Lillian I. Johnson

August 7, 2012

Lillian I. Johnson, 91, of St. Ansgar, died on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 8, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Paul Weeg officiating. Burial will be in the St. Ansgar Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, and also one hour prior to the service time at the church.

Lillian was born on March 28, 1921 in Mitchell County, to Ross and Effie (Tunmore) Eckert. She attended the Otranto School, graduating high school in 1939. Lillian married Norris M. Johnson on November 25, 1939. Three sons were born to them, Melvin, Norman and David. They farmed in the Otranto area until 1965, when Norris was employed by D.C. Jorgensen & Sons, Inc. until 1972. They moved to DeWitt, Iowa and ran the DeWitt Farm Store until moving back to St. Ansgar in 1983.

Lillian was a member of the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two grandchildren, Michelle Marie and Greg Alan; one great-grandchild, Hanna Olivia; four brothers; and three sisters.

Lillian is survived by her three sons, Melvin (Pat) of Rochester, Minnesota, Norman (Kathy) of St. Ansgar and David (Mary Jean) of DeWitt; 8 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

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

Joan Brown

August 7, 2012

Joan Brown, age 75, of Osage, passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at home surrounded by family.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 11, at the First Baptist Church in Osage, with Pastor Roger Davies presiding, with an inurnment at 1:30 p.m. in the Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6-8:00 p.m., on Friday, August 10, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. There will be a time for lunch and fellowship following the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church or the Iowa Hospice.

Joan A. Stuehrk, was born on March 14, 1937 in Hoskins, Nebraska, to Hans and Hertha (Gnirk) Stuehrk. The family moved to Iowa in 1942, living in the Zearing area. She graduated from the Zearing High School. Joan was united in marriage to Floyd Roske in 1954 and they were blessed with five children. They later divorced. She married Paul Brown of Riceville in 1988, with whom she had almost 24 wonderful years. Joan worked on the family dairy farm keeping the books and caring for her family. She later worked as an office manager for Maple Manor in Osage, a bank teller at First Citizens in Osage, and at Wright Plumbing in Osage.

Joan treasured time with her family most of all and enjoyed spending time with many friends. She was an avid letter writer having many pen pals, one of whom she corresponded with for over 50 years, and another for 60 years. Joan also loved sewing and especially making quilts. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild has received at least one of these lovingly made treasures. Joan was also active in their church, playing the piano, serving as treasurer and participating in many other activities.

Joan is survived by her husband, Paul of Osage; sons, Russell (Rowena) Roske of Spring Green, Wisconsin and Kevin (Julie) Roske of Hillsdale, Wisconsin; daughters, Wendy (Les) Gibbs of Shell Rock, Jill (Steve) Johnson of Lime Springs and Susan (Tom) Miller of Claremont, Minnesota; grandchildren, Brian (Erin) Roske of Waterloo, Wisconsin, Justin (Kelly) Roske of Arena, Wisconsin, Adam (Kim) Roske of St. Joseph, Missouri, Emily (Wes) Milligan of Campbell, California, Will Roske of Juneau, Alaska, Dan (Christina) Gibbs of Lime Springs, Melissa Gibbs of St. Louis, Missouri, Nathanial (Liz) Roske of Hillsdale, Wisconsin, Joshua (Tanya) Roske of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Lukas (Lindsay) Johnson of Racine, Minnesota, Chelsea Johnson of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Amanda (Jared) Benson of New Ulm, Minnesota, Jim (Diana) Miller of New Ulm, Minnesota, Mike (Natasha) Miller of Arlington, Texas, Brandi Mayer of Claremont, Minnesota and Derek Mayer of Claremont, Minnesota; 21 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Karen (John) Smith of Jefferson and Donna (Marvin) Scherr of Ames; sisters-in-law, Nancy Hall of Osage and Bonnie Brown of Suffolk, Virginia; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers-in-law, Victor Hall and Elston Brown.

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

Melvin Hackenmiller

August 14, 2012

Melvin Hackenmiller, 84, of Stacyville, died on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at the St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 11, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, with Rev. Donald Bruggeman officiating. Burial was in the Visitation Catholic Cemetery.

