, Michelle (Jeff) Wendel of Ankeny, Emily (Robert) Hartkopp of Wesley, Raela DeForest of Ames, Kristen Putnam of Ankeny, Sydni Putnam of Ankeny, Kaela Shaw of Ankeny; great-grandchildren, Brandon and Keira McKelvey, Katelyn and Emma Wendel, Abby and Skylar Hartkopp;  a brother, Weslie (Berneta) Putnam of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Vera Olesen of Iowa Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dale, Loyd and Lester; and two sisters, Hilda Beltz and Gertrude Putnam. 

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

Helen Siefken

June 21, 2011

Helen Elizabeth Siefken, age 86, of Osage, died on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, June 20, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial was in the Park Cemetery in Nora Springs, Iowa. There was a time for lunch and fellowship following services at the Faith Lutheran Home.

Helen was born on August 26, 1924 in Floyd County, Iowa, the daughter of Harm, Sr. and Fuekea (DeWitt) Eggena. She graduated from the Rockford High School and the Waterloo School of Beauty Culture. Helen married Robert C. Lackore on December 31, 1945. To this union two sons were born, Robert D. and James. Robert C. died on November 10, 1962. She married Henry Deppe on January 16, 1966. Henry died on February 14, 1985. Helen married John Siefken on January 31, 1987. John died on December 14, 1994. Helen operated her own beauty shop and assisted with the family farming operation.

She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Helen enjoyed needlework, ceramics, and gardening.

Helen is survived by her son, Robert D. (Linda) Lackore of Urbandale, and their two sons, Paul (Erin) Lackore and children, Aidan, Kelsey and Gavin of Aurora, Colorado, Brian (fiancée, Michelle) Lackore of Oakland, California; her son, James (Dawn) Lackore of Osage and their two sons, Jason Lackore of Bellevue, Nebraska, Joshua Lackore of Osage; and one sister-in-law, Darlene Eggena of Rockford.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; and ten brothers and sisters.

Edna R. Eberline

June 21, 2011

Edna R. Eberline, age 79, of Osage, died on Sunday, March 13, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

According to her wishes, Edna was cremated. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 25, at the First Baptist Church in Osage, with Pastor Paul Brown officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wayne Cemetery in McIntire, Iowa. Following services, there will be a time for lunch and fellowship at the church.

Edna was born on June 20, 1931 in Gibbstown, New Jersey, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Wright) Stackhouse. She attended high school in Barnesboro, New Jersey. She was united in marriage to Samuel Eberline on August 10, 1951 in Orange County, California. They lived in California until the winter of 1956, when they moved to a farm near McIntire. After Sam's death in 1975, Edna moved to Osage, where she was employed at the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital. She retired from the hospital after 17 years.

Edna was a member of the United Methodist Church in McIntire. She enjoyed sewing, baking, canning, reading, shopping, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family.

Edna is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Roger) Loden of Osage and their daughter, Dena (Joe) King of Osage; her daughter, Shirley Thome of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania and her children, Joshua (Heather Reisinger) Thome of Elizabethtown, PA, Jayme (Robert) Thome-Murch of Mount Joy, PA, Mandy (Jesse) Lentz of York, PA, John Thome of Mount Joy, PA, Shane Thome, serving in Iraq, Nicholas Thome of Mount Joy, PA; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bob (Pat) Stackhouse of Riverside, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sam; two sisters, Martha and Dorothy; and six brothers, Ray, Bill, Frank, Charlie, Ron and Joe.

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

David Allen Miles

June 28, 2011

David Allen Miles, 65, of Shalimar, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2011.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, June 28, at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Monsignor Slade Crawford officiating. Burial was in the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

Dave was born on December 11, 1945 in Osage, Iowa, a son of the late John Dalton Miles and Mary Colleen Condon Miles. Dave served proudly as a pilot in the United States Air Force for 30 years. Dave was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was a man of impeccable character and a devoted Catholic. He was passionate about flying and was a flight instructor for many years. His interests included flying, gardening, and traveling. His family remembers him as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and a great role model.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 43 years, Judith Mize Miles of Shalimar; one son, John David Miles and his wife, Shawn of Jacksonville; two daughters, Maureen Miles Johnson and her husband, Richard of Niceville and Elizabeth Colleen Miles Graddy and her husband, Michael of Tallahassee; seven grandchildren, Michaela, Trevor, Jacob, and Emma Rose Graddy, Katherine, Gianna and Mary Colleen Johnson; one brother, Michael John Miles and his wife, Terri of New Mexico; and one sister, Patricia Miles of Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund at St. Mary's Catholic Church and House of St. Joseph the Workman, 319 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547.

Arrangements made by the Emerald Coast Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. emeraldcostfuneralhome.com

Howard Bless

June 28, 2011

Howard Bless, 87, of St. Ansgar, died on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Robert Porisch officiating. Burial was in the St. Peter Cemetery, Toeterville.