Melvin was born on June 11, 1928 at Meyer, Iowa, the son of Math and Olivia (Durben) Hackenmiller. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1946. On September 24, 1958, he married Janice Mayer at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville. Following his high school graduation, Melvin served his country in the Air Force. Melvin started his career working as a plumber and electrician at May’s Hardware in Stacyville. He worked at Oliver Tractor for a few years and then was employed for over 20 years at the Stacyville Savings Bank, later known as the St. Ansgar State Bank.

He enjoyed family vacations to Fairbault, Decorah, New York and New Orleans. Melvin enjoyed many hobbies during his life including fishing, hunting, golfing, playing cards and town league baseball. After his retirement, he became a skilled scroll saw woodworker much to the delight of his family and friends. He received many awards for his fine craftsmanship and we are proud of him. Melvin loved to read and was always interested in what books his children were reading. Melvin was a life-long history buff and greatly enjoyed his trip on the Honor Flight. He will be remembered as a well respected member of his community and while he was small in stature he possessed a big heart and quick wit. He was a loving husband and a great dad and grandfather.

Melvin is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Janice of Stacyville; seven children, Sandy (Dean Blanchard) of Cedar Rapids, Sharon (John Cowin) of Ledyard, Craig (Barb) Hackenmiller of Mantorville, Minnesota, Laurie (Randi Johnson) of Osage, Karla (Art Werger) of Athens, Ohio, Mark (Teressa) Hackenmiller of Cedar Rapids, Matt (Melissa) Hackenmiller of Rancho Cucamonga, California; grandchildren, Ross, Drew, Alex, Olivia, Holly, Ezra, Abby and Vienna; brother, Ernie Hackenmiller of St. Ansgar; sisters, Imelda (Joseph) Neis of Rogers, Minnesota, Lorene (Darrell) Mayer of Lockport, New York; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David; brothers, Bill, Sylvan and Jerome; and sister, Genny Lemay.

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

Marjorie Souder

August 14, 2012

Marjorie Lois (Eyerly) Souder, 96, of Osage, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 18, 2012, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with the Rev. Duane A. Lookingbill officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Floyd. Visitation is from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Marjorie Lois Eyerly, was born on Janury 5, 1916, the fourth child of Loren and Emma (McComb) Eyerly, at Hammil, South Dakota, where her parents homesteaded. At the age of two years, she moved with her family to rural Winterset, where she attended rural school and graduated from the Winterset High School in 1933. She attended the Iowa School of Beauty Culture in Des Moines, after which she was a beautician in Winterset. On November 16, 1941, she was married to Ralph Souder on her family farm near Winterset, by Rev. Walter Samp. They farmed at Rockwell City for two years and then moved to Floyd County, rural Rudd, where they farmed for almost 60 years.

To this union was born two sons, Charles Eyerly and Edward Davis. Marjorie was an active member of the United Church of Christ (Congregational) in Osage. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a member of the Floyd County Extension Council, Rudd Quilters, TOPS Inc. and Floyd Fantasia Singers. She was a charter member of the Floyd County Cowbelles, later called Cattlewomen. Marjorie was also a member of the State Cattlewomen and was State Historian. Following the tornado in Charles City, she was a beautician at the Riverside Chautauqua Guest Home for a number of years. Both of her sons served during the Viet Nam era. Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished her family. Her hobbies were sewing, gardening, baking, music, sports and neighboring.

Marjorie is survived by her sons, Charles (Dianne) Souder of rural Rudd and Edward Souder of Osage; five grandchildren, Stacy (Ben) Bolin, Linda (Todd) Davis, Charles B. (Tricia) Souder, Sarah (Andrew) Johnson and Mary (special friend, Pat) Souder; and nine great-grandchildren, Chandra, Lydia and Sophia Bolin, Reed and Michaela Davis, Lilian M. and Charles Liam Souder, Soren and Halvor Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph on August 15, 2010; her parents; two brothers, Merwin and Carroll Eyerly; and three sisters, Doris Schulz, Vivian Williams and Virginia Price; and many nieces and nephews.