Howard Louis Bless, was born on February 3, 1924 in Worth County, Iowa, to Clarence C. and Dora R. (Hartwig) Bless. He was baptized at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar. He graduated from the St. Ansgar High School in 1941. He served in the Armed Forces from November 1944-August 1946. After returning home he farmed with his dad and brother, Darold in the Toeterville area, which he continued until his retirement in 1998, moving to St. Ansgar in November of 1991. He was married to Marion G. Thompson of London, Minnesota, on June 14, 1952 in a double wedding with his brother, Darold and Marion's sister, Helen at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter. She was a loving wife and mother, a great partner.

He served his church and community in many ways. At church he was a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent for over 25 years. He was church chairman several different times and on the board of Deacons. In the community, he served on the Toeterville Elevator board, Mitchell County Farm Bureau and Township Chairman, Mitchell County Extension Council, Dairy Herdsman of Iowa Board, Cedar Valley Credit Union, Cedar Valley Minute Man Board, Sons of Norway and the St. Ansgar Maple Manor Board.

Howard enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing pool and cards, especially with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing fast-pitch softball in his younger days and in later years baking cookies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; one sister; three sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.

Howard is survived by his wife, Marion of St. Ansgar; son, Larry (Julie) Bless of St. Ansgar; two daughters, Lynne (Don) Rustvold of Audubon and Larae (Richard) Boatman of Eldora; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Doreen (Carl) Finnesgaard of Kenyon, Minnesota; and one brother-in-law, Donald Morasch of Osage.

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

Dawn Greeley

July 5, 2011

Dawn Elizabeth Greeley, age 64, of Osage, died on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the Faith Home in Osage, after a short battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, July 1, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. John Moser officiating. Following the services, cremation will take place with inurnment at a later date in the Osage Cemetery.

Dawn was born on March 22, 1947 in Osage, the daughter of Daniel and Gloria (Creedy) Gilles. She attended schools in Adams, Minnesota. On October 3, 1964, she married Richard Greeley, at the Sacred Heart Church at Adams. Dawn was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart Guild in Osage. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, crocheting, stamping and camping.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Richard Greeley of Osage; her daughter, Darcy (Mike) Betts of Osage and children, Tina Betts and Nicole Betts; her daughter, Ann (Alan) Hoisington of Osage and children, Jessica (Troy) Wickham and Julie Hoisington; her daughter, Jane (Wayne) Johnson of Dexter, Minnesota and children, Jeremy Johnson, Jamie Johnson and Jason (Katie) Johnson;  three great-grandchildren, Drew Shimek, Aden Wickham and Tait Johnson; her mother, Gloria Gilles of Adams, Minnesota; six brothers, Colin (Connie) Gilles of Stewartville, Minnesota, Charles (Linda) Gilles of Adams, Minnesota, Clair Gilles of Austin, Minnesota, Dennis Gilles of Adams, Minnesota, Bob (Dawn) Gilles of Rose Creek, Minnesota and Brian (Chandra) Gilles of Adams, Minnesota; and one sister, Karen (Scott) Longueville of Austin, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Gilles; her great-grandson, Jayden Wickham; and a niece, Jody Gilles.

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

James K. Chatman

July 5, 2011

Private graveside inurnment services were held in the Osage Cemetery, for James "Jim" K. Chatman, age 46, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and formerly of Osage.

Jim and his daughter, Crystal Tuggle, had been missing since June 20, 2002, when they went hiking in the El Malpais National Monument near Albuquerque. The remains of Jim and Crystal were found in the El Malpais area in September 2010.

Jim was born on June 16, 1956 in Osage, the son of Ben F. and Alma (Hefty) Chatman. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Church of Christ in Osage. Jim graduated from the Osage High School in 1975 and received a degree from the Missouri Institute of Technology in Kansas City. He worked in Pascagoula, Mississippi; Rochester, Minnesota; and then Albuquerque for the last fifteen years of his life.

As he was growing up in Osage, Jim enjoyed hiking, camping and taking photographs and videos of his family and friends. He was an active member of the United Church of Christ and sang in the choir with his family. After moving to Albuquerque in 1986, Jim joined the Heritage Christian Fellowship Church with his daughter and both were active members for many years. Jim continued his love of hiking and photography until his death.

Jim is survived by his mother, Alma Chatman of Osage; three sisters, Silvia (Fred) Thull of Las Vegas, Nevada and their children, Sara and Stephanie; Dianna Toscano of Palm Harbor, Florida and her children, Darin, Tara and Melissa; Jennifer (Mark) Magnuson of Isanti, Minnesota and their children, Tyler, Elissa and Alex; and a brother, Ben C. (Doreen) Chatman of Polk City, Iowa and their children, Kirsten, Matthew and Andrew; and by numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ben F. Chatman; his daughter, Crystal Tuggle; his paternal grandparents, Frank and Nellie Chatman; and his maternal grandparents, Henry and Mildred Hefty.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, helped coordinate the arrangements with officials in Albuquerque and the family appreciates their professional help and guidance.