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

Maxine Rose Steinberg

August 21, 2012

Maxine Rose Steinberg, 83, passed away on Friday, August 17, 2012, at her home in St Ansgar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 25, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in St Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Bryon Northwick officiating. Burial will be in the St John’s Cemetery in Rock Township. Visitation will be on Friday, August, 24, from 4-6:00 p.m., at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in St Ansgar.

Maxine was born on February 7, 1929 near Carpenter, Iowa. She was the first born child of William and Dorothy (Kirchgatter) Greiner. She grew up on various farms in both Mitchell and Worth Counties. She eventually graduated from the Grafton High School in 1947. After graduating she worked in Wisconsin and in 1952 she married Sanford Nelson. He was in the service stationed on the east and west coasts. He died in 1956. She then moved back to the Mitchell county area and worked as a telephone operator and housekeeper where she met her husband, Edwin Steinberg. They married on June 7, 1958. To this union one son, David was born. They made their home in rural St Ansgar farming until their retirement in 1983 and then they moved to St Ansgar. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008. Edwin passed away in 2009.

Maxine thoroughly enjoyed her family, spending time with them and attending their events. She was also blessed with her loving church family at Immanuel Lutheran, attending quilting and bible classes. She always looked forward to playing cards both with her Thursday card club and with her family.

Surviving family members include David (Elaine) Steinberg of St Ansgar; step-son, Frederick (Karen) Steinberg of St Ansgar; step-daughter, Carol (Lellen) Jones of Covington, Georgia; grandchildren, Jessica (Wade) Machin, Jeremiah, Joshua, Jackson Steinberg; step-grandchildren, Brian (Tori) Steinberg, Bruce (Meagan) Steinberg, Steven (Toby) Jones, Jason (Rosemary) Jones, Step greatgrandchildren: Gregory, Kayley, Riley, Chistopher, Haley, Madison, Alianna, Noah; one brother, Ellsworth Greiner of Mason City; one sister, Vanita Wilson of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Sanford and second husband, Edwin.

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

Beatrice Goplerud

August 21, 2012

Beatrice "Betty" Jean Goplerud, 91, of St. Ansgar, passed away peacefully at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center on Monday, August 20, 2012.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m., at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, Iowa, with Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial was in the First Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar.

Beatrice was born on March 28, 1921 in Ringtown, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Orville R. and Myrtle R. (Rich) Breisch. Beatrice was a registered nurse and took part in the pioneering of the kidney dialysis program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Teaching Hospital in New York City. Beatrice married James Schorr in 1943 and to this union two sons were born, John and Michael Schorr. In 1967, she married Kenneth Goplerud and moved to his farm in Iowa. Together they created 43 years of fond family memories.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; son, Michael Schorr and grandson, Mark Steiert.

Beatrice is survived by her son, Dr. John (Phyitra) Schorr and his daughters, Jennifer (Sam) Khichi and sons, Kiertan and Nathan; and Anne (John Schultz) Schorr; Kenneth’s children, Linda (Jackson) Steiert and son, John (Victoria) Steiert and daughter Kendra; David (Judy) Goplerud and children, Gregory (Kaye) Goplerud and children, Kaitlyn and Hannah; Kari (Russ) Nelson and children, Jordan and Gayle; and John (Sharon) Goplerud and children, Mary (Darwin) McKeen and daughters, Cara and Brittney and Christopher (DeeAnn) Goplerud and boys, Christopher and Kyle.

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

Mark Swancutt

August 21, 2012

Mark A. Swancutt, 53, of Chester, Iowa, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 20, 2012, in Havana, Illinois.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 25, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville, with Father Steve Garner Officiating. Burial will be in the Chester Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Friday, August 24, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville.

Mark Allen Swancutt, was born on April 4, 1959 in Austin, Minnesota, to Murl and Agatha (Weis) Swancutt. He attended and graduated from the Riceville High School in 1977. Mark farmed with his father for many years and took over the family farm after his father’s death. Mark currently owned and operated Swancutt Aviation.

His pride and joy was his children, he especially enjoyed watching their sporting events. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his friends, operating his crop dusting business and most of all spending time with his partner, Bev.

His life partner, Beverly Freerksen of Chester, his children, Joshua Swancutt of Chester, Rebekah Swancutt and Kristina Swancutt, both of Austin, Minnesota, three grandsons, one granddaughter and a granddaughter on the way, survive Mark. He is also survived by brothers, Mern (Betty) Swancutt of Chester and Delano Swancutt of Minneapolis; and a sister-in-law, Mary Swancutt of Austin, Minnesota.

His parents and one brother, Darwin preceded him in death.

The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville, was in charge of the arrangements.

Helen G. Fisk

August 28, 2012

Helen Grace Fisk, 91 of Taopi, Minnesota, died on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Lake City, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 29, at the Marshall Lutheran Church, with the Reverend Susan Rector Li officiating. Interment will be in the Marshall Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 4-6:00 p.m., at the Adams Funeral Home and at the church for one hour before the services on Wednesday. Casket bearers will be Devin Nelson, Wesley Nelson, Kerry Parrish, John Fisk, Dale and Thelma Himebaugh.

Helen was born on June 15, 1921 in Sanborn, Minnesota, to Richard and Olga (Steve) Albrecht. Helen married “Bird” Virgil Fisk on December 31, 1941. Helen was a homemaker and great cook. She helped farm with Virgil northeast of Adams, Minnesota, until they retired and moved to Taopi. Helen was active in the church circle at Marshall Lutheran.

She was preceded by death by her parents; husband, Virgil in 2004; son-in-law, Dale (Skip) Nelson in 2010; sisters, Anna Millard and Emma Albrecht; and brother, Robert Albrecht.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Joyce Nelson of Lake City, Minnesota; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Mary Fisk of Osage; grandchildren, Devin (Missy) Nelson, Kerry (Stephen) Parrish, John (Rachel) Fisk, Wesley Nelson & special friend Lisa; great-grandchildren, Jackson & Keaton Parrish, Sydney & Quinn Fisk, Graham & Helen Kay Nelson; brother, Walter Albrecht of Windom, Minnesota; sisters, Doris Kasel of Vermillion, Minnesota and Petra Albrecht of Windom, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.

The Adams Funeral Home, Adams, Minnesota, is in charge of the arrangements.

Delores A. Barrett

August 28, 2012

Delores A. Barrett, 85, of Garner, died on Friday, August 24, 2012, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 28, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with a rosary at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Scriptural wake service. Memorials may be directed to the family.

She is survived by her children, Tim (Deb) Seckar of Newton, Lillian (Glenn) Abelson of Zimmerman, Minnesota, DoLoras Demaray of Cedar Falls, Ann Johnston of Klemme, Lisa (Steve) Colby of Owatonna, Minnesota and Philip Seckar of Smithfield, North Carolina; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a sister, Margaret Fink of Nora Springs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph Seckar, Jr.; a daughter, Kathy Jo; and five siblings.

The Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner, was in charge of the arrangements.

John W. Thurnau Jr.

August 28, 2012

John W. Thurnau Jr., of St. Ansgar, passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2012, quietly and peacefully at home surrounded by his family at the age of 82.

Funeral service will be held at the Visitation Church, Stacyville, on Tuesday, August 28, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, with Military honors by the American Legion. Visitation was held at the Visitation Church, on Monday, August 27, from 4-7:00 with a rosary at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service.

John (Jr) was born on August 24, 1930 in Mitchell County, to John and Christina (Adams) Thurnau. He grew up and attended school in Brownville, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean Conflict. He married the love of his life, Olga Duren on May 16, 1951. To their union eight children were born. He worked for Albert and Frank Kerckhove farming until retiring to St. Ansgar in 1999.

John (Jr) loved country western music and played accordion and harmonica. He sang and played in a band for many many years. He loved dancing, playing cards with friends and family and watching the Minnesota Twins.

He is survived by his wife, Olga; three sons, Richard (Judy) of St. Ansgar, Ronnie (Denise) of Scarville and Scott (Julie) of Zumbrota, Minnesota; four daughters, Bonnie Morse of Osage, Pam (Curt) Lonergan of Rose Creek, Minnesota, Sherry (John) Hemann of Stacyville and Mary (Jay) Adams of Stacyville; 20 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; one son, Steven; grandson, Brett; and one brother and one sister.

